Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island

GPS waypoint: N07 03.231 E125 43.058
Location: Brgy. Cawag, Penaplata, Samal City, Mindanao

The Wild Man of Mindanao
In my room at The Royale House, I default to the Mindanao Travel channel on my cable tv. The host is a moustached guy who does all the adventures himself - sliding down the tarp slide onto the ocean, scuba diving, trekking on mountain trails, etc. He also talks about interesting stuff like the nuances of Civet coffee. He's like Davao's Crocodile Dundee. Perhaps he should rename his show, Born to be Wild in Mindanao (sounds better than 'Mindanao Travel') or The Wild Man of Mindanao! I never knew his name, but I remember the face.

Off to Maxima AquaFun
One night I saw a friend post a picture on Facebook with this same guy in the picture. I commented, "...that's the guy I just saw on tv!". That comment started the ball rolling in ways I could not even imagine. To cut through the chase, the following day, I was already a passenger on his SUV, then we took the speed boat to his resort in Samal, the Maxima Aquafun. At the resort, I helped myself to its offerings - 2 water-fed tarpaulin slides plunging down into the abyss of a massive coral reef and free-diving down the vertical coral wall (it was so deep I didn't even see the bottom). The resort has all the toys - jet ski, banana boat, high-diving on a plank, even scuba diving!

Food Glorious Food!
As a foodie, I couldn't be blamed for defaulting to the gastronomic indulgence that lay on the table - crabs, king-size prawns, vintage wine, exotic cheese and best of all, an engaging conversation with my host's family and friends. It turns out it was his mother's birthday and the birthday of a relative who happens to be the country's foremost name in heart surgery. It gave me a chance to squeeze-in my worn-out and out-dated heart doctor one liner - to a lovely lady, "...have no fear TheLoneRider is here! I'm a heart specialist....I mend broken hearts." Apparently, he's heard the joke a million times...so much for bombing out again on a cheesy joke, only I laugh at :). But seriously, I was essentially a perfect stranger invited to an intimate family gathering. They were all very nice, friendly and warm. I can't say enough about them. Before the sun was down, I was on a hell-raising speed-boat ride that threw my bum off the seat (and slamming back down!)

Ending Thoughts
Like Alice in Wonderland, I was back in the comfy walls of my hotel room. I seem drawn to The Royale House ...I don't know why. Thinking about what just happened, it seems surreal how a simple "...that's the guy I just saw on tv!" comment could snowball into something you could classify as "one for the books". This one is a classic case of life unraveling itself.

That's the reason why I try not to plan too much but instead, let go and let life take its course. For one thing, this uncanny bliss I affectionately call the Flow has never been wrong. I simply brace myself for a magical ride not unlike the wild speed-boat ride I just had. Think about it. For a guy with no money, I eat prawns and wash it down with wine. I have no home and no address, but I live in nice hotels for the most part. And for a guy with no property (except for what fits into my backpack), I ride speed-boats and frolick in fancy beach resorts! Hang in there...I'm not just blowing hot air...I have a point. Of course this doesn't happen every day, but it's not the first time this happened either. Am I free-loading? Definitely not. I never ask - they just happen. Besides, I always say 'Thank You', but in my own currency and in my own time. Am I after the bliss? Not even close. The bliss is the validation...but never the goal. I've walked away from abundance and bliss when the call of the open road beckons.

If I can enjoy life at this detached level with none of the trappings (home, money, property, etc.) then perhaps these trappings are really not essential to begin with - more like 'nice to have' instead of deal makers and deal breakers. I've been living life on a broad spectrum - from sleeping on a sidewalk to sleeping in high-brow hotels. I feel life's grit and texture without the insulation...like sipping wine and mindfully feel it coat my palate. Where am I coming from? I guess I'm simply saying that we create the manifestation we see around us. We architecture our own reality without necessarily being reliant on whatever template society blueprints for us.

Thank you, Mr. Wild Man of Mindanao (and thank you to all those wonderful people who made this happen)!

ps - If you want me to objectively cover your resort for this website (beach resort, mountain resort, island resort, etc.), email me.

Davao City, Philippines

tourist attractions

D'Bone Collector Museum - museum with animal skeletons and preserved animals from around the world

- hotel

Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E
The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"E
The Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"E
North Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E
Urban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"E
The Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"E
Alu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E
One Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E

van rental

Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com

yoga | health | fitness

Yoga Davao - yoga and pilates
Palos Verdes Country Club, Talomo, Davao City, Philippines
0922 897 7779 | 7°06'01.9"N 125°35'54.9"E
Holiday Gym and Spa - yoga | spa | gym | salon
F. Torres St., 8000 Davao City
(082) 222 3041 | 7°04'54.0"N 125°36'32.8"E
Lounge One Yoga Davao - yoga & pilates
Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training. Nov 2016-Jan 2017. 200, 300 & 500 Hrs
at North Zen Hotel - Lapu-lapu St. cor Sobrecary St., Obrero
0933.518.6128 | °7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E

tour

Mel's Davao Food Tour - a culinary odyssey to Davao's gastronomic specialties
Bahay ni Tuding Inn & Resto, San Pedro Street 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E

resto |

cafe

Bistro ni Tuding - Gerry's Picks Dishes
inside Bahay ni Tuding Inn, 160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | °7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E
Le Cafe Bar & Grill Restaurant - budget meals, payday dinner buffet
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street at Alu Hotel
+63 82 227 5232 | °7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E
FROG Kaffee - fresh roasted coffee in small batches
Prime Square, F. Torres St., Davao
(082) 224 4044 | °7°04'54.3"N 125°36'40.6"E

advocacy

Shine Life Skills Center - a home for 13+ with Autism, Down Syndrome, Mental Disorders and Disabilities
9 Orchid Road, Buhangin, Davao City, Philippines 8000
+6382 222 2556 | °7°05'55.9"N 125°36'59.6"E
Cinematheque Davao - venue for classic and contemporary Filipino films
Palma Gil Street, Davao City, Philippines
cinemathequedavao@fdcp.ph | °7°04'11.0"N 125°36'33.3"E