Pearl Farm Beach Resort | Savoring Our Last Day

For our last day in Pearl Farm, we woke up a bit earlier to have breakfast and take a dip in the pool before we check out. 

They have different dishes laid out that morning. But same as the day before, i hovered all the bacon i can get and also snatched up a couple of yogurt cups. Yummy. By this time, the waiters already knew our room number so they didn't ask us anymore when we took one of the tables in the restaurant. It was still early when we finished eating so it was easy to get a cottage by the pool. The day tour guests don't come until 9am, that is when the first boat trip to the island is scheduled to arrive. All the people there are the ones who checked-in overnight which makes it really private in a way. After a quick swim, we went back to our Samal House, packed up our stuff and prepared to leave. This is the part I hate the most. 

Check-out time is at 12nn. At the reception area, we were handed with all the receipts of the meals we had during our stay. We were glad we're still on our budget. We paid for our dues and left our bags there before we headed for lunch. There's a boat trip that leaves at 1pm, we could've taken that ride after eating but decided not to because we got nothing planned for an afternoon in Davao City. 

Lunch at Maranao Restaurant

The restaurant was unusually unfilled at lunch time. In fact, the entire resort is quite deserted. It was a Monday so I guess there aren't many day trippers on weekdays. We ordered a meal that was just enough for the both of us. And as we paid for our meal, we also gave the waiters a tip. Finally. I don't usually give tips. I'm not a tipper. But I thought we should at least give them something before we leave. They were pretty nice during our stay anyway. 

After lunch, we let the 1pm boat pass and just waited in the restaurant for the last trip back to the city which is at 4pm. We had 3 hours to waste and just spent it playing games on our iPads again. We ordered another round of buko which became a favorite in this island. Then soon came the time to leave. Took some final souvenir photos, boarded the boat, and then sailed away into the sea.

 Gong displayed at the entrance with a view of the Samal Houses

Our boat ride back to Marina Wharf

Same as the last time, the boat trip to the Marina Wharf took about 45 minutes. Included in our package are the round trip airport transfers but we were not leaving just yet. Since our flight is not until 9:45pm, we still had some time to buy pasalubong and grab some dinner in the city. One of the mistakes we made in this trip is that we didn't do enough research as to where to buy local delicacies. We counted on the Pearl Farm staff to lead us to a store like any other resort staff that we've been into did. But sadly, they were not helpful at all. They insisted that we avail their 3-hour City Tour that costs Php 1,500. But we didn't have that money to spare for a tour we didn't really want. So instead of driving us to the airport, we asked the driver to drop us to the nearest pasalubong shop in the city. I think we had a little misunderstanding right there. He dropped as off at a mall and said we could just get a cab from there that would drive us at some place we could buy pasalubong. So rude. We totally didn't expect that from them. But we had no choice. With all our luggages, we stormed into the city in search of the goods we need. When we couldn't find anything in the mall we were in, we decided to sit in a corner and do what we should've done before we came to Davao, RESEARCH. Good thing my boyfriend brought his pocket wifi with him, reception in the city was good, by the way. Then he found this place called Aldevinco which is about a 15-minute drive from where we were. We immediately hailed a cab and asked the driver to bring us there. Its late afternoon and we unluckily entered the rush hour. But the cab driver knew his way around the city. We arrived the place which was appeared to be a group of stalls selling antiques, arts and crafts, clothes and other local products that we had no interest in buying at all. I just wanted to buy suha for my mom and some durian delicacies to bring to the office. But as we looked around, I realized there was no way we would be getting it there. By this time, I was already tired and frustrated, and the weather was so freakin' hot adding more stress to my afternoon. Eventually, we found a couple of stalls selling suha and just bought everything we could carry along with our bags. I don't really know anything about suha, I don't even eat them, I hate this fruit family. After much bargaining and harassment with the sellers, we finally got what we wanted and left for our next destination. 

