Duka Bay Resort – Where Is It?

Duka Bay Resort, one of the best luxury beach resorts that this island vacations lover had visited so far, is an ideal spot to spend family beach vacations and on the beach holidays more so that it has island water sports facilities. It is located in Barangay Duka, Medina, Misamis Oriental situated just 14 kilometers away from Ginggog City and 95 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City in the northern part of Mindanao Island, Philippines.

Duka Bay Resort – Why I Visited The Place?

Since I started travel blogging seven months ago, Duka Bay Resort has been included in my vacation checklist of luxury beach resorts in Mindanao Island that I intend to feature. Hence, my eyes twinkled with excitement when, during a chance encounter at the 45^th Anniversary Celebration of the Southern Philippines Educational Cooperative Center (SPECC) at Cagayan de Oro City on August 9 2011, my good friend Director Manuela Pelaez of the Cooperative Development Authority in Caraga Region, Butuan City had told me that her family owns a substantial share in the said resort. We then made an arrangement for me to have a sightseeing visit at Duka Bay Resort the following day.

In the early morning of the appointed day, I left the bustling Cagayan de Oro City together with my wife and the driver. After a two hour ride, more or less, we spotted this comely signage on the road side . . .

The Duka Bay Resort road signage . . .

We then maneuvered to the left and traveled for a few minutes until we arrived at this area . . .

The Duka Bay Resort guard house . . .

We then proceeded to the spot where CDA Director Manuela Pelaez was awaiting for us . . .

The comely Duka Bay Resort reception center with the always smiling Director Maweng waiving her hands of welcome . .

While taking our sumptuous snacks, Director Maweng told us that the place which was formerly known as Medina White Beach, used to be one of the properties of their patriarch Don Gregorio Pelaez. It was developed by their grand mother to serve as venue for family gatherings especially during the annual family reunion. When the demise of the couple, the descendants of the eight children had decided to organize a family corporation  in September 1997 with each family building a villa to serve as billeting place for the regular annual family reunion and to be offered to guests the rest of the year and they named it in honor of the female children of the couple or of the spouses in case of the males. Thus, a total of eight elegant and cozy villas named Villa Felipa, Villa Christina, Villa Sophia, Villa Edith, Villa Narcisa, Villa Alma, Villa Conception and Villa Rosario are now proudly standing on a hill soothingly shaded by a cluster of large  trees overlooking the azure waters of Ging0og Bay and the alluring island of Camiguin.

Afterward, our host toured us to the  Duka Bay Resort facilities and amenities, the first being the Condotel and Conference Center . . .

The Condotel named Villa Felipa which houses a 100 person-capacity Conference Hall on the ground level.

My heart was  beating faster out of excitement as we were approaching our next destination . . .

An array of cozy villas of the Duka Bay Resort.

I then took a picture of the first villa . . .

The sprawling Villa Christina . . .

As I climbed at the spacious veranda, this breathtaking view of the alluring sandy shoreline of Duka Bay had captured my attention. . .

The comely Duka Bay sandy beach with concrete barrier that reigned in the water as shoreline protection during inclement weather . . .

Our next stop was the villa owned by the family of then Philippine Vice-President Emmanuel Pelaez. . .

The villa hosting the Ambassador Suite of former Vice President and Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez.

And the villa owned by the family of my friend cum tour guide Director Maweng . . .

Director Maweng visibly waxing nostalgic while at the veranda of their family-owned villa . . .

Glancing at the environs made me conclude that even a stone-hearted one cannot help but be mesmerized by this breathtaking view from the veranda . . .

The captivating veranda view from one of the villas . . .

We then descended back to the not-so-white sandy shore and passed by the area with island water sports facilities . . .

An array of kayaks . . .

... and a Dive Shop

I slogged further until I reached the picnic area . . .

The comely Pavillon Huts dotting the picnic area . . .

Until I reached the spot where budget travelers and backpackers are accommodated . . .

One of the two buildings with air conditioned rooms ready to accommodate budget travelers . . .

After bidding goodbye to our gracious host, we traveled for a few minutes towards Barangay Duka proper until we reached this place . . .

The signage welcoming visitors to the Alibuag Cold Spring

The stairway leading to the Alibuag Cold Spring

I was so attracted with the clear and azure waters of the cold spring. Had we brought with us our swimming trunks, we could have opted for a quick dip or for a languorous swim. At any rate, I just made myself contented with taking a picture of the Alibuag Cold Spring . . .

The Alibuag Cold Spring . . .

And posing for posterity with my wife . . .

