Going to Isla Reta Beach Resort On a Budget

Isla Reta On HDR

Isla Reta to me in Talicud  Samal is almost a decade. I first set foot on this resort on 2002 with friends. Nothing major change happen true out the years, aside now a days they have many staff. The cleaning is continues this day.

Concrete Cottage at Night

I keep coming back to this place because of its cost and virgin(in the sense of nature).  I can not replace this place to  Boracay, where awarded as the best beach in the Philippines. It may have good stores, place to party and world class hotel. 

In this year of constantly coming back, me i suggest this to keep travelers budget tight.

  

Picnic Hut

First up, going to Isla Reta has an option on taking the boat from Sta Ana Wharf to Sta Cruz for Php 60 each way per pax. IF you opted to take Isla Reta, it is 20 pesos more pricey.It has four trips to chose from:

Sta Ana Wharf to Sta Cruz

• Isla Reta 9am
• Pacific 10 am
• Jessa 1230 pm
• Sherly 2 pm
• Hof Gorei

Sta Cruz to Sta Ana Wharf

• Sherly 615 am
• Jessa 630 am
• Hof Gorei 8 am
• Pacific3 pm
• Isla Reta 3 pm

Isla Reta Boat on Dock 

Second, when on a budget you can bring a tent and pay Php 100 for each tent. Or rent a picnic hut for Php 150, take their native hut for Php 700 good for 3 but you need to use the common shower room and toilet, or their concrete room for Php 800 good for two person only that has its own toilet and bath. For a a group of 22 i suggest to get the dormitory type for Php6500 but you need to use the public bath and toilet.

Davao City, Isla reta View

Isla Reta shore line at night

Third, when you have time to cook, buy a freshly cough fish in the market or a whole seller of fish in the area near the gate of the resort.You can grill it on different area on the resort. or sent it to their kitchen that charge you  for Php 30 per kilo for rice and Php 75 of meat for viands. Cooking your food or buying it may save a lot for a longer stay in the resort.

Isla Reta shore line day time

For years in going to Isla Reta we usually buy an instant noodle that you just pour hot water that is free from the kitchen (if you request) in the morning. Or in some time of my visit I discovered this coffee stand near the market that serve puto maya(made of steaky rice) and native coffee(freshly brewed) in Starbucks of Nong Enting. It is open in the morning as breakfast and in the afternoon for snack.

Nong Enting Kapehan at Puto Maya

If you plan to visit this place it is nice to contact them at 09282141487 specially on peak season and look for Joan. 

The Way to Asik Asik falls

It all started with a post of asik asik falls in Facebook and has been share that exploded our ecstasy to set on foot in that Gods great creation. Eleven friends from different walks of life that have a common interest and goal set a motorcycle trail to Barangay Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato. 

Damage bridge for 8 years

At around 6:30 in the morning of May 9, months after it was discovered and nearly a month it was introduce to the general public thru national and local media features we gathered in one location to make this plan into reality.  

Trailing to Dado Alamada

Having this kind of adventure need an enthusiastic mind to put in reality. One of the challenges in the road going to Alamada is the continues rebuilding of the road thus making the terrain dusty and muddy.

Abundance of Alamada soil 

Moving near to Alamada it has a will established highway. Side by side you will witness the abundance of nutrients of the land. Jeepney is popular in this area but it is a doubled tire jeepney that can be maneuvered over the roughest terrain the area. In some cases, vehicle attach chain to the tires to be able to move from a certain place to another due to the muddy terrain of the area.

After passing the growing town of Alamada , four wheel vehicle decrease. Motorcycle almost come from house to house.

Me Traversing the wooden hanging bridge

I was amaze when I was going to pass to the hanging bridge that can carry a motorcycle with two large baskets on its side. The bridge was damage eight years ago by a typhoon that badly hit the province.  A group of families decided to make an improvised hanging bridge for their product to be delivered in a timely manner. Passers are ask to pay for a little donation unless you want to pass the strong current of white water rafting site of North Cotabato.

Traveling the almost off road to the jump off area

A traveler to the falls show that chain that has been attached to the wheels

Mode of transformation 

water on the road not on the rice field

Gate going to the falls.

Due to the minimum ability of our motorcycle to conquer the off road we opted to see the rest of Dado by the service of a habal habal. After almost an hour drive, we reach the jump off point. It will be a easy walk going down the falls, with breath taking scenery. When we arrive near the cliff I was shock that where jump off point is the area where the water in the falls is coming from.

At the top of the falls without water source

A senior citizen visits the falls

Young and old comes to Gods greatest give to natures and humanity. As long as you are physically fit why not visit Asik Asik falls for a try.

Kids want to enjoy the cold water of Asik Asik Falls

Falls goers reach as high as 2000 and not lower than 400 daily.It is a prof that this new discovery in nature in this part of the Philippines can be develop to be world class.

