A rainy welcome in the City of Golden Friendship!


[Trip from November 2010] 

After a bumpy 2-hour road trip from the Balingoan Port (no thanks to our FX driver Sir Buboy, who drove as if he had a furious rage on the road), we finally arrived in the city proper of Cagayan De Oro. The rain didn’t stop even after arriving in the city. But we still had high hopes about enjoying the rest of our first night back in CDO.

When we arrived in the city, we immediately asked the driver to drop us off at the Gateway Tower, which was at the Limketkai Center (near Jollibee and a local drugstore). We got our bags and headed off to our new accommodation – Travelers Pod


TRAVELERS POD: A SMALL YET RELAXING LODGING IN CDO

The name itself was a catchy one (that’s what got me into booking them instantly), and the rooms that they offered were certainly meant for the traveler-on-the-go. 

We actually had a hard time locating the place since they were situated behind the escalator of the Gateway Tower building. But we’ve managed to find it after exchanging a few more text messages with the receptionist. 

Now, the reception area was inviting. The ambiance of Traveler’s Pod was pleasant enough to spell out classy as well. The staff were also very welcomey, and they helped carry our luggages up to the second floor. And after being redirected to each of our rooms, our first impression was --– small! Our room was tiny in size. But for a price offering of P1,000/night, it looked good enough to sleep in. It wasn’t as spacious as we would have wanted it to be. But it was stylish enough to our own approval.


We actually loved our room despite the space constraint. But it was a place that you can still enjoy staying-in for the night. Other than that, our A/C Pod had the following items in the room: 

  • 2 single beds with very stylish covers
  • Soft pillows
  • Small wooden cabinet with drawers and hangers
  • Table
  • Individual bathrobes
  • Towels that weren’t absorbent
  • Flat screen TV
  • Free WIFI access!

   
The rooms, and the other bed spaces (and I meant, beds that were just divided using nothing but curtains) were also shown with great design and aesthetic. These were called the Single Pods.


A COMMON YET CLEAN TOILET & BATH 

The room that we availed had no private bathroom, so we were only allowed to use the common T & B down the hall. The common bathrooms can only be used by one person at a time. So if you’re thinking about getting your own privacy, you’ll certainly have it. 

Also, the bathroom was stocked up with free soap and shampoo products. An elegantly designed sink can also be accessed from the second floor -- where clean mirrors, combs and a hair dryer can also be used. The toilets on the other hand were always kept squeaky clean. A clean roll of tissue paper was always at our disposal too.


As soon as we got our things settled into our pod, we headed off to the nearest church. We didn’t stay long though since we couldn’t understand the sermon (it was being delivered in a dialect that we could not comprehend). Since we were also running on empty, we decided to say a short prayer before heading to Limketkai for dinner.

EXPERIENCING CANDY'S FOR THE FIRST TIME!

Limketkai was only a 5-minute walk from Travelers Pod. It also had this Tomas Morato-vibe with all its restaurants and bars, so we immediately felt at home. I’ve also heard so much about the restaurant called CANDY’S, so we decided to get our dinner there.


The Candy’s menu was extensive but the real deal meals were their pork and beef viands. I for one, ordered the spareribs while the rest of the gang ordered Candy’s famous Baby Back Ribs. Not only were their dishes real sumptuous, their prices weren’t all that heavy in the wallet too. 


And since we still had some extra money to spend, we ordered a few more beers before heading back to our pod.

We decided not to stay up late as we were scheduled to be picked up by the water rafting agency real early the next day. Even before 12 midnight struck, we already called it a night.

Anyhow, our White water rafting adventure is up next!

Explore & be free!
Mai

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50 comments

  1. thanks for this... i always love to read informative posts about different place so when i get there.. I have a little handy knowledge to get around an unfamiliar ground

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  2. i thought the beds with curtains are for spa sessions :) 

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  3. Nice inn that is. The curtains as dividers for each bed is clever elegance. 

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  4. travelers pod looks really nice. more beer!! hahaha

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  5. the curtain dividers remind of of ER rooms but at least you get comfy and affordable... 

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  6. been to Cagayan de oro pero drop by lang, hopefully makabalik aq this month para ma explore q rin ang  city of golden friendship:)

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  7. Thanks for finding my post informative, Ms. Koko. Update me if you're visiting CDO soon. :)

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  8. Hi Beryl!! Yeah, I thought of the same thing. Guests who checked into these "rooms" usually just stayed for a couple of hours. :)

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  9. hi itin! I know, right? But if guests wanted some privacy, or some peace & quiet, they should get the rooms that have knobs and locks on them..hehe!

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  10. Travelers Pod was indeed a gem! :) And yes, the beers came right after, lol! :D

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  11. Hehehe.. You're right about that, Yuuki. :)

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  12. You should stay sa Traveler's Pod din Sir Jeffrey. You'll like it there! :)

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  13. And cool naman po ng post nyo.. napaka informative... bookmark koto para may mababalikan ako kapag napadpad kami sa CDO...:)


    Thanks po...  

