Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park

Ping brought us to the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park, which is in the municipality of Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental. The park is a prominent habitat for marine animals in Mindanao. It also features a wildlife park that contains wild animals that are native to the country. As a resort, it also features hut-style cottages lining the mangroves. We enjoyed our walk along the bamboo bridges crossing the mangrove areas to the sea. We also saw some marine species that are being bred and cultured in the fish tanks and ponds of the park.

Oroquieta City, 2005

Amyel joined Bobby and me on our visit to our friend, Ping, who resides in Oroquieta City. Unlike the first visit in 1997, this one was scheduled in advance. From Cagayan de Oro, we were able to hitch a ride with the boss of my sister-in-law in his Crosswind van. He even paid for our lunch during our stopover in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. To complete the package, he dropped us in the city proper of Oroquieta where we were picked up by Ping. 

As usual, we had a sumptuous seafood meal at Ping's house. In the evening, we joined the family in a picnic by the seawall. The place was often frequented for night swimming. The water was not too cold and the company was warm as we ate our dinner the kamayan style. Ping and some of her relatives joined us the following morning on our trip to the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park.

Tiklas Falls, Gingoog City

Gingoog is a Manobo word for good luck. It is called the City of Good Luck and gentle people. I just learned from my readings that the city is also known as the City of Waterfalls. We were fortunate enough to explore one of its falls in the summer of 2005. We hired a multi-cab to reach the barangay near Tiklas Falls. It took us more than an hour to set foot in the place. We had to walk along the rocky and sometimes muddy footpath to reach the falls. It was like a hidden paradise. No entrance fee. No cottages. Fresh air. There's a small pool by the falls which is fed by cold spring water. It was a simple place where you could be at peace with nature.

Medina, Misamis Oriental

Medina is a fourth-class municipality adjacent to Gingoog City. Whenever we were in Gingoog, we would always go to Duka for a swim. This time it is a different adventure. 

There is a new beach resort in the barangay and we were told that we could hire a glass-bottomed boat for viewing corals. And that's what we did. The boat hire may be a bit expensive to the locals but the experience of seeing the corals underneath was priceless. We did not have to get wet, snorkel, or scuba dive just to see the bounty under the sea. God's marvelous creations.

Malasag Eco-tourism Village, Cagayan de Oro City

Our relatives in Cagayan de Oro invited us to see the Gardens of Malasag and Eco-tourism Village. The place showcases gardens containing interesting flora and fauna as well as different houses of the indigenous tribes of Mindanao. We strolled along the winding paths of the garden and admired the panoramic view of the city, its coastline and the bay. For a moment, I felt that we were far from the hustle and bustle of city life and the visit was truly a long-deserved break to commune with nature.