From when we purchased land on Samal Island, until retirement here. Where do local dabawenyos go when they want to get away? What is the most desired vacation location in Mindanao? Where do “well to do” filipinos build their vacation homes? The answer to each of these questions is Samal Island, aka IGaCoS. Journey to Samal was created by me, Randy Countryman, in April of 2008 shortly after our return from our latest trip to the Philippines. This trip was different than the rest because 1) I went to my wife’s province for the first time (a potentially risky adventure at times) and 2) we purchased land for our eventual retirement. The later is the inspiration for my site.