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| Dakak Entrance Gate |
We used to joke this line to a couple of friends who were so excited to go to Dakak one time but wasn't able to. I never thought I'd have a chance to visit Dakak myself! Last December (2010), we (Me, Rommel and wife Tess) went to Dapitan (
http://www.dapitan.com/) and hoped we could have time to visit Dakak, but since we're on for an official business, we weren't sure we will have the time to explore Dapitan, much more to visit Dakak (
http://dapitan.com/Dakak.htm).
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| Our Inn |
While in Dapitan, we stayed for two nights at the Harohoy sa Baybayon. We got two air con double room with private T&B worth Php 600.00 a night each. We arrived on a Wednesday afternoon and went straight to work mode. We weren't so fortunate on the first day try but we did not give up that easily. Before the day ends on a Thursday, we were successful on our aim, so we had the third day free to start to sail home.
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| Hunted House |
But before Thursday ended, we had a chance to visit their Gloria de Dapitan (
http://gddapitan.multiply.com/). It was a themed park, just like Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna and Starcity in Manila. The park have lots of rides to choose from, which one caught my eye is their Anchor's Away-like, the Galleon. It also has other attractions like their scary hunted house... :D
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| The Prince and Princess |
The park also has stage shows that kids, and kids at heart would love. A show with a prince and princess dancing and singing on stage, flying fairies, giggling clowns and talking animals. The show will run for about 5-10 minutes, then the performers will go near the lobby to meet and greet with the guests of the park and we were able to join and take pictures with them as well.
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| Meet and Greet with the Performers |
We paid only the entrance fee of Php 200.00 without the rides since Labsy wasn't able to join us on this trip, I wasn't so enthusiastic with the rides as well. We just went to visit the place, see what it offers, watch some shows, take pictures with the characters and just kill time.
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| Rommel with the Fairies |
Electricity in Dapitan goes on and off every now and then and on the night that we were at Gloria de Dapitan, the lights came back at around 10:00 PM. So while waiting, we stayed in the park where there were electricity and rides (they have generators), people to mingle with and a great ambiance with the fresh sea breeze of Dapitan's beach line just across the street. And when our friend texted us that electricity is back, we took a tricycle and when back at our inn and retired for the night (with the AC on, yepey!).
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| Gloria's Huge Xmas Tree |
The following day came. It was a TGIF (Thanks God It's Friday), it was supposedly our time to travel out of Dapitan to start the trip back to Davao via Dapitan-Dumaguete-Cebu by boat since there was no Dipolog-Cebu flight on a Friday and then Cebu-Davao by plane on Sunday. But before we left the solemn place of Dapitan, we saw a little window of time to be able to visit Dakak and have a coffee, pizza and good swim break.
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| At Rizal's Landing |
We started our Friday morning with a breakfast at Dapitan's Tapsilogan near Dapitan's Landing, where Dr. Jose P. Rizal (our national hero) landed during his exile in Dapitan. After breakfast, we talked with two single motorcycles (or we call them habal-habal) drivers to take us to Dakak and they asked us for a Php 100.00 each way per tricycle.
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| Tapsilogan |
Before we went to Dakak, we were able to ask how to go there. Dakak management (information center for tour packages and sorts, available at Gloria de Dapitan) also responded to our inquiries. If you are staying in Dakak, they have a free airport transfer, but if you're going only for a day tour, you'll have to take care of your transportation. There is no regular trip to Dakak, so either you rent a van (which is quite expensive) or the habal-habal.
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| My breakfast |
The road from the landing to Dakak, is not an all the way cemented and straight road, so, expect a lot of bumps, turns and in our case, some smoke and dust to deal with. But alas! No dust to deal with since it rained! But we have to make a quick stop to avoid getting drenched. ;P
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| Dakak lobby |
After about 30-45 minutes, we finally arrived at the elusive place, Dakak! We were greeted by their staff at the gate, we paid for the Php 250.00 day tour fee, Php 100.00 of which is consumable. Not bad aye? Then we stepped in their vans and it took us to the lobby of the resort and just right next to it is their souvenir shop and their restaurant where guests are enjoying their luscious food.
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| Pool 1 |
Just as we arrived in the lobby, we immediately texted our friends in Davao that we are having coffee at Dakak, just to tease someone dear. :D And that's actually what we did. The first thing we did was order a cup of coffee while relaxing and savouring the view around us, a lovely pool at one side, and a huge beach cove on the other.
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| Dakak Beach |
After having coffee, Tess and I, enjoyed the beach with a good swim, while Rommel (or we fondly call him "Tatay" at the office), had his morning siesta, and we were all stress-free and had the time of our lives for a moment.
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| Pizzaperfections |
After our swim, we ordered pizza and fruit juice for our lunch. We had a late breakfast so we weren't that hungry just yet. We had fun chatting while feast on a beautiful God's creation that not all of us has a chance to witness.
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| Near Rizal's Pool |
After our snack-lunch, we bought some shirts and souvenirs and off we went out and head for a quick stroll at Rizal's Shrine and educate ourselves with Rizal's lifestyle way back. The park was free so we just went in and stroll along the pavement, crossing a mini-bridge and help ourselves to Rizal's house, clinic and swimming pool.
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| Our ride back to the Inn |
Our habal-habal ride did not stay to wait for us. After our walk in the park, we grab a tricycle and went back to our inn, grab our bags and went to the port to catch a late afternoon trip to Dumaguete and bid goodbye (for now) to Dapitan.
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| At Rizal's Landing |
Our Dapitan trip was a very quick visit, but just about enough to appreciate Dapitan for what it is and how it is to fit in this crazy yet amazingly stunning world of ours...
- no matter how the world sees you, you alone can make life worth the world...
nice labsykong... wants to go there...
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