Jellyfish Lake Philippine Version – Where Is It?

A Jellyfish Lake, the local version of which is called Jellyfish Kingdom, is one of the emerging natural attractions and tourist spots frequented by island vacations lovers situated in a seaside lagoon with crystal clear water within the vicinity of the Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Jellyfish Lake Philippine Version – Why Visit The Tourist Spot?

As local and foreign tourists are rolling into Bucas Grande Island, my family-owned and operated Island Vacations Travel and Tours had finally started its business with a group of 11 combined guests from Panabo City, Davao del Norte and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur in Mindanao Island, Philippines as our maiden clients. During our email correspondence, I advised the group leader to spend one full day in order to savor the beauty of the island. And true to my suggestion, they came in time for the past 4-day respite courtesy of the 2-day holiday in addition to the usual 2-day weekend break. After checking in at the Island Vacations Country Inn, we escorted the group for a 2-hour swim at the Puyangi White Sand Beach. At exactly 4:00 in the afternoon, we proceeded to the Kapihan View Park to catch-up the sunset and engage into sightseeing and stargazing activities. Back into the town center, the group went on a sunrise photography session at the feeder port . After breakfast, we proceeded to the Sohoton area doing island hopping and adventure diving at Sohoton Cove, boating at Tiktikan Lagoon and caving at Crystal Cave. We then proceeded to the Jellyfish Lake of Bucas Grande, dubbed locally as Jellyfish Kingdom, before strolling at the majestic Club Tara Resort. As all, except 2, of the mentioned destinations were already featured in my previous blog posts, I will be discussing in detail the Jellyfish Kingdom trip while the caving adventure will be featured in my future post. From the Sohoton Tourist Assistance Center,we were supposed to ride on small paddle boats with a maximum capacity of 2 persons per boat, excluding the paddler, towards the Jellyfish Kingdom. Nevertheless, the sea current was swift by that time due to the onset of high tide, hence, we opted to ride on a pump boat. On board our rented boat, we maneuvered at the narrow passage leading to the Jellyfish Kingdom . . .

The tour guide expertly maneuvering the frontal section of the pum boat as it entered the narrow passage of the Jelly Fish Kingdom

The area may not be comparable to the famous Jellyfish Lake in Palau as it is not exactly a lake but a lagoon with a constricted entrance. . .

The azure waters of the Jellyfish Kingdom with its surrounding verdant hills. . .

Seen from a distance, the minute lagoon seemed to be just an ordinary scenery but as we moved forward, I had proven to myself that millions of golden jellyfish were really lurking beneath the crystal clear water. I then briefed the group that the underwater creatures surrounding us actually belong to a jellyfish specie who do sting but their stings are too mild to feel, hence, they were often referred to as non-stinging jellyfish.

One of our guests enjoyed staying afloat on the water surrounded by golden jellyfish . . .

To satisfy his excitement, the other male guest hurriedly dived into the water . . .

... and swam with the smack of golden jellyfish.

The other guy was still cautious whether the golden jellyfish was really non-stinging . . .

Touch Me or Touch Me Not might be in the mind of the guy with this hand . . .

With this one trying to be romantic with the nice underwater creature . . .

Planting a kiss on a golden jellyfish . . .

But the other male guest proved to be the most enterprising . . .

As he grabbed a jellyfish as if it's a sphere of gold . . .

Proving to themselves that they ought not to be outdone in any challenge, the female guests also showed their prowess . . .

With this lady trying to play with the nice creature . . .

But the other one really wanted a feel if there's a jellyfish sting or not right in her palm . . .

But this girl had another trip . . .

Wanting the jellyfish to pose with her for a smile in front of my Nikon D7000 camera.

I could really feel the fun deep inside them as I took a group picture of my guests . . .

My guests' final pose for posterity at the Jellyfish Kingdom.

Jellyfish Lake Philippine Version – Final Thoughts

The Philippine version of the Jellyfish Lake has become a source of pride among the local inhabitants. For one, it is the only known place so far in the Philippines to host such friendly underwater creatures. On the other hand, it is situated within the vicinity of the Sohoton Cove thereby adding to the variety of natural attractions in the area and contributing to its fame as the Philippines all-in-one tourist destination. No wonder, such Bucas Grande version of Jellyfish Lake has really proven itself to be a sound alternative for those who lack resources to visit Palau to experience for themselves befriending the amazing non stinging creatures called golden jellyfish.

Mountain View Natures Park – Where Is It?

Mountain View Nature’s Park is a unique island vacations destination located on the mountain top in Sitio Garahe, Busay, Cebu City in Cebu Island, Philippines which is ideal for sightseeing and kid friendly vacations and fun family vacations with such amenities as campsite,  kids playground and twilight zone among others. It is accessible via a taxi ride from the city proper or you may opt to hire a passenger motorcycle called “habal-habal” in the Philippines with pick-up and drop-off points at the foot of Nivel Hills in Barangay Lahug.

Mountain View Natures Park – Why I visited The Place?

As a gift for my only daughter Aliyah Eimereen, who graduated in high school with flying colors as well as for my youngest son Edrian Nathaniel who finished on top of his Grade One Class, we decided to spend our family bonding and summer vacation in Cebu Island, Philippines. We were then discussing at the house of my brother Ben in Looc, Mandaue City on what specific tourist spot in the island province to visit and Mountain View Natures Park came out to be the best choice. Hence, the ten of us- my wife Vanjie, sons Vladimir Ilich, Edel Jovann, Edrian Nathaniel and daughter Aliyah Eimereen, nieces Hazel with kid Achilles and Liji with daughter Nijel and me hopped on my brother’s pajero and headed to the place. The family could have been complete had it not been for the summer class examination of my other son Ranjick. We climbed through the winding trans-central highways in Barangay Busay keeping a watchful eye on each and every signboard that came our way until we stopped at the signage signalling our approach to the place. The driver then lowered the car’s gear in preparation for the 60-degree accent on our left but, scared by the thought of such a climb, suddenly decided to just drop us off in the highway. Faced with no other option, we hesitantly slogged our way up the 150-meter winding paved road until we reached the guard house where we paid the  Php 50.00 per head entrance fee. We walked a few meters more until we finally reached this place . . .

