Igacos escapades

The invitation to join a beachineering activity with the Pundok Habagat-Davao group came at an opportune time, when I had no plans for last weekend.The invitation came packaged with "tempting activities" (spelled as snorkelling, kayaking, cave and falls and island hopping) which would be irresistible to one who always hungers for adventure outside the four walls of the office. So come along and let's sample some of the delightful places the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) has to offer.

Thinking that we would take a tour around the Igacos on board a boat, I was surprised when it was a hired jeepney waiting for us at the Wind and Wave dive shop at Sta. Ana Wharf."Ay, land tour diay," I nudged Au-au, who said that she too, thought we were going on an "island" tour.

Into the bat cave
The first on our itirenary was the bat sanctuary in Babak. A few meters from where we parked our vehicle, we heard a commotion coming from under the ground. We followed the direction of the noise and came to our first destination. I will leave you to imagine the smell emanating from the hundreds of thousands of bats, suffice it to say that only a few of us dared to go inside.

Falls-hopping we go
After a short respite at Punta del Sol beach resort where we were to set up camp, the group proceeded to Hagimit Falls, a newly-developed resort accessible by motorcycles (habal-habal) where we partook of our 'baons'.The group got a taste of spelunking at the Tamborong cave in barangay Tamborong. No bats this time but did not venture far into the cave's end because only a few of us brought flash lights. Besides, we were not properly-dressed for caving (as in most were wearing slippers..etc).To rinse off the smell of the bats and cave, the group proceeded to Tagbaobo falls in barangay Tagbaobo and had their fill splashing and enjoying a massage from the cascading water of the falls.

Tagbaobo cave is a sight to behold. On one side of the falls is a rocky wall ideal for rapelling (watch for this page in the future for I might go with the same group next month if I gather enough guts and write an article).The second day was spent on the beach swimming, snorkelling and kayaking until everyone got tired and packed up for home.More adventures are being cooked up every month by the Pundok Habagat group.

Feel free to visit Habagat at the second floor of SM Davao and contact Bernarjery "Benjo" Tenchavez, or any of the staff including Eric Rosete, Cliffer Lucilla, Francis Cunanan, Jerson Ray Rayona, Cyril Carrion, Romeo Laruan Jr., Ronald Renosa and Loreta Sacriz.

Basking in absolute freedom at Jim's Island

Imagine yourself sprawled on a bench in an unspoiled stretch of shoreline, as if you don't have a care in the world.

Allow yourself to be lulled to sleep by the crashing of the waves on the shore, or the chirping of crickets on the trees.

Light a bonfire at night, gather round it and swap stories with your companions like the old days before electricity existed.

Camp on the shore or sleep under the stars.

Swim, dive or snorkel in the sea's green depths.

Enjoy absolute freedom for a night, weekend or even a whole week.

Absolutely no rules.

Experience all these at Jim's Island Beach Club, a perfect hideaway safely tucked in a cove at Sitio Libod in Barangay Tagbaobo along the coastal areas at the other side of Igacos, directly facing the province of Davao Oriental.At Jim's Island, one gets to experience a totally different resort, as if one is transported back to primordial times where he can bask in the sun and enjoy the sea minus the blaring noise of videoke machines and other modern conveniences that comes with the advent of electricity.It gives one a chance to enjoy a candle-light dinner and be re-acquainted with gas lamps to find to light your way at night.

Jim's Island provides the chance to commune with nature, or simply grab the rare chance to "bond" with your family, friends, co-employees.The Honda car Francis Arji, the son of resort manager Araceli Pe Benito was driving speedily ate up the 17-kilometer stretch of road from Penaplata and in 25 minutes, we were there."Wow!" was all I ever said upon reaching the place. I couldn't stop uttering yet another 'wow' as I ventured into the almost deserted beach. Little did I imagine that behind the developed resorts of Igacos vying and competing against each other lies a fabulous and perfect get-away for a totally different experience.

The feel of the place really got into me that I hated to leave but reality beckons and we have to go. We wrapped up the whole experience by stopping over at Punta del Sol to enjoy the sunset before finally heading back to Davao City.The unique experience that Jim's Island can offer need not remain a figment of your imagination because it's just a phone call or a text message away.Accomodation:Customers can either pitch their tents or rent the two-room apartelle for P2,000 a day good for 10 persons.

The apartelle is equipped with modern bathroom facilities in each room complete with flowing water, a superb porch that lets you inhale the seabreeze but minus the convenience of electricity (the lack of electricity makes your get-away totally different but arrangements could be made if it's that necessary). Entrance fee for day tour is only P20 per person and P40 per person for overnight stay.Visitors can either bring or cook their own food or make other arrangements with the management.Getting there:Jim's Island Beach Club is accessible by car or by boat.

Travel by charter boat takes 2 hours from Sta. Ana wharf, passing through several scenic and breath-taking resorts of Igacos at a very affordable price of P5,000 roundtrip good for 58 persons (or just P86.25/person).For an additional of P3,000, customers can avail of another two-hour trip back to Sta. Ana wharf passing through the other side of Igacos. In short, the whole fee can allow a customer to go island hopping around the whole island.For inquiries and reservation, contact Celi Pe Benito at tel. no. 301-4018, Davao booking office at Tel. nos. 221-2121, 305-3838, 305-2020, or cellphone nos. 0917-7006253 and 0910-2993388.