Category: Laagan Adventures

A-Montana Resort (formerly Isla Parilla)

I’ve been to Isla Parilla Resort many times before but, I didn’t have the chance to feature the place in my blog. Last Sunday, I was invited by my balikbayan friend to come with them and tour around the city. One of our itineraries was to go to Isla Parilla… I was able to revisit the place and now, I got some pictures.
Isla Parilla, now A-Montana Resort, is located at Alabel, Saranggani Province. This place is conducive for holding large events such as birthday parties, weddings and business conferences. But for small groups who also want to spend a trip to the place, there are a bunch of amenities the resort can offer for you. The ambience in A-Montana is cool and calm and will let you get closer to nature.

 

The resort has a swimming pool for visitors who want to take a nippy and refreshing plunge. An entrance fee of Php50.00 is charged for swimmers and non-swimmers… Yes, non-swimmers will still be charged so it’s better to enjoy it than murmuring complains. Unless you really had a big reason not to swim (“,).

 

You can also enjoy fishing in their man-made lake and, likewise, go boating to make your stay more of a nature-trip. Their cultured milkfish are healthy and fresh. Then, enjoy meal-by-the-lake in their floating kiosks eating your cooked dish of freshly caught bangus (milkfish).

 

 

Experience Pinoy style Food with a Western twist at the resort’s Formosa Cafe. They also hold events especially during peak seasons like Summer, making your stay more entertaining. Moreover, the cafe has a floating veranda where you can take the pleasure of an al fresco dining.

 

 

A-Montana Resort offers room accommodations for those who want to stay overnight or longer. It has the Family Suites and the Single Cottages. For large group activities, an open function hall and the closed conference rooms are the options.

 

 

 

And don’t worry about the parking space because A-Montana has a wide open lot for vehicles to park.

Their other amenities are:

 

  • Billiards Hall
  • Videoke
  • Playground
Surely, a tour at A-Montana Resort is worthwhile. The place is just 30 minutes away from General Santos City.

Be Enchanted with the HINATUAN RIVER

I’ve been hearing a lot about the Enchanted River of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. By the name itself, I was really wondering how enchanted the river is. I’ve read from a blog that this lagoon has been taken care of and watched by ‘charmed’ spirits, especially at twilight. There were even sightings of strange ladies walking on the river. Well, I am not after these enchanted experiences… I’m not even hoping to see strange creatures walking through at night. Duh! All I wanted is to take a plunge into the river’s cool waters… And at last, I did, together with my friends.

The Enchanted River is such a hidden paradise. This spectacular blue tarn fills the deep crevice of the forest wall. The deepest portion of the river in the middle was measured 24 meters, but, another wondrous feature is the deep hole where the water of the Pacific Sea technically percolates. This is said to be the channel of the big fishes passing from the sea to the river. During a calm moment of the day, when nobody is swimming or diving around, those big fishes come out and you can gently toss bread crumbs to feed them. With big awe, it’s been said that no one has ever caught these vast fishes, neither by hand nor by a fishnet. It made me more curious about why they prohibit anybody to take a swim beyond 6pm. It’s making the place more mysterious, huh.

Having been into this blissful place, I would say, once you dive in its cool blue waters, you will be unwilling to get out. We went spelunking into the low cavern at the rim of the mountain wall and found a spring. The water is cooler and there’s a portion where it is just waist-deep. We were not able to bring our cameras at the cave since you need to pass through the deep section of the river… So no picture was taken but, the next time I get back, I’ll be more prepared with gadgets.

The government of Surigao del Sur has already developed the surrounding place. There’s a parking lot for vehicles. An entrance fee of Php20.00 is required for more development and there are Php50.00-cottages for the picnic goers. There are boats offering island hopping trips passing through the mangroves plantation at the opening of the Philippine Pacific Sea and going to the surrounding islets of Hinatuan.

Hinatuan 13

The Enchanted River is about 12 kilometers away from the national highway. The road is quite rough; a challenge for the low-bodied vehicles. It is exactly located at Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur which will take an estimated land travel time of 9 hours from Davao City.

Hinatuan 14

 

Maitum’s White Water Tubing

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXTREME RIVER ADVENTURE but yet AFFORDABLE?…

 

This will surely be the answer to that question- WATER TUBING at Pangi River in Maitum, Saranggani. An extraordinary adventure developed by the locals of Brgy. New La Union, just about a 2-hour ride from the city of General Santos.
Wild River Water Tubing is somewhat similar to that of the famous wild River Rafting or Kayaking. The tripper will have to ride on an improvised floater with river guides to maneuver the way preventing him/her to hit hard on big rocks and/or helping him/her in case of an upside down turn after a big rush fall . This floater is a large wheel interior strapped with a synthetic cord around to make it more sturdy. This also has a web catcher and a handle for a convenient on-seat.

Brgy. New La Union is becoming a famous tourists’ destination because of this extreme adventure. Of course, I won’t just let myself see this on feature articles. Last weekend, my team went to Maasim to experience this escapade which has been crowed around.

 

Water Tubing won’t cost you that much. Just Php 120.00 and you’ll be enjoying the 30 min rushed river ride from upstream to downstream. If you wanna make it more fun, upgrade it to a longer trip of about 45 min by paying Php170.00.