Vicinity Map showing the various destinations of Mountain View Nature's Park

While I was taking a rest to slow down my faster than normal breath brought about by the hike, my son Edrian and the other two kids were running towards my direction and grabbed my hand to follow them towards a place they really liked . . .

Entrance to the Mountain View Water Park and Children's Playground

I then proceeded to a vantage point and took shots of what’s inside . . .

Mountain View Swimming Pool

After paying a PhP 150.00 per head for adults and PhP 100.00 per head for children entrance fee, we enjoyed the cool dip and a languorous swim at the turquoise pool waters. Edrian, an expert swimmer himself, performed an acrobatic swim akin to a dance sport expert. . .

Eight-year old Edrian's best acrobatic swim performance at the Mountain View Swimming Pool

With the packed-lunch over, I went back to the vicinity map to check on the destination routes and decided to proceed to the top-most part of the park via the short cut route . . .

The 420-steps leading to the nature park's View Deck fronting the comely cottages ideal for honey moon spenders . . .

More and more steps upward and I was enthralled with this comely view at the mountain top . . .

The Mountain View Millennium Cross

Candidly, the cold breeze smothering my body while standing on the view deck  enjoying the splendid overlooking view of Cebu City was really a relaxing feeling. The rest of the group opted to climb upstairs also and we regrouped at the mountain top and posed for a shot . . .

Family pose at the mountain top minus this writer-photographer of course

Luck was really on our side as fogs hovered over us as we relaxed to savor nature taking its course . . .

Fogs hovering over the View Deck of Mountain View Nature's Park

We then started to descend on a paved road and my eyes were glued on this sight on my left . . .

Mountain View Nature's Park version of "The Way of The Cross"

After saying silent prayers, we proceeded to the mini-zoo and took time to pose with miniature wild animals . . .

Edrian and Eimereen enjoying the zebra ride . . .

Me and Vanjie enjoying a hug on the giraffe's neck. . .

A few meters of walk further down and we reached the Mountain View  Christmas Park . . .

The Mountain View Twilight Zone within the Christmas Park

The path leading to the enthralling Twilight Zone View Deck . . .

The Mountain View Statue of Nativity . . .

While on our way, I chanced upon this sight at the Barn which made me remember of my Corregidor Island trip . . .

A miniature of the American-type Tranvia which used to ply major Philippine city streets during the American occupation of the country in the early 1900's. . .

After exchanging some more pleasantries, taking more pictures of nature and watching the 3 children enjoying the kids playground, we called it time to go home.

Mountain View Natures Park – Final Thoughts

Nature tripping and trekking within the city was such a very exhilarating experience. Despite a bad start caused by the hot-headed driver, the moments that I spent with my family together on such a spectacular setting was really life-fulfilling. Taking time to enjoy, chill out and walk on mountain top and get the chance to savor the city view is one of the unique vacations options that urbanites and island vacations aficionados should not miss experiencing themselves. Hence, visiting the Mountain View Nature’s Park in the booming city of Cebu is the best option for nature lovers like you.

Hidden Island Resort is one of the island getaways in Bucas Grande Island, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, Philippines that I long to visit . For one, I want to see for myself the veracity of the stories being told that it has been transformed into a world-class resort by its owner, my good friend Roger Pimentel. Though I live in the island  but it was already quite some time that I visited the place since it was first constructed around 5 years ago.

Hence, on February 14, 2011, armed by my newly-acquired Nikon D 7000, I embarked on a sight seeing trip around my island home with the Hidden Island Resort as my first tourist spot destination.

Truly, after our boat maneuvered at the back of one of the secluded islets within the vicinity of Barangay Dona Helen, I was awe-struck when my eyes caught this view . . .

As I disembarked from the boat, my appetite to dive had soared upon seeing this dive board. . .

The Hidden Island Resort reception desk is simple and comely . . .

With its Patio so elegantly designed . . .

The simple yet elegant Blue Marlin Cottage had really caught my attention . . .

More so with the schools of groupers swimming on the azure waters beneath . . .

I saw for myself that guests in the Dolphin Cottage are treated like kings and queens as evidenced by this exquisite bedroom . . .

Standing at the resort’s catwalk, I cannot help but be inspired by the resort’s signage . . .

The sight of the resort’s flagship billeting place, the Lobster Cottage, is simply amazing . . .

But, nothing beats the exhilarating view of the island scenery as seen from the Lobster Cottage veranda . . .

Savoring the beauty of floating dish garden-like islets dotted on azure seas as viewed from Hidden Island Resort’s Lobster Cottage veranda would surely excite  the  urban guests and make them forget the hustles and bustles of city life . . .

Even I, an islander myself, so dearly admire the view of the Hidden Island Resort from atop the limestone view deck . . .

Truly, as my boat had sped away towards another tourist spot,  the spot had left an imprint in my mind in that . . .

judging from its facilities and amenities, Hidden Island Resort would surely dig deeper into the company of world-class vacation resorts capable of offering tourists a wholesome island vacations.