I thank God for having the year 2017 full of blessings, good health, trials, heartaches, travels, new friends and for all the good and bad memories. 2018 will be a good one, I know, with good vibes, positive outlook in life and of course with a lot of travels and new places to visit.
I started the year 2018 with a solo trip to Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani. I wanted to venture out alone to chill, relax and to think over something deeply. charot! So I packed my things and gathered my courage to go alone. I just wanted to go off for at least 2-3 days.
Getting there was pretty easy. I went to Ecoland Bus terminal in Davao City, took a Yellow Bus Line bound to General Santos City. Bus fare is 250 pesos and would take 3-4 hours of travel. From Gaisano Mall of Gensan, I grab a tricycle going to KCC Mall Van Terminal bound to Gumasa, cost 20 pesos. Van fare going to Gumasa is 100 pesos, estimated time of travel is 1 hour. From Gumasa Van terminal, I hired a tricycle going to White Haven Beach Resort. You can huggle the fare from 80-100 pesos.
MAPS ME app is a big help when traveling. I used that to track my location and where exactly should I stop. That helped me avoid getting lost. And the good thing, it doesn’t need a wifi or data.
After a long journey, I made it to White Haven Beach Resort. I made a reservation ahead for a backpackers room. The room cost 900 pesos. It’s worth the price because the room is very clean and comfortable. I had also my own bathroom. The room comes with an electric fan.That suits me. They had air-conditioned rooms available.
They had a restaurant that serves affordable food. I was so hungry from the trip and had a late lunch and a coffee snack together. The signal is weak and glad I had a book with me. I’m supposed to be done reading this last year, ( plastikan ra jud ). So while waiting for my food, I went on reading.
Late afternoon, I wandered around and went to the shore. I found this nice caption. “By the salty water, I pledge my love to thee”. Yes, I pledge my love to the salty sea. Sa salty sea na lng ta mag pledge ug love, d pa ta mahurt. charing!
I find their shore nice and wide. Actually, it’s free to camp along the shore. I wanted to camp instead but my tent is no good on a rainy season. So I just booked a room for a comfortable night.
Sunset and sunrise watching is best in Gumasa, Glan. It feels good seeing a nice sunset and what I like most is that the place isn’t crowded. Really perfect for a pause and reflect moments. You can see the beauty of the island if it’s quiet. I wanted to stay for more days but cannot do so.
The tricycle driver fetched me from White Haven Beach Resort day after. I forgot to mention that you need to get the contact number of the tricycle driver and make a deal to fetch you, small chance to catch up tricycles going back to Gumasa terminal.
Overall, my solo getaway ends well. Thanks to the Lord Almighty for keeping me safe. I felt happy everytime I travel, so more solo travels to come, chereeet!
A quote to ponder from the book I read. “It is not necessary to accept everything as true, one must only accept it as necessary”
― Franz Kafka, The Trial
Thanks for reading! More photos below.
They said that those who fly solo have the strongest wings. I’m proud of myself, Chereet!
HOW TO GET THERE FROM DAVAO CITY
Option 1: Public Commute (Budget DIY)
- Davao City → General Santos City
- Ride a bus or van from Ecoland Terminal
- Operators: Yellow Bus Line (YBL), Mindanao Star, vans
- Duration: 3.5–4 hours
- Fare: ₱450–₱500
- General Santos City → Glan Town Proper
- From Bulaong Terminal, ride a van or bus to Glan
- Duration: ~1.5 hours
- Fare: ₱100–₱150
- Glan Town Proper → Gumasa Beach (Haven Beach Resort)
- Ride a tricycle or habal-habal to Haven Beach Resort
- Duration: 15–20 minutes
- Fare: ₱50–₱100 per person
