Thanksgiving @ SecDea Beach Resort

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.!

I may not be an American or a Canadian but I do have a lot to say thanks for such as being reunited with a friend, celebrating another year of life and another year of friendship - all of which we celebrated last Sunday at Secdea.

Main Lobby

A good friend of mine, Taynee (who would be familiar to those who read my other posts as my partner in crime in most of my beach and food escapades) have been working in Manila for a couple of months now just came back home to celebrate her birthday and she invited us to SecDea Beach Resort. This served not only as her birthday celebration but a reunion between close friends and also the anniversary of our lil group, Powerpuff girls. <3

Secdea Beach Resort is located in San Isidro Babak in IGACOS and one of the newest resorts in Samal. To get there we met at Sasa Wharf , rode a barge (P10 per person) and then spent a 20 minute ride to Secdea on a tricycle (P75 per person). Upon reaching Secdea, vehicles are only allowed to pass until their main guardhouse and if you set reservations (highly advisable) rest assured that they have a golf cart waiting to drive you to the main clubhouse. 

I love how the whole resort was landscaped and the design of the houses/rooms - it gives you the vibe that they want the visitors to relax in luxury but charges are affordable and worth it though. 

Day tour Charges:

P250 - Inclusive of access to the Infinity pool, Mangrove walk, Tree deck,

usage of free poolside tables and chairs

P400 - Lunch Buffet

P300 - Corkage for all snacks brought by a group

Infinity pool

The infinity pool is divided into three sections, two of which are for the kids while one is at most 4 ft in depth and just a few feet away from the pool is the beach. For those who are fond of water activities, they have several kayaks, banana boats and jet-skis for rent. In land based activities they have biking (P150 per hour), tennis and basketball (ongoing construction) and a natural wall climbing section. Wall climbing was for free but there aren't any safety ropes for it and the stairs to reach it and the helipad (Yes! they do have a helipad) is rather intimidating. It kinda makes me tired just by looking at it! LOL! ~kekeke 

Seaside cottages

My favorite section of Secdea is the Mangrove walk. As seen on the picture above,  you can sit and enjoy watching the beach, the sky and the sun on this cemented path in between of mangrove trees. I guess this place would be lovelier at night because I saw several lanterns hung on other mangrove trees and if they would lighten those up at night, it would definitely set off a romantic vibe.

Mangrove Walk

There are two Mangrove paths available, the first of which leads to the Tree deck. I originally thought that it offers rappelling but its just simply a tree deck. I like the structure but sadly it doesn't offer a great view once you're on top. The mangroves are too thick and to many while the tree deck is a bit short to afford any view off the sea but the place is still developing so they must have plans for that.

Tree Deck

The other path of the Mangrove walk leads to the  "floating" resto. The resto is already built but they don't serve anything yet though it is a good place to overlook the sea. On another note though, I simply adore the driftwood arbor they built there.

Floating resto

As mentioned earlier, Secdea offers a buffet lunch (usually on weekends) and all the food they prepared was delicious. We were so full we had to rest for almost an hour before we continue in touring around the place. It was such a fun lunch too because Secdea got a Pay per View subscription of the Pacquiao-Rios fight. Every other guests and staff was attuned on the TV and clapping whenever Pacquiao got a clear hit and especially when he was announced as the winner. ~Kudos to Pacman

There are  different "cottage" or rooms available for those who would stay overnight. I wasnt able to inquire about room rates but feel free to check their website (link at the bottom of the page) for it.

Houses/Cottages 

One of the best things in SecDea is the staff. I've never known any other staff as accommodating, friendly and ready-to-help in other resorts I've been to. They offered to take our pics for us and assist us with our things and even allowed us to drive the golf cart for  awhile. I would really like to visit there and see the place at night because I believe its gonna be more beautiful than in daylight.

