I woke up early today, November 18, 2024, excited because today is adventure day! But before diving into the action, my itinerary included a visit to the pineapple plantations. My day started with a 6 AM pickup, just like before.
To begin the day on a positive note, I stopped by the Mother of Perpetual Help Church to pray. It was such a peaceful and meaningful way to start the day.
Our first stop was the iconic Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in Manolo Fortich. Compared to the lush pineapples we saw on the way down from Rotypeaks, the fields here weren’t as abundant with fruit. Still, the vast plantation was an incredible sight.
We also stopped at the Camp Phillips sign and the Big Pineapple landmark for some quick photos—definitely a must-visit spot for first-timers!
I couldn’t resist trying the famous pineapple ice cream they recommended. It took some effort to locate the store as it had recently moved, but we eventually found it near an elementary school. For just ₱106, I was treated to a massive serving of ice cream served inside an actual pineapple. The one I got was still frozen solid, so I had to wait for it to soften a bit. It was sticky but oh so worth it! The balance of sweetness and tanginess was just right—truly a delightful treat.
After exploring the plantations, we headed straight to Dahilayan Adventure Park to kick off the fun and excitement. I’ll share the full details of this thrilling adventure in a separate blog under the adventure category—don’t miss it!
From there, we made a quick stop at a sunflower farm with a ₱50 entrance fee. Sadly, the farm wasn’t at its best. Most of the sunflowers were newly planted and still small, while the older ones were already wilting. It wasn’t the most picturesque stop, but it’s still worth checking out if you happen to visit at the right season.
The next destination was Cagayan de Oro, where I finally tried paragliding! Being up in the air was such an incredible experience—so freeing and exhilarating. You can read all about this unforgettable adventure in another blog under the adventure category.
Before wrapping up the day, we stopped by Vjandep, a popular pasalubong shop in the area. I couldn’t leave without buying their famous pastel. It’s the go-to treat everyone recommends when visiting this part of the Philippines. With my flight back to Manila scheduled for tomorrow, I made sure to stock up on pasalubong before heading back to my accommodation to rest.