We went to Jack's Ridge to grab some dinner. The place is much like Antipolo. There are restaurants lined up around a cliff overlooking the city. It was amazing. The view brought me some relief from the stress of the earlier events. We settled into one of the tables in the restaurant and made our order. The menu is just plain Filipino food. Grilled meat is their specialty, I think. While waiting for our dinner, I grabbed my camera and took some shots around the place. People started coming shortly and the restaurant is suddenly full. I realized it was already dinner time and if we have come 30 minutes later than we did, we probably wouldn't get a seat right away.

View from Jack's Ridge

Cabs are quite abundant in the city. We got into one at no time at all. It was a short ride to the airport and the cab driver was really nice and chatty. He shared his own experience in Manila a few years back. Oddly enough, we didn't even tell him we were from Manila. Is it that obvious? 

The Davao International Airport is quite lovely. From the outside, I'm reminded of the airport in Puerto Princesa. But its just much more bigger in the inside. It has high ceilings, a couple of escalators and lots of check-in counters. Its looks good compared to other airports in the country's provinces, but well, its an International Airport so I think its just right. We have guaranteed our seats through the web check-in program the night before. This feature is very convenient i must say. After checking in our bags, we had less than an hour to spend at the airport. We found a couple of stalls selling local delicacies and took our moment to shop for pasalubong. It was a bit pricey but we had no choice. I have to bring something home. We let time pass by watching another episode of my new favorite TV series (Revenge). Boarding started right after we finish the episode. Our iPads have been very good companions during this vacation. Never had an idle time at all, thanks to these buddies. 

Our adventure didn't end when we arrived in NAIA. No one was picking us up from the airport and we have saved just enough money for a cab to bring us home. I read this blog about getting cheaper taxis on the departure area of terminal 3. They are the regular metered taxis that bring passengers to the airport. We could save half of the money we would've spent on airport taxis down at the arrival area of the airport. Though it was almost midnight and it wasn't advisable because taxis are rare at this time of the night.

We took our chances and went up to the departure area along with other passengers of some other flights. It was a nightmare. Everyone was fighting really bad for a cheaper cab ride home. There wasn't a line of any sort. Only people running around chasing after the next cab to arrive at the stands. And the cab drivers, with their usual attitude, took advantage of this and asked for additional charges. Whoever agrees to his demand gets him. Its like a bidding out there. We've waited for so long, giving in for others cause i was still playing nice, until I've just had enough. I was already tired and wasted, and most importantly, I have go to work in a few hours! So I put my game face on and fought for the next cab that came in. I was able to work an arrangement to share a cab with two other girls who were also desperate to go home. It wasn't what I had in mind and it was kind of risky, I know. But I was too tired to care. Luckily, we arrived home in one piece. 

All in all, it was a great summer vacation. Short but sweet. It was the perfect way to celebrate our 1st anniversary together. I wouldn't have it any other way. Its a little pricier than other resorts in Samal Island but its all worth it. Maybe I'd share our expenses in this blog sometime. Though I probably wouldn't go back there in the next couple of years, maybe someday.

Our next vacation is already planned and I can't wait to blog about it. 

Till next time. 

Pearl Farm Beach Resort 

Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines

http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/

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Pearl Farm Beach Resort | Around and About

Since we practically slept through most of our 1st day in the island, we decided to make our 2nd day more eventful. 

The breakfast buffet is until 10am only. The plan was to eat as much as we can so it can serve as our brunch. I was excited for breakfast because I know there will be unlimited bacon. Oh I love bacon. They have plenty of food choices in the buffet. But I decided to concentrate on rice meals and then took all the bacon I can get. Brewed coffee is free, thank God.