For further information you can visit their website at:

http://secdea.com/

or call them at  (082) 305-2774 or (082) 305-4028

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Surigao 4: Britania Group of Islands ♥

The last stop in our Surigao adventure is the Britania Group of Islands and this place is LOVE!

Located in San Agustin in Surigao del Sur, Britania boasts of 24 islets all with oh-so-fine white sandy shores and pristine blue-green waters. Don't worry if you visit Britania without any reservations set up (like us) cause there are a lot of tour boats lined up that you can rent on the spot.

As our boat was coasting along the waves, I adore how water alternates from deep blue to a very clear blue green tone then light blue - I've been through a fair share of beaches but its my first time seeing such an array of color.

True that during the whole trip I've seen such breathtaking, oh-so-remote sceneries for the first time like the majestic Tinuy-an falls or the awe inspiring color and depth of Echanted river whereas Britania just showcases its islands and beaches that are rather "commonplace" (as compared to the other two) in the country - but I do so looooove beaches and its sandy shores!! 

I think that my friends and the Capilitan family also have the same thoughts as I have because as we landed on our first island, the expression - "felt like a kid left in candy shop" became the perfect description to everyone there. Though we were already a bit trip from traipsing all over Surigao, we were energize upon seeing the vista. We came bounding off the boat then came running along the shoreline while some rushed and dived headlong to the water. Ahhhhh.. refreshing! :)

Some islets don't really have shores and some are private so one can't really stop by all 24 islets but seeing them from afar is enough to make me happy because they remind me of cupcakes. We've only been through 4 islets.. the last one was really my favorite because two islands were connected by a narrow strip of sand that one can walk through if the tide was low.  ~weeeee

/

I just love Britania and Surigao its really worth that 8 hours of travel and now that the sun is setting we have to start our drive back home *another 8 hours there whew*. Its more fun in the Philippines indeed.

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Slidin' @ Maxima Aqua Fun

Restless energy (probably to too much caffeine) and a bit of spontaneity drove my friend and I to Maxima Aqua Fun. Spontaneity, because Taynee and I just bounded on a boat to Samal without any prior planning, decided that our usual "splash and chill under the sun"  won't be option being high strung as we are that day. 

True, that unlike most beaches in Samal that have long stretch of white sand, Maxima doesn't have any shoreline at all - but they offer a ton of fun water activities that will make your visit feel like an adventure.
Imagine yourself sliding down, hearing the wind whoosh in your ear and within 6 seconds you would hit the water that's 15-20 feet deep - definitely not for the faint hearted.

But small kids were venturing out the farther and deeper places than me so it kinda made me think Maxima's deep waters was safe for anyone of all ages.
Overall, it was a real fun and energy draining experience just what fun loving and high strung people would need. I'll be posting the Maxima Aqua Fun rates below, you can check it out but at times rates would change so you can call them for further inquiries.

Maxima Aqua Fun is located in Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal and there are several ways to go there - one of which is riding the bus to Samal and hop on to a tricycle that will drive you directly to Maxima or you can ride the Maxima Ferry boat from the Sta. Ana wharf. 

Maxima's main attraction which made it a favorite destination for the adventure lover would be the 40 meters giant tarpaulin slide.

My heart was about to jump out of my chest looking down at the slide however going there and not trying out the slide would be such a shame so I did it, and let me tell you, after first slide you would definitely ask for more.

Other things that you can do in Maxima, is the diving board (which we didn't do - high strung as we are, I am not all ecstatic about the height of the ledge ~kekeke)..

..water ball, water trampoline, jet skiing, banana boat ride (that you can enjoy with friends)...

.. snorkeling and kayaking (just love the color of the kayak ♥ )..

Safety isn't a problem since no matter how well of a swimmer a person is, they are required to wear a life jacket and life guards always there watching out if everyone is fine and following the rules.

Aside from all the fun things to do in Maxima, I love the place because its clean, spacious and organized. There are several type of cottages you can stay while there and I just love the colors they used in the place. 

