Hello, Hive friends!
How's your weekend? As for me, there weren't many activities. The hot weather made me feel lazy about going out, so I just stayed home and kept myself hydrated.
Anyway, as promised in my previous post, I'll be sharing my recent visit to Bukidnon, Philippines, and the new places I visited and the changes I noticed, especially at the most-visited spot, LAKE APO!
The Serenity of Lake Apo
Last month, my mom and I visited her sister-in-law again for her 70th birthday celebration. My mom was really eager to go there to surprise Nanay Linda, her sister-in-law, and to express her love and gratitude for what Nanay Linda and her brother did for her when she was still studying.
I wasn't initially part of the plan for that short vacation in Bukidnon. However, due to unforeseen events, I ended up happily proxying for my younger sister, who was originally scheduled to go with my mom.
Anyway, let's dive into the topic!
Mom and I headed to Cebu Port and boarded a cargo-passenger ship bound for Cagayan De Oro City. The journey took 12 hours, which might seem long, but it felt smooth and calm. We spent the time chatting about life, and I hardly noticed the passing hours. When morning arrived, the ocean was serene, and the air was refreshing. It turns out, my mom's decision to take a cargo-passenger ship wasn't a bad idea after all.
When we arrived at Cagayan de Oro port, we had to head to the terminal and catch a bus to Valencia City, which took around 4-5 hours. It was my first time riding a bus, so I was surprised that we had to make 5 or 6 stops before reaching our destination. In Cebu, when I travel to our province, we usually have just one stop for the 4-hour travel. Just one!
After spending a few hours at my auntie's and uncle's house when we arrived, we decided to explore some places with my cousins and aunties.
U-GO CLIFF RESORT
We first visited the U-go Cliff Resort, which is a 20-30 minute drive from the city proper of Valencia. It's a perfect place to unwind or bond with your family and friends, and it's quite affordable, I must say.
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For walk-ins, they charge 50 pesos for the entrance fee. They also offer overnight rooms with rates depending on the room type. For those seeking adventure, camping is allowed with tent rentals and a bonfire area. Plus, there's a swimming pool!
We made the most of our time there, taking plenty of pictures from every angle and corner. I had a blast with my aunties and cousins; their energy was way above mine. Sometimes, I couldn't even keep up with them. Hahaha!"
And there's my Mama, so beautiful!
LAKE APO for the 3rd time!
Next stop, LAKE APO!
If you've read my recent post, you probably know that I've visited Lake Apo twice already. I must say, this is a must-visit tourist spot if you're in Valencia. I can't complain because this lake is truly beautiful.
As I stepped out of the van, I noticed a lot of changes. They now have a gate with the name of the lake, and the receiving area and trail down to the lake are now cemented.
They've added a cute "LAKE APO" standee, and who am I not to take a silhouette picture with it, haha!
There's also a venue area, and at that moment, there were people using it. I'm not really sure what they were celebrating, but they were there.
Additionally, there's a cafe on the upper part of the area, which is a fantastic idea. People can enjoy their coffee or tea while admiring the lake view. So nice!
The trees have grown so much since my last visit, which amazed me. And of course, the floating cottages are still present!
70th Birthday Celebration of Nanay Linda
This was the main reason for our vacation, so we spent our entire second day at the house, helping with the preparations. It was a dinner celebration, so when the clock struck 5 pm, some of our relatives had already arrived.
Around 6:30 pm, the celebration began. I met many relatives whom I had just met, and some whom I had already met during our last two visits here. It was a lively and joyful atmosphere, and I could see in Nanay Linda's eyes that she was truly happy.
On our last day, we spent time at the house with Nanay Linda, my cousins, nephews, and niece. My cousin, Kuya Marvin, offered to drive us to Laguindingan Airport, which took about 4-5 hours to reach. Along the way, we got to see the famous Pulangi River!
Pulangi River is the longest river in Bukidnon and the 5th longest river in the Philippines.
I will definitely never get tired of going to Bukidnon again and again. Aside from being able to visit different tourist spots with wonderfully beautiful views, the people there, my relatives, are so welcoming, kind, and very humble.
Who will come with me next time?
Anyway, always enjoy and explore LIFE!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hello there! I'm Danah, a Marketing Services Associate by profession. I'm an adventurous person, always seeking to discover new experiences and extract valuable life lessons from each of them. I'm passionate about dancing and performing on stages in front of the crowd. I thrive on exploring the great outdoors and capturing memories.
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