Blue Jaz

We have lots of options here in Davao for day trips out, for example, Eden nature park on the slopes of Mt. Apo is beautiful, there are lots of beach resorts and suchlike very close by and there is Samal island which is in Davao gulf, at the nearest point only about 500metres or so away from the mainland.

Samal is a beautiful island, its quite big, and rural, mainly coral rock base but also has mountains and waterfalls, it is, say about the same size as the isle of man and there are roads and pathways crossing the island, main roads are ok, side roads are dodgy and are subject to heavy rain making them impossible to pass.

My neighbour Raul who has lived in Davao all his life has not for example ever been to the other side of the island, i promissed him a trip there, must do that soon...anyway.......

On Samal and close and convenient to Davao city there are lots of beach resorts, where you arrive by boat direct from the mainland...the boat dropping you at the resort. The beach resorts are not Samal, they just exist on Samal and are a major employer on the island and generally cater for tourists from Davao and everywhere else.

The most popular resort is paradise beach and yes, its great we have been there many times, say 20....so we decided to go and try another venue, Blue Jaz. 14 of us, adults and kids, all our family and Karen and Arnels, we packed up loads of food and drink and shoehorned us into my car, off for about 7:30am and drove to the ferry. Parking was a bit chaotic and the large ferry was full, but before 9am we were in.

The resort is large, and has some great facilties, like water slides and pools but in all honesty it is a "work in progress" (building site) and feels about 70% finshed, nevertheless we enjoyed the day, particularly the kids because of the water slides and well, kiddie fun, i asked the kids afterwards and they all said they prefer Blue Jaz to Paradise beach, but for a cleanliness and facilities, paradise wins hands down, so, its pay your money and take your chance.

Annika went down a small but wizzzy slide 3 times with 3 different cousins, she was a bit mystified by the process, but enjoyed splashing with Dad in the pool while children all around us played and splashed and had kiddie fun. She had 2 lovely sleeps in the arms of Ann and Germaine, we left about 3:45 and were safely home by ferry and car by 5 on the dot, an excellent and fun day out.