HILLSVIEW MOUNTAIN RESORT
Have you ever dream of going to a place with magnificent view, clean air, fresh food, no traffic, no noise, no electricity, no phone and no internet? you might say Heaven and I would absolutely agree with you on that, but believe me, there is still such a place on earth. the HILLSVIEW MOUNTAIN RESORT in Datu Salumay, Marilog District, Davao City.
I have seen this place from a picture of my high school classmate and the beauty of the place really caught my interest, so a few weeks before going back home to Philippines for our Christmas vacation, I ask my friend about this place, she told me that it belongs to her sister in law and that if I am really interested to go there, she can help me place a booking with her sister in law, so, we set on a date.
On December 21, we met up with my friend's sis in law, Emalin, who also happens to be in Davao City on that day and was also leaving for the resort. So, she will accompany us and be our guide in going to the resort. We left Davao City at around 2:00pm, drove through the Davao-Bukidnon Road with stopover at Calinan to buy some supplies. The Davao-Bukidnon Road is a well paved road, so we were able to reach Datu Salumay in less than 2 hours. From the Davao-Bukidnon Road in Datu Salumay, there is 2 kilometer junction road that we need to drive into to get up to the resort, you will need a 4X4 vehicle to manage this road, otherwise, you have to leave your car at the junction and hike up to the resort.
Arriving at the foot of the resort, we still need to hike up a stairs to get to the cottage or villa where we will be staying for the night. We are so fortunate to have the owner herself as our host as we don't need to worry about our luggage and things, she had these taken care of by her staffs, so all we really need to do is just to climb up the stairs and enjoy. Being on top of a mountain, the weather is a little bit on the cold side, just the way I like it.
The 3 storey white cottage was totally made of wood, first level was the private residence of the owner herself. the second level has 3 french style glass wall with doors leading out to the patio. so, regardless of whether you stay inside the cottage or go outside the patio, the magnificent view would always be visible. It seems that the owner had all the comfort of her guest in mind when she built this cottage.
Provided in the second level are a kitchen, a bathroom, a dining area, a sitting area and a bar. Another dining area is also available in the patio if you wish to enjoy your meals outside. Potted plants were lined up all along the patio giving it a very cozy appeal, and chairs were also scattered throughout the patio where you can relax with a cup of coffee and a book.
On the third level, there is a small size bedroom, a medium size bedroom with a small balcony and lastly, a big open size area that can also be used as a bedroom with a door opening to a bigger balcony that are all furnished with several beds and available for use. These rooms were adequate enough to house a single family.
I woke up at dawn the next day to shoot the sunrise, which was really a part of my plan and so I started shooting from the patio, later on, I was directed by Mam Emalin to a small clearing up a small hill by the back of the cottage where she said the view is more magnificent, so, I went up the hill, and true to her words, the view is really breathtaking, now, to say that this place is heavenly is not an exaggeration as you will see the fog and cloud rise up and roll by the cottage in the early morning. This resort is really such an awesome place. Indeed,we had a super great time staying there. My thanks to the owner, Mam Emalin, for sharing this place to us.
