Saturday, August 3, 2013

The Traveling Kitty: Around Mati City and Masao

What's up guise.
Here's another late post.
But before you proceed, please read the first part of our Mati Getaway (if you haven't read it yet):
http://moonlitplaces.blogspot.com/2013/08/traveling-kitty-dahican-surf-resort.html
Thanks many many!

So, after spending the night at Dahican Surf Resort, and check-out at around 3 in the afternoon.
We went to the city proper to have our lunch fix, a very late one.

I didn't know much about where-to-eat places in Mati City nor where-to-hangout and stuff but
I did remember by surfin' the net about a popular restaurant in the area.

It was called La-ne's Kan-anan, located at Bonifacio St., Mati City.
It was a special place if you want something out of the ordinary like not a karinderya nor fast food, then this place is a must. The food is very delicious, appetizing and god! I just want more but it doesn't come cheap. Price ranges from P 100 - more. Honestly, food is worth it, a must-try.

We decided to dine here because I don't eat fast food, junk food, and rice; plus this restaurant was only in Mati.

Here you may check the map:
https://foursquare.com/v/lanes-kananan/4ef481199adf60f83aa29a64


boyfran was anticipating and doubting if the food tastes great or not.


tenen! here are some of our orders (didn't have time to capture the rest, as our companion have very lil' time to compliment the food for it was half eaten in 60 seconds lol)
This ere' is called Beef Kaldereta. It is a famous Filipino dish and this one was just ugh! amazing! Very hearty, sweet and it's not like one of those beef kaldereta's that are oozing with bagoong
You've got to try this one at La-ne's.


Next one is my favorite. It is very delicious, and sweet and spicy which I love the most.
This is called Sinurol and I don't really know if it's a Mati signature or tagalog dish but I do know that
it's Native Chicken Tinola with coconut juice and spices.
I would love to have this soup right now ugh.


It's not just your typical chicken barbecue. I love how it's not over-grilled (overcooked), as you can see there were only few charred parts. Delish!


Me and my bf don't drink sodas and artificial juices. So, I ordered this naturally squeezed calamansi juice with no sugar. It wasn't bad at all and not too sour.



After eating out. We headed to the Mati Baywalk which was only a few meters away from La-ne's.
We had a few snapshots and enjoyed the view of their clean baywalk.





This is La-ne's.

After strolling in the park (Mati Baywalk), we decided to go to our next trip which was in Masao.
It's in the other side of Dahican, and farther.

By the way, the roads were still under-construction, and one hell of a bumpy ride. Drive slowly and safely.

We were heading to Masao Beach Resort.
The beach here is not the same with Dahican. The water is more calm. If you want to relax and drink the night out with your friends then this is the place for you.

However, based on my observation and experience. It was not as clean as I've expected it to be, or maybe because it was just getting "old" and left as it was.

I have fear in dark oceanic things in the water, crazy sharp barnacles and cockroaches.
If you can't tolerate things like these then better head out somewhere where you can just camp and tent, or a hotel maybe because it was getting dark and we had to stay-in somewhere.
After all, this was also planned in my itinerary, but like I said, I never expected the place to be this... undesirable lol

I have to honestly say, It was calm and beautiful, sunset and sunrise was splendid.
Just that the water was not that clean, and there were jellies and other weird things.
The room we rented was infested with cockroaches, ugh... and not just the rooms actually, the whole area.
I forced myself to sleep because if I don't, how will I start my day beautiful?

Anyway, fuck this cockroach thing and let's just move on and forget about it.

Guise, the beach here is different because seaweed's abundant and many sea forms are visibly swimming around them.




The sun kissing us good night. Calm waters turn blue to dark green.
Darkness wrapping us to welcome solitude.







Our guise enjoying the water and having fun.
We were told to be very cautious swimming at night. Night swimming isn't allowed but if you've got the balls to dive in and float. Swim at your own risk.





Did sleep and I was ready, and excited to our next trip which was one of the priorities in the itinerary.
Thus the morning was merry making. Had breakfast, and coffee.


here's a day shot of the water and diving area.





A lil workout before island hopping. Pumping up our day!

The next post will be about our Island Hopping at two famous places Pujada and Waniban Island.

Overall, I'd give Masao Beach Resort a rate of 5 out of 10.
why?

As I've mentioned dirty things about this, the place was also calm and breezy in the morning but not exactly relaxing as it was lifeless and boring.

If you and your friends didn't bring an acoustic guitar then well, they do have videoke/karaoke but it was quite far from the room we rented.

Rooms:

We rented the cheapest room with a toilet - P 600.00
The rooms are located near the water (like floating houses) and has specific diving areas.
The nearest to the entrance is okay for kids while we were located farthest and the water was deeper.

