Maria Marauder: Mindanao Adventure Day 3 Part 1: Dahilayan Forest Park

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Mindanao Adventure Day 3 Part 1: Dahilayan Forest Park

I can't believe that we were still alive on our 3rd day. We probably got our adrenaline juices from one another, for when one felt a little enervated, another person would make some funny hirits.

Checking out from Paras Beach Resort at 4:30 a.m. was a breeze. The hired vans took us immediately back to Benoni Port, and we were able to take the 5:30 a.m. trip. to Balingoan Port.

After another hour on the ferry, we were at Balingoan again. We were able to ride our SLT Vans immediately. I heard the drivers spent the night there at Balingoan Port to wait for us.

Another van ride, this time going to Dahilayan

The trip from Balingoan to Dahilayan was at least two hours. On our way to Dahilayan Forest Park, Melizza had to see the brother of her friend in the U.S. to pass on to him some gift. He is the Head of Security of Del Monte Plantation, so Melizza (and therefore, we) was given two boxes of sweet, sweet Del Monte pineapples. Woohoo! (Naku, andaming kwento ng mga pinyang ito!)

Thanks, Sir!

Dahilayan Forest Park is chock-full of wonderful outdoor activities kids of all ages can enjoy. It is located at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad, 4,700 feet above sea level, in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

I have been there before when the hubby had their own college reunion, and I enjoyed the place immensely. I was sure that my good ol' high school friends would find the place exciting too.

We arrived the place at around 9:00 a.m.

I was just a little disappointed when I checked in for our group because they seemed to not know of my two-month-old reservation. They had corresponded to me through Facebook and text messages, acknowledging the scanned deposit slip I sent them, but when I reached the place, they were still looking for the hard copy of my deposit slip! How could I have had a booking if I hadn't deposited a down payment, I asked the front desk clerk! Good thing I brought all the documents with me. Even when I was trying to call their number on our way to Dahilayan to inform them of our arrival, their number couldn't be reached. Their reservation system and front desk were not well-coordinated. Actually, among all the accommodations I arranged for this trip, it was Dahilayan Forest Park that was the hardest to contact. That was my only beef with them. I hope this can be improved. Yun lang powz.

Anyways, the girls have already settled in the room before I could even finish registration. We got Forest Park's Barkadahan Room which can accommodate a maximum of 30 people at Php500/person. It was spacious and clean, and had two separate T&B's. Were just 15, so we all fitted in just fine.