Independence Hotel, Sihanoukville Cambodia

Sunset Bar and Restaurant

Eating lunch or dinner at sunset restaurant is incredibly relaxing, or you may find it very romantic if you eat there together with the one you love. Sunset restaurant is located Inside Independence Hotel here in Sihanoukville Cambodia.  The view is very romantic you can hear the sound of the waves splashing on the wall or shall I say splashing against the rocks beneath.

Iligan Lanao del Norte, Philippines

After our Camiguin escaped our group decided to have a day tour at Iligan. We thought that Maria Christina falls is the attraction in the city, but were mistaken, because aside from Maria Christina falls there is the hidden treasure the city is offering. The so called Tinago falls literally means hidden.  With the help of our rented van at Cagayan we manage to arrive in Iligian city safe and sound.  To our dismay Maria Christina falls is not available for viewing and that time also, Mindanao area is at red alert got the courage, for this I called dangerous adventure. Our driver bring us to Tinago, were all excited that we are very happy going down and we did not even notice how many  steps or stairs going down. When we heard the swift of flowing water were very more excited.  There are some Koreans tourists visiting also, of course with their tourist guide. Seeing the magnificent falls makes us lighten and very happy. We enjoyed so much in the water and I will never forget that one of my office mate scolded by the caretaker because he did not used life jacket which is one of the requirements.  As we go back upstairs that’s the hardest part we encounter and I can attest to myself that is the very difficult part because my knees and chin reach each other while were going up.Timoga Swimming pool, It consists of 5 different designs and it has a natural over flowing water or chlorine free pool. Our group decided to the longest pool with diving board looks like we’re on Olympic hehehe, by 3:00pm we ended our enjoyment and go back to CDO. Were all tired but, very much happy!!! For the fun, adventure and experiences we had.  In the end all of us fall asleep inside the van. =)

Deca Homes Resort and Residences

Entrance to Clubhouse

 The first resort subdivision in Davao City, one of their amenities are swimming pool, which is located in Phase 4, near the club house, basketball court, soccer field and Lagoon where you can do boating, the rate per hour basis.

It's wake time!!! Yes... Deca Homes in Mintal, Davao City have wake boarding, and it is now well known in the city. I guess it is now one of the tourist attractions of Davao City. We're very fortunate to be near the club house.=:)

                                                   Poll and Lagoon viewing Mt. Apo.

                                                            Wake boarding Area

Camiguin Island, Philippines

Once upon a time, the accounting group of Davao and Tagum City went to Camiguin Island via Cagayan De Oro City. Yes, those where the days. I really remember that day but I forgot already the year. It was December 25 of 12noon our group headed by our Finance Manager were all excited for the trip. So this is it. The road going to Bukidnon was crooked but we manage to enjoy our trip. We rented a Van going to Cagayan and spent the night at Maam Herchel house.  By 26 of December early in the morning were all excited as in super duper excited for this is the day that we are going to go Camiguin Island one of the pride or tourist destination in Mindanao. We traveled from CDO to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental and take an hourly ferry. Capital of Camiguin is Mambajao for that is the place that we stop and arrange a multicab going to the rest house that our boss chosen. People there are very friendly like the Boholanos they can be the tour guide also. We did not reach in our resort the multicab driver inform us and stop us at old ruins of San Roque Church. Staying 2 nights and 1 day is not enough and we did not explore all their tourist attractions. Here are some of their attractions that we visited.

.       Sunken Cemetery

A large white cross marks a cementery swept by the sea during the eruption of an old volcano Daan in 1871. Going to the large cross makes the hair in my arms standing for I can see the grave under the water.  I guess I got a wild imagination.

2.      Via Cruzes

Old volcano Slopes where there are life size statues representing the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pilgrims gather together especially Lenten season. This is the time that Camiguin is very busy.

Sto. Ñino Cold Spring

A huge pool of cold spring water it measures 25m x 40m.

Ardent Hot Spring

The spring is ideal to bathe especially the old ones because it has therapeutic effects. We have funny memories in this spring since our officemates jump in to the hot water and the rest is history.hehe

 White Island Beach

An isolated island, where you can view the Mt. Hibok-Hibok an active volcano in Camiguin and the white island beach can be reached for only 10 minutes.

