One day in Hijo Banana Beach

One day in Hijo Banana Beach

It was February 14, 2014 when our school's administration decided to have a faculty valentine's celebration and that will be in Hijo Banana Beach, Madaum, Tagum. Some of my colleagues have been there and that they were telling us stories of all that was there that stirred our excitement more. It was indeed a big YES! to join this exciting trip with the gang.

We left Davao City around 5am in the morning and from Davao City, we traveled for less than 2 hours (we rented a vehicle in going there) which is normally a 2-hour trip. From the national highway, where there was a big sign-age of Hijo Banana Beach, it's like 1 km. in going to the exact location.

sorry at natakpan ata ang statue

Upon arriving, you really can feel na malayo ka na talaga sa city, with a fresh air of an untouched nature that you breathe in was indeed soooo relaxing. You will be welcomed with statues you would think na made of banig but actually, cement with a banig-looking texture. Pagdating na pagdating pa lang, aba picture na kaagad.

that was the bar... nasa center ng pool mismo

konting lakad pa, you'll arive on their playground as well as parking lot and next to it is their infinity pool with a bar in the center most of the pool (amazing right?) fronting the sea that's soooo breathtaking! we toured the place and found more amazing scenic place. Their relaxing cottages that is free of use, their pond where you can catch fish  of which we haven't tried...

 just beside the pool, we were served with their sumptuous lunch (i would generally say, masarap food nila!). we enjoyed it, sobra. After we ate, we rested muna then changed clothes for swimming! The comfort room's distance is not a punishment naman. it's right next to the pool. Then we enjoyed the unlimited use of their infinity pool na.

the infinity pool

the cottage

We also had a 30-minute free use of their bicycle with a gear so we can tour pa the whole place. it's soooo amazing that the place where we land on is a 9-hectare coconut farm, forest and seashore. But only 2-hectares lang po ang accessible ng mga visitors like us. We discovered a resto fronting a pond (don't know if it is man-made) where you can catch fish at pwede mong ipaluto on that resto.

the pond and the resto

The adventure didn't stop there. We were fetch by a cab which we will ride on for our forest tour.We were with the tour guide who explained to us everything about the Banana Beach Resort. As far as i can remember, it is divided into 3 parts (sa sobrang laki ba naman nito) the villa (the ancestral house of the owner where you can actually rent), the resort (where we are) and the plantation.  we got into the forest and we were welcome with the monkeys and wild boar. the guide also told us that there were three groups of monkeys. and it is sooo amazing that they have leaders. it's like they were like human tribes too.

this is the leader of the first group of monkeys we encountered upon our entrance in the forest.

the crossing. and this is the guy who keeps on shaking the bridge!

and the most amazing part of the forest tour is Hanging bridge crossing. Not  just one bridge, 9! yeah, you see it right! yes, we have to cross the 9 hanging bridges. Di kailangang matakot cause you'll see it's matibay naman. it's just that kung may kasama kang bully, na tatakutin ka by shaking the bridge, you'll surely freak out! (just as what I've experienced!). While crossing, on your mind you'll say, kailan pa matatapos 'to? kasi sa sobra ba namang dami ng bridges. after the hanging bridge, we had a 2 km. walk in the forest and the guide is still with us to explain that they, too, was affetcted by the bagyong Pablo. Many trees fell down which they remained untouched upon our visit.

Right after the 2 km. walk, we ride back in our cab to go back to the resort when we decided to drop by along the coconut harvesters to catch up newly harvested tuba. When we hear the word tuba, we assume that's it is sour but the newly harvested tuba is sweet naman pala. Thanks for their generosity kasi pinatikim nila tayo ng sweetened tuba.

After the forest tour, we immediately jump in again on their infinity pool before we dressed up for going home. Other experiences you can try on in Banana Beach is the river cruise, ATV ride, Kayaking and Plantation Tour as long as pasok sa budget mo.

Php 750 is sulit. With the wonderful place, with the unlimited use of infinity pool, with 30-min free ride of the bike and the forest tour was indeed a bunch of memories worth to keep. (actually it's for you how to consume it)

we left the place with a pack of joy and overwhelming experiences around 4pm and arrived in Davao City in 6pm.

And for more details visit their website: http://www.bananabeachdavao.com/#river
and like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bananabeachdavao

you'll surely have a great time.