It's Sunday! Our last day in Davao. We weren't able to explore other sights since our flight back to Iloilo is 6:00 am. By 4:00 am, we already left Aveflor Inn.
Two days of exploring is such a short time. We failed to visit the white sand beaches of Samal, other malls, churches, schools, etc. But though our stay there is short, we really enjoyed the trip. With no more than Php 400 round trip air fare, what more can we ask for? Thanks to Cebu Pacific piso sale. It really made our trip possible without requiring us to spend too much on fare alone. For sure I'll be watching for more seat sale in the days to come. :>
I arrived home tired, sleepy and broke but everything is worth it. I learned a lot, experienced a lot and of course, enjoyed a lot!The memories of this trip will surely be added into my happiness vault since traveling with friends is one of the most fulfilling activities for me. Additionally, it helped me become more responsible and mature person being the trip organizer.
Hopefully next time, I'd be given a chance to travel with my boyfriend... and maybe to travel all by myself - it's my ultimate dream. [-o<
Davao Trip Day 2 - Eden Nature Park
November 27, 2010
We planned to leave for Eden Nature Park at 8:00 am but the funny thing is, we weren't able to wake up early... it's already past 8:00 when we woke up. Sleepy-heads! At around 10:00 am, we rode a jeepney bound for Toril. We never had trouble when commuting since the inn is accessible by most jeepneys. Travel time to Toril is probably 1 hour, fare is Php 20. We asked the driver to drop us at Mercury Drugstore because that is where motorcycles bound for Toril are parked. From there, we rode a motorcycle (with sidecar) - travel time to Eden Nature Park is around one hour. The driver charged us Php 100 per head. I think Php 100 is not too much considering how far the place is.
On our way, we can't help but be amazed of the panoramas greeting our eyes - huge trees with refreshingly green leaves, different types of houses (including the types showcased at Tribu K'Mindanawan Village), part of Mt. Apo (the tallest mountain in the Philippines) and fruit stands along the road. Additionally, the road all the way from the city proper to Eden Nature Park is concrete. Impressive!
This has turned into a photo blog. :)) Sorry for the lack of details because I'm kinda eager to finish this post. But if somebody would want to ask something, just hit the comment button. I will answer as best as I can. :D
On our way, we can't help but be amazed of the panoramas greeting our eyes - huge trees with refreshingly green leaves, different types of houses (including the types showcased at Tribu K'Mindanawan Village), part of Mt. Apo (the tallest mountain in the Philippines) and fruit stands along the road. Additionally, the road all the way from the city proper to Eden Nature Park is concrete. Impressive!
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| On our way to Eden Nature Park |
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| Indiana Jones Ride |
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| We never thought that he Indiana Jones Ride is just warm-up for more exciting ride later. |
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| This one is perfect for garden weddings. |
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| Overnight accommodations |
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| Towards the mountain trail |
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| Holiday Terraces |
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| The Amphitheater |
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| Hydroponic Vegetable Garden |
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| Never leave the reception area without this... especially if you won't avail the guided shuttle tour. |
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| Rainbow Pass |
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| Don't go home without trying this! |
Davao Trip Day 1 - Davao People's Park
The mass has started when we arrived at the Redemptorist Church, the church where our seminarian friend is based. After the mass and other prayer rituals, he suggested that we eat dinner at an eat-all-you-can resto. For Php 99, I feel like my stomach is bursting right after eating shrimps, various chicken, pork and beef dishes and desserts. My simple pleasures! :)
From there, we walked until we reach the People's Park. I'm quite amazed on how the government keeps the park nice and peaceful considering the number of people going there everyday. It's a gated public park wherein anyone who wants to enter will have to go through inspection for any prohibited objects such as weapon and cigarette. Yes, smoking is strictly prohibited inside the park.
From there, we walked until we reach the People's Park. I'm quite amazed on how the government keeps the park nice and peaceful considering the number of people going there everyday. It's a gated public park wherein anyone who wants to enter will have to go through inspection for any prohibited objects such as weapon and cigarette. Yes, smoking is strictly prohibited inside the park.
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| Durian-shaped Dome |
Davao Trip Day 1 - Davao Crocodile Park Complex
Cebu Pacific flight 5J - 347 landed at Davao Airport 10 minutes earlier than it's expected time of arrival. Even if I and my friend are new to the place, we never had hard time finding our way retrieving our bags because the airport is never crowded since it's an early morning flight - first flight of that sunny Friday.
From the airport, we rode a taxi to Aveflor Inn (located at 108-3 CM Recto, beside Allied bank and Avon). It's a budget-friendly inn ideal to travelers like us who only needs a place to sleep, take a bath and most especially, a place where we can leave our belongings. Luxury accommodation shouldn't be expected but an air-conditioned room with toilet & bath, cable tv (no remote control though) and bed just right for two persons like us, what is there to complain about? There is also a cafeteria within the building so food is not much of a problem. Additionally, the place is located in downtown area so everything is just within our reach - mall, park, restaurants, school, etc.
I originally wanted to spend the whole day roaming around the city but since my friend stayed up all night (working on a night shift), I agreed to spend half of the day at the inn so that she can get at least a couple hours of sleep. While she is sleeping (or trying to be asleep), I grabbed the opportunity to organize my stuff (When I say organize, I mean empty my bag and leave my things where they should be - hang the clothes, the rest - toiletries, phone and camera charger, candies - all sprawling on the bed.