After brunch, we went to the other side of the island, to where the Mandaya Beach and Mandaya Houses were located. Its a short walk from the restaurant. On the way, we passed by a small garden with a pond, a man-made falls and a couple of bird cages. The Mandaya Beach is larger than the Maranao Beach but much more deserted. As in no one was swimming in the beach. Rocks and shells are scattered on the shore. It has white sand though its not fine at all. Much like the ones in the beaches of Batangas. There's also a huge rock in the middle of the shore and we were wondering how the hell it got there. But then maybe its been there ever since and they just left it there as a landmark or something. There are a few large cottages by the beach, but of course, they are occupied as well. We also saw the "game room" that has a billiard table on the first floor and a gym upstairs. Further off the beach are the Mandaya Houses that surrounds the pool. This pool is a bit crowded and all the cottages here are full. Found nothing special about the place. Maybe you'll get to enjoy it more if you stayed in one of the Mandaya Houses since its just a few steps away from the pool and the beach. We left shortly and went back to our usual hangout. 

the secluded Mandaya Beach

Mandaya Swimming Pool 

We rushed to the Maranao Beach hoping we could still get a cottage but all we got was a chair. It was fine since we were not planning to stay for too long. Even though all the cottages are taken, there were only 2 other groups swimming in the beach with us. Maybe because it was almost noon and the sun was striking hard on us. But we didn't mind at all, the sunblock lotion will have to protect us from the sun's harmful rays. 

our favorite Maranao Beach 

Eventually, we got tired and hungry from all that swimming. The restaurant was too much crowded already so we just decided to have lunch delivered in our room and rest for a while before we breeze out into the sun again. We ordered pizza and pasta, and as usual, it was too much for us. They didn't taste that good either. I'm okay with cold pizza, so we just finished all the pasta and placed the left over pizza in the fridge. 

Next on our itinerary is a visit to the Malipano Island. Its like a 2-minute boat ride from Samal Island and going there is free. Yay! In the Parola Wharf was a speed boat waiting for us. We have it all for ourselves and the driver was very friendly. He even offered to take our photo on the way. As we got near the island, I noticed the water there was really deep. There is a small swimming area around the shore and that's where I plan to stay. When we left the boat, another group came in heading back to Samal Island. Then I realized there wasn't really a boat schedule like they said during the orientation. People can actually come and go the island as they please. 

Malipano Beach 

Malipano Island is as secluded as any other beach in the resort. There are a couple of chairs hiding under the trees near the beach. We crashed in the best set of chairs and appreciated the view for a while. Its breathtaking. I can compare the sand to the ones in Boracay and Bohol. So white and fine. Though there are many corals on the beach. You'd have to wear your slippers if you want to go farther away from the shore. Its also quite difficult to swim because the water level in the swimmable area is just below my knee. We got out of the water in less than 5 minutes. It was too uncomfortable. But we didn't want to leave yet so we took a quick tour around the island. We followed the track around the Pavilion that leads you back to where you came from. There's nothing special there to see. Just a pond and a vast number of coconut trees. There is another trail that leads to a private area, its probably for the guests of the villas on the other side of the island. They have their own private beach there but I kinda feel we have our own back in Maranao Beach. 

The speed boat arrived shortly after we've requested the staff to bring us back to Samal Island. Its already late afternoon and the sun is about to set. I grabbed my tripod hoping to get a good shot of the sunset. We went back to Maranao Beach and I set up my gear there. While waiting for the sunset, we ordered another set of buko and took a swim in the beach. But the sun was hiding in the clouds as it sets and the sky gets darker as evening approaches. Its quite dangerous to swim the beach at dark, so we transferred to the pool and luckily found a spot to settle in. We stayed there till early evening and then went back to our Samal House to prepare for dinner. 

Before sunset

Maranao Pool at night

For dinner, we ordered Hainanese Chicken rice and I bet any Singaporean would protest to their cooking. Its quite cheap for a 1/2 chicken serving so we didn't expect much from it. Later that evening, we just chilled in our room watching TV, waiting for midnight to come.  (Its our anniversary, btw) As midnight came, we prepared coffee and ate our leftover pizza. Its not that romantic, I know. But we thought, hey we're in Pearl Farm, anything we do here is special. 

And just like that, our 2nd day in paradise has ended. 

