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Showing posts from August, 2009

Kawasan Falls: Badian, Cebu

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After spending the night in Moalboal, we drove off to nearby Badian to see what it offers. We headed straight to Badian Island Resort but got turned down by the guard who told us we needed a prior reservation. A day trip will cost P1,000 already, and we just wanted to see the place, and have a snack there. But we weren't allowed. So we drove away, passing by some wonderful scenery, like the one in the picture above. It was a secluded cove, with a tiny island. The view was pretty inspiring, and I thought it would be a great location for a resort. Badian Island could be seen from here. We drove back to the highway in search of Badian's top tourist's draw - the Kawasan Falls. Badian's coast looked magnificent as I sped along the cliffs. We arrived in the entrance of the Kawasan Park, where you can park your car. A guide was offering his services to us, but we politely declined, knowing it would be an easy task to find the falls. And it was easy. There's actually a clea

Ravenala Beach Resort, Bas Daku, Moalboal: Moalboal Series

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We didn't intend to stay in Panagsama Beach, which really doesn't have a beach. Again, think of Anilao. I was intent in staying in Bas Daku, a nearby beach, that was just like Panagsama before a typhoon changed its landscape. Bas Daku is around 6 km away via a narrow access road into the plain fields of Moalboal. Essentially, Panagsama and Bas Daku share one coastline. Coves and rocks separate them. But the difference between the two beaches are stark. Bas Daku has a lot of beach front resorts, having a white sandy coastline that extends for about a kilometer. It has a shifting sandbar near the resort that I consider the most well-designed in the area. Though not the most popular and high-end (that goes to Serena Beach Resort, which I will talk about in my next posts), Ravenala Beach Resort is welcoming and charming. I am a fan of resorts that blend well with nature. Beautifully landscaped and well-kept as well, Ravenala offers accommodation in comfortable nipa hut like cottage

Panagsama Beach: Moalboal Series

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Moalboal is an easy and scenic two hour drive from Cebu City. You pass through the South Road (SRP) and head all the way to Carcar. You take a right at the junction in Carcar and go straight to the beautiful mountains of Barili. Just a side note, I think Barili has a great mountainous rural landscape that can become the next Ubud. After Barili, you pass through 4 other towns, before reaching the popular seaside destination that is Moalboal. Moalboal is known for one thing: diving. The center of dive universe in Cebu is found here in Panagsama. The laid back community has a lot of dive centers. Moalboal is the Anilao of the Visayas. A lot of foreigners and locals have their dive lessons here. Panagsama Beach in Moalboal doesn't really have a beach, so don't expect sandy shores. Instead, expect dead corals and rocks. The tide goes really high in this area, so during that time, there's even no beach. Nearby Pescador Island is the highlight of diving. I don't really dive s