Finally, after almost four years, I am back on the road, exploring amazing places in the Philippines! Able to freshen up and recharged after years of isolating at home due to the pandemic.
I have not traveled outside Metro Manila since November 2019 (except for my quick trip to Tagaytay in September last year with former colleagues) so my three consecutive travel adventures filled with so much excitement of new travel experiences.
It really feels so good to be on the road again after the pandemic. And what's more fantastic about my latest getaways is that I spent it with my entire family. What a relief!
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| Gethsemane Garden Resort |
And yes! Adventure is more fun and happier when you are with your family. Nothing compares with the level of joy and the feeling of completeness when you share the adventure with your closest loved ones.
As if the world is so peaceful, wonderful, and perfect when you share the joy of traveling with your parents, siblings, aunt, uncle, and cousins, exploring the beauty of the environment. It is simply liberating and priceless!
Our trip was also a celebration of life and togetherness, super grateful to God for keeping my two papas and mamas safe. My father and uncle (who I also called Papa) have been experiencing health discomfort (they are on their 80's already) lately. Thank God they were able to join us in this recent island trip.
Papa was even confined in the hospital for three weeks, thanks to my dear cousin, Dr. Edmund Lamela, for doing everything in his power to bring papa's health back to a good shape. So our family island getaway on April 8 was so momentous to all of us.
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| Gethsemane Garden Resort |
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Gethsemane Garden Resort
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My sister and I flown to Davao in the early morning of April 3 (my birthday) via Philippine Airlines, and because PAL is always punctual, we arrived an hour earlier than expected 🤗.
My parents, siblings, and nephews arrived from Marihatag that morning. We stayed at Shirley's Garden in Tagakpan, Tugbok district in Davao City. This vacation rental is owned by our relative, Evan Bajan, who is always very generous to us all throughout these years.
Family Nature Trip
On April 4, we spent overnight at Gethsemane Garden Resort in the Marilog District, Davao City, it's an incredible nature resort carved on top of the mountains, facing the breathtaking vistas of Bukidnon.
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| Family day at Gethsemane Garden Resort |
Gethsemane Garden Resort is a stunning natural landmark with guest houses and gazebos perched on the rolling hills. It has two swimming pool facilities, bambo huts for day trippers, several gazebos, an event reception venue, and guest houses equipped with kitchen and dining areas.
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| Gethsemane Garden Resort is an instagrammable place |
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| Chillin with Mama 🤗 |
I admired how the entire area was landscaped beautifully. The charming blends of colors, the landscaping design, the flowering shrubs, the hillocks, and the verdant plants, made the resort naturally lovely as if the whole area is a painting.
Everything is so instagrammable! From the awesome landscape to the natural view of the mountains. And the sight of the sunrise makes you breathe deeply on how incredible the natural world is. You may read details of this adventure in my travel blog Gourmand Travel Guide.
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| Mama and Papa. Morning chill at Gethsemane Garden Resort |
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| Breathtaking natural scenery |
We went home to Surigao del Sur on April 6 and two days later, on April 8, we whisked off to the stunning Britania Group of Islands with our cousins, uncle, and aunt for a family getaway. Britania is situated in the Municipality of San Agustin, our neighboring town.
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| With cousins and siblings |
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| With my cousins exploring the islets near Boslon island |
I've known Britania since childhood because most of the seafood sold in our place came from this lovely coastal barangay, but back then Britania remained a hidden paradise, its jaw-dropping group of islands and islets were not known to most of us, much more to tourists, until lately.
So it was an exciting island trip for me, and having to spend the adventure with my family was even more terrific. We spent the day in conversation and endless laughter! Happiness at the highest level 😂
| Mama Inday cuddling Ella 😄 |
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| So happy to see Papa Pediong and Papa Narding joining us in this island trip |
Britania has over 20 islands and islets but only four of these are part of the island-hopping destinations offered by the local resorts: Boslon island (including the three islets nearby), Hagonoy, Naked island, and Hiyor-hiyoran island. The three islets near Boslon island can be explored on foot during low tide.
Its ivory sand and irresistible crystal-clear water can be compared to the gorgeous beaches in Boracay, Siargao, and Palawan, the only difference is that in Britania, the experience is just beach, sun, and sand. Less noise. More chill. And it's not a party destination. The islands have no cottages and food stalls, the activities are purely island hopping and water activities.
Omangon Island!
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| Omangon Island Marihatag Surigao del Sur |
On Easter Sunday, my siblings and I joined our cousins from the Corvera clan for an overnight stay in Omangon Island. This is just approximately 15 minutes away from our home, and about three minutes boat ride from the coastal area of Marihatag Tree Park but it was my first time to visit this island haha!
I was so lazy back then 😂
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| With our Corvera cousins |
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| Morning chill with our Corvera cousins |
Omangon Island is a secluded paradise in our home town. It's a privately-owned island so it's rarely reached by "outsiders". Today, there's only one family operating a resort facing the open sea. However, the rest of the island can be explored on foot by visitors.
Omangon Island is a perfect hideaway for people who want to spend some quiet moment in a remote place. An idyllic oasis where time is slow and days are balmer. It is a must-visit remote island with a perfect view of the Pacific Ocean.
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| Omangon Island Marihatag Surigao del Sur |
The fresh air rolling from the ocean and the sight of the crashing waves in the morning helped me loosen up and wind down. Hinged through coconut trees with pristine white sand and clear water, Omangon Island gives visitors a perfect feel of a picturesque tropical getaway.
Read details of my three travel getaways this summer:
Nature Trip to Gethsemane Garden Resort
My Trip to Britania Group of Islands
Relaxing Tropical Life in Omangon Island
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