Paradise ...

In time for summer we stayed overnight at the nearest beach resort across Davao City of 10 minutes ride by boat across ... The Paradise Island Beach Resort at the Island Garden City of Samal.

We were greeted with resort staff bringing with them welcome drinks as they ushered us to the front desk for us to check in. We took the premier aircon accommodation, take note - with hot and cold shower, cable tv and intercom, a veranda and a garden plus room service for food and drinks. The room for three cost us only less than US $100.

It was our promise for the kids to cross the sea and enjoy the Samal sea waters during semestral break but our unica hija decided not to join us because her sked for enrolment for summer classes was the next day so there were only the three of us, me and my husband and our son who stayed for two weeks vacation then back to Manila for his summer classes too. All that stayed overnight were families spending time for bonding. Some were newly weds vacationing before going back to their home while others were foreigners who like us bathe till they dropped.

After depositing our things in our room we toured the resort and saw the mini zoo, the kids playground, the spa, the convention area, the kitchen, souvenir shops, the pearl shop, aquasport gear, the play area for billard and table tennis and the restaurant.

We had cold drinks and halo halo then we move on to swimming till evening. We started swimming at 5 in the afternoon where the sun was moving to where it will rest for the night and when it was dark the bright moon appeared and the lamp post plus the the spot light lighted the blue and calm waters. Twas cold but we did not mind it.

Our dinner of grilled tuna belly, prawn, sizzling squid and calamares was served by the sea with lighted candle and capped with fresh fruits and ice cream for dessert. The cost of food was also reasonable.

Not contented, all of us again went swimming at 6 in the morning again as we saw the workers picking the leaves and raking the sand. They do this everyday preparing the resort for the coming in of visitors. Guests started coming and all the line up tables by the shore had occupants.

We had a light breakfast of bread and egg omelet and fruits again and at 11 we had our full meal of boneless bangus, corned beef, buttered chicken and fruit salad for our dessert. While dining we were serenaded by a local band.

We left the resort at 12 contended and satisfied with our day and night swimming and our overnight stay worth a come back. I am sharing you some of the pictures I took.