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  14. And cool naman po ng post nyo.. napaka informative... bookmark koto para may mababalikan ako kapag napadpad kami sa CDO...:)


    Thanks po...  

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  15. Thanks dear! :) Salamat din for keeping this post bookmarked for your future trip to CDO. :)

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  16. I've never been to CDO, but I'd love to visit the place some time in the future.. :D And wow at Candy's! Would love to eat there too! :D

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  17. The Travel Pod looks neat and cozy. And the food! You just made me hungry~ Can't wait to read your post about that White water rafting thing~

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  18. Dividing the beds with curtains look really pleasing. Hindi sya nakakahilo when it comes to space. ^_^

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  19. CDO getaway! And glad to know that you had a wonderful time plus that cheap room which looks so classy and comfortable! Wow! I'd love to have such vacay too!

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  20. Looking forward to your next entry :)

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  21. Galing naman... ngayon ko lng nakita ung ganitong review sa CDO.... sana makapag bakasyon nako

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  22. Hi Te Mai! Indeed, long time no comment..hehehe..i was at home, in our hometown for two -- on the first weeks of April and on the last two other weeks, I was in Dumaguete -- vacation with my bf and bff. :)

    yay! good to know you've visited CDO already.. :) i haven't read your post about your Camiguin trip..but am more looking forward for your WWR posts :)

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  23. hey Sumi! You will love Candy's especially their ribs and sweet treats. Make sure you drop by the area when you visit CDO. :)

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  24. Hey MissGennD, thank you! Actually, my post about our white water rafting adventure was posted long ago. You can follow the link to help direct you to that certain 'adventure'. =P

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  25. You're right about that, Sir Mark. ALthough this was a setup that I wouldn't take on. I would rather have myself sleep in a private area, where I won't worry about getting my stuff stolen or something. I'm praning that way...hehe.

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  26. It was indeed classy, Ms. Rona especially with the rate that was given to us. We were truly served with world class amenities and services! :)

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  27. Hi Jeff! Already wrote about that 'next entry'. You can just follow the link that was posted on the bottom of the article. =)

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  28. hi Ms. Jade! Salamat sa compliment! Why not take your VL now and plan on visiting CDO real soon? YOu should definitely try white water rafting.. :D

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  29. I know right? hehe! And wow.. glad to know that you've had that much needed vacation. How's med school treating you these days. :)

    oh, and I've already written my WWR and Camiguin adventures.. try to click the link below this article to help redirect you to our awesome 'adventure'..lol! =D

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  30. Been to CDO before but never really had the time to be side tripping - all was just all about malling. I'll take note of this place you featured in here. Seems a good deal to me.  

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  31. You should do a sidetrip to Bukidnon if you have time to spare. The longest zipline in Asia is in Bukidnon. Of course, don't forget to try out CDO's white water rafting adventure. :)

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  32. Maria Gemma Defeo-HilotinMay 8, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    haven't been to CDO yet.. would love to follow your footsteps.. book in traveler's pod too; attend the mass; eat at candy's.. and just enjoy the adventure!

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  33. Thanks Ms. Maria! Hope you can share your future CDO trip to all of us here! :)

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  34. Looks like you had a nice dinner, and by looking at the last picture, I think he's going for the 'sarap to the bones' look? =))

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  35. the place where you stayed looked quite awesome, truly a bed and bath.
    baby back ribs are what i usually order in restaurants wherever if available. i just love them too.

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  36. Hahaha! Indeed he was enjoying that last 'sipsip'! :D

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  37. You should try Candy's too should you visit CDO in the near future. Their dishes are also affordable. :)

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  38. i like the bathroom, it is a good place to spend the night. Candy's spare ribs are yummy ,you can see how delicious it is on the last photo,sarap to the bones shot.

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  39. yaniconquistadoraMay 14, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    How I love vacation. It is but obvious you guys really had a great time together!

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  40. You should do a sidetrip to CDO soon, Athena! :)

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  41. Hahaha.. you're so right Ms. Tess about the sarap to the bones comment. He truly enjoyed his ribs! :)

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  42. When was your last travel, Yani? :)

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  43. I would love to try the baby back ribs at Candy's in the future!

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  44. I've always wanted to visit Cagayan before but it never happened, hopefully i can include this place on my next vacation in the Philippines... nice blog by the way... 

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  45. You certainly should, Ms. Cha! It has that sweetness to it, which I love tasting from my rib orders. :)

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  46. Why, is there something holding you from making this trip? :) And thanks for the compliment! :)

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  47. You should check Agua Seafood at the back of LKK & Robinsons :)

    Very very very amazing food too :) Been there last year and it was a hellova fun

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  48. Astig! Thanks sir Herbert! Try ko dayuhin pag bumalik ako CDO. Sana nakita ko, napadaan din kaming Robinson's ng ilang beses din. :)

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  49. I'd love to visit CDO one day! Stories like this urge me to go out and see places.  One day :-)

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  50. You should soon, Ms. Michelle! And while you're in CDO, you should do a side-trip to BUkidnon, and try the longest zipline in Asia. :)

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