Cotabato is now an emerging tourist place in Mindanao. There were hidden wonders such as Lake Sebu, Asik- Asik Falls and many undiscovered places. Before I was really scared to go there and limit myself traveling those places. But it proved me wrong when I went to Pigcawayan, North Cotabato. The locals are very nice. There was a saying that, people will treat you nice if you will treat them nice too. So being a traveler, a foreigner to a certain place, your character really counts.
It is not really an unplanned trip going to North Cotabato. A friend of mine instantly invited us to visit Isla Vista Resort. We were enticed by his words and wonderful description of the said place so we immediately packed things up and found ourselves sitting in a van going to North Cotabato. While sitting in the van, I am thinking how great this resort can be. It was a 5-hour trip. We drop at Pigcawayan highway and waited a PUJ going to Midpapan.
And from the PUJ terminal in Midpapan, we take a motorcycle going to Isla Vista Resort. It was really an ideal place for a vacation, to seek peace and a sound mind. As we are riding on a motorcycle, we pass by a lot of rice fields and I was amazed when I found out that the resort was located in the middle of the rice fields. Unexpected really.
Before we reached the resort we needed to walk for a few kilometers in the middle of the rice fields, it’s a cool view, all you can see is a very green rice field. We also crossed and walked along the dike or irrigation.
When we reached Isla Vista Resort, the owner meet us and welcome us inside. He was very hospitable, friendly and nice. The place is cool too, stress free and very relaxing. The swimming pool’s depth is 7 feet. And I made a promise to myself that I should learn how to swim so that I can enjoy every aquatic events in the future.
They have a kid’s pool and the cottage location is very dramatic. Beside the swimming pool, there are two large ponds which is divided to separate variety of fishes like Bangus and Tilapia. The cottages are located between the two ponds. It was designed like that for you to go fishing while you are in the cottage. The fishes you catch will rate to 120.00-180.00 per kilo depending on the fish variety.
You can grill the fish for free and cook rice there, you just need to asked the care taker or the owner. Videoke system is also available for additional entertainment. All I can say that Isla Vista Resort is really a relaxing place and far away from crowded city.
You should include this place in your list of travel destinations and I would strongly recommend this resort if you will visit North Cotabato.
How To Get There
In order to get there, from Davao City simply take a van going to Kidapawan and North Cotabato. You can find the van terminal at Ecoland, Davao City. Van fare is only 210.00 and will take 5 hours before you can reach Midpapan.
From Midpapan I, ride a PUJ with Pigcawayan route and stop at the jeep terminal. From the terminal, there are motorcycles parked and just asked them to take you to Isla Vista Resort. Motorcycles cannot go through the rice fields pathway so you need to walk for a few meters to reach the place.
