One of the things I love about being a Davaoeña is the fact that “burn out†is an abstract concept to me. With the pace of life here in Davao there is always time to do the things I need to do and still have time to relax in between. Allow me to share with you my relaxation quick fix. Whenever I feel like I am starting to get stressed, I get into a cab, direct the driver to Barrio Pampanga, hop on a boat and in about ten minutes I find myself in paradise. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a work day or the weekend; paradise is always just ten minutes away from Davao City.
Paradise Island is a resort on a stretch of beach in Caliclic, Samal Island. Not just boasting its beach line, this resort has developed its amenities and now offers not just the benefits of sand and sea but a host of inland activities and sights. What I like about this resort is that it is still quite affordable, the prices are tourist friendly without compromising the service.
White Sand, Clear Blue Water
Beating the heat in cool, clear blue water is always enough to while your troubles away. I would recommend the early mornings up until about 10 am where the tide is still high and the water is almost kissing the picnic tables where you can enjoy your breakfast. If you want the beach all to yourself, visit the resort on weekdays. Sometimes the best way to clear a crowded head is to just sit and listen to the waves lap the shore. You can hang out by their break water steps and feed the fish (the kids really get a kick out of this one by the way!), go swimming, or you could just lie back on one of their sun beds and take a relaxing nap. They even have a house of massage which is just by the water.
Delicious Food
Since this resort is so accessible from the city, you can visit this resort over an extended lunch. The food is delicious and not as pricey as you would expect from a resort. You can just kick off your shoes for a bit and take in the sights while you enjoy a good meal. The barbeque and seafood selection is a must try as well as their refreshing tropical shakes and treats. Or if you are really going to there for the beach, you don’t have to stress about preparing a picnic basket because you can just order from their extensive menu. With that worry out of the way, you can just wear your board shorts, pick up your snorkeling gear and sun block, hop in a cab and head for Paradise.
Aqua Sports Galore
For those of us who are after something more than just the beach experience try the array of water sports. My personal favorite is the intro dive which you can do for a very affordable price or you can just rent some snorkeling gear and check out the beauty of the world beneath the sea. The corals are alive just beyond the nets they set up in the water for the safety of swimmers so there is no need to rent a boat just so you can appreciate the beauty the bottom of the ocean has to offer. If scuba diving is not your thing, there are still a host of other things you can do, like kayaking, aqua cycling and jet skiing.
Other Stuff You Can Do
If you are not in the mood for swimming or all the other things I just mentioned, there are still other things to do at this particular resort. You can visit their aviary or their mini zoo or just take a stroll in their gardens. The resort also has ping pong and billiard tables where you can sip beer or one of those yummy fruit shakes and relax over a game or two. Or if you are up for something more adventurous, you can go trekking or take an inland tour of the island.
I don’t mind mentioning that the resort is best enjoyed with some companions although going there won’t be boring either. So if you ever find yourself in need of a relaxation quick fix, this resort is definitely something you should consider. In my opinion, relaxation should never be expensive and at this resort you don’t need to worry so much about dishing out too much just to unwind. What’s important is that you get to enjoy leisure without really going out of your way to escape the hustle of the everyday routine.
Have fun! Go ahead and relax. You deserve it. Besides, its not a world away. It’s just 10 minutes to paradise.
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This article on Paradise Beach Resort in Samal is written by Monique “Nikki” Musni, just in time for the Lenten Season when everyone is thinking of going to the beach to unwind. Nikki loves the Paradies Island Resort, unfortunately her photos of the resort is not yet ready, so it’s best to check out their website if you need to contact them. The resort’s Web Address is at http://www.paradiseislanddavao.com.