We leave the inn around lunch time to meet our seminarian friend based in Davao. We agreed to meet at Gaisano Mall (popularly known as G-Mall in Davao) since it is just a few minutes ride from the inn. Based on blog posts and reviews, G-Mall is the biggest mall in Davao and indeed, a wide, 5-storey mall welcomed my eyes as soon as we entered the building. It is even larger than SM City and Robinsons Mall here in Iloilo. I would love to scour every boutique in there but that activity is not included on our schedule and my budget :D... I just settled for a tourist map instead. After eating lunch (courtesy of Father Dan), we head to our next destination - Davao Crocodile Park!
From G-Mall, we rode a taxi to the place (taxi fare is only around Php 80). When we get there, I learned that we will not be visiting one park alone. It is actually called Davao Crocodile Park Complex, a village that resembles an exclusive subdivision but instead of houses, a number of parks can be seen there. Near the entrance of the complex is where the Zorb is located. In there, one can get inside a giant transparent ball and experience how it feels like to tumble, to be tossed and turned as the ball moves through the giant slide. I am not sure how much this ride costs for we never get the chance to drop by due to time constraints and besides it's a bit far from the crocodile farm itself.
Entrance to the Crocodile Farm is worth 150 each. This fee also entitles you free entrance to Tribu K'Mindanawan Village and Butterfly House. Our first stop is at the Crocodile Park. But crocodiles are not the only animals seen there - tiger, ostrich, birds, monkeys, snakes and many others can also be found in the area.
Image 1 - Pangil, the oldest crocodile in the farm.
Image 2 - Dragon sailfin. We never thought that it's real because it's not moving.
Image 3 - Hands of an orangutan. It looks like that of a man's sans manicure
Image 4 - Bear cuscus
After we bid good bye to the animals, we proceeded to Tribu K'Mindanawan Village, just a few steps away from the Crocodile Park. Located beside the river, Trubu K'Mindanawan is a cultural village that showcases the lifestyle of locals. One thing I love here are the different types of houses the tribe members used to have.
Too bad I don't have lots of nice pictures of other types of houses. :(
As soon as we're done exploring the village, we headed to Butterfly House, just a few minutes walk from the Crocodile Park. Unfortunately, I had my difficulty-breathing-when-tired attack so I have no choice but to ask my friends that we rest for a while or else I'll pass out. Lame!
The best days to visit the complex are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays because there are shows during these days. While we’re walking back to Crocodile Park to witness the show, the Waterball Ride area is not crowded anymore and the guys there are encouraging us to try it. It costs Php 50 for 10 minutes. We decided to give it a try since being inside the giant ball looks really exciting. The rule is to try to stand and walk inside the ball but since it is floating in the water, we find it impossible to do it.
From the airport, we rode a taxi to Aveflor Inn (located at 108-3 CM Recto, beside Allied bank and Avon). It's a budget-friendly inn ideal to travelers like us who only needs a place to sleep, take a bath and most especially, a place where we can leave our belongings. Luxury accommodation shouldn't be expected but an air-conditioned room with toilet & bath, cable tv (no remote control though) and bed just right for two persons like us, what is there to complain about? There is also a cafeteria within the building so food is not much of a problem. Additionally, the place is located in downtown area so everything is just within our reach - mall, park, restaurants, school, etc.
I originally wanted to spend the whole day roaming around the city but since my friend stayed up all night (working on a night shift), I agreed to spend half of the day at the inn so that she can get at least a couple hours of sleep. While she is sleeping (or trying to be asleep), I grabbed the opportunity to organize my stuff (When I say organize, I mean empty my bag and leave my things where they should be - hang the clothes, the rest - toiletries, phone and camera charger, candies - all sprawling on the bed.
We leave the inn around lunch time to meet our seminarian friend based in Davao. We agreed to meet at Gaisano Mall (popularly known as G-Mall in Davao) since it is just a few minutes ride from the inn. Based on blog posts and reviews, G-Mall is the biggest mall in Davao and indeed, a wide, 5-storey mall welcomed my eyes as soon as we entered the building. It is even larger than SM City and Robinsons Mall here in Iloilo. I would love to scour every boutique in there but that activity is not included on our schedule and my budget :D... I just settled for a tourist map instead. After eating lunch (courtesy of Father Dan), we head to our next destination - Davao Crocodile Park!
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| Gaisano Mall Davao |
Entrance to the Crocodile Farm is worth 150 each. This fee also entitles you free entrance to Tribu K'Mindanawan Village and Butterfly House. Our first stop is at the Crocodile Park. But crocodiles are not the only animals seen there - tiger, ostrich, birds, monkeys, snakes and many others can also be found in the area.
Image 2 - Dragon sailfin. We never thought that it's real because it's not moving.
Image 3 - Hands of an orangutan. It looks like that of a man's sans manicure
Image 4 - Bear cuscus
After we bid good bye to the animals, we proceeded to Tribu K'Mindanawan Village, just a few steps away from the Crocodile Park. Located beside the river, Trubu K'Mindanawan is a cultural village that showcases the lifestyle of locals. One thing I love here are the different types of houses the tribe members used to have.
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| Uyaanan (Traditional Mansaka House) |
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| Turogan (House of Datu Maranao Tribe) |
As soon as we're done exploring the village, we headed to Butterfly House, just a few minutes walk from the Crocodile Park. Unfortunately, I had my difficulty-breathing-when-tired attack so I have no choice but to ask my friends that we rest for a while or else I'll pass out. Lame!
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| Waterball Ride |
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| Crocodile Show: The man is feeding the young crocodiles inside the fenced area. |
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| Crocodile Show. Should he fall, the crocodiles are waiting to eat him. |
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| Fire Dance in front of Tribu K'Mindanawan Village. Too bad we weren't able to watch the rest of the show because we need to go back to my friend's church to hear the afternoon mass. |
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