Hardly a day had passed since the end
of our mid year retreat that the students were off again. This time to
Davao Del Norte and Compostella Valley for our much awaited community
vacation. The students had given the community committee a very
challenging task by requesting for a vacation that encompassed the
elements of Sun, Sand and Sea as well as Scenic Views and Cool Mountain
Air. I don’t think that mother nature in all her beauty and grandeur
would be able to meet the demands of the students in one location at
least here on earth. However the community committee did not let this
seemingly impossible requirement from getting in the way of planning a
fantastic vacation for the community.
In addition, the Philippines as an
island chain formed by seismic and volcanic activity does offer though
not in one location but in relatively close proximity the elements
requested by the demanding students. Thus the plan would be to drop by a
beach resort on the first day in Davao Del Norte close by to Tagum City
before heading off to Haven’s Peak Resort in picturesque Compostella
Valley.
First stop was Sun, Sand and Sea
at Manaklay Beach Resort Some of the students spent the morning
swimming and playing beach volley ball whilst others were content to
just soak in the refreshing sea breeze and laid back atmosphere of the
beach resort. After a packed lunch of pasta, chicken and water melon,
the students were on the road again heading further east up into the
mountains of Compostella Valley.
After
a 5 hour drive through some challenging country roads, we finally
reached Maragusan. Home of Haven’s Peak our mountain resort and home for
the next 2 days. Passing through the town proper, our convoy of three
vehicles were soon reach the base of the resort but due to a slight down
pour earlier, the dirt road leading up to the resort itself became an
impediment for our vehicles and thus one by one, the students and
formators chipped in to push the vehicles through and up to the resort‘s
entrance and carpark only to find that the final challenge lay in
walking the 203 steps up to the resort itself. What a trek. The rest of
the evening saw the students in various parts of the resort enjoying the
cool and refreshing mountain air.
The next day was a jam packed,
activity filled day from morning to evening as the students went river
trekking, swimming at two different waterfalls and cold spring. The day
was nicely capped by a relaxing dip in a hot spring. Well relaxing at
first until some of the students decided to human trampoline the others
one by one. All too soon on the next day, the vacation came to an end.
It was a tremendous effort done by the community committee. Kudos to the
guys who went out of their way to ensure a great vacation for their
fellow students.
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