Trip to General Santos City

May 7, 2011 just right after our vacation in Glan, Saranggani, Valerie, Cristyl, Noemie, Hannah and I have decided to go back to Gen. Santos City. This time, we have planned to tour around and see what this beautiful city can offer.

from right: Valerie, Hannah, Noemie, Cristyl and I after the Saranggani trip =)

After the 40 minute van drive from Glan to GenSan, our first quest was to find a nice restaurant. We needed to fill our stomachs first before we roam around the city. ehe =)

Lagao Public Market - the first market that you'll pass upon reaching GenSan

It was the suggestion of my friend John that we try Roland's Steak House and Burger Station. It's a family owned business located near beside Robinson's GenSan. So right after we reached the van terminal at KCC Mall, we hopped in a motorcycle, and went to this place.

Roland's Steak House and Burger Station

Obviously, the specialty of this restaurant are steak and burger. The big burger costs 135 pesos and the steak varies according to grams.We have tried their burger, steak and chicken and we were really surprise to see how BIG their big burger is. haha!

The BIG Burger at Roland's

We really had a feast and we enjoyed the delicious food. The place is quite small, but it is clean and cozy. We really recommend this restaurant to those who want a food trip in this city. =)

The Feast

After the sumptuous lunch, it was already time to find a place to stay for a night, where we can also leave our baggage. We planned to get a room good for three persons then we will just add extra beds. At the restaurant, I scanned their directory and called some hotel numbers that I found. First, I called Family Country Hotel and their room rate is 1,600 pesos, and that is only good for three persons. Same room in Sydney Hotel costs 1,620 pesos. John told me to try Tiboli Hotel but I cannot find their number in the directory. So we personally went there, and in case their rate is cheaper then we'll stay there. Apparently, same room at Tiboli Hotel costs 1,570 pesos. So the three hotels do not really vary much in terms of room rates. Another famous hotel in GenSan is the Sun City Suites, but I know that it's really much expensive there compared to these three hotels, so we just did not bother to inquire.

We are about to check in but luckily, John remembered a small Inn near Tiboli Hotel. It is just situated two blocks away fronting Tiboli. So, we went there and it looked like an apartelle. The name of the place is Jed's Haven. This time we were really surprised of how low their room rate is. Their executive room that is good for two, only costs 465 pesos! And this room is already an air-conditioned room, with cable TV, dining table with chairs and comfort room. It is also big enough for us to add 2 extra matrimonial foams in it. With the extra foams and extra person-charges, the room only cost us 900 pesos! So it was really a big saving for us. =)

@ Jed's Haven, GenSan

After we fixed our things, we went directly to Robinson's Place GenSan. Taxis in GenSan are just new and there are just a few numbers of it so we hailed another motorcycle, which in GenSan, is the most common mean of transportation.

Robinson's Place in GenSan

Well Robinson's Place in GenSan is primarily a one-story mall, aside from their department store which has a 2nd floor. The floor area is very wide and the mall itself is clean and well maintained.

@Robinson's Supermarket

We enjoyed strolling inside the mall, but one thing that really caught our attention was their movie house. We checked how much is the ticket for a 3D movie, and we were surprised at it's price. It was only 122 pesos! So without second thoughts, we bought tickets for Thor, which luckily, will start it's next screening in a few minutes by then.

The 3D Experience in Robinson's GenSan

After the movie, we planned to try Razon's Halo-Halo situated near Sun City Suites. Their halo-halo is said to be one of the most delicious halo-halo in the country. It originated in Pampanga and the good thing is, it has a branch in GenSan.

But before we we went there, I text my bestfriend Mon, who is also in GenSan for a convention. I asked where he is, and he said that they were having dinner in a restaurant near Sun City Suites. So I teased him to treat us in Razon's, and Mon, who was left without a choice, said 'No Prob'! haha!

@ Razon's Halo-halo in GenSan

Well, we now believe that the best things in life are free! So thanks for the best Halo-halo treat Mon. =)

Want Some?

After the treat, we planned to enjoy the rest of the night in a KTV bar. Surprisingly, adjacent to Razon's, there is a KTV bar there called Music City.  We inquired inside and we found out that the rate is only 200 pesos per hour.

Upon checking the place, we were amazed of how beautiful there rooms were. They have a large flat screen TV with a good quality sound system. The couches were nice and they have two microphones. The place is really conducive for small gatherings for friends.

Blue Room @ Music City KTV

After spending 3 hours in Music City, we toured the whole compound of Sun City Suites. Inside the compound, aside from Razon's and Music City, there is a Firenzzo Coffe Shop, a convenience store, a restaurant, a bar, and a function room. So the place really offers almost everything for tourists who want to be spoon-fed with everything that he needs for a vacation.

Sun City

After the day tour in GenSan, we went back to our room at past 1am.

The next day, we took our breakfast at Jollibee, which is only a 5 minute walk from our place. Aside from Jollibee, there are also Mcdonalds and Chowking situated in front of it.

@ Jollibee for Breakfast

Right after our breakfast, we want back to our room, took some photos and then packed our things.

Time to Say Goodbye

Time check, it was already past 11 in the morning, when we headed to the van terminal. This time, we will try to take the van going back to Davao, since we already tried the bus upon going to GenSan. The fare is only 180 pesos, which is a way cheaper to bus's 254 pesos fare.

Well, it was already time to say goodbye to GenSan. The one day tour that we have spent may not be enough but we really enjoyed it so much.

All the efforts and expenses were all worth it!

Till next time General Santos City... =)