The trip to Davao Oriental, Mindanao took a month-long of wishing and a day's worth of planning. So when it was finally happening, the excitement felt like the universe had just begun. Anyway, here's a working class guide to a fun and thrift summer in Davao Oriental.
Travel Quick Tips
1. Travel with Friends. Memories and bills are shared if you travel with buddies. Haha.
2. Plan what you will wear and travel light. In this age of selfies and self-advertisement, some people fuss over getting the perfect summer look. But as long as you wear what's proper, relax and enjoy the sun!
3. Don't stress over travel details. While it's important to set an itinerary, especially if you have limited time, you can't discount the thrill of discovering a new destination. Leave room for surprises!
Edgy Exile: Parola, Lavigan, Governor Generoso
Travel
The Parola is approximately a five-hour drive from Davao City with maybe at least four ten-minute comfort stops. So it's better to start early. Get things packed the night before and drive to sunrise. If you are driving here for the first time, check Google maps for the highway routes. But since you are literally going to the southmost point of the Province of Davao Oriental, you have to take roads beyond highway boundaries. Images of these routes are kinda difficult to access using the free version of GoogleEarth.
I don't think you will need a tour guide to get here. Just travel to Tibanban, Governor Generoso and ask for directions. The Parola is easy to find.
Minimum Gear/ Requirement
1. Reliable rubber sandals, slippers or shoes.
2. Shades and cap plus sunscreen.
It will be a plus if you have binoculars, snorkeling gear, and point-and-shoot cameras. Camping is also allowed. But i don't think it would be much of a unique experience.
Fun things to do
For a minimum stay of 2 hours, here are things (other than swimming) you can do at the Parola area:
1. Picnic. There were few tables set for guests but lunch/food can be served under the shades of trees. The salty breeze is an appetite booster. So forget the diet part, and store energy for other activities.
2. Intertide Inspection. If you are someone who never outgrew your naturalist tendencies, then exploring the pretty intertidal zone is a must. Just a quick walk a few meters off the shore can give you a sample of ocean life: live corals, sea weeds, mollusks, reef fishes, sea snakes and more! No snorkeling gear and swimming skills required. Just be sure you visit when the tide is low. Tasting the edible seaweed "lato" fresh from its rocky substrate is also a must try.
3. Heights Challenge. There were three lighthouses (Parola) to challenge (100m, 70m and ~50m). You need strong will and even stronger knees to conquer the three. The 100m and 70m may be tall but they are the easiest climb. The shortest one is the most challenging because its walls were already weathered which exposed the staircase. At the top, you can see the rocky substrate on which the lighthouse stood, feel the wind blowing and your sweat dripping cold.
4. Islet Climb. If you have the limb for a quick climb, exploring the islet is recommended. It's not strictly speaking an islet, but it's more of like a remnant of a rocky substrate that once was the shore. Anyway, you can be on top of that formation even without rock climbing gears.
Difficulty level: 4/10
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