Hof Gorei Resort, Samal

Category: Travel
Destination: Samal Island, Davao

It was my birthday treat for my BF's birthday. Thanks to Cebu Pacific's piso fares for making it happen. I booked 2 tickets to Davao for his birthday and stayed in Samal Island for 2 nights.

After doing a research whole night on where to stay in Samal, we finally decided to stay in Hof Gorei. We booked the Romantic Getaway Package which is P3500 each. Bookings were very easy and the customer service who attended to our queries via email was prompt and accommodating.

We arrived at Davao Airport at 8:00 AM so we ate our breakfast first while waiting for the time to pass since the boat transfer from Davao to Samal will arrive at 10:00 AM. From the Airport, we rode a taxi going Sta. Ana wharf. Mind you, the wharf has no place for waiting passengers. If you go there earlier than your scheduled time, you may need to deal with the heat of the sun plus the dusty atmosphere coming from trucks loading and unloading products. Not to include the persistent pearl sellers.

So finally our boat has arrived. The trip going to the resort took almost an hour. So better bring with you some foods to eat while on board. At the resort wharf, we are greeted with our personal butler with our drinks and our cool towels. That was nice! After sightseeing for a while, I noticed how clear the sea is. You can see the ocean life clearly.

Our villa was a few meters from the beach. I really like the atmosphere there. The place is perfect for couples who want to spend time relaxing with themselves. The place is free from any noise of the city life. Beach with white sand is so adorable, you can set your breakfast, lunch or dinner there if you want for a romantic feel. Rooms are quite spacious, with a separate toilet and bath and a private veranda. And foods are so delicious. It's worth to mention specially their Tinolang Manok, my favorite among the foods we have ordered.

The downside on this resort however is the internet. I really had a problem connecting to the internet as a result, I was not able to work most of projects while there. Internet connection is only available on the wharf area that is about 100 meters away from the resort. The connection too is not stable.

Also, if you are staying here, the price is 3 times higher than the regular price but don't worry, they accept major credit cards so you don't have to worry if you have no cash with you. Also, no grocery stores or ATMs nearby.

Island hopping was included in our package. It was a whole day activity. We were lucky we are only 2 groups to have Island Hopping that day and the other couple was also cool. The whole day activity felt more romantic and exclusive because there are only few people on board. Less noise and possible annoying individuals. :) The only thing I was disappointed with during that day was food. I didn't know I have to pay for it and was charged almost P1000 for that. If I would have known that, I should have ate more or ordered the ones that I love to eat on the beach.

But overall, my Hof Gorei stay was memorable and worth every penny I have paid for. Thanks to Micoy our personal butler who attended to our needs during our stay.

Samal Island, Snorkeling

Crystal Blue Water

Hof Gorei Beach Front

It was fun to be there!

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Valentines Day 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

This year, I am spending my Valentines in Boracay. But this time, I am not certain if I will be able to enjoy the trip. I am going with someone whom I feel awkward with. I don’t know what this trip will turn out in the end, but whatever it is, I will make sure I will be enjoying the beach and the white sand. And yes, this time I am trying out Zorb and Glass Bottom Boat ride! Can’t wait for that! J

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Loving the Island of Boracay!

Category: Travel
Location: Boracay Island


Ah, Yeah... I bet I have mentioned this before that I will definitely going back to this paradise…  

Hello Boracay… It was sunny day when we arrived that day, ideal for our beach activities, and thank God for this weather, me and best friend was able to do reef walk, our top-of-list activity for this trip.

So we went to our resort and put on our bikinis. We took a walk along the beach, and looking for some locals that can help us about the reef walk. I know they are all over on the island, so it wasn’t that hard looking for one. So we met this lady, she was nice. We were planning to get our lunch first before going for reef walk, but because of excitement we decided to do it first. The lady was nice, she have warned us that the next day will have a low pressure coming on the island and that afternoon will be a safer time to have reef walk because the sea is calm.

