We love MATI

From Bukidnon to Mati - Rocky's friends are making it an annual event that we all go for an escape, to unwind, party, catch up, and just be with each other, spending quality time, and having great conversations. Bitche wasn't able to go though, she unfortunately had a fever the night before we departed. Peddy too wasn't able to join us because of his busy schedule, but on the lighter side, lovers Reena Geene and Angelo were finally able to go with us. 

So off we go to Mati -this year's choice of destination. 

For our food, we had a Php250 contribution for each person, that's good for 2 days consumption.

I did our itinerary and here it goes:

Day 1

The night before our 2-day adventure started, we had a little merry-making with the Micabalo Family's all new entertainment set. 

Videoke time! with Ajen and Reena Geene. :)

At around 4:30 am, we're all set and ready for the 2-3hour ride to Davao Oriental (or known as DavOr).

 Up as early as 3! 

What's best about traveling early in the morning? You'll get fresh air, plus the warm greeting of Mr. Sun! And Davao Oriental has the privilege of seeing a perfect view of the sunrise!

Goofing around Brgy. Badas, where you see a spectacular view of the sunrise and the renowned Sleeping Dinosaur (or turtle, maybe?).

We arrived at Cinco Masao Beach Resort at around 7:00 am. Day 1 is intended for Island Hopping. We're bound to White Island (known as the Vanishing Island), Waniban Island and Pujada Island. You may hire a boat at Brgy. Tamisan, but we opted to hire one and dock out from Masao so the car (and our belongings) will be properly parked for safety. 

As we had our first meal of the day, the staff of Cinco Masao contacted a boatman to take us on a tour. So the rates for 10 persons were:

1500 - Waniban Island - 45minute ride

2500 - Waniban and Pujada Island - 2 hour ride

Since most of us have sea sickness and are afraid of raging waves, we decided to take only the Waniban tour. Unfortunately, the Vanishing Island is now strictly prohibited to visitors too. They said the current of the waves will be stronger around 4pm, and the 2-hour ride to Pujada Island seems long enough, especially to us scaredy cats.hehe 

Breakfast and prepping up for the Island Hopping- turned 1 island only tour! waaaa!

The water was very placid so we we'rent bothered by the 45-minute trip. We took pictures, cracked some jokes, and were eager-beavers to reach the island. It's an islet since it's small - only a 4-kilometer walk! It has fine white sand, and the other half of it is already facing THE Pacific Ocean. (The Life of Pie movie always comes in my mind every time I say and think of THE Pacific Ocean). There's nothing much to do but to swim and swim and swim! But be careful because it has areas where there are sudden deep and steep slope. 

After several minutes of swimming, laughing, trying for jumpshots, giggling and all, we hopped on the boat again and we roamed the island. Before going back to Cinco Masao to end the boat trip, we decided to take a dip in the middle of the deep blue sea between the Mati coastline and Waniban island. The current was strong that even though we had our life jackets on, it's very hard to swim because you have to battle out the current, struggle and save yourself from being pulled away! Me and Ajen were the last ones to dive in, we were hesitant at first but seeing the other's enjoying it, we took the risk and laugh our a**es out while holding tightly on the boat! And then there was the "how-to-get back-up-on-the-boat", which was the hardest yet one of the funniest parts! All of us girls were struggling but are laughing! (I'm still giggling while typing this too! hahahaha) 

The struggling part. Hala langoy gyud! hahaha

Kapit bisig mga kapatid! Kaya nato ni!

Hawoy naman uyyyy!

Tabaaaang! hehehe 

On the way back to Cinco Masao, we had some short "lover shots" taken. Unfortunately, ours were corrupted. So lemme just show you Carlwen+Ajen and Reena+Angelo's here. Love these!

oh, GUGMA!

Owwwkay, somebody's a little jelly here. Let's proceed to Dahican everyone. Yes DAHICAN, it is! ATLAST! Dahican by the way, is a 7-kilometer stretch of fine, white sand and big waves, perfect for surfing. There are a lot of resorts, but the cheapest is the Amihan. It is where you'll find the famous Amihan Boys - a group of local surfers from Mati who have been competing here and abroad, and offers surfing lessons too, for those who want to try it. We first went to Amihan, but due to its lack of facilities that could cater our needs, plus no safe parking lot, we decided to head on to Dahican Surf Resort (DSR). Entrance fee for overnight was at Php150.00 each. There were rooms available, good for 6-8 people at Php1, 500 but we brought tents. 