White Island view from top. (Courtesy of Paras Beach Resort)

Mt. Hibok-Hibok an Active Volcano

Seagull Valley Mountain Resot

Thanks to Ms. Joy who always there for us especially during this time (outing time). Madam I never forget you from the day that we become friends during our college days up to being my boss. Without you I cannot explore some tourist attractions in Mindanao.  Accounting Department headed by our boss Ms. Joy decided to have an overnight stay at Seagull Valley Resort or Seagull Mountain Resort.  We rented the white house up and down, boys downstairs and women upstairs.

Seagull Mountain Resort is located along Davao-Bukidnon Road. We arrived at the resort night time, since we already have a reservation the staff took us to the White house. All of us were excited that we did not sleep even though where tired from our work to travel. No TV, Radio or any form of entertainment. One of my officemates bring a playing card so some of the group play card some of the ladies just chit chatting and some of the boys were drinking red wine. We cannot bear the cold outside so after our chit chat we slept for we are about to wake up early and see the beauty of nature is offering in the mountain. As we wake up early in the morning fogs greeted us outside so we headed to their restaurant which is quite pricey and order breakfast of course sipping a cup of coffee and giving some comments regarding the resort. Amenities of resort are Campsite, Restaurant, Our Lady of Manaog Chapel and Swimming Pool for kids and adult.  Now they are spreading their wings for they have some new development like the waterfalls with tub, golf course which is under construction and I notice also the second time I went there for a day tour is that the area where I appreciated must, when I wake up is the plants near the white house is already gone. We've been to cold spring with a cave near the swimming area, oh! i forgot the name and of course in Epol though only in first falls. Well anyway all I can say is that someday I can go back there with their new appearance.

                                                                                   

Banana Split(a dessert)

It’s not the TV series in Philippines, a dessert which I’m craving now. One of the best Banana Split here in Sihanoukville. Two thumbs up to Independence Hotel from me. :) From the word itself, split the banana (cut lengthwise) and put some ice cream in it though it is served in long dish looks like a boat.  It’s yummy luscious.

Learning Khmer Language

Khmer may sound confusing but with a little patience and practice we can learn, don’t you know that there are 33 consonants and 26 vowels they had. The first word I learn the day I start to work here is the word thank you-or-koon (awkun).Answering Yes or No is based on gender, man should say baat and chaa for woman. With the help of monthly guide magazine, this is available in supermarket, for freeeee. I learn some  and of course constant communication with the locals. Ai is pronounced as in Thai; ay as in pay, dt takes the sound of t and bp takes the p sound. Here are some useful words. The () is how I pronounce or the way I talk with that word to them.

Water-teuk(tak)

Rice-bai

Meat-saich

Fish- t’ray (try)

Morning-bpreuk (prock)

Night-yoop (yop)

One-moo ay (moy)

Two-bpee (pee)

Three-bay

Note: Easy to remember are bad words but i will not post in here.:)

Pearl Farm Beach Resort

Nothing to say much just posted some pictures to remember our accounting outing though we add some money so that we can generate a bigger found and enjoy our overnight stay at Pearl Farm. Pearl Farm is a little bit expensive but very secluded especially if you choose to stay in Isla Malipano. Missing you guys, Hope to see you some other time.

Isla Malipano

Parola Bar

Approaching Pearl Farm

Accounting Group Davao and Tagum

Hagimit Falls, Samal Island Philippines

Hagimit falls is situated at southern part of Philippines; Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) by many is one of the tourist attractions in Davao City. Samal Island is only popular of white beaches, only little knows that there is  falls located in Samal, particularly in Peñaplata. It is a small falls that has natural swimming pools and rock formations.  Last 2006 when the previous company I’m working held summer affair at   Isla Beach Resort.  Reminiscing my past as of this moment, some of my co workers especially singles decided to stay overnight and headed to hagimit early in the morning. Isla Beach is secured and some of our boys stay outside and witness some event along the area. We Ladies decided to stay in our cottage and enjoy singing.  Bat Cave can be found also in the Island.