Here we are, our ride to the site for our reef walk… so excited. Can’t you see it with our smiles in our face! I feel like im like a kid excited to open my Christmas gift. Hahaha. (I want to thank the driver who offered to take our picture. :)

I didn’t know that the helmet was soooooooo heavy! We spent our time underwater taking pictures. But of course, we didn’t take it our selves,  a guide is with you to take all your pictures, in any angle you want, you can sit, you can lie, what ever pose you can think of. After that, we fed the fishes, that was the coolest part! All the fishes around comes near you, it’s like you are in a big aquarium. I found nemo’s cousins there! Hehe. 

The next day was a bad day, it was raining so we haven’t had the chance to get tanlines. But still we managed to enjoy our trip. 

And we are going for our ATV ride on the other side of the island!

This after the briefing and signing the waiver. Our guide, lecturing us how to use the ATV! We have to wear raincoats.

And we are ready to roll! 

Our First stop is where the biggest fruit bat I have ever seen. The Everland Aviary Park. Mostly, what they have there are different kinds of birds.  Actually, I find the place unique, the management are so creative in making the old jet ski and boats as the home for the birds.

I took pictures of some of the living creatures at the aviary.

This place is marked as picture area, so we took our picture here too! J

So heading to our next stop! The Tanawin View Point where you can view the whole island of Boracay!

She's tired taking these steps up to the tower!

Taking pictures! Overlooking  Bulabog Beach… 

And yeah! At last we are here at the tower!.. I forgot what beach is in our background but I believe it’s the white beach.

Not the typical Boracay white beach eh? Bad weather when we were there so the beach isn’t that busy. 

After taking our long walk at the white beach, we stopped by at Jonah’s….

And of course don’t forget to visit the grotto too.

I failed to see any sand castles along the beach, I hope by next year I can find them when I visit the island again…

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Valentines at Boracay

Category: Travel
Location: Boracay Island

Considered as one of the major tourist destination in the Philippines, Boracay really is a paradise. And yes, I am one of the many tourists who witnessed its beauty - the white sand in the white beach and the crystal clear water. The place is so amazing and is a perfect place if you want to enjoy, relax and have fun.

We were able to see this beautiful island because of the piso fare promo offered by Cebu Pacific Air. I and friends agreed to avail the promo. Last February 13, 2011, was our scheduled flight to Cebu, unfortunately, we were not able to check in on time we ended up taking ferry going to Cebu. Good thing our flight to Boracay is scheduled the next day. But hell, I hate the thought of not able to board the plane thinking I didn't sleep that night just to be able catch up with time. (If you're wondering why I did not sleep, I am nocturnal person, and I thought if I will sleep that night I might not be able to wake up by 4 am!) But too much for that.

So here we are, boarding on plane, excited to explore Boracay and know to myself why it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This is the Island, you can really see the White beach from above, I don't how many hours it will took me to walk from end to end..


To get there from the airport, take trikes outside the airport, you can buy the ticket booth along with the Environmental fee and Bangka Fee. It will be about 10 minute ride before you get to the pier, from there get your terminal fee. The Bangka ride from Caticlan to Boracay Island is about 15-20 minutes. When your there, take another trike that will drop to your booked hotel.

There lots of activities you can do at Boracay, but for our group we only did hiking along the beach and do a lot of food trips, shopping and party at night.

You can find there fresh seafood. We bought the fresh seafood at the d'market and have it cooked on one of the restaurants there. The fish sweet n sour really taste good. The grilled fish wasn't that great. If you like talaba, you can also find it there. My friends said its really delicious.

Pictures above is from Jonah's. But hey, you should also try there shakes, it's on of the best shakes I've tasted.

 

We chilled at Paradiso Grill...

 

 and partied at Juicers.

When your there, don't forget to visit the d'Grotto.

 I really like this picture, the water is very calm... Everything is in Blue.

  Behind is d'Grotto.

Sunset at Boracay

That's all for now... By June I will be at Boracay again, hopefully the weather will cooperate! zzzzzzzz!

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