We sort of have a hangover from
CDO. We’re even talking about going back before the year ends. I mean, CDO is
always there but still seems so far away. CDO is always our second home,
because there’s family left and right, it’s safe and I know the city very well.
There are always grandmothers, aunts, cousins and uncles happy to see us, sometimes
invitations for lunch, dinner and whatnot never end.
I don’t kid when I say that the
City of Golden Friendship can take pride in food (hello, cowboy country), sweet
smiles and courteous people. Besides, CDO is like a touchdown for steak, ham, baby
back ribs, scrumptious desserts and salads.
When we were kids there were always
places to roam around in; my childhood had so many stories involving being
chased by geese in some uncle’s farm, mishaps on a relative’s lawn, being peed
on by an orangutan while seeing the circus, and so on. Every single time we’re
in town, something funny is bound to happen. But we keep coming back, for as
long as there’s family and food involved.
If On A Road Trip, Enjoy Lechon By The Seaside In Timoga, Iligan
One advantage of going on a road
trip is having full control of time and deciding which stops to take. By the
long stretch of Iligan’s seaside in Timoga, there are restaurants selling lechon by the kilo,
fish and stews. Here’s where we pull up in time for lunch, dig into grilled
fish and puso (steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaves) and eat with our hands. If
only one can indulge in a siesta after such a hearty lunch by the seaside, but
there’s still miles to cover before finally arriving in….
…S&R, Where Else?
Because my parents have a membership
card and the giant pizza is not to be missed, the shopping can be either the first
order of business or not. You know I’m always into ice cream but I’m very much
aware that I can’t take the freezer home.
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| Mommy strikes a pose but my Dad's thoughts are obviously elsewhere |
Seven Seas Waterpark
Just passing by the parking lot,
we already heard screams coming from the park and C and I glanced at each other.
But we were there to enjoy the place, so we went on to see what it’s like
to experience Seven Seas Waterpark with a splash.
C had stories to tell after
trying out that insane capsule drop and the four-story slide. Yes, let me repeat
that: four stories. I can personally only tolerate the kiddie pool but for the
braver ones, you can go on ahead and jump off. The park has a café, restaurant and lots of
picnic tables surrounding the pools and slides, the environment is clean. It’s
best to be early and to maximize the time in Seven Seas.
High Ridge Restaurant
It takes guts to get to high ridge
in a car, I’ll tell you that. Because the road is steep and there's no concrete yet!
But one can be rewarded with good
food and a view of the city at sunset in
High Ridge Restaurant. It’s a place to enjoy some quiet family
time, have some blueberry cheesecake (C’s all-time favorite) and then look
through the coin-operated binoculars with a 5-peso coin.
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| Don't mind these guys, they aren't even drunk.... |
Bigby’s Baby Back Ribs
I can say that C has good
eyesight because he spotted Bigby’s from a distance, and we’ve gone back to
Bigby’s for lunch ever since. I have to admit that it’s love at first sight for
me with baby back ribs and make it a point to enjoy it every time we’re in CDO.
It’s like an unwritten obligation to allow yourself to indulge in this helping
of baby back ribs, and it feels like a holiday.
Divine Mercy Hills
Fresh from the island paradise of
Camiguin, we headed on to Divine Mercy Hills and to join the many Catholic
devotees in prayer of the huge Sacred Heart of Jesus in El Salvador. There were
processions left and right, and it was a solemn afternoon for all.
Looking back, it seems like all
we did in CDO was eat.
But I have no regrets. We caught up
with family, took a break from work and then went on to
experience Camiguin.
Right now, CDO is still in our subconscious,
we’re thinking of going back but trying to find the right time because despite
all of the things that we did the last time we were there, I still want C to
experience the adrenaline-rush side of CDO and to visit Bukidnon.
Well, knowing my family, we’re a
bunch of indecisive people who just might be enabled one way or the other. Ciao!
