Patrik Lord Travel Blog

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Mt Pinatubo, the Sleeping Giant

If you are in Manila, why not enjoy the magnificent view of this once dormant volcano? Named as the "Sleeping Giant”. Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991 altered global climate and caused mudflows to cascade down its slopes, destroying everything along its path and leaving behind a labyrinth of towering lahar cliffs. The Crater Lake within the mouth of the volcano has a halcyon shade of blue that contrasts with the black, strombolic fury it exhibited years ago.

​​A perfect day trip!

There are tour operators which arrange day trips from Manila to Mt Pinatubo and back. Expect an early pick-up at around 4-5  am, drive for a couple of  hours to Capas, where your local guide will meet you. Upon arrival, transfer to a 4x4 jeep and experience a 2-hour ride and almost 2 hour-trek to the crater.

See the complete story here: Mt Pinatubo day trip
Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo. I am standing at Pinatubo Crater Lake. © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

I finally made the hike and now posing for the photographer at the Pinatubo Crater Lake. © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

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A part of the Babuyan Islands

Calayan Island is a part of the Babuyan Islands located in the Luzon Strait north of Luzon Island. To come here you need to go to Tuguegarao. From there you can take the bus to Santa Ana where you take the ferry  roughly 4 hours out in the sea. The best time to go here is during April. Although you can go here other times of the year, but there is always the possibility that you can  get stranded because of the unpredictable weather.

Off the beaten track

There are a few Sari Sari stores where you can buy necessities and some homestay to accommodate you. Either you can cook your own food or arrange so they can cook for you in the homestay. Calayan Island is off the beaten track and perfect for enjoying the beauty of nature but not for a bustling nightlife.
Cliffs overlooking the sea at Calayan Island, Philippines

Cliffs overlooking the sea at Calayan Island

Sibang Cove Beach, Calayan Island, Philippines

Sibang Cove Beach

Sibang Cove Beach, Calayan Island, Philippine

You are not likely to meet other sunbathing tourists here at Sibang Cove Beach

Cliff at Sibang Cove Beach, Calayan Island, Philippine

A majestic cliff all alone, standing as a sentry on the beach

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Nice view at Samal Island © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

View over Samal Island, also known as Island Garden City of Samal

Located on Samal Island

The Red Parrot Inn is located on Samal Island, one of the pearls of small islands just outside the city of Davao. To get there you can take the bus from Sasa Wharf in Davao going to Peñaplata on Samal Island. It includes a short ferry trip between the ferry terminals. In Peñaplata you switch to the bus heading for Kaputian. From the busterminal in Kaputian it's only five minutes walk to The Red Parrot Inn.
Going by ferry from Samal Island to Davao City © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Short ferry trip between the islands

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View 3 © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The Red Parrot Inn

The Red Parrot Inn, a wonderful getaway with sea view

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn View from room © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The view from the room is awesome!

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View 2 © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

This is the strait between Samal Island and Talikud Island

The Red Parrot Inn is beautifully situated by the sea. It has rooms fronting the sea and also four cottages at the back with no sea view. The AC was a little bit old but still possible to adjust the temperature ok. WiFi was only available in the main building. We had one of the cottages in the back and the room was a little bit worn but everything was nice and clean.
Breakfast at The Red Parrot Inn, Samal Island © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The breakfast was not of my taste, it was too sweet!

You could cook your own food

Breakfast was not included in the price for the cottage. But you could order breakfast and other dishes in the little restaurant nicely located with a beautiful sea view. I didn't mind that the breakfast was not included because it was too sweet for my taste anyway. There was a kitchen available so you could cook your own food. We used to buy fresh fish in the market and then let the staff cook it for us for a smaller fee.
The staff at The Red Parrot Inn © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The staff at the reception

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn dog © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Can you cuddle me... please!

Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Sea View with feet © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

My feet are enjoying the view

​They had parrots here

Everybody in the staff were very friendly and helpful. The beach just outside the main building was clean and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. As a curiosity they actually had parrots here. Two red ones and one white Kakadu with the name Oskar. He was both naughty and funny and he loved to talk!
Reviews of hotels in Philippines Samal Island The Red Parrot Inn Parrots © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The parrots

Having lunch at the local canderia Samal Island © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Lunch at the nearby canderia

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
5 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here several times early 2015

The Red Parrot Inn
Kaputian, Samal Island, Davao​
Landline: +63 82 286 1658
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​Perfectly located in Toril

Monclair Suites has a very good location in the center of Toril. It's near to everything. Just walking distance to the wet market, G-Mall or the jeepney terminal. The room was small but clean and fresh. AC was the modern style and the temperature was easy adjustable. Free WiFi was available in the room. Breakfast was not included. ​

One highlight of Toril is Eden Nature Park & Resort

Toril is is the 3rd District of the City of Davao, located 40 min by car from city center of Davao. So if you visit Davao it's probably more likely you stay near the city center of Davao instead of staying in Toril. But one highlight of Toril is Eden Nature Park & Resort which is a fantastic getaway beautifully located on the slope of Mount Apo. So Eden Nature Park & Resort might be the reason for you to spend the night in Toril and then you should check out Montclair Suites as an option.

Rating: 1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Location
4 Sleep Quality
4 Rooms
4 Service
5 Value for the money
5 Cleanliness 
I stayed here a couple of times in May 2015

Monclair Suites
RCFI COMPLEX (Infront of Shell Gasoline Station), Agton St., Toril, Davao City
Phone: 09498323034 (smart), 09433045380 (sun)
Review of Montclair Suites, Toril, Davao

Monclair Suites

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Samal Island, for those who prefer a more quiet island life

Bangka is the name for boat in Tagalog. I found this beautiful boat on Samal Island which is one of those incredible islands found just outside the city of Davao. Samal Island is easily accessible from Davao by ferry and offers a wide variety of nice activities from the most obvious, swimming and snorkeling to hiking in the forrest. The infrastructure for the tourists is well developed for those who prefer a more quiet island life than what Davao has to offer. 
Bangka, boat at Samal Island, Philippines

Here you are overlooking the strait between Samal Island and Talikud Island in the horizon.

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The Paguriran Island Beach Resort

Here is the view from Paguriran Island on to the mainland at high tide. The distance over to the mainland is only a couple of hundred meters and you can easily wade here even in high tide. The small huts among the palm trees is Paguriran Island Beach Resort, a perfect getaway for picnics and some relaxing at the beach with white sand. This beautiful place should be on your bucket list if you are visiting Sorsogon. Just take a 20-30 minutes ride from the city center with a tricycle. 
View from Paguriran Island, Sorsogon, Philippines

View from Paguriran Island at high tide