Pearl Farm Beach Resort 
Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines
http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/

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Pearl Farm Beach Resort | Touchdown

Our flight to Davao was scheduled at 4am. Good thing there is a web check-in so we just had to be in the airport at least 45 mins before ETD. Thanks to Cebu Pacific's on time flight, we landed at Davao City Airport before 6am. The driver to pick us up from the airport was already waiting for us outside with a huge PEARL FARM signboard. We got into a car without waiting for any other passengers and headed straight to the wharf. Around 20 minutes later, we arrived at an empty Marina Wharf. I had time to explore the area and take some pictures. It was peaceful and clean, a very calming environment. As beautiful as it is, there isn't really anything much to do. There's swimming pool though i think it hasn't been used in a long time. The restaurant is just fine. We already had breakfast at NAIA so we just ordered some coffee to kill time. It wasn't until later that people started coming and the entire place got crowded by 8am.

at the entrance of Marina Whart

the Marina Wharf Cafe

the unswimmable swimming pool 

the dock

There were a lot of boats lined up in the pier. I think there were two boats headed to Pearl Farm that morning. The one we got into had around 30 passengers in it. They gave each of us a bottle of water before the boat left the dock. Its a 45-minute boat ride to the resort, just enough time to watch an episode of a TV Series (Revenge). It was quite a smooth ride. I didn't even notice we were nearly at the resort until people started jumping out of their seats and snapping photos. When the episode i was watching was finally over (its a good TV series, btw), I decided to join the crowd and take pictures of our first look at the paradise we'll be staying in for 3 days. 

the Samal Houses

the Parola

The island is amazing. The sea beneath us was so clean and clear you can see the fishes swimming around. On each side there are houses lined up on stilts made from some kind of wood. Lovely. There's also a small stretch of white sand beach with a couple of cottages and oh so comfortable chairs. You'll immediately notice the Parola, its a landmark in this resort. It looks old but well maintained. Its a 3 story structure - the 1st floor serves as the reception area, the 2nd floor is a bar, and the 3rd floor i completely forgot what it was for. A few staff from the resort were dancing and singing as our group arrived. They handed us a pineapple juice which i think was very refreshing. I mean, i'm not really a fan of pineapple in any form, but this one i liked. Once everyone has settled in the Parola, the host gave us a quick orientation about the resort facilities and amenities. He showed us a map of the resort, its huge. Before dismissing everyone, there was a raffle draw and we won the free snorkeling gear (which we didn't use at all). 

Map of the Island

The check-in time is at 2pm. The staff said they would let us check-in earlier if a room becomes available. But it was only 9am then and we had nothing to do! We were too tired and sleepy to swim or walk around the resort. So we just stayed in one of the cottages by the beach, ordered buko and played with our new iPad apps till we got hungry. We headed for lunch in their restaurant. It was still early for lunch and their lunch buffet was not yet ready so there were only a few people when we got there. The food in their restaurant is relatively cheap. We didn't trust the waiter when he said their servings are good for 2 people so we ordered 2 dishes. But we were wrong not to trust him. As usual, we had too much food on our plates. With the taste, I'd give it a 3 out of 5. It was good but not excellent. 

After we finished lunch, we looked for another place to hang out while waiting for our room. We found a couple of hammocks near the pond and stayed there, again playing on our iPad apps, killing time. Eventually, a room became available. HURRAY! We dropped our bags, inspected the room for a minute, then off to bed. We slept through the entire afternoon and woke up just in time for dinner. Dinner at the restaurant was different. There were fewer people occupying the tables (I guess most of the people during lunch were only there for a day trip) and there was an acoustic band serenading the room. We went for a night swim in the pool. The water was surprisingly warm. I considered ordering a bottle of beer but backed out when I saw their price. Geez. I could order 3 bottles in Manila for that price. So we just settled for some tea to cap off the night. Our first day and first night in the lovely Pearl Farm Beach Resort. 

Pearl Farm Beach Resort 

Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines

http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/

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