Sunday, June 1, 2008
Go South “nalang”…
Only a short time ago one of our German friends (also named Klaus), married to Helen ( distance relative of Governor Uy), invited us to visit some places in Northern Mindanao. They picked me up last week together with my wife and my mother - and got the idea to travel first to Tagum City to show us one of their farms. We really enjoyed again fresh Durians and the fresh coconut juice. Hey, since more then 20 years, I was able to touch a horse again and watch roebucks. We sit beside a little fish pond in real lush nature. Then our friends brought us to the City of Tagum. We really got surprised how green and clean and well developed Tagum has become since a couple of years. Amid banana plantations and rich highlands, shopping complexes and pristine beaches Tagum City presents the so called “Musikahan”, as we learned. Celebrated this year from February 21 to 27, around 3,000 music and performing artists joined the event. I am pretty sure, we will visit Tagum next year again to watch this music celebration, which brands Tagum City as the Music Capital of the South.
A couple of relaxing and silent minutes in the Tagum Cathedral Christ the King followed.
For more information you might call the Tagum City Tourism Office 084-218-4727.
Yes, then suddenly, we got the idea to travel “more to the south”. How about Davao Oriental? Ok, let’s go…up, up and away!
On a mostly good cemented road we travelled from Tagum City to Maco (Comval Province) and then to Magnaga, where a Filipino friend of us operates a beach resort. Pantukan followed and also some terrible potholes… Anyway it’s really a fantastic dreamscape if you reach Lupon (still a 30 minutes ride away from Mati). A hot mineral spring (Calapagan Hotspring) surrounded by woodlands is a must visit.
Then we really became speechless: Have you heard already about the Sleeping Dinosaur Peninsula? It’s visible upon passing the 8-km Badas zigzag road to downtown Mati. The 57-hectar island resembles a sleeping dinosaur.
Talking about Badas: it was time for lunch - and, we got a very tasty seafood one in D’Golden Sunrise Beach Resort, owned by Efren Dupa, Punta Gemelina. Here you can also rent air con cottages to very affordable rates. For inquires you might call or text 0921 - 5560307.
Time flew by so very fast. Actually, when you are in Mati City, a lot of attractions are waiting for you. Waniban Island is one of them. The 40 hectares island is surrounded by white sand beaches and is home to a number of local tribes who make a living through fishing and hunting, as I learned already from my friend Lisa, who is working in the Municipal Hall of Mati. Waniban Island can be reached by a 20 minute boat ride from Cinco Masao Resort in Masao, Mati City. To know more about Mati and its other attractions call the Municipal Office at 087- 811 2371.
It was already late afternoon, when we started our trip home, and we really missed to see Burias Island located near the Puntalinao waters in Banaybanay, where also distance relatives of our family are living. This one hectare island can be seen only during low tide.
But surely, this was not our last trip to Davao Oriental. Many thanks to Klaus and Helen, who showed us all these wonderful places.
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# 1 Migs said:
Wow, Klaus. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip! You made me want to go to Mati, but even more to Tagum. 3,000 performing artists you say? I am very curious and excited to hear the music of Mindanao.
Thanks for sharing the story of your trip, and see you soon! Cheers!
# 2 klaus said:
Hi Migs, yup, it was indeed. yeah, I am also curious to hear the music of Mindanao, but as well to go back to Davao Oriental as soon as possible. thanks for stopping by, take care.
# 3 Dr. Sponk Long said:
Hi Klaus. Like Migs I’m intrigued with Tagum now that you have written about it. I will definitely check it out one of these days. Thanks for the new info.
# 4 john said:
Klaus I ave had the good fortune to go to Tagum and Mati and I so agree with you, they derserve to be more popular to outside vistors.
And Mati is indeed a beautiful quaint place to visit
# 5 Bob said:
Hi Klaus - Will you be writing more about your trip? When you mentioned that you were going to Northern Mindanao, I was looking forward to hearing your thoughts on that area, but so far you haven’t told about your time in Northern Mindanao? What parts of Northern Mindanao did you visit?
Looking forward to hearing the rest!
# 6 Cidy said:
Hi Klaus! What a wonderful trip you had. Thanks for the info. Hope I can visit that place too…Never been there yet…
Thanks for sharing it with us.
# 7 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Dr. Sponk Long, thanks for your comment. Yup, so maybe we will meet us next year in Tagum City. As a music and cultural lover I am sure to be there next year and I am really sad, that I missed this event during the last nine years of my stay in Mindanao.
# 8 Klaus Doring said:
Hi John, thanks a lot for your comment and thanks you agree with me. yup, these places indeed more visitors.
# 9 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Bob, thanks for stopping by. I’d like to let you know, that I will visit these places again (after being there during the 1980s, i.e. Mawab, Monkayo etc.). We just changed our schedule, that’s why we went “south nalang”…..
# 10 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Cidy, salamat kaayo for dropping by. Yup, you should go there, you will be amazed how beautiful Mindanao is…
# 11 Klaus Doring said:
Hi Bob, I know, we are both very busy. i wish we find time for a cup of coffee (or two?) soon. I am really sorry that I missed your invitation. Take care.
# 12 Bob said:
Hi Klaus - No problem on missing the coffee, you were busy that day. When you said you were going to Northern Mindanao, I thought you meant places like CdO, Butuan, Gingoog or somewhere up north like that. Maybe someday we can travel there together.
Give me a text when you are free for coffee sometime.
# 13 Klaus Doring said:
Yup Bob, I will send you a text message. I am glad, we will go together… exactly these places you mentioned are pearls of Mindanao…