If you think that the water activities aren't enough to deplete your energy or if you're looking for out of water fun, Maxima also has a billiards hall, trampoline and the canopy walk.

Canopy walk is the other famous attraction of Maxima Aqua Fun and its located near the entrance. You climb up to the suspended bridge (you will be equipped with a helmet and a harness thus safety is ensured) , and walk across to the other side and rappell your way down. The bridge is real wobbly which makes it a nerve wrecking experience especially the rappelling part.

We only sat for a couple of moments since we came to the place and the majority of the time was spent on going through one quest to another. The sea water was really deep I was a bit of scared of swimming in it because I can't see anything below and I was imagining things like a kraken ~kekeke.. 

MAXIMA AQUA FUN RESORT, INC.

Location: Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal

Phone

(082) 286 1054 / 09236593725

FB Page:    https://www.facebook.com/maximaaquafunandcanopytours/info

Day Tour Package Option

Package A————————————————————P200

Free use of lifevest
Free use of tables and chairs
Unlimited use of Giant Slide
Unlimited use of Trampoline
15 minutes marine orientation including
use of mask and snorkel

Package B————————————————————P250

Free use of lifevest
Free use of tables and chairs
Unlimited use of Giant Slide
Unlimited use of Trampoline
15 minutes marine orientation including
use of mask and snorkel
Eagle view canopy walk with rapelling

Children rate (10 years old below)————————–P150
Eagle View Canopy Walk—————————————-P50
Camping-Overnight———————————————P350
Tent Rental———————————————————P300
Aquafun Close Cottage-Overnight————————P1,800
Bigote Dormitory-Overnight————————-P500/head

EQUIPMENTS AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Jetski——————————P3,500/hour
Jetski with Banana boat(max of 6 pax)——4,000/hour
Two Seater Kayak—————-P250/head/15minutes

TRANSPORT OPTIONS
Speedboat (max of 10 pax)

Round trip Sta. Ana Pier to Maxima—–P6,500
Round trip Penaplata to Maxima———P3,000
Round trip Beach house to Aquafun—–P1,000

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Samal Island's Little Secret

Just a few weeks away from Christmas and end of the year, most assuredly everyone is already planning where and how to celebrate the upcoming holidays. Having a get-together getaway with my closest friends even just for a day or two would be a lovely way to spend the holidays and one of the places were are considering to go to is, Pacific Little Secret (PLS). Haven't actually been to the resort since our plan to go there before for our team building was foiled but a friend of mine did visit the place just recently and shared the experience of it to me.

With a long stretch of white sandy shores and pristine blue sea, one might say that, in that perspective its just alike other resorts in Samal Island but PLS boasts of giving its customers "the resort owner experience".  PLS' marked difference to other resorts is that it offers privacy and exclusivity while giving its customers access and free reign to all areas and facilites in the resort. 

  

As seen on the images above, there are two cabanas - which contains comfy beds (pillows, blankets and electric fans) , a dirty kitchen (fully equipped with a stove, refrigerator  water dispenser, kitchen and dining utensils), shower and bath facilities. Everything is already being provided for in this resort and so you only need to bring food, drinks (no corkage) and change of clothes in going to this place.

The place also have several comfy reclining chairs with mattresses indulging the visitors to enjoy the view of the sea, hammocks that sway with the breeze of wind and one can even use the "bangka" to row your way around the sea. Magic Sing is also available and the beach being private and all, you can definitely sing as loud as you want without disturbing any other guests (well other than your friends ~kekeke). 

Being a private and exclusive resort, you need to set up reservations if you want to rent this resort out for a day or two.

The rates for the overnight stay are as follow:

- A flat fee of Php 6,000 per overnight stay limited to 15 guests only.  A Php 250 surcharge will be assessed each head in excess of 15.

For day tour, the rates are:

- A flat rate of Php 3,000 for the first 20 guests. Additional Php 100 per head in excess of 20 guests. 

Thanks to Mr. Roy Drilon.

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