Philippines' Hidden Paradise: Dapitan (part 2)

After our tour around the city, we were headed to our accommodation which is Dakak Park and Resort. Located at Taguilon, Dapitan City, we never expected that the place has such a big land area. Upon entering the front gate, it will probably take around 3-5 minutes to reach the front desk and waiting area (that's when your ride a bus, what more if you just walk). 

We were warmly welcomed by the staff with a cold drink upon arriving the lobby to get the keys of our rooms. Around 150 people were there for the tour since there were 3 buses who came along with us. It was quite a buzz and everyone was yet too busy and some exhausted from the trip.

Dakak was nothing more but a resort for me. It has big swimming pools, Jacuzzi and a beach. The only thing that separates it among others is its relaxing aura and the highly praised clean, clear and serene beach. It's definitely comparable to the other mainstream beaches in the country.

Overview of the swimming pool at Dakak near the beach front.

Truly, Philippines' hidden paradise!

Clean, clear and serene. Definitely the kind of beach I'm looking for.

By sunset, we were then invited for dinner at the resort's restaurant whose exterior is inspired by Chinese temples. There were even Chinese ornaments inside, too. Sadly, the food that they served for dinner was not dim sum or anything Chinese. We had grilled chicken and two big servings of rice (well, at least it was kinda oriental in some way).

By the time we were done with dinner, we got fetched by our tour bus and took us to Gloria's Fantasyland. A southern version for Enchanted Kingdom, that's my impression of this place. If you have been to EK, then the place might kinda disappoint you but nevertheless, the place was fun-filled and brings out your inner child. It compensates what Mindanao does not have, and who would have thought there's this kind of place in such a small and quiet city like Dapitan.

Gloria's Fantasyland Theme and Leisure Park

Our ticket includes the entrance to the theme park and entitles a single pass to all the rides in the vicinity. I got to ride only eight out of the fourteen rides because I only rode on the extremes (kidding), truth is I only rode on rides which I haven't tried before. And yeah, I chickened out on some rides (haha!).

And yes, our day ended with loud  bang through a fire works display. After Fantasyland, we got out to buy some delicious local pastries for our pasalubong (which I ended up eating along the way).

Baby you're a firework...

The tour was just about 24 hours; we arrived in Dapitan by 11 am and left the same time on the next day. It was definitely a worthwhile stay and could've not imagined to finish the tour with lots of free time in just a span of 1 day.

Going on tour to Dapitan is in fact affordable. Our trip was only for PhP 1,200.00 only and that includes accommodation, food, tour and transportation. Thanks to Fantasyland Travel and Tours for this memorable trip.

If you want to know our full itinerary, here it is:

Day 12:00-3:00am    Assembly time in LANDBANK velez
8:00-9:00         Breakfast (kkb)
11:30               estimated time of arrival in Dapitan
11:30-1:30pm  Lunch (cater)
1:30-2:30         Historical Tour
3:00-4:00         Room Check Inn Dakak
4:00-6:00         free time
6:00-6:30         Prepare for Assembly for pick up in BUS for dinner
6:00-7:00         Dinner Sunset Boulevard (FREE)
7:00pm-12:00mn Fantasyland

Day 27:30am             Free Breakfast
7:30-11:00        Free time/ recreational
11:00                Room Check-out Dakak
12:00nn           Lunch (cater)
1:00-2:00pm    Departure Dapitan-CDO

For more information about our trip and inquiries, contact Fantasyland Travel and Tours.

Tel. Nos.: (065) 906 0055 & 908 1237

Telefax Nos.: (065) 213 6247 & 212 2193

Mobile Nos.: 0939 357 9250 (smart)

0917 627 7991 (Globe)

0922 815 9124 (Sun)

Philippines' Hidden Paradise: Dapitan

Summer would not just be complete without having to go embrace yourself with sun and sand. It has actually been two years since the last time I've spent summer in my hometown or in Mindanao. For the past summers, I had been quite busy making my own life in other cities like Cebu and Manila.

This year, I was lucky enough to join the XUHS faculty with their trip to Dapitan. If it weren't for them I must have been stuck at home bored the whole time this summer. Finally, I had a chance to make the scorching sun kiss me again and it was also a chance for me to reconnect with nature and history.

inside the barge going to Ozamis

For this trip, we had Fantasyland Travel and Tours arrange everything for us. At 2 in the morning, we were all packed up inside a 50-seater tour bus. From Cagayan de Oro, it took about 3 hours to reach the port wherein we would have to ride a barge to reach Ozamis City.

A breathtaking view of the sunrise while on the barge

From Ozamis, more or less 4 hours will it take one to reach Dapitan. Upon arriving, a tour guide went inside our bus and warmly welcomed us. She definitely hyped up everyone from the exhausting 7 hour trip by energetically giving out plenty of historical information about the places which our bus passed through.

Our helpful and friendly tour guide

FYI, Dapitan was the place where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal was exiled for four years. So basically, much of the historical tour revolves around the life story of our hero and the places which he himself has devoted to develop. Almost every place in the city just has a mark of ancestry and Rizal all around it.

During the tour, we were given an ample amount of time to get off the bus to take pictures of beautiful historical sites such as this one. This was the exact place where Dr. Jose Rizal first set foot of the place.

                       

We were also given the chance to visit Rizal's place during the tour. It was the place where he actually stayed during his exile in the small town. There was also a mini museum where other things of his were kept and are on display.

Casa Residencia - The house that sheltered Rizal while he was in Dapitan (now a replica)

                       

The images above would be the entire view of Casa Residencia and the wooden bed frame of Rizal with his picture on it. Kinda eerie and creepy inside, btw.

A beautiful view of the Dapitan Bay just outside Rizal's place. So calm and serene.

After some strolls and reconnecting with nature inside the Rizal Shrine, it was time to check out some historical items inside the mini museum. There weren't much good finds inside actually, but it was alright besides it was just a mini museum. 

Portraits of Rizal and replicas of his works, books, etc.

After the tour around the shrine, we felt our stomachs grumbling already and were lead inside the bus which then took us to a popular restaurant in the city -- Inato Lang.

Inato Lang Restaurant

We had a scrumptious lunch here and the best thing was it was a buffet meal. It definitely filled us up like fueling a car, ready for the next adventures we are about to encounter in this small town.

We were also informed that our lunch for the following day upon departure would still be in the same restaurant except in another branch. Either of the branches mentioned were actually located along the river bank. Thus, expect that fresh air will breeze you while you are taking your meals.

After eating at Inato Lang, we were taken to the Dapitan City Hall to take pictures. Only a number of us dared to go outside the bus and take pictures since we got there around 1 in the afternoon with the temperature around 32 degrees Celsius.

Dapitan City Hall. The roofs of the building were actually inspired
by the design of the soldiers' hats during the days.

Such a long post right? I would have to cut right here for a while. Wait for my next post which continues the story of our Dapitan tour. 

To be continued....