Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
Out of Malagos Garden Resort, after squandering their good green salad at the Viewdeck Cafe and realizing that we were already late of schedule, James, my husband and I progressed to the resort exist and proceed on our two hours motorcycle road trip to this mountainous part of Davao City, a road famously called BuDa which basically means Bukidnon - Davao Road. We had to gas up first, filled it up to its brim to ensure that we won't be facing any issues while on the road.
Video credits: Shah No Nam via YouTube
To those who usually drive motorcycles, most especially rented ones, do you ever get scared or worried what if you'll get into an accident while in a foreign place? And when I say foreign that doesn't mean we were in an overseas place but somewhere we are not native of. Davao City is an hour airplane ride from Cebu and although we were just in the Philippines, it is still not the same as being in Cebu.
But surprisingly, I didn't have that fear. Perhaps I just really love to be out on the road. Same goes to my husband. So, as we were traveling this wide highway trail of Davao, we figured out there weren't so many vehicles passing this way at five in the afternoon. It was better though because that means we could just build up our speed but upon discerning that the local government here implements speed limits unlike in the Cebu Province, we had to lower it down immediately, I mean, James had to lower it down.
Video credits: ehnriko via YouTube
I truly relished the drive, the air was already chilly when we started but it eventually became colder and colder as we traversed, Google Maps says we were just 30 minutes away from our destination place, the resort where we will be staying the night when the rain started and we were almost out of gas. Boy, it was a long ride!
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
I didn't imagine it to be that long or perhaps it was just because it was our first time to be in this part. But we were glad to be greeted by a beautiful sunset view while filling our tank. Gasing up here reminded me of childhood when we used to go to the mountain area in our town and they use 1-liter soft drink bottles.
Arriving at Highway 81 Drenched
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
It is pretty typical to presume rain every now and then when located in a high land area such as Bukidnon-Davao, Marilog District in Davao City. Just a few months ago, James and I were also in Bukidnon and it rained on our first night when it was all sunny that entire day so we were also expecting the same for that Davao trip.
True enough, it rained, a little bit hard than we expected and we were already a little soaked of the rain when we finally arrived at Highway 81 Resort. It didn’t help that the road was dark, there’s just a tiny street light at the side but thankfully, we found our way to their parking area just next to the highway lane.
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
At first, I thought it might not be safe to leave our rented motorcycle in that part of the road but we had no other choice, there were also other vehicles outside so we thought perhaps no one’s going to harm them, this is Davao so hopefully, nothing bad or negative will happen to it.
Highway 81 Resort is a resort which is situated on a hill, it is 81 kilometers away from Davao City proper so that's how they got their name.
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
So to get to the main front desk which was also there in house cafe cashier desk, we had to exercise up the cemented staircase, about five minutes hike but breathing would be a little bloody most especially that we had heavy backpacks on our back, I could literally feel my backbone bending and trying its best to hold on to dear body.
It is also good to note that I didn’t reserve a room. Well, the truth was that I contacted them a few days before coming over to Davao City but didn’t send the required partial down payment to confirm our reservation so we ended up getting a different room at a higher price of Php 1600 instead of Php 1400, but this fee already includes breakfast so for us, it is still a good option.
However, I really want the room with a terrace, anyway, we have no choice because it was my mistake not finalizing the reservation thinking there won't be any visitors on Fridays.
Highway 81 Room Review
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
Thankfully, we secured a room! It was a mistake not confirming my reservation so I now had to learn my lesson a little inconveniently. But I am truly grateful that we had a roof to sleep, one with a twin sized bed and two thick blankets since it was raining the entire night and I need to warm myself.
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
Our room was prepared and ready in less than 30 minutes after payment. It was a teepee designed structure, the first of the two with its green roof and red painted walls including its white door and a glass window. It felt like we were going into yet another hobbit house! It looked small from the outside but actually, it can fit two to three persons inside as they got an extra couch too, a wooden one.
A table was provided and a sole power wall outlet, this is always an issue when we are traveling so then I always bring with me a power outlet adaptor which can allow us to plug three devices at once as we got a lot of devices to charge the entire night.
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
It also has a bathroom with a washbasin sink and a tiny window inside the comfort room which by the way has a little issue with the fitting so there's an opening that allowed cold air to get inside the room and the biggest issue I had was that there was no water heater! Obviously, the weather was at around 12-15 degrees so I can not and will absolutely never take a bath or even dare to take a half bath at all! I would rather curl up to bed, keep my body warm with those thick blankets and sleep!
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
But before I forget, we had to feed ourselves with food. Dinner was first before we could lay down. We were also wary of the trip and we wanted a hot soup to warm our freezing bodies. It didn’t help that I didn’t bring any thick pants or even socks, I came very unpreparedly for this trip, such little preparation and research!
Image credits: Jean Beltran-Figues via Cloudinary
This is the first part of my Highway 81 Resort review. Next blog will cover the in house cafe named Cafe Binukid which means Mountain Cafe and also their customer service review.
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About the author:
Jean Beltran-Figues is a photography enthusiast.
A traveler who wants to promote her beloved country, the Philippines.
