In 116 kilometers away from the south of Cebu, in Tindog, Medellin, lies a hidden destination, Medellin Hideaway, as its name suggests. I would start defining it by its issues. First, this resort is not accessible from the highway. It peeps through a narrow road from the national road before reaching it, so I suggest riding with drivers who already know the place. And the other one, there is no fine white sand here or the luxurious vibe of a typical beach resort. Do not expect that. But these are only two issues, one on the road and one with the sand, just little things that hardly matter. Our family still pushed through with the decision of visiting it regardless of what would greet us. When we entered the resort, it was the reception area and the local staff who greeted us first, asking for our entrance fee, which was 35 pesos per person.
The resort's main highlight is its long boardwalk that stretches into the sea, approximately 500 meters, just a 15-minute walk, connecting the mainland to a rocky little islet with a cottage by the end. According to one of the staff, the bridge is made out of lumber and bamboo, which are quite firm and strong enough to withstand sea pressure and waves. When I first saw it, I was amazed and happy with its length, a very long bridge that flies above sea level, offering great sights from different angles as you walk along it until the end. The build of the bridge is safe and perfect for photo-taking. During low tide, some tourists prefer walking below the sea to reach the end islet because they are afraid the bridge might collapse. This bridge has seen a lot of preferences already for sure, and mine was to step on its wooden floor.
Alluring in the beauty of this resort is this charming little stone bridge, weathered by sea breeze and sand. Its coral-rock pillars and rustic balustrade give it an old-world vibe, standing gracefully and firmly above the sand and tidal pools below. Through the gap, if you are looking from beneath, you can have a glimpse of the wooden bridge stretching out toward the sea, creating a perfect frame for the tranquil coastal view and a peek at the bridge's framework.
The resort could only accommodate around 135 people when we visited, but I guess they have maximized it this year as its popularity began to spark in travel blogs. I forgot to mention that this resort offers no parking inside, so tourists are advised to park their vehicles outside, which are safeguarded by the local staff assigned in the parking area.
One thing I also love about this resort is its cottages. They are built above the natural rock formations of the sea, making them firm and resistant to waves. The big rock formations astonished me, as I thought it was fortunate enough to hold the cottages and bridges of the resort. I am talking about the concrete bridges beside the cottages that are perfect for viewing the sea horizon and taking photos. The bridge doesn’t have a natural rock base; instead, it uses cement pillars to hold the whole structure. However, it is not the rock formation that made me love the cottages, rather it is because the cottages are named after seafoods. I find it witty that the owner found a way to contextualize their accommodations with the sea itself. One cottage is named Kasag (Crab), another Pusit (Squid), and another Bangus (Milkfish). They vary in names and also in sizes, which in turn makes the prices vary depending on the number of people who would occupy each cottage. They have small ones and they have bigger ones.
They also have grilling stations for those tourists who wish to cook grilled pork and fish for their tables. You see, grilled meats cannot be absent in this kind of escapade, as this kind of food perfectly complements the scenery and vibe of the resort. I don’t know why, but we cannot eat at the beach without grilled food on the table. In the photos, those are my uncles who came from other countries just to join our reunion. It is always the men in the family who grill the meat because it’s the perfect moment to drink beer while waiting for the coal to burn and the meat to cook perfectly over the heat. A bottle of beer is enough to pass the time and not get bored waiting for the food to be ready. The grilling stations were good because the natural wind from the sea could not reach them.
After all the food was done, we prepared everything on the table and called the kids, who were already swimming, to eat. Every time the eating session takes place, our family gets chaotic—passing plates from hand to hand, cutting meat for everyone who wants it, preparing rice after several servings, and making sure everyone gets to eat all that was prepared. For a few moments, we would all be at one table reaching for food, and later on, we’d be at different tables eating with our favorite people in the family. I was with my cousins, obviously, because the elders have their own agenda and world. My aunties gathered in one place, my uncles in another, and the kids in their silly random spots where they ate ridiculously.
After everyone was done eating in the cottage, they all wore their best outfits, while some removed their shirts for another swimming and sliding session. Aside from the bridge and cottages, the resort also has free slides for all ages, which are not dangerous because they are not too high or long. The water was high that time, making the slide interval shorter and safer. My cousins and I enjoyed sliding, ascending, and descending to our heart’s content. The kids were very happy doing the activity too, but the adults were way happier than them, almost stealing the spot of the kids. It only has one slide actually, so the fun was limited and short, but still it was good to use, especially because we were with our family.
The resort also has a function hall near the entrance, visible even from outside the resort. I saw my cousins an hour later above, waving at me and asking me to take photos of them. It took me a long time to figure out how they got to the second floor, but later on, I managed to get there with the help of my other cousins. In a minute, the whole line of cousins was there in the hall, all complete and gathered, separated from the elders.
We took many photos there to capture the memorable and important moment we had as the young ones of the family. In the photos, those are my cousins and me, and yes, we are many. Actually, ten cousins were not even there in the photo. We are plenty, like a bundle of wood, and I hope it doesn’t scare you. We took group photos from here to there and had conversations about how our lives were going. We checked up on each other and laughed together, reminding us of the precious moment we shared in the present.
As the day slowly faded, I walked barefoot along the damp sand of thee resort, silently feeling the cool sea breeze brush against my skin and the gentle waves kiss my feet. The sound of laughter from my family blended with the rhythm of the tide, literally, echoing in the distance like a fine sound I never wanted to end. The water shimmered under the soft afternoon light, and I realized that no grand luxury could ever replace this. The warmth of family, the scent of salt in the air, and the peace that comes from knowing you are exactly where you belong were sensations I can still remember. Medellin Hideaway may be hidden, but it has left an imprint in our hearts as bright and endless as the beach itself.