Accommodations:

Ask the staff about the Island Hopping and she will immediately contact the tourism dept. - P 2,000.00
for two islands (no snacks and such), we offered the boaters to have lunch with us. Bring your own food and don't forget to bring extra money for Waniban Island has an entrance fee. The boaters have snorkel for rent and is affordable. You have to try snorkeling at Waniban, you will surely enjoy and will be left wondering - the marine world is indeed mysterious, terrifying and beautiful.

Island hopping at Pujada Bay <--- please click this link to go to the next post

Traveling Kitty - Dahican Surf Resort, Mati City

Hey guise.
Time is indeed unfair for some of us and I just posted this blog about our summer vacation in Mati.
I apologize for being such a slacker that's because I can't try to figure out how to make a very good travelogue.
Hence, I've come to my senses that I should practice typing and promoting than fantasizing about blogging this stuff haha.

I do love travel, walking, going to new places, learning new culture, tradition and pride; I respect that.
However, It's not like I'm a rich person to do all these luxurious things. I tell you, It is a luxury to go on vacation, to travel with all your heart. We already know we must earn, save and spend money but that is just the case of survival. Although, we can bum out at the beach and just enjoy the ocean, we can talk to the people and learn from them, we can keep on driving until we meet our heart's desire.

and I must tell you, give yourself a break.

Without further adieu.
Dahican Surf Resort, hang loose.


First, you have to stop by at the "sleeping dinosaur" hill top view.
We had our breakfast here, I forgot the karinderya's name but It's the only Karinderya with a
hut and a view like this, I think the store was sort of a "bulaloan" name haha!


Having breakfast at the karinderya. It was a beef fest lol we ordered a lot of "Bulalo" (Marrow Beef Stew), and Coffee. We were still sleepy, and the fact that we got too excited which didn't get enough sleep hah!


Arrived at Dahican surf resort. We went here and it was not the "wave" season. The best time to enjoy still water and swim.



excuse my gruesome hair. Just look how refreshing the water is.



A handsome fisherman lol


our jolly good ole' friends




and tanning starts now...


drinking it ala naturale.


friends jammin', you guys can totally bring instruments. Have a great time singin' your favorite songs.


I was with my boyfriend, mom, big brother and friends. The usual crew going to places.



my boyfran is so addicted to coconut that he eats it like a substitute of rice lol jk.


rain looks terrifying but leaves us fascinated.



night shot. me and my bf stayed in the blue tent.


Early morning, after the rain, glorified!



some morning exercises.




see? early morning exercises. hehe.
Pangoy, one of the locals in Dahican and also a famous skimmer of Davao Oriental.


yes fuck the haters right? haha! just goofin' guise.




ultimate breakfast. Adobong Pusit (Squid), Kinilaw (Raw Fish), and Grilled Tuna prepared by Yoyo (our driver and friend)


here's a nice picture of mama.


hah! cliche beach photo but it's hilarious!


group pic at the beach front.


group pic at the resort entrance.

This was just part I of our Mati getaway.
I made an itinerary first by the way before me and my mom decided to pack things up.
Dahican resort was first in my travel list.
Where I got the info? last 2012, me and my boyfriend went to Amihan sa Dahican to attend a skim competition. Amihan sa Dahican is very close by Dahican resort because well they are obviously in the same spot of Dahican.

More information in our trip here:

useful tip:
- I had nokia maps on my mobile phone and it helped us locate the exact spots, including our destination.
- Make an itinerary before making the trip happen cause it will give you more time and day to change locations traveling. We had plenty of time so the extra days we had getting enough sleep and just relaxing (especially the driver who was also our cook haha).
- Keep hydrating yourself, drink plenty of water, buy enough mineral water. Clean water is scarce when you're always on the road.
- Don't bring a laptop. My big bro brought his laptop and it wasn't that useful, just playing games. Unless if you want to destroy the whole trip by going on the internet and wasting your time there. That's your decision anyway. I'm just giving ya'll a tip.
- Prepare things that are very important when you're out in the heat: Sun block (I always buy the ones in sachet because it's cheaper, Dermaplus moisturizing sunblock SPF 80).
- Well, enjoy nature. Carpe Diem!

How to get there:

Dahican Surf Resort is located at Barangay Dahican. Keep asking the locals to lead you the way, they are very friendly after all.

Accommodation:

Dahican Surf Resort is rather expensive than Amihan sa Dahican but both of them have different amenities.
  • Entrance Fee (as I could remember) - P 100/per head overnight.
  • We rented the white huts - P 3,000 but! The whole spot was like our home, we were treated like V.I.P. and we can borrow tables and chairs, can stay anywhere, and tent anywhere hehe.
There is a grilling and cooking station in the resort.
You can buy fresh seafood in the morning at the beach front where fishermen usually mingle with the locals.
You can ask the "Ate" in the front desk to order fresh coconut. The boys (macho boys) usually get the coconuts with no ropes, and just bare hands. Please give them a tip before checking out.

2014 update: DSR is now different, the resort has a page which you can inquire about surfing lesson packages and other stuff: https://www.facebook.com/Dahicansurftours

Welp. That is all. Have fun at dahican! :)