A friend from abroad asks me
to accompany her for a beach getaway.
She then queried for wonderful beaches just across or near Davao
City. I initially suggested a once
visited beach in the Island Garden City of Samal. It was Vhyness and Jasher, a then lovely
couple and my friends back in Marbel, South Cotabato, where I was once assigned
for work. Since the plan was all set up,
we fix ourselves and prepared things to be carried. We drop by a nearby convenience store for some
food and drink for the outing. Chips are
a must. J
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| the three of us |
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| sarap |
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| with kagandahan |
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| jack? |
Along our way to the
waterfront, we were still conversing on where to finally set our
destination. Until we reached and saw
the advertisement in this small motor boat about this resort called
HOF GORIE,
we with no going back decided to take a visit to this resort. Upon reading-through on the range of its
prices for accommodation and for a chattel, we discovered that it’s to a
certain extent expensive compared to the first resort we intended to go. But we all agree to give it a try since it’s a
one time in a year escapade. Crossing
our hands of the idea that we might come out disappointed of the area, and then
we boarded in their private Bangka and is set to sail the sea. After almost 45 minutes of sailing, we saw
these little pieces of cloth like flags waving amidst the air, waving and trying
to welcome us. It is the structures and
the landscapes, how the area has been properly planned to set as a welcoming
environment to their guest is superbly finished. We all see ourselves smiling and I guess
thinking saying “this is it”, we made the right choice.
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| our personal assistant |
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| reception counter |
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| that building |
While un-boarding the vessel,
we hear people greeting us and see in their faces the priceless smiles as
gestures of welcoming. And it didn’t end
with just smiles and greetings. Ice cold
fresh fruit juices were also conventional as their complementary welcome
drinks. And hhhmmm, tastes just the way
we expected. Upon entering the area,
I can’t help but appreciate the beauty of nature developed by human hands
without tearing down the tress that adds coolness to the environment. It is as if landscaped by nature. The Villas, oh I love the villas. But to its quietness, I and my fiends decided
to take the rooms located in the primary structure near the restaurant.
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| stairway to heaven...:-) |
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| the view |
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| overlooking |
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| peace |
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| mural |
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| the villa |
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| while eating |
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| the two of us |
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| big rock inside the building |
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| the veranda |
After checking in, we quickly wander
the area for validation and assessment.
And Hof Gorei has a satisfactory rating from us. We ate our merienda along the white sand
shore. With spicy garlic chicken wings, pancit
and fresh buko fruit, the long wait is worth it. After relaxing a little, we savor the
area. I freshly remember the three of us
going back to our childhood, running, laughing, and simply just be happy. We took countless pictures to every corner of
the resort; we made sure that no area is being missed. We didn’t even notice the time run so fast
and the sun is ready to set. We enjoyed
watching haring araw slowly losing it rays, its reflection to the sea water, Jasher,
vhyness and I can’t help but appreciate the bounties beauty of nature God has
created. After a while, dinner was
served. The ambiance is so romantic, I
remember saying “I think I shouldn’t be here, three is a crowd” and we started
laughing again, but I was serious. Candle
light dinner, with wind breeze that echoes the surroundings, it was amazingly
perfect especially with the one you desire the most. That night, we were forced to sleep early not
because of boredom but of peace that the mood bring about. Peace that adds solemnity and calmness to the
mind, silence with nature like sound that serves as music to the soul. The next thing we know, we’re ssnnnooozing
like heaven.
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| splashing water |
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| the bar chair |
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| fountain of life |
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| the bar counter |
We ended up rising late, and I
personally believe that I had experience one of my best sleeps which I long to
have. We headed for breakfast and enjoyed the captivating sensation of the pool
that I guess no one could resist. And
oh, I forget to mention, coffee and tea are unlimited, meaning we can drink to
death, which we avail viciously. The
built in bar counter in the pool was great, I love the idea how it was created,
it suits perfectly for drinking without rising off the water. The splashing of water was nonstop, and to
tell you, it was just three of us enjoying the water. We run ourselves to the beach and back to the
pool again, just like childhood memories.
Just being happy and worry free, just be ourselves.
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| nice thing |
The overnight experience is
about to end, as we were packing our things.
If we could have planned the outing a little further, we could have
stayed even a little longer. But time
hinders us to continue what we were planning, as they also need to go back to
their places, to their Families.
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| the entrance |
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| pictorials |
It was nice to experience
these things once in a while, being child again. We also need to recharge as others may
say. Need to give ourselves a treat for
a hard work. And I said to myself, I
should go back to this place….
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| smilling |
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| coffee? |
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| breakfast |
As I was writing, I realize
how friendship defines a person, and how a person defines friendship. And it’s pretty confusing how I was able to
come up with these definitions.J I can’t help but look back to memories I have
archived for these people. The people
that I consider family when I was away from home, the people that never let me
feel less as a person regardless of my short comings and apprehensions. I miss you guys, hope to see very soon J
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| miss this guys.... |