Asik Asik falls growing number of visitor 

Tayo na byahe tyo because is more fun in NORTH COTABATO

How to go to Asik Asik Spring Falls

ASIK ASIK FALLS

This days Alamada in North Cotabato is popular due to the launching of the province open for tourist. Planning to get their in Asik Asik Falls, so this is it.

A Visit to the Mayor

Traversing the hanging Bridge.
(Bridge has been destroyed 8years ago)

 A daily flight of different airlines flies to Davao city and Cotabato city.

Public transport 

Going to Libungan from Cotabato City and Davao City can be by Bus or aircon van.  Travel time is estimated  1 and a half hour and 5 hours respectively. Libungan North Cotabato is the most comfortable jump off going to Alamada, because it is the town that will get another ride going to the growing town of Asik Asik Falls.

Bumpy road

In Libungan you can take a motorcycle or a jeepney going to the growing town of Alamada.

Arriving in Baragay Dado

 From Alamada you can take a double tire jeepney that leaves early in the morning for a safer travel  at Php 50; or take a habal habal(single motorcycle) for Php 150 for a more scenic view going to barangay Upper Dado, Alamada.(Don’t forget to buy your pack lunch while in Alamada) Arriving to the barangay hall they require to register for recording purposes.

Turn this way

Dangerous Commuters  

For goers that has any kind of vehicle the barangay hall is the best place to leave it for another ride of habal habal for a faster way going to the jump off site going to the falls for Php 75 per pax per way. Driver’s allow a single rider for a safer transfer to the jump off. 

Jump off site to Asik Asik Falls

Trekking to the falls 

The way going to the falls is a private property. Does resident who maintain the place for cleanliness and steps in the trail collects Php 5 as donation. Around the falls resident made a make shift table and chair for a small tip. On others ways you can do a pick nick on the stone near the falls.

Top view of the falls

Travel time varies depending to weather and speed. From Libungan to Alamada is 22 kilometers  which is around 1 hour. Going to Upper Dado is another 1 hour. And from the barangay hall is another 1 hour drive in a habal habal going to the jump off site.

young and old visiting the falls

Visiting the falls is worth the long travel time and tiring trekking. 

Tayo na byahe tyo because is more fun in NORTH COTABATO this summer.

Road Trip with the Voxwagen

Voxwagen 1300

Its must be a spelunking experience turn to be a road trip going to the foot of  Mt. Apo. With my travel buddy this time.

Dead Mini Falls near Lake Agco

When we arrive at Agco Mahomanoy Mountain Resort it is crowded with visitor from different part of the Philippines so we opted to visit the lake instead.

Boiling mud in Lake Agco

Natives from the foot of mount Apo was resettled near the lake provided with place to leave and electricity from Energy development Corp. (EDC) a geothermal power company of north Cotabato.

Native kids Near Lake Agco, which soft broom as their alternative source of income

The entrance of the resort is full of souvenir store, where i spotted a pipe as  a souvenir.

Climbers Pipe

Water Bottle Converted to Pipe

 Flora is colorful in the area. It is growing anywhere.

Flower 

 The resort is equip with a man made falls with has a hot and cold combined, that gives a relaxing effect in the body. Where resident of north Cotabato always come back specially during summer.

Hot &Cold spring in Agco Mahomanoy Mountain Resort

Below the resort their is a 20 feet tall falls. Going to this mini falls is a must experience for its challenging terrain going down.

Falls below the resort

Tourist flocking in Agco to Cool down the summer heat

In Agco

Going down the mountain

 Going to Lake Agco has different mode of transportation. You can ride a van from the mega market of Kidapawan city with Php 80/pax fare and it is 14 person capacity; the famous habal habal which charge you for Php 80/pax, from the corner of Iglesya ni Kristo in Kidapawan City.

Accommodation is available in the area as low as Php700 to as high as Php2000.

The Eco tourism resort is run and manage by the LGU tourism.

Rice is all About in the Table

Bicycle of a rice harvester n HDR

Harvest is the most awaited part of every farmers. It will be the time were all labor will be paid off. For some it is the time that they can earn cash for helping in the harvesting process.

Anime character

Bayanihan is common in this time where a resident from different barangay will go to the harvesting are to earn or to help a farmer.

Collecting rice for treser 

Not all goers are harvester they are some who will ask for leaf over that  can be dried and be mell and serve in the table.

Getting something to eat

This process will take from a day or two depending on how big is the area that will be harvested.

Heat under the sun

Young and old come to this event of the season to ask for harvest even for just small amount just to be serve in their table to lessen family expense.

Finding ways to eat

I toke the advantage to take pictures, for this is my very first time to witness such entire season to happen. It take me gigabytes of files to complete this season.

Happy Harvest

 Give a chance to cover or witness such event, i will surely engage to it. Because every season is different from each other.

Taking a break