Dotties Place

This is an old hotel and restaurant of Butuan. They accept weddings, debut, seminars, graduation and birthdays to rent in their hall. This is the hotel where my sister’s wedding was held. In the picture was after my sister’s wedding on 2016. The pool isn’t closed 24/7 and they have a changing lights. The water is warm and deep.

The server brought the tables and seats along the pool as I requested even if my companions were skeptical of a bad weather. It felt so good to experience their humbleness and hospitality to follow my request. Because it feel so good to breathe the fresh air and enjoy the food just beside the water no matter how it tastes. There was only one man who swam in the pool for adults that day and it was a lucky day for us maybe.

Yesterday, we celebrated here my mother’s birthday. We prepared cakes, balloons and we brought the catered foods. Well, we spent 2,000 pesos for the corkage as they collect 300 pesos per menu. If we ordered their foods, we spent more for sure. However, our other option for not spending on corkage is to bring the foods in our room. But we didn’t do it because we wanted to eat beside the pool.

Grand Riviera Suites

This suite is located in Ermita, Manila. It is nearby the U.S Embassy. This is a condominium, not a hotel. We rented a transient room for 2, 000 per day. Our stay there was 14 days because I followed up my medical report and my sister’s interview at the U.S Embassy. We stayed at the 27th floor which was scary for me who is afraid of heights. It has a pool inside that anyone who checked in can swim anytime. Gym is beside for those gym lover and it is also free.

At night, the pool water color is changing. Beside is the shade where we can overlook the outside view. It has also a relaxing and romantic vibe to stay at the patio during the sunset. We can see the birds flying that look for trees but instead of the tall trees, poor birds who just stay at the towering windows.

Manila Ocean Park

It is located in Luneta, Manila. We can experience an aquatic walls and ceilings with the entertaining fishes. It feels like we were under the sea as we see the numbers of any types of fishes. They also have rooms to stay for 15,000 pesos each where we can as well experience an under the sea bed.

They also have small fishes that massage our hands and feet. When I soaked my feet under the water, it was tickling but removed my stress. I still remember how relaxing it was for my nerves like I wanna be them for the entire day.

One Oasis Condominium

We rented this condominium for 1,500 per day for three days. Located in Davao, it is just beside in SM City Ecoland. It’s very safe and relaxing of stay as they have a strict security, plus the meditating garden. They have wooden cottages just beside the pool. Anyone who check in are allowed to enjoy the pool, yet in my experience, I had an itchy skin after because it was crowded. I could imagine the urine and spit from different people. That’s the disadvantage if there’s no entrance fee.

Well, even if I had an itchy skin, I managed to smile and pose while on a camera just to pretend it was a stolen shot. In this picture, I grabbed the towels we hanged at the bench because it was not allowed. It could damage the good view.

Kaasinan of Cabadbaran

Cabadbaran is located in Agusan del Norte, a neighborhood town of Butuan. This place has plenty of water where the residents pay less in their monthly water bill. It has an abundant beaches, some are still unexplored. During my nephew’s birthday, we partied in one of their beaches in Kaasinan. We only paid 500 pesos in our nippa hut behind. In the picture is myself and my cousin who enjoyed the summer sun.

We brought a traditional food during celebrations such as lechon (roasted pig). We brought the other foods like spaghetti, macaroni, Humba, pansit, cakes, ice cream, rice, afritada and fried chicken. The beach provide a fresh fish to grill and to make a kinilaw that costs 500 pesos each. We also brought our speaker and microphone because singing in karaoke is one of a Filipino’s culture during special occasions. Well, not just special occasions but we Filipinos love to sing in a singing Karaoke machine.

Unlike the dirty beach of my place Butuan, Cabadbaran’s seas are clean where we cannot see the garbages floating. Under the water, we can feel the sands and peebles. The blue and clean water allow us to see what is beneath.

Amontay Beach Resort

Located in Beunavista, Amontay is a resort with swimming pool and the sea water. The rooms for stay are divided into two. The rooms are different just beside the swimming pool and outside the pool which is along the shore.

The entrance costs 150 pesos each person at the pool for those who didn’t check in rooms. Kids were happy that we can swim at the sea as well as the pool, but we didn’t rented a room because it was not an overnight stay.

When we went there, it was so unlucky that the sea was hightide that we couldn’t swim because the water color was gray, but they have a floating rubber bridge going to the middle of the sea. We can jump at the shallow part of the water, but in my experience, I didn’t have the courage as I was dizzy caused by the rubber bridge. There are also floating houses in the middle.

Lucbon Cove

This is an unexplored island in Tubay, Agusan del Norte, just nearby Cabadbaran del Norte. We rode in a boat there and it was worth it because it has a white sand, plus no people. I think there are only a few of us who know the place. It doesn’t have a store, signal and houses.

It felt so good to lay in a place where we can just hear the strong waves of the ocean, the chirping birds and the strong wind from the forest. It was calming that eliminates all the negative energy, like we didn’t like to go back to the noisy and crowded city.

Beneath the water is the plenty of coral reefs which is unsafe for our feet. We should bring an aqua shoes to go there. You wanna be nude, you can do it and don’t expect someone can see you because nobody lives there.

We went back to the town before 4pm to avoid a high tide. If we went back at night, surely it won’t be safe. What we can see in the middle of the island is the jungle. When we went there, we brought foods like barbecues, rice, roasted chicken and desert. We were a group of young adults as kids aren’t safe in there.

Sprinkles Waterpark

This resort is located in Butuan city with four kinds of pool. Entrance fee costs 100 per person. They don’t have rooms for an overnight stay, but they have pool for toddlers, for kids above 9 years old, for young adults and adults. My family were staying at the pool for toddlers because it has its slides.

Wearing a normal cloth isn’t allowed in this resort. I was forced to wear a bathing suit even if I didn’t have the confidence, but my friend leveled up that confidence like she has. She is a good friend who helps me embracing my imperfections instead unloving myself.

Masao Beach

Masao is located in my place, Butuan city. It’s the only sea tourist spot of Butuan. It has a gray sands and cottages which rates depends on good structured nipa hut. We can expect food vendors who sell sweet potatoes, corn, icecream, popsicles, mangoes and fresh fishes in a cheaper price. In the afternoon, the sunset looks romantic as we sat down along the shore. It’s the only sea in Butuan that is well-known here, but like I said, there are many trashes we can expect that floats in the water, so it’s not advisable to bring the kids in the water.

The water color is blue during morning and become orange after 4pm as it is connected at the longest and widest river of Mindanao which is the Agusan river. Agusan river’s water is greatly polluted.

My Two Cents

As a mom now, it’s very important to survey the place first before deciding to choose it as a venue for a special occasion. It is important to find out how comfy it is, cozy, clean and it’s great amenities that are safer for our babies. Well, I must end it here. I had many water adventures but I think I don’t have much time to include all those. Have a great day!

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Thank you amazing friends @olivia08, @diosarich and @antonette.Thank you @justinparke for your kindness and delegation. Thank you @asean.hive for your unfading support. Love love all the way!