Name of Trip: My Mindanao Family Affair 2010
Date: May 22 - 27, 2010
Date: May 22 - 27, 2010
Destination: General Santos City, Sarangani Province & Davao city
Travel via: Air (Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific), Land (van, tricycle, bus)
Davao Gulf
Welcome to Davao City!
After my three day stay in General Santos City, we went to Davao City to have a tour and also to visit my niece and my nephew's friend. This is my third visit to Davao City and honestly, I wasn't able to tour around the city. Usually, I together with some of my relatives went to Davao for one whole day an back to General Santos in the evening. I decided to be in the city for overnight. Also, my nephew's friend offered a tour which makes me more excited.
We left Gensan at 8AM onboard Holiday Bus. It is a three hour journey passing the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Del Sur. We also had a quick stop over at Digos City and we dropped off to SM City Davao. This is where or meeting place with my niece whose temporarily resided to the city. After we met, we started to roam around the city.
Davao City. Source: Wikipedia
First Stop: Kuya Ed Eat-All-You-Can Restaurant
What was the main reason of mentioning this restaurant? This is one of known restaurants in Davao City. You will find a buffet restaurant, eat all you can for only PHP99. It was very cheap compared to other eat all you can in Metro Manila or even in this city. Food was a mixture of Filipino and International cuisines. It was also delicious. No wonder many people went here to take their lunch. If you celebrate your birthday in this restaurant, your meal will be free. Price doesn't include your drinks. Just add PHP25 for Unlimited Iced Tea or PHP35 for canned soda is still affordable.
me and my niece
Welcome to Kuya Ed
me and my nephew
happy lunch!
picture!
kaon ta! (Let's eat!)
picture!
solo pic
How to get there: Kuya Ed was along the downtown area of Davao City. Taxis are everywhere and just tell the driver to go at Kuya Ed and he already knew the location. Mind you, taxi drivers are one of honest drivers in the country. :)
Address: A. Pichon St. Davao City
Nearest Landmarks: Davao City Hall and San Pedro Cathedral
Next Stop: Davao City Hall
While waiting for my friend's nephew, we walked along downtown and stayed in front of the City Hall. A walk was like few meters from Kuya Ed and you will easily saw the building. For historians, it was built last 1926 during American Occupation and ten years before Davao became a city. Their current mayor is Sara Duterte, the daughter of former Mayor and today's Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
City Hall
Building remained the same
me and the city hall of Davao
After few minutes, my nephew's friend arrived infront of City Hall and he greeted us. He has a car and he toured us around the city. He asked some places that I wanted to go and visit and I told him, anywhere that involved nature. So after an hour of traveling since Davao City was huge, we ended to this place.
Next Destination: Eden Nature Park
It was situated also in Davao City but it took us an hour from Downtown district to this place. We passed different roads and some slopes of hills until we reached this place. It was located at Toril district. and this place was one of the frequented tourist destination of the city. It was also a resort right at the foot of Mount Talomo. This was place covered with trees and towering forest trees which was perfect for bonding, family picnics and gatherings and other activities.
The big logo
Welcome!
The Resort Map
Registration Center
Day Tour Center
checking the map
picture with the map
solo pic
Unknown to many, Eden Nature Park is 95% man-made resort. Discovered sometime in 1971, the resort was once a logged-over area covered only by a blanket of wild grass. Today, the Eden Nature Park and Resort has become a truly world class facility that offers personalized tours and services to its resort guests. It's modern facilities and amenities include a 62-room hotel replete with non-smoking areas, and beautifully furnished with writing desks, cable televisions, shower rooms, mini bars and kitchenettes; a souvenir shop, laundry services, dry cleaning, meeting facilities, and a restaurant. There are also leisure and sports facilities such as pool for kids, a kids' club, an outdoor pool, and many flower gardens. (Source: DavaoCity By Battad)
The Day Tour Center is the registration and information center of the of the resort. We went here to have register and availed the Day Tour Shuttle Tour with plated snacks for PHP320 (PHP120 for guided tour + PHP200 for plated snacks). The shuttle tour is a first come, first serve basis. This tour lasted for an hour but it was an educated and interesting tour since I learned a lot especially on nature and its importance to the world.
our shuttle tour
another shot!
me and my niece
picture
looking up!
The Amphitheater with jade vines along the columns
A place for having an event such as weddings, parties, etc
overlooking Davao City
up close
me
@Tinubdan
me at Tinubdan
picture of me
Me and Bagani
Balai Kaalimudan
picture of us
me overlooking Davao City!
me and my niece
great view
Wishing Well at Lola's Garden
Picture
waiting for our snacks
It was a great adventure at Eden Nature Park. I wasn't able to take photos due to some lectures along the tour. It was worth the price that you pay. I enjoyed listening to the tour guide and makes me more aware on the importance of nature. After our tour, we went to the restaurant for a snack. After that, we left the Eden at 5PM back to the city proper.
Contact Information:
Eden Nature Park & Resort, Inc.
Sales and Reservations Office
Matina Town Square
McArthur Highway, Matina
Davao City, Philippines
Website: www.edennaturepark.com.ph
Tel. Nos: +63 82 299-1020, +63 82 296-0791
Fax: +63 82 299-0313
Mobile No.: +639189307590
Email: info@edennaturepark.com.ph
back to the city proper, overlooking Samal Island
at the back is Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines
circling the clouds
How to go to Davao City:
There were several flights to/from Davao: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express, SEAir, Zest Air from Manila, Airasia Philippines from Clark, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo and Zamboanga. Davao also receives flights from Singapore and Manado, Indonesia. Airport was located at Sasa, Davao City. Travel to downtown area from airport takes only 30 minutes.
From General Santos: take a bus ride from either Yellow Bus Line or Holiday Bus. Fare ranges from PHP235 to PHP260. Traval time takes 2-3 hours depending on traffic.
Continue to Part 2! :)
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