It is always special when you pack up the whole family for a quick escape to somewhere calm, cool, and surrounded by nature. That’s exactly what we found when we drove up the winding roads of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, and stopped by the famous Claveria View Deck.
It was Sunday, with no work to be done, and as always, it was a family day. One of my siblings posted a message in our family group chat, "Tara na padulong na mi. Pusta na inyong pamahaw, didto na ma mamahaw sa Claveria", which in English goes this way, "Hey, we're coming, pack your breakfast and we will have our lunch in Claveria". She talked like Claveria is just next door. It was an hour's travel from Cagayan de Oro City.
We brought all the mud and dirt back to the mountain 🤣😂
No choice! We packed our breakfast and hopped into their wheels. We took that endless winding road going up to somewhere they called the Misty Mountains, and the Meadows. After over an hour of an endless journey while the misty cold air made us chilled, finally, we reached the Claveria View Deck.
Perched high above rolling hills and misty mountains, Claveria View Deck was the perfect place for us to take a break from the busyness of everyday life. The fresh mountain air, the sea of green meadows, and the endless view of the Balatukan Mountain Range made us feel like we were somewhere far away, even though we were just an hour's drive from home.
We then took out our breakfast and gathered somewhere, a plain place where we could eat without tables and chairs. we just squatted on the grass-carpeted ground. The kids truly enjoyed the sort of tiny picnic in the meadows, but they also loved the colorful blooms, the beautifully landscaped garden, and the breathtaking view of the mountain ranges and sea of lush greens below.
A telescope, which you had to pay 10 pesos for a 5-minute use, was interesting. My nephews and sons loved it very much, and they used it to spot some birds and cars on the road from the mountains afar. They enjoyed it more when they saw someone, a man from a far-distant mountain, planting some vegetables, which they could not see without the use of the telescope.
Another attraction of the view deck was their big yellow corns. One was lying on the ground while the other one stood strong and vibrant. Many people posed on this spot, turning the giant corncobs into photo backdrops. Of course, we couldn’t resist posing too, we lined up for our turn to snap fun family pictures. It added charm to the place, reminding everyone of Claveria’s rich cornfields and farming life. It made our visit even more memorable and gave us lots of smiles to look back on.
How much is the entrance fee for Claveria View Deck? This visit happened a year ago, and the admission fee then was 20 pesos per head. We will just assume that this time it ranges around 30 to 40 pesos per head. But it's worth it! The fresh, misty air alone is more than 30 pesos in value, plus the breathtaking scenery and the take-away bonus, a calm, peaceful heart and mind.
If you forget to pack your food, no worries! Cafes and restaurants are visible in the place. Don't forget to try their sikwate and bodbod (pure cacao hot chocolate drink and rice rolls). Your visit to Claveria is not complete without trying these special foodstuffs that they have.
If you ever find yourself craving a quick escape from the city and a breath of fresh mountain air, gather your family, pack a simple meal, and head to Claveria View Deck. Sometimes, all you need is good company, misty mountains, and a mat of grass to sit on to remind you that life doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful.
Until next travel blog @worldmappin. Thank you 😍.