To the bat cave off we went on our first (and only full day) in Samal Island, Davao. 

We rode a motorcycle called habal habal which is a common mode of transportation in Samal. It was a 45-minute drive from our hotel to the Monfort Bat Cave. We chose this destination as this is the world’s record-holding bat colony – and I feel the need to see and experience it. 

There he goes

Monfort Bat Cave Entrance Fee is Php 100 and there is a guide who took us to the openings/sink holes. 

There was a stinky smell because of the bat droppings but it was bearable. I couldn’t explain what I felt when we went to the first opening – goosebumps, disbelief, amazement? 

There are thousands of them flying and hanging upside down. The record says it holds around 2 million bats. We checked out 5 different sink holes which have different purposes for the bats – there is a training ground for flying, mating and nursing baby bats. 

Our motorcycle drivers took us to a beach place which is (they say) a popular beach party place. It was funny that when we got there, we were the only (party) people in the beach and some locals doing karaoke song on repeat. 

It was a chilly sight riding the habal habal on our way back to the hotel. It was as if I was in the scene of a horror movie and part of me was wishing we encounter something unusual. 

Samal is a beautiful island and I wish we had more time to explore. 

… to be continued.