Surigao del Norte, Mindanao

It's Wow Surigao, here I come!

I traveled from Butuan, Agusan del Norte to Alegria, Surigao del Norte about 75Km, via Bachelor Express  Inc. aircon bus at P122 for two hours.  I enjoyed the free bumps road trip with an amazing view from the window.

Seated next to me is Aling Lourdes, a retired teacher who kept me entertained about her stories during the trip.

Lake Mainit view

  Closer to Lake Mainit

My friend June came to pick me up when I reached Alegria.  I was standing in front of San Isidro Labrador Parish where her father serves.

 Here she is umbrella girl , June :-)

I have a two-page list of the beautiful places that can be found in Surigao del Norte alone, which amazed my friend.  Good to know that she haven't been to those places as it would be more fun and exciting.   We did not waste time, on the same day we drove to Mainit Lake.

Mainit Lake lies in the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, Mindanao - is 17,340 hectares body of freshwater, the fourth largest lake and the second deepest lake in the Philippines.  Three larger lakes are Laguna de Bay (Luzon), Taal (Luzon) and Danao (Mindanao) respectively.

 Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort

Only P25.00 entrance :-)

When we reached home, we reviewed the list again.  Funny, the more places on the list, the more people we need to ask how to reach those places. 

Day 2 in Surigao del Norte

Marajao na buntag Surigaaaaaaaao! (Good morning Surigao). 

Tick, tick, tick!  An exciting day to begin,

how many places on the list am I going to tick?  :-).

We are on our way to our first to tick.  The road is rough but the place is really rewarding.

1. Day-Asan Floating Village - is a barangay in Surigao City, the capital of Surigao del Norte. 

 

Daydream Laguna Resort, Day-Asan

Fishing Boat

Future swimmers :-)

Water so clear

2. Mother of Perpetual Help Shrine - Ceniza Heights built by the volunteers of the said Patron in 1976.

Surigao City Hall

San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral, Surigao City

Luneta Park, Surigao City

Sorbetes

San Nicolas College

 Lipata Port

The Port

 Verano Port

Resort Cottages

3. Songkoy Cold Spring in Tubod, Surigao del Norte

Cottages in Songkoy

5. Lumondo Waterfalls and EcoPark in Barangay Budlingin, Alegria, Surigao del Norte

Mossy

Rocky

The Waterfalls

Way up and out

The airport in Surigao del Norte

...up next is Siargao trip :-)

Thanks to the following:

Ms. June Caumpay, Ate Jo and Family

for keeping me,

sharing your time

family great values

and for the fun shared

:-)

Giovanni Dumpa and Family

for the rides

for the information shared

and time

:-)

Lourdes Morato Delaraso

for the great talk

Davao

Mr. Soleto Catarman

for the Day-Asan boat trip

Alegria, Surigao del Norte

Mindanao, Philippines

May 2011



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Davao, Philippines

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.

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. 

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

Day ll

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!

Car-abao ride

Rainbow pass



The Amphitheater

 Vista Kiosk

Lola's Garden

Plantation

Soccer field view from zip tower

The Restaurant

Herb vinegar

Zipline

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" 

 

And this is a sample of "Born Wild"

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.

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

11. Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague in Matina Hills, Davao City

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.

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

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