The research, planning, scribbling and of course, the saving $ came into reality. Spending the time and opportunity to explore the other side of my beautiful Philippines. I do not want to retain the tag as a foreigner in my own country.
Onboard Air Philippines flight bound for Davao at 4am. To sleep on board was the plan, but peek peek peek my tiresome eyes, sunrise truly a captivating scene.
The flight landed at 06:25 in Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Davao. My friend, Bro. Oliver whom I have never seen in almost 9 years, met and both served our free time in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Chung-li, Taiwan. He took this nice photo as I walked out of the airport.
** Davao **
Davao City is the largest city on the island of Mindanao, Philippines.
Davao is known as the "Orchid Capital of the Philippines" and "City of Blooms".
Known as the city of Durian, a fruit known for its pungent smell and very delicious taste.
The home to the 2nd largest eagle in the world - the Philippine eagle, former, the monkey-eating eagle.
Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines lies in Davao.
My plan was to set foot and explore Davao and see my old friend, Bro. Oliver. Funny because he lives in Davao, yet never seen its beauty. His mother, auntie and cousin are in for this trip. The more the merrier. All set, now let's go.
My plan was to set foot and explore Davao and see my old friend, Bro. Oliver. Funny because he lives in Davao, yet never seen its beauty. His mother, auntie and cousin are in for this trip. The more the merrier. All set, now let's go.
Day 1
1. Here comes our first stop IGaCOS or Island Garden City of Samal, the only municipality of Davao del Norte that is not part of Mindanao Island. We went to Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort, in Samal a few minutes boat away from the city area. Boat fare P25/trip and resort day tour entrance of P125.00. Paradise Island is not just a resort, they have rooms, a playground, mini zoo, a restaurant, souvenir, and sports shops.
It was still low tide so we need to walk farther to enjoy the water. It has white sandy beach and unfortunately with sharp stones too, way so difficult to walk. We did not stay there long as we have a long list of places to explore.
1. Here comes our first stop IGaCOS or Island Garden City of Samal, the only municipality of Davao del Norte that is not part of Mindanao Island. We went to Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort, in Samal a few minutes boat away from the city area. Boat fare P25/trip and resort day tour entrance of P125.00. Paradise Island is not just a resort, they have rooms, a playground, mini zoo, a restaurant, souvenir, and sports shops.
It was still low tide so we need to walk farther to enjoy the water. It has white sandy beach and unfortunately with sharp stones too, way so difficult to walk. We did not stay there long as we have a long list of places to explore.
 |
| Meet the Royal family :-) Bro. Oliver, Auntie Lourdes, and Ma'am Judith  |
2. Next, Philippine Eagle Center, reaching there need to pass Davao City Water District, Malagos Watershed which collect P5.00 each. Philippine Eagle charges P50 each visitors.
 |
| Map of Davao City Water District Malagos Watershed |
 |
| Hygienic! Washing fruit before the bite |
3. Malagos Garden Resort in Calinan, Davao City. Admission fee of P100 for adult, P80 for senior citizen.
As we enter the garden all we uttered was "wow, ang ganda!", worried about running out of memory card space and battery. So beautiful everywhere and I do not want to miss any.
 |
| Welcome to Malagos Garden Resort |
 |
| I'd like to know who the gardener is :-) |
 |
| Restaurant |
Orchids
 |
| Playground |
Cottages
Lovely birds
Ticklish
 |
| The Arch |
Was excited to see and play with the butterflies, but where all the butterflies have gone?
 |
| The pool |
4. Watched the sunset and Davao Gulf view at Jack's Ridge Resort and Restaurant located at Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City. The place has been part of Japanese headquarter in WWII.
 |
D-A-V-A-O
|
5. Eden Nature Park and Resort, situated at the foot of Mt. Talomo Toril, Davao City. This 95% man-made mountain resort property is owned by the Ayalas. Eden Nature from its name is rich in nature, fit to adventurer, leisure, not forgetting the culture and of course fresh veggies food from the garden.
