Where the beaches, clouds, and mountains meet

After a long wait, my most awaited chance to have an R&R finally came...so off we go to for a three-hour drive to Mati, Davao Oriental to see for myself the infamous white sand beaches and enchanting islands that has been tickling my imagination. I was weighing my options whether to go and join my cousins in Boracay or just go somewhere near for the long weekend. Well, the penny-pincer in me had made choose the latter. Besides, Boracay would be crowded as usual...too distracting for my standards.

Coincidentally, it was also Mati's 102 Foundation Day. Upon arriving in Mati's poblacion, we got so excited because the whole town was in a fiesta mood. The usuals were there: ukay-ukay and tiangge booths, food fair, fruit festival, programme at the park, beauty pageant, and videoke challenges.

We left Davao at 7:00am on Saturday, Ocotber 29th and had a quickie brunch in Tagum City at 8:00 am afterwhich we started our journey to Mati. As always, I was fascinated with the ride and managed to keep myself from dosing off. Mati is also famous for its very panoramic view of its coastlines. At one point, you would see a view of adjacent islands with a shape of a 'sleeping dinosaur'. Fantastic indeed!We arrived there at almost 12noon and went around the poblacion and ate sumptuous empanaditas...Sarap talaga! Then, we went to a private resort where big waves were said to be surfers' delight. How I wish I know how to windsurf, must be an exhilirating experience...

When it was almost sundown, we then proceeded to Masau resort. We have booked a cottage there at Php 1,500, not bad for an airconditioned room which could accommodate 10 persons (by my size). hahaha All the cottages were affordable anyway. There are lined cottages on the beach, as well as floating cottages. There's no t.v. though, but there are videoke machines that cost Php3.00 per song...not bad at all! However, you c an't find MYMP songs there..hahaha I sang Rick Price's 'It only reminds me of you'...I scored 94! whew, gosh, singin' is so relaxing!hahaha

On the following day, we woke up as early as 6am for our early morning swim...the water was amply warm and cool...the sun's rays not so piercingly hot yet and a hot coffee waiting at the cottage, with grilled dried fish (bulad as we call it), pork kilawin, and chicken adobo. What a great day! At 9am, we were set to go to Waniban Island. It's a 30-minute ride by boat, very isolated island with water so blue and green....see for yourself!

Approaching Waniban island

Waniban in different angles: (Left) Docking on the island and (R) View inside Waniban

Well, after eating lunch, we were ready to go home...packed with wonderful memories and all tanned-up! hehehe That was it, this was where I spent half of my long weekend holiday...can 't wait for the next one, I'm insatiable! Happy Halloween, everyone!