The tour started from Cotabato City. I got the promo flight for only P911.00 (December 26, 2011, 6:45 am) and the return flight was in GenSan for only P1,028 (December 31, 2012, 9:45 am). Both flights were in AirPhil.
It pays to book 6 months in advance. Why? I asked my co-passengers on how much they paid for the Cotabato trip and they told me its P3,500.00.
COTABATO CITY
The flight arrived in Cotabato 8:30 am.
The Cotabato Airport is actually situated in Maguindanao.
I was surprised to see so many soldiers at the airport that day. Security was very tight and there were also canines.
What surprised me more was the presence of a tank outside the airport!
Anyway, it's more fun in Cotabato City!
From the airport, I boarded a tricycyle and paid 45.00 for the ride outside the airport. Then, boarded a van and paid P50.00 for the trip to the city. Th ride to the city was thirty minutes.
I passed by the town's plaza.
I did not stay long in Cotabato City. I decided to go to the terminal.
I waited for an hour before the van left.
The trip to Pagadian was 3 and 1/2 hours.
MAGUINDANAO
I noticed along the way to Pagadian, the presence of mosques.
The area is dominated by moslems.
LANAO DEL SUR
After two hours, we reached Brgy. Barorao, Balabagan, Lanao Del Sur.
The native delicacy/product of the the barangay is"dodol" or "kalamay in Tagalog.
The main ingredient is rice (malagkit).
The view in Lanao Del Norte was fascinating.
I alighted in Pagadian, Zamboanga Del Sur and boarded a bus to Zamboanga City.
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY
From Pagadian to Zamboanga City was 6 hours. I paid P450.00 for the ride.
ZAMBOANGA CITY
I stayed at Lantaka Hotel by the sea. It was the only hotel situated beside the bay.
Contact no. - (062) 991-2033 to 35
I paid P1,452 for the room.
The following morning, I went to the Great Sta. Cruz Island.
I made a separate blog for this trip.
Great Sta. Cruz Island Beach - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-great-sta-cruz-island-zamboanga-city.html
I stayed at the island for only 2 hours.
Afterwards, I went back to the berthing point and went to Fort Pilar.
I finished the tour before 11 am and I immediately went to the bus station.
From Zamboanga City to Pagadian, the ride again was 6 hours. But this time I paid P475.00.
PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR
I stayed at Chandler Suites.
Contact Nos - (062) 215-4463 / 215-4641
Mobile No. 0917-722-4307 / 0923-744-9669
I paid P850 for the room (lowest is P698).
I roamed around the city. This time the Christmas spirit was very apparent. In fact, the city has a Christmas lantern contest.
Then, I went back to the van terminal. I boarded a bus bound to GenSan.
I paid P650.00 for the trip.
The trip lasted for 7 hours.
Eventhough the trip lasted for 7 hours, I enjoyed the trip and the scenery.
Making copra is the main source of income.
What a lovely sight it was!!
After 4 hours, we reached, Rio De Grande River (second biggest river system in the Philippines).
Again, I was in Cotabato City.
SULTAN KUDARAT
From Cotabato City, we proceeded to Maguindanao, and then passed Isulan and Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat.
KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO
The premiere shopping mall in Koronadal is KCC.
I stayed in Greenstate Suites.
Contact No. - (083) 228-5409
Mobile No. - 0921-642-7736 / 0916-310-1300
I paid only P750 for the room.
The following morning, I went to the 7 falls and Lake Sebu.
I made a separate blog for my tour in Lake Sebu.
Lake Sebu Blog - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/lake-sebu-7-falls-3-lakes-1-tribe.html
I stayed the whole day in Koronadal.
The following morning, I boarded a van and went to Sarangani.
The fare was only P65.00.
The trip to GenSan from Koronadal was only 1 hour.
Again, another van trip.
Reaching GenSan, I went to KCC since the terminal of the trip to Glan, Sarangani is there situated.
This time I paid P85.00 for the 1 hour trip.
SARANGANI
It was already 1 pm when I arrived in Glan, Sarangani.
Reaching the terminal, I hired a habal-habal to Gumasa White Beach.
I paid P300.00 for the round trip tour.
Again, I made a separate blog for my tour in Gumasa White Beach.
Gumasa White Beach Blog - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-great-sta-cruz-island-zamboanga-city.html
I visited Isla Jardin, White haven and Davak Ridge Resort.
Then, I went back to Gensan.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY
 |
| Royal Hotel |
It was already 4 pm when I reached GenSan.
My flight was scheduled the following morning and I had to stay for one more day in Mindanao.
There were two choices for my hotel.
The first choice was Phela Grande.
(083) 552-4925; 552-4420; 552-4230
Rates
Single standard - P1,350.00
Twin bed standard - P1,800.00
Matrimonial standard - P1,800
And the other choice was -
Sydney Hotel
(083) 552-5479 to 81
Fax No. - (083) 552-5478
Rates -
Standard room - P1,340.00
Family room - P1,672.00
Superior Room - P1,793.00
Executive Room - P1,995.00
I decided to choose the first and paid P1,350.00. It was a good choice.
The following morning (December 31, 2012), I went to the airport and paid P150 for the tricycle ride. The distance from the city to the airport is approximately 15 kilometers.
It's really fun in Mindanao!!! =))
My Observations
1. No sign of Christmas spirit in Cotabato City, Maguindanao and Lanao Del Norte.
2. Military presence is extremely visible.
3. The security threat is apparent especially in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Lanao Del Norte and Sultan Kudarat. There are so many checkpoints.
4. The barangays of Cotabato City, Maguindanao and Lanao Del Norte are relatively poor.
5. Roads are not well-developed.
6. Only van ride, no bus (except for the trip to Zamboanga City). No jeep. Only trikes and small vans.
7. Way of life is extremely slow.
8. There are so many undeveloped areas.
9. There are so many mosques.
10. There are no tourist spots in Cotabato City, Lanao Del Norte and Maguindanao. Even if there is, you will not decide to go there.
Related links -
Adventure
Adventure
Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html
Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html
Beach
Others –
Top Ten Places - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-ten-places-in-philippines-i-visited.html
32 Ecotourism spots - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/32-ecotourism-spots-in-philippines.html
Top 10 summer pics 2011 - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-10-of-my-pictures-for-summer-2011.html
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