	Thursday April 25, 2024 EDT
	a nomad in search of...



HOME PAGE About TheLoneRider Contact TheLoneRider Web TheLoneRider.com

HOME PAGE
DESTINATIONS
Cambodia Canada France Hong Kong India Indonesia Italy Laos Malaysia Monaco Myanmar Nepal Philippines Singapore Switzerland Thailand Vietnam USA
ACTIVITIES
Astral Projection Caving Fitness Freediving Kayaking Meditation Mountain Biking Mountaineering Rafting Rock Climbing Scuba Diving Snowboarding Surfing Traveling Yoga
REVIEWS
Book Review Gear Review Hotel Review Movie Review Show Review Restaurant Review
MISC
Art Chilling Out Cool Sites Community Counter Culture Food Odyssey best food recipes Lucid Thoughts Peoplescape Politics Print Media Quantum Mechanics Random Lives Showbiz Snapshot Slice of Life Thought Bubble Teaching Verbatim Wealth Building
WEB SERVICES
SEO Services Web Design Services Advertising Here

Sep 28 - 30, 2013

Tagum Unfolding

GPS waypoint: 7.448348,125.809322
Location: Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Bizarre Twist
As I was chatting on FB with Bianca, a dear friend from Subic, she told me, "I'll be going to Tagum to attend a wedding. Wanna be my date?" My simple answer was, "Sure, I'd love to." That brief exchange changed everything for me in Davao. The die was cast for Tagum. Due to a typhoon in Luzon, however, Bianca texted she's cancelling her trip. However, Sonny Dizon, a Davao friend, also arranged a meeting for me with someone in Tagum. Instead of cancelling that meeting, I decided to push through, not knowing what happens to me in Tagum after that meeting, or where I sleep that night for that matter. What awaits me in Tagum? I'm now here to find out.

YuYu Cafe Meeting
The meeting took place at the newly opened YuYu Cafe in Tagum, right across Gaisano Mall. I met with sisters Ciara Uy and Adi Uy, who both collaborated in designing and packaging this electic cafe. Both are impassioned by what they individually do. I like that. I didn't even know what the meeting would be all about. We just had a spontaneous conversation, about what I do, and about their plans. At some point, the fit became obvious. It was just a matter of coming to an agreement and laying down the mechanics. Hmmm. Is this what awaits me in Tagum?

Roof Over my Head
None of the hotels I previously emailed responded so my next hurdle was a place to stay. Ciara sensed my predicament and made arrangement with Gary, owner of 2nd Avenue Hotel, for my accommodation. I would stay at the hotel for 2 nights. Hmmm. The pieces are falling in place. First, a productive meeting, and now, a roof over my head. I love it when I don't know what happens next, and things just fall into place.

Big 8 Corporate Hotel
My short term needs were met. But getting a hotel deal was imperative to continue my stay in Tagum - I didn't want to use up my welcome at 2nd Ave Hotel. Ciara, through her colleague, Jun, arranged a meeting for me with Tagum's newest and most progressive hotel - Big 8 Corporate Hotel. The meeting was again productive, but no word yet.

Camiguin?
While in Tagum, a Singaporean surfer I met in Siargao invited me to travel with her to Camiguin. I found it appealing. I haven't been to Camiguin in ages and it would be different seeing the place again with company. Perhaps even climb Mt. Hibuk-Hibuk this time. Unfortunately, snags got in the way. It was a deal-breaker.

Magnaga Waters Beach Resort
Ciara once again pulled a rabbit out of a hat by extending a 2-night stay at the Magnaga Waters Beach Resort in Pantukan (Compostela Valley), 1 hour south of Tagum. After the Big 8 meeting, I was already on the road for Compostela Valley.

Thank you Ciara, Adi, Jun and Gary for making Tagum happen for me. You guys rock!

--- TheLoneRider