-->

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Yes

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Yes

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

No

Dark or Light Style

Dark

About Me

My photo
This blog is an amateur photographer's attempt to show how beautiful the world really is. He is drawn to the colors of nature like a moth to a candle light. What are showcased here are nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and some of nature's great sculptures, architectural gems, and other views from around SE Asia that he was fortunate to see at one point.

Blog Archive

Powered by Blogger.

September 5, 2010

glan | gumasa: a quiet escape called isla jardin del mar


Gumasa Lifeguard Watch Platform
Isla Jardin del Mar afternoon

Tucked in a cove on a sprawling 14-hectare property in Gumasa, Isla Jardin del Mar offers a secluded sanctuary away from the rat race.

Gumasa is a small fishing village in Glan, Sarangani's southernmost municipality. It is known (at least among those in the nearby provinces) for its white sand beaches that has remained largely undeveloped and not frequently visited by tourists, probably owing to the fact that its in Mindanao (alarm signals: Abu Sayyaf). Not just that, its in the southern most part of mainland Mindanao.

There are a handful of resorts there and Isla Jardin del Mar is (currently) the farthest from town. Its hidden in a small cove, detached from Gumasa's main beach.  The beach area is a bit rocky in some portions and the sand not as fine as the ones in the main beach. But what it lacked it made up by offering something even more important than fine sand: peace and quiet. (Boracay comes to mind here: all fine sand)

Gumasa Isla Jardin del Mar
perfect for a game of beach volleyball

I'm not a big fan of developed resorts, but Isla Jardin made sure that  man-made structures do not pollute the real essence of the place. Cottages are not visible from the beach area - they are spaced nicely from each other and are well hidden behind palm trees and coastal foliage.

Gumasa Afternoon Sidelit
warmed by the setting sun

The beach is nicely side-lit when the sun gets low late in the afternoon. If you prefer to a directly view of the sunset, there is a foot trail that leads to a cliff on the western end of the cove. Its the perfect place to watch the sun going down the Celebes sea horizon. Unfortunately sunset that afternoon was a bit overcast, and the tide was against us (coral rocks that would be perfect for foreground elements are underwater). A friend and I ended up shooting a piece of driftwood on the beach.

Gumasa Sunset Mono
sunset mono

Isla Jardin also has an area for viewing the sunrise, but unfortunately the trail leading to the sunrise viewpoint is not yet finished. From the beach you would be able to partially see the sunrise. If you are lucky you'd be treated to a great display of colors - quite a good substitute for actually seeing that great ball of fire rise from the horizon.

Gumasa Sunrise Colors
Isla Jardin sunrise

Our second day of stay was pleasantly sunny - clear azure skies with a thin layer of clouds on the horizon.

Gumasa Beach Kid
picking up sea shells

It was a perfect to sit under the shade and read a book, or take a quick dip when it gets too hot. It was a perfect opportunity to do nothing at all :).

Gumasa Palm Trees
perfect day for doing nothing

More photos here. Read about my previous trip to Gumasa here and here.

Check out other views of the world in That's My World.
QuickEdit
Lantaw
12 Comments
Share This Post :

You Might Also Like

12 comments:

sheng said...

See, it's beautiful there, only, it's malayo from the fine sand. But overall, very very good. I'm glad you enjoyed the trip there.

Ishmael F. Ahab said...

I agree with you. I also don't like developed resorts. It removes the "natural-ness" of the place. It also introduce pollution.

Sometimes I think that being a place being underdeveloped is good because the environment is somehow preserved in its pristine state.

m a c c e n t e n o said...

Love the photos sir allan. Para na din akong nag beach!

Lantaw said...

Thanks Sheng! :) Medyo rocky lang ang beach but it would be interesting to see it during lowtide

@Ishmael, my sentiments exactly!

@Mac, thanks! glad to share :)

Sylvia K said...

How I would LOVE to do nothing there for a while!! What a breathtakingly beautiful, peaceful place! How very fortunate you are to have access to this! And, yes, I do admit that I am envious! But your gorgeous photos are the next best thing to being there! Thank you for sharing them with us today! Have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Marites said...

woah! great shots! as always..haven't been to Sarangani for awhile. You've been around:)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous shots. What a paradise!

Unknown said...

oh yes, this is a perfect place for doing nothing.:p terrific photos!

Shey said...

This is simply heaven on earth. Would love to visit here since I've never been to this side of Sarangani. Imagining having a drink in my hand & in a hammock. :)

Anonymous said...

i rally love to go to isla jardin its very peaceful and beautiful place hope you could all come in that place... to see is to believe...babalik ako dyan pwamisssss... ryan_24ny@y.c

Sendo said...

will gather up some guts to visit this place. again bro, ur photos are amazing.

Lantaw said...

@sendo, thanks! its a safe place actually

Post a Comment

[name=lantaw] [img=https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8237/8458831412_c95b7dbbae_t.jpg] [description=Loves to shoot nature's grand display of colors at sunrise and sunset, beautiful beaches and off-the-beaten track locations in his beloved Philippines, waterfalls and other natural wonders] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/lantawphotos) (twitter=https://twitter.com/lantawphotos) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/lantaw/)