I can’t seem to get enough of the 14 day travel around North and West Mindanao a week it finished that, because of another ticket available to me, went on another, much shorter land trip. I traveled across 11 chartered cities and provinces starting at Gensan where I landed from Cebu, motored up to Cotabato, then to Iligan and Kapatagan (again), Cagayan de oro City, a side trip in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental and Davao City via Bukindon before going back to Gensan for my flight back.
Below are short notes on the places I stopped and stayed for the night.
Cotabato City
With hotels and pension houses full, I got no choice but to spend in one that, god, I just didn’t like. The comfort room is just bad. No choice. Things like these happen. I just spent a few hours in Cotabato as early in the morning, went directly to the van terminal for Pagadian. I do find those payong-payong tricycles interesting.
Sec. Narciso Ramos Highway
For many years, I’ve yearned to cross this highway but due to the security situation, wasn’t able to make it. In this long trip, I finally made it! Bonus? There’s a very short tunnel excavated from the mountain, which, I think, is the only one in the Philippines (Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor doesn’t count).
Iligan City
It was my base for this trip. To meet a good friend as well as spend more time around Iligan with a brief trip to Kapatagan. Food trip, going around the city… But I still have to go back again.
Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte
I went back to Kapatagan with a friend for one thing: visit Sta. Cruz Falls. My first attempt wasn’t successful as it was already late in the afternoon and with the 1 kilometer distance from the road, might not be advisable as one has to do a river crossing first and it was about to rain. With this visit, I finally came face to face with this wonder. But better to visit in the morning.
Cagayan de Oro City
Ah, all throughout, I was thinking of Bagong Lipunan’s pansit and its claims as the best noodles in the city. I just had to try it. Not disappointed though. Other than this, I had a great time shooting the main branch of Thai Me Up where the owners also came by and treated me to dinner. Nice.
Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
I was putting off visiting Balingasag for the nth time but, finally, decided to visit. Two heritage structures that I was looking for: the Spanish colonial era church, which by the way, is still intact, walls only, and the Vega ancestral house with interesting effigies of men bearing the second floor on their backs. The town itself has lots of old wooden houses but not from the Spanish colonial era.
Davao City
Didn’t go out of my room in Davao City. Spent instead catching up with emails and stuff. I was just there for the night but early morning, had to pack up and travel to Gensan. Along the way to Kusina Davao for breakfast, passed by the San Pedro Cathedral. While I spent two years and countless travels here, it was my first time to go inside. Beautiful.
Gensan
I was supposed to go directly here from Cagayan de Oro City but when I arrived at the terminal in Agora, there were just too many passengers that I opted to make a detour and go to Davao City instead. This city is vibrant with wide roads. I still have to familiarize myself with the place but just spent the morning at Blugre with their durian coffee and durian cheesecake before going to the airport.
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Haha same experience in Cotabato. Stayed at a place that I did not like.. Ganun talaga. One thing about the San pedro Cathedral though, its much nicer now than before. It has been quite renovated a little. They changed the altar just about a year ago I think.
Im not sure since i havent seen the original San Pedro Cathedral. But the architecture now is also interesting 🙂