Admission fee of P100 this includes the shuttle tour bus, you can choose whether you'll have snack (P180) or buffet (P350), zipline cost P150 for 2 way.
Welcome to Eden Nature Park
Sakay na!
The Amphitheater
Vista Kiosk
Lola's Garden
Plantation
Soccer field view from zip tower
The Restaurant
Herb vinegar
After the signing of waver, the staff helped us to wear a safety belt and helmet. Proceeded by climbing up thru the steel staircase to reach the zipline tower. Wheew! Steps are tiring :-). The sliding cable was then attached to the safety belt. I can see tiny people and tall pine trees are smaller from the tower view. A little hearthrob there. Positioned !!! Ready for the zip :-).
Click this to watch the video
Try it!
Tinubdan - a cultural outdoor museum designed to give a glimpse of lumad life.
Lumad are indigenous people of Southern Mindanao.
Went to Outland Adventure Carlos P. Garcia Hi-way (Diversion Road), Ma-a, Davao City. After trying the zipline in Eden, I now ready to scream for the longest and fastest zipline in Asia. Bummer, closed on Tuesdays. I told the care taker that we just came early for Wednesday :). Not really feeling bad since I had tried the zipline in Eden, may not have strong fear factor but I did it anyway.
6. The Japanese Tunnel located in Matina, Davao City. Entrace fee of P50.
7. The GAP Farming Resort, Ma-a, Davao City. This is good for educational field trip as it displays the cultural indigenous people of the Philippines, head-statue parade of the Philippine Presidents and different animals.
The showcase of "Tame and Wild Animals"
Philippine Presidents Head Parade
Parade of indigenous people in Philippines
Tree house
The Tunnel
Giant Baby Kapre :-)
8. Davao Crocodile Park is in River Front, Corporate City, Diversion Road, Davao City. Paid P150 3in1 ticket (Crocodile Park, Butterfly House and Tribu K' Mindanawan) entry. Thought I can see the crocodiles but it is a zoo. Tigers, birds, eagles, snakes, deer, boar, turtles, peacoks, goats and of course crocodiles can be seen.
The Wild Water Adventure Rafting meeting point also at the Crocodile Park. It would be nice to do rafting but I don't have enough time.
The Wild Water Adventure Rafting meeting point also at the Crocodile Park. It would be nice to do rafting but I don't have enough time.
Who is your hair designer?
9. The Butterfly House
Yes, they have scorpions too :-)
10. Tribu K' Mindanawan is cultural village that showcases the richness of the Indigenous People in Mindanao.
Tarsier
12. Around the City
Peoples Park
Sanguniang Panlungsod Building
San Pedro Cathedral
Philippine Red Cross Davao
Sto. Rosario Church
Waling-waling
Tasting durian ice-candy at Linda's Durian Special sweets,
Matina, Davao
Dinner at Emerald Seafood Garden
Bajada, Davao City
Congratulations to:
Bro. Oliver Cabrera :
No longer a tourist of his own town.
Thank you for making my visit to Davao a memorable one.
Thank you for making my visit to Davao a memorable one.
Special Thanks:
Ma'am Judith Cabrera
Guwapa mother of Bro. Oliver
Auntie Lourdes
lami po yung special vinegar, my mom likes it too :-)
Thanks po.
Joseph
for taking us around :-)
Davao City
Philippines
May 2011
Therrieeeeeeeeeeeee!!! It's so nice naman your blog, nakaka-ingit, hehehehehe. It really captures the wonderful things we've been through those days. I can't help but giggle, laugh and smile all the way through the blog. I think it's automatically posted on my wall when I make this comment so all my "friends" in Facebook can see it.
ReplyDeleteBro Oliveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrr!!! :-) :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteI inserted in here my fav photo of yours "Born Wild" sa GAP farm :-))).
Curious on what will be your next plan...first blog or next tour mo ;-) hehehehe!