Photo of me and Vanjie at the Alibuag Cold Spring

Duka Bay Resort – Final Thoughts

Duka Bay Resort  offers its guests the luxury of 40 spacious rooms in its 8 villas intended for middle and high-end guests and in its 2 beach houses for budget travelers and backpackers all with spectacular views of the azure waters of Gingoog Bay and Camiguin Island. Further, it’s open-air restaurant provides an ambiance of island life while the 100 person-capacity function room is perfectly suited for grueling brain storming sessions. Furthermore, coral and other marine life explorers would surely be happy with the availability of glass-bottom boats and other island water sports facilities. Moreover, its sandy shores with concrete shoreline protection is an ideal picnic ground. In a nutshell, you can find in Duka Bay Resort a relaxing hideaway for a well-deserved respite from the hustles and bustles of urban life without necessarily traveling far away from the city.

Island Vacations In Waterfalls – An Introduction

Island vacations enthusiasts are not only fond of searching for the clear water beach, best beaches, seaside lagoon or surfing waves but are also interested to visit island getaways hosting ponds and waterfalls. Nevertheless, there are little-known island vacations sites which are not included in the list of famous waterfalls nor frequently featured in renowned waterfalls pictures but actually possesses the grandeur comparable to the biggest waterfall in the world. Such is the case of the less advertised Tinuy-an Falls, dubbed by writers who had visited this  island vacations spot as the “Niagara Falls of the Philippines,” situated in Bislig City, Province of Surigao del Sur in the southeastern coast of the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Island Vacations In Tinuy-an Falls – How And Why

The island vacations spot can be reached via a 20-minute private vehicle travel from the Paper Country Inn, in Mangagoy, Bislig City passing through the national highway, maneuvering to the left upon reaching the junction road in Barangay Cumawas and taking on a bumpy feeder road towards the site located in Barangay Burboanan. It can also be reached in 30 minutes from the Bislig City Government Center following the 18-kilometer Poblacion-San Isidro-Burboanan-Tinuy-an Route.

The best time to visit the waterfalls is in the early months or towards the end of the year when maximum rainfall is experienced in Caraga Region and the water pressure is at its peak like that of my visit to the area in November 22, 2009 with my wife and 4 of our 5 children courtesy of the Bislig Government Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BGEMCO) through my friends Aprodecio A. Alba, Jr., Jonathan L. Jamora and Almar B. Autida, Chairman, Vice-Chair and BOD member, respectively, as well as the other coop officers.

Right after the vehicle engine comes to a complete stop, you will start knowing why Tinuy-an Falls as an island vacations destinations is a must-see for nature lovers:

1-      The sound. The impact of the cascading waters plunging into the ravine produces a thundering sound like that of a roaring monster which is audible even when you are still 500 meters away from the waterfalls.

2-      The Sight and Feel. The view of the 3-tiered waterfalls having a stunning 55 meters height and 95 meters width presents the first-time visitor a truly spectacular and awe-inspiring sight of a mighty waterfall in action. Further, the dark-brownish color of the cliffs combined with the bright blue pool at its base adds to both the mystery and allure of this falls. Furthermore, the catwalks made up of steel and concrete make it easy for you to climb up from one tier to another and get close-up and intimate views of the beauty and grandeur of this iconic natural attraction. Meanwhile, come to this island vacations destination between 9 to 11 o’clock in the morning on a sunny day and you will surely be treated to a bright rainbow arching across its base. Finally, the cool breeze produced by the surrounding rainforest and the mist that smack on your face produces an extraordinary and exhilarating feeling.

3-      The Swim and Bath. The presence of 3 islets near the “plunge pool” at the base of the waterfall makes swimming in this island vacations spot a really fantastic experience. Further, standing against the rock wall on the right-most side of the second tier towards the catwalk and letting the slow cascading waters fall on your back provides a mild and gentle massage effect.

Island Vacations In Tinuy-an Falls – Final Thoughts

Island vacations aficionados especially the waterfalls enthusiasts are willing to travel considerable distances to savor the renowned waterfalls in action. Thus, efforts should be done by the Tinuy-an Falls stakeholders to let this promising island vacations spot be put in the map of famous waterfalls in the country, if not in the whole world.

TINUY-AN FALLS VITAL INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE . . .

WHERE TO STAY AT BISLIG CITY PLEASE CLICK HERE . . .

The spectacular view of the Tinuy-an Falls

Another magnificent view of Tinuy-an Falls

Another view of Tinuy-an Falls

Close-up Photo of Tinuy-an Fall's 2nd Tier

Shouting "We Conquered Tinuy-an Falls"

Behind White Water Curtain

A Wholesome Family Escapade

Awe-Inspiring View of Tinuy-an Falls During Summer With Rainbow Arching Its Base- a sight that island vacations aficionados would really find very interesting.