Who wouldn't FALL IN LOVE with this?

I still can't help myself from thinking, am I really facing THE Pacific Ocean?? (thinking of Life of Pie movie again.hehe) Such a cool sea breeze, the splashing of the BIG waves, the music, the very very fresh air, and great people - I thought, I am soooo having a good time. This is LIFE! Then you add good food served through my ever favorite boodle fight: beef steak, kinilaw, mangga, fruits, chicken adobo and unsa pa gani to? hehehe We didn't have much time to take pictures during lunch as usual, because we were so hungry.

Few hours later, we had Penoy Henyo game. I wanted to play too but sadly I was the host. (okay, fine). This game has never failed to bring so much laughter - from the guessing to the facial expressions! HAHAHA! 

I can still remember the words blurted out by each one of them, just to guess the henyo word! And let's give a credit to Engr. Olot for taking pictures and for coaching everyone the answers! Tikasan! hahahaha!

So after the mind-boggling, crazy yet funny game, we took some more pictures and at last, it's surfing! i mean.. SWIMMING TIME! 

super enjoy pa in the first 5 minutes..

and suddenly...!

mas nag-enjoy pa! hahaha dagkoa sa balod uyyy!

We were as if put inside a washing machine, and were like wet clothes given a wring. The waves will push-pull you back and forth! This is so not for the weak-hearted ones.

But see how brave we are! HAHAHAHA. Dahican really is, best and perfect for SURFING. But nonetheless, we enjoyed it!

At night, we had yet again another sumptuous meal! (Thank you ner for buying a pakol and extra pork and fruits! hehehe) By the way, the watermelon was bought along the highway of Lupon going to Banay-Banay. It was the sweetest! 

We had a little Kris Kringle or better known to us as "exchanging of gifts". So our concept was to name ourselves with food that is usually served on Holidays. And then we'll use those "names" to determine our Manito/Manita. Being the assigned host, I got the advantage of knowing their names and with each of their corresponding wishlist (evil laugh!). Our wishes were also limited to packed food. 

Day 2

Now the morning after is also one of the best. Why? 

How about waking up to this view?

GOD's creations are truly, overly, very amazing and just..WONDERFUL. :)

Then we had another boodle fight and this is just one of my favorite breakfast recipes! It's soooooo yuuuummmmmmyy!

The eating portion didn't just stop there, as we were then munching on our "gifts". The good thing about having food as gifts is that you get to share them. SHARING IS LOVING. :)

Few hours later, the water was again teasing and inviting..so we went out for a swim. Again.

Enchanting, Mesmerizing, Shining, Shimmering, Splendid!

It was around noon, and though it was scorching hot, we walked to Amihan then back again from DSR hoping to find a spot where waves aren't much bigger. But no hope, so we again battled it out on the big waves. And this time, it was even BIGGER. These were just few of the best captured pictures over the 10feet (I think) waves that splashed, enveloped over us and threw us. Yes, mura gyud mi ug gilabay, literally. Though we had a LOT of fine white sand on our hair, clothes (and undies!haha), plus some minor bruises due to the debris, it was still worth it. I thought I had just experienced a 'mini-tsunami' but still I enjoyed every single minute of it! ;)

One word: LINGAW!

Around 3:00 pm, we decided to end our 2-day escape, and rode to downtown Mati. We stopped by the Seaside sa Mati Restaurant to take a bite of their famous delicious empanada at only Php9.00 each. You have to wait few minutes though because they'll have to cook it so it's really fresh. We ordered two boxes so it'd take several minutes to be served. While waiting, we roamed around the Mati Park and Baywalk (also an attraction in the town) which is just a few walks away from Seaside. We took some tourist shots, cracked jokes, and see in our very own eyes the beauty of Mati. It has a lot to offer actually, just needs more attention from the authorities. 

The overall trip: 10/10 once again. Beach + roadtrips + booze + breeze + delicious food + cool adventure + good music + great people = quality time spent. I can't thank Rocky enough for introducing me to these people. I've known them by their names years before but I never really thought how great companies they could be to me. No pretentions and just pure me, pure them, pure fun. I love the fact that I could just be myself, and I love the fact that I'm honestly loving these people. I thank GOD that although I lost some friends before, He gave me few of the best ones. Thank you guys for accepting me, for the invites, the talks and the jokes and for everything. Thank you, thank you and as I always say, TO THE NEXT TRIP! :)