Samal Island Websites^{8}

As I began my blog a little under a year ago, I had little idea as to what I wanted to do with it. Some may say that’s still the case, and they wouldn’t be too far from the truth  Over time I realized I wanted to focus on learning more about Samal Island, and to that end report on what I found. 

Back when I started researching there weren’t many sites dedicated to IGaCoS. The official site of Samal was the only one that I could really say fit that description. There were a few travel sites, wikipedia, some blogs that relived their resort experience, and a few others that had occasional articles about the island. Well, a lot has changed in the last 9-12 months. There are now at least 5 websites, including mine, whose main focus is the Island Garden City of Samal.

Samal Island Websites/blogs:

• SailSamal – my friend Ellen’e site. Ellen is the first person I’ve known that lives on Samal. Her site is not only dedicated to Samal, but relays her experiences with sailing from Vancouver to the island, with many stops along the way. Ellen has great insight, and I enjoy her writing very much.
• Samal-Island – I’ve only recently meet Ulli online, and I believe his website is also only recently launched. Ulli qualifies as the second person I’ve meet that lives on the island. He runs a few businesses, including some German sailing magazines and a local magazine about Samal. His site is mostly promotional, but is very well done. I’m looking forward to getting to know Ulli better, and see where he takes his website.
• Samal Beaches – I’ve seen this site around for awhile, but it seems to be gaining in content recently. As the name suggests it’s purpose is to promote the resorts on IGaCoS. The resort articles for the most part are reviews from actual visits. Nice photos and graphics, worth the time to check it out.
• Official Site of IGaCoS – the first and most complete resource on Samal Island. The site has improved quite a bit in the last 6 months or so. Still a little difficult to find information, but well worth the effort. I shamelessly borrow from them when I need to.

There are many other sites and blogs that I visit on a regular basis. I’m not going to do a full blogroll, as it changes frequently, and many aren’t pertinent to the discussion. There are a few others that I think are worthy of  your time if your goal is retirement in or around Davao/Samal.

Others of interest:

• Live In the Philippines – I almost hesitate to list this as I imagine a very large percentage of my readers are intimately familiar with Bob’s site. If you are not, get over there NOW. This is IMO the granddaddy of sites dedicated to retiring and living in the Philippines. The articles are relevant and accurate, the writers are almost all excellent, and the readership is mature and knowledgeable. There is strong sense of community which goes beyond what you see in almost any other like-minded blog. LiP has been the inspiration to many other bloggers (partially responsible for mine), but it is truly one of a kind.
• My Move to the Philippines – this follows the trials of Dan, who is on the process of moving to the Philippines. I feel it’s a worthwhile read because some day I (and possibly you) hope to be in the same situation. Dan, for most part, discusses the various issues that have arisen as they plan their move.
• Shadows of the Philippines- another blog from a fellow, RD, in process of moving to the Philippines to retire. I’ve only been reading this for a short time, but it is very interesting to me as there are many similarities between us. He is also planning on living in the Davao region and is my same age, among many other things. RD’s wife and children are currently in the Philippines and he is working his way back there, as I understand it.

By Randy Category: Retirement, Samal Island