At the Southwest part of Gingoog where we can experience a steep and winding road lies the tourist spot namely Illuminada of Claveria. Being there is truly an adventure because the road maybe tough, but the scenic view is absolutely stunning.However, we can't appreciate the view if we're inside the car. If there's a sunroof, open it and get up. If there's a pick up truck, choose to ride behind, to see every breathtaking look.
A sign that we have been arriving at the place is the foggy mountains, a cold weather, the beautiful flowers and trees. The dreamlike beauty gives the place an enchanting charm. To go there, it takes 2 to 2.5 hours to arrive by motorcycle, van or car transit from Butuan city. From my place going there is about 95-128 kilometres away. If there's a heavy rain, the travel will certainly takes more than 2.5 hours. It's important to just slow down as the road is uphill and curvy.
What to Expect?
What welcomes us is the gigantic series of heart arches forming a romantic pathway. This famous gateway unfolds a magical love haven. The arch is carefully crafted to built a living structure that provides a perfect lush greenery. It combined the vibrant naturisque and the inviting framework-making the view a perfect combination of nature and design. As the leaves presents a shady spaces against the sunlight, the bricks flooring softens the pathway that has a warm and stunning glow in the scenes. The experience to be in this place is like we're meditating at the alleviating sanctuary.
After the well handcrafted arch, what catches our attention is the huge peacock statue. It is visually appealing as its tail is a dazzling blend of a sparkling jewel. The silver stones, the deep blue neck and chest and the emerald green is brilliant looking as it shimmer under the sunlight. While looking at the distance, it looks realistic like its radiant wings are ready to fly.
In the picture is the colorful ticket booth where we pay to ride on a carousel. The bright colors are meant to be vertical stripes consisting orange, blue and pink to achieve a playful and happy look. This child-friendly booth has succeeded their objectives to entertain the kids as it was the first thing that my niece wanted to look at. The yellow rails built by metals, combined with a blue color just beside the cheerful booth is giving again a vibrant and cheeky vibes.
My niece and my daughter loved their vivid carousel that is meticulously ornamented with saddles. The horses are made by fiber glass that are perfectly hand painted. The gold-toned rounding board looks like an engraved stones with floral composition. It looks mesmerising especially the nature-inspired painting in the middle of the flowery ornaments. The brown bricks as fence have created the vintage element in connection of the golden canopy. The combination of both colors create a dramatic contrast. It looks rustic but cultured.
Inside Illuminada are also the trees that are well taken care of. Its trunks have ferns and orchids that seemed to grow naturally. Some of the trees are slender that look flourishing just to provide fresh air and verdant botanical garden. The open space lawns is surrounded with green grasses, the stoney pathways going to the panels, plus the wooden benches that makes the place a serene place to relax. The rockwork landscape looks like a fairytale spot, along with huge planters.
The kids would love to be there not just because of the tranquil and vibrant scene, but because they also provide a playground with durable and safe features. The weather resistant slide is made by Fiber Reinforced Plastic. My three years old daughter loved the smoothness of the surface. It was also safe to climb going to the slide as they attached a ladder. They also provide chromatic swings and seesaws. The playground accessories' colors are contrasted perfectly into green artificial grasses to achieve a cozy backdrop.
This is the classic bridge going to an extensive lawn and garden. The arched bridge is painted red with the bricks pathway below, to achieve a vibrant atmosphere. Behind my little girl is the Torii gate. This traditional accent is famous in this modern times that gives a glimpse of what is beyond the place. This prominent architecture color is coordinated at the red tone of the bricks and bridge. The goal was to provide a Japanese ambience with tropical foliages.
The guests can also enjoy an overnight visit as their A-framed cabins are available. The cabin roof is using a green metal that is extended to the ground to provide an aesthetic and tiny structures. The doors and windows were finely accented by white color. The frontal view is giving a warm and rustic details. The outdoor lighting means that the place can be used comfortably at night. The garbage bins are placed every corner-that means, it is a well-maintained space.
The narrow T-shaped swimming pool has a warm water, the fact that Claveria has a cold weather. The turquoise water reflects the skies and the beautiful frameworks in the surroundings. The floor is patterned by white and blue tiles as the clean and clear water is their central focus. There is a privacy to swim here as they fence it by rustic bamboo wooden structures. While relaxing in the water, we can overlook at the foggy mountains and hills visible at the back of the perimeter paling.
In the midst of the cascading blossom, there is a large scale of a bamboo pavilion. The structure is an eco-friendly Bahay Kubo, a traditional Filipino design that is well-known of its sustainability and resilience. Aside from it's aesthetic look, relaxing inside can give a refreshing experience because a bamboo structure provides a cool temperature. They also use the nipa on the roof, a traditional Pinoy roofing that comes from a Palm Nipa plant.
Illuminada has also a camping tent if choosing it than their wooden cabins. A camping tent is more enjoyable. It is safe to camp here because there are no bears in the Philippines. Looking for an aircon while sleeping, it is unnecessary because the environment is cold. What we need is just a sweater while sipping the coffee on a campfire and enjoying the peaceful escape provided by the beauty of nature.
They still have many featured accents inside such as:
✳️the water well
✳️huge sculptures
✳️vintage cars
✳️vertical pavilions
✳️the maze garden
✳️round, tiny and private pool
✳️a store and restaurant
Reminders before you visit the place:
- Buy foods at the grocery stores of your place because their foods are expensive.
- Bring a sweater if you choose an overnight stay because they have a cold weather.
- Claveria has no malls and big stores. If you have kids, buy their needs first.
- Load your phones with a faster Internet because it is a mountain.
- Bring extra slippers and shoes for your kids because there are muddy places.
- Be on the lookout if your child will step out of the cemented pathways because the green land is watery.
- Apply an insect repellent lotion of your child's skin to be sure that the mosquitos can't bite immediately. On our experience, there was no mosquito but for the sake of the kids' health, safety first.
Final Words
🌸The place is 70% safe for the kids even if their security on the large gate is 24/7 to the fact that they have the bridge. Under it is a pond. The other areas are muddy and watery.
🌸The staffs are hospitable.
🌸The place is organized and clean.
🌸The foods and water are expensive.