JourneyingJames.com is not only about cheapo travels, it’s also about experiencing the other side of the trip (usually the dangerously-exciting side). Take a look at my photo while I was on top of the Giant Cross in Camiguin for proof.
Confession: I don’t want to just go to a certain place and do what most tourist do- take pictures, eat and leave. I want something that is worth sharing to my friends and to my future kids (and grandkids). I want to experience that adrenaline in my blood stream.
All Waters Must Be Tested
I already conditioned my mind to swim at the lake of Lake Wood (brought my goggles too). I’m not amped with the sight of the nice swimming pools, as hundreds of pools surround me back in my hometown, Los Baños (literally many baths or many pools).
I was talking to the staff and the resort manager, Caryl, and asking permission to please allow me to swim. “NO” was the constant reply. They said, “It was for my own safety.”
Tweet: a little bit frustrated here alindahaw lakeview resort, they won’t allow me to swim in the lake. what will i blog about it? =(
“But I want to experience the mysterious Lake of Lake Wood.” -journeyingjames
What will I write for my blog?
After 5 rejections, I mused to Sir Wendell that I want to go back to Pagadian. Maybe this is not really for me. Frustrated, I was asking myself, “Now, what will I blog about this resort?” Maybe the title, “A Frustrating Experience at Lake Lake Wood” or “Alindahaw Lakeview Resort: A Nice View (then place a sarcastic smiley here __________).”
We are about to leave already when the manager approach us, “Sir, I called my boss again and she allowed you to swim but you have to sign the waiver.”
I was hesitant; I think I already lost my excitement. It felt like “telling to your kid that he can join his friends on their road trip when they already left.” Sir Wendell said I should swim. And so this video is for you dear reader:
Tweet: after much prodding, i was allowed to swim at the lake. i did a video too swimming at lakewood
Some locals we interviewed told us that they don’t swim there, some even said that the lake takes the lives of people who dare swim (good thing, I learned about this after the video).
I think the manager allowed me because they trusted my travel buddy. Thanks to Sir Wendell’s connections! You’re the best Sir!
How to get to Alindahaw Lakeview Resort:
There is a van terminal at Pagadian City (in front of Best Emporium Bldg. near the public market). Take the van going to Lake Wood (Fare: Php 70). Alindahaw Lakeview Resort is about an hour ride from Pagadian.
Going back to Pagadian:
Last trip of vans to Pagadian is 3:00pm.
We left the resort around 1:00pm, took the motorcycle to Tubod Bus Stop (Fare: Php 70, good for 2pax). From Tubod, we took the van to Pagadian (Php 40/pax). Buses from Ipil also stop over at Tubod.

While at Tubod Bus Stop, we chanced upon some sellers of "merienda" for travelers. Had some photo ops and this lady beside me is laughing out load at me.
Dr. Wends also wrote a blog post about this which you can read: A Day with JourneyingJames
Pagadian Adventures is a 6-part series of my off-the-beaten path wanderings in Zamboanga del Sur, particularly in Pagadian City. My heartfelt thanks go to Dr.Wendell of Journeys & Travels for accommodating me in his house thru CouchSurfing.
Inclined Tricycle
Restricted Swim at LakeWood
One-Peso BBQ
Tagay sa Tapay-Tapay
Pagadian Adventure Summary & Expenses

haha na pa ‘hard to get’ ka pa tuloy. papayagan ka ren naman pala ‘pa hard to get’ pa sila nung una….nice that you meet Doc Wendel na – one of the nicest PTB people.
marky, hahahaa, salamat naman bro.
Grabe, may video pa talaga, ibang level ka na dude! 🙂 Thanks to Dr. Wendel.
that a nice documentation nga eh, videographer ako bigla hahaha but it was all fun. really, a nice way to feel the ambiance of the resort.
what’s special about lakewood lake? what makes it mysterious? may lochness ba? 😉 hehe
may enchantment kasi ung lake sabi ng mga locals hahaha. and for the record, the lake has never been so far, fathomed.
And the best part of it is that you were able to swim on the lake and I took the video of which maganda naman pagkakuha. Supposed to be 30 minutes but u were able to enjoy it briefly but that is the essence of the trip. U get to feel the waters so to speak.
I am happy to have brought you there. Until our next travel together bro.
Thanks God ur ok…Pinanood ko tlaga vedio mo…Natutuwa cguro ang bantay ng lake sau kea hndi ka nea pinakialaman ha ha
ahaha! yes, nanuod halos lahat ng staff habang nagvivideo si doc wends. natuwa siguro, at na-weirdohan!hahaha
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maligo ka ulit sir:).,namiss kasi kita baka sa sunod di na kita mamiss kasi lagi na kitang kasama:)
haha! sweet 🙂 nice blog about its mystery
http://kathleenogong.blogspot.com/2010/09/lakewood-mystery.html
ive been travelling around that place for almost 30 years now. im a resident of cagayan de oro, a frequent traveler to zamboanga city. talagang dapat hindi ka papayagan mag swimming sa lake, because there are so many things they are not telling you about the place.
and that is?
maybe its better if you did try more farther to the zone area for you to know what will happen.
Alam nyo po Lakewood is one of our nature’s best.. siguro sa mga pangyayaring di maipaliwanag we consider Lake of Lakewood still in the line of mystery..many incidence like pangunguha nang buhay ng isang tao, totally as far as i know na puro hindi tga lakewood ung mga nalulunod..kaya po by that matter di po kayo pinayagan for your own safety nlng po ninyo.. jojo po from lakewood salamat..