NATURE TRIP: ISPOK'S HAVEN IN LAKE SEBU

Cosmos Head at Monte Cielo Resort.
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One of the perks when staying with Monte Cielo Resort (Read Full Story here) is that you can request for a side trek to their private forest sanctuary they call, Ispok's Haven. 

Our short and rolling drive west out of the town center gave us a magnificent view of the simple ways of life and breathtaking countryside of Lake Sebu. One thing so evident that our taxes work is that road networks on this secluded side of the country is conveniently travelable and in fact, well-engineered. And I think it's but right to commend our public officials here for a job well done. 

When you're traveling on your own, 'habal-habal' (single motorcycle) is the fastest mode of transpo you can take when you want to reach particular areas in Lake Sebu. They're all over town, all you need is your travel aptitude to converse and negotiate with the driver to bring you to your destination. But when in doubt, ask for assistance at their Municipal Tourism Office. Lake Sebu speaks Ilonggo so having knowledge on this dialect is an advantage, though not really necessary, English and Tagalog are also well understood.

From the highway, we trekked for 10 minutes down to the river side. It was a steep walk and my, should fate bring me back here again, I think I should start working out for foot power. It sure was a sharp walk down tranquility. I made it down without fainting and vertigo assault, lol, and focus was the key. Patting my own shoulder on this, jeje. 

They made a concrete walkway above the rolling river for crossing convenience. The concrete was still unsullied and my mind was doing a time lapse like 3 to 4 years forward when moss will find life on the surface of the bridge - that I think would be a bit eerie but a beautiful forest scene to behold.

There's also a hut by the river, a nice place really to chill and to be one with nature.

Ispok's Haven is a picture of life, everything around here breathes. If you want a natural and unspoiled setting to clear your mind, to think, to be alone or to simply want some time to reconnect with your soul, then this is the place to be. 

Thank you Sir William for bringing us here.

Team #ByahengMindanao at Ispok's Haven with Mr. William Sy (in light blue)
(Photo: by TheTravelTeller.com)

NATURE TRIP 2: 

MOUNTAIN VIEWING IN LAKE SEBU 

Before our second day ended, Ma'am Mayette, our sweet hostess (the better-half of Sir William) brought us to a much higher ground to do mountain viewing. They also own the place and it's a much shorter drive out of town than Ispok's Haven.

We have to walk knee to chin from the highway up here, but seeing this live picture - it's all worth the gasps and the pants. It's breathtaking! And talking would be a waste of time seeing. Double Wow!

Catching a sight of this expansive view made me realize just how small an earthling I am walking on this planet and at the same time made me think like a mountain - having this all-embracing and awe-inspiring admiration of the profound interconnectedness of the elements of our natural world! It's an amazing feeling!

That body of Water in the middleground is Lake Sebu

Stunning view of Lake Sebu is these girls playground background, beautiful!

There's a house construction going on, probably in the future they'll open this for another mountain resort too. And I really hope they will as it's a rightful place to realizing that we maybe a fleck in this world but we have a enormous moral role to play in sustaining our natural world. 

It's a beautiful place! You should experience this when you visit Lake Sebu, stay with Monte Cielo Resort and oh, they don't do walk-ins, please book in advance here;

MONTE CIELO RESORT, A Mountain Haven 

Purok Pag-asa, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato 

For room inquiries and rates, 

call William at 0920 4600690 or Mayette at 0917 9230957 

Or email at williamsy51@yahoo.com

LAKE SEBU ECO CULTURAL TOUR BRIEF BACKGROUND
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SEBU: MOUNTAIN LAKE ECO RESORT, graceful and calm 
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SEBU: PUNTA ISLA LAKE RESORT, pleasant and homey 
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SEBU: MONTE CIELO RESORT, your mountain home away from home 
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SEBU: ESTARES LAKE RESORT, friendly and peaceful 
WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SEBU: SUNRISE GARDEN LAKE RESORT, serenely picturesque
NATURE TRIP: ISPOK'S HAVEN IN LAKE SEBU

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