Posts Tagged ‘beaches’

Choose Dakak!

Friday, June 19th, 2009

Finally, I was able to spend some quality and enjoyable time in Dakak. I love the beach and in one of the posts about top beaches in the Philippines, I was dreaming of Dakak. ..

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Getting there

We only stayed in Dakak for a day since they       were fully-booked. Dakak is located in              Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte;                          just 8 kilometers from the famous Rizal Shrine.

Its distance from Manila or Cebu makes it less popular, but I tell you – it’s all worth it!

There are direct flights to Dipolog City and the resort can meet you with their shuttle to the resort. Dipolog is only less than thirty minutes from Dakak. Dipolog is only less than an hour away from Manila or Cebu by Air.

Peaceful, tranquil and calm


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During the Holy Week,when most people are off    from work for some most-awaited vacation, they often choose Boracay which as result, was totally crowded.

But in Dakak when it was also fully-booked, you   will be amazed how spacious the whole place is. The  beach is too wide for all guests and it seems that you are the only checking in!

Dakak is a beach resort and park that covers a total of 15 hectares..yes that large. With this wide territory, you dont have to leave this resort for other activities to do. What’s lacking is a mall – but since we are looking for a getaway, who needs a mall?

Aside from the beach, it has a casino, golf course, swimming pools, souvenier shops, restaraunts and many more. It’s like a little haceinda with well manicured bermuda grass and tall coconut trees. If you have kids, let their energy flow by running around with birds joining them!

picture-155The beach

The beach is of powdery sand and the water               is totally safe and calm. As a mother,                        I was so secured with my son wading in the          waters on his own. It was the first time that                 I was watching my child alone but still                 managed to lay down and relax.

The calmness of the water is due to the fact that Dakak is a cove hence, it is a well-sheltered beach. And at night, it is lit up adding romance in the air during dinner!

Since the beach is very wide, the management placed signage to guide guests to the swimming area and to which part water-sports are done. Yup, you can do sailing, scuba-diving, snorkeling, kayakng amng others in Dakak.

picture-178 Hate the heat? Lined up along the beach front are  shady trees ( I think it’s talisay trees) to protect you from the sun if you dont want to much of it. They have hammocks for you to totally relax and enjoy the scenery.

Service

My husband gave the biggest tip he ever gave to the attendants in Dakak. Most of them are locals and their service is genuine. They make you feel like guests to their own home – polite and well-mannered.

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Aside from that, one distinction of Dakak is there security- very tight. Guests can’t come and go. You must make sure your rservation is properly booked or else, you cannot enter the premises. The main gate is far from the main lobby and the rest of the resort.

As a whole, I cant wait to go back to Dakak.  Soul-searching, on honeymoon or simply to find the perfect holiday destination–Dakak is the place!


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Top Four Beaches in the Philippines

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009


The Philippines is gifted with many white-sand beaches which made this country a favorite holiday destination among tourists. But even the locals patronize their own beaches with its cool and clear waters.

I have traveled many places and I am proud of what our beaches in the Philippines has to offer. My list is based on my personal judgment ( and I think most of you will agree) and I only include beaches that I personally have visited.

There are some beaches that I have been to that is not included in my list like Bohol ( sorry) since we went there on a very stormy day and I didn’t have a nice time. Likewise, there are some beautiful beaches that I’m still longing to visit like in Palawan and Dakak.

So, here are my top five favorite beaches.

1. Antulang Beach Resort

Never heard of this place? Frankly speaking, only few people have been here and this place speaks of luxury holidays. Room rates are way higher than other resorts and the location is quite far. And because of this, Antulang Beach Resort is the favorite place among Filipino celebrities.

View from the balcony of their restaurant..
View from the balcony of their restaurant..

On my case, I have been to this place thrice and I still long to visit the beach once again. It is located an hour from Dumaguete City in Negros Occidental, the best place to get there is to have your own car hire since the resort is far from the main road.

They offer a boat-excusrion to neighobring islands and the famous Tambobo Bay ( filled with yachts)
They offer a boat-excursion to neighboring islands and the famous Tambobo Bay ( filled with yachts)

What I love about this beach is their location and privacy. The beach is very private and you can just soak up in the sun all-day. Plus, the staff are very friendly and they are really sincere in their service.


2. White Island Camiguin

Camiguin is an hour and a half ferry ride from Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao. If you are based in Cebu City, you can take an overnight trip in a ship to Camiguin Island. This island is known as the island ” born from fire” referring to its volcanic origin.

Hence, the beaches in the main island is rocky with some small pebbles but the famous ones is Mantigue Island and White Island which are located off the shore of the main island.

Take a pic with this banca!
Take a pic with this banca!

The White Island is very small and you have to hire a small banca ( small fishing boat) to bring you to the island.  You will feel like a cast away once you are there, you are in the middle of the sea. But the island is pure white sand and the waters are very clear.


3. Guimaras Island

clear water in a very sunny day
clear water in a very sunny day

This small island is famous for producing the sweetest mango in the country and suffered an oil-spill many years ago. But this island has a very nice beach if you dont have the time to go to Boracay. The easiest way to get here is to take a boat from Iloilo City for about 45 minutes and hire a local jeepney or motorcycle to the nearest beach.


Raymen's Beach Resort
Raymen’s Beach Resort

The most famous is Raymen’s Beach Resort which is 40 minutes from the port of Guimaras Island ( Jordan port). The beach is very small but it is not crowded given its white sand and clear waters. Plus, staying in this resort is very cheap and there are boat trips available if you want to visit other islets.


4. Boracay

Maybe you are already raising your eyebrow, why I placed this paradise island on the 4th place. Well, based on my personal criteria, I love beaches

Simply paradise
Simply paradise

that are less crowded and Boracay over the years became a “mass tourist spot”. There are many times that the place is too crowded and it is very noisy with all the bars and discotheques around.

favorite place for young tourists..
favorite place for young tourists..

Still, I cannot deny the beauty of this island. The sand are very soft like powder;I say, the best in the world. Also, this white sand stretches to more than a kilometer.


There you have it, my personal and most loved beaches in the country. These beaches doesn’t require a fortune for you to travel so go ahead and pack your bags and enjoy the sun and the sand in the Philippines!

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