Location: Davao City, Philippines
Eden Nature Park and Resort
This is a part of our 4-Day DIY trip to Davao dated November 5-8, 2022 with my wife, Stef and son, Matthew. We boarded an Air Asia flight from NAIA Terminal IV or formerly called Manila Domestic Airport at 6:45 A.M. of November 5, 2022 and arrived at Davao International Airport at 8:30 A.M. for an air travel duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes for a distance of 960 kilometers. This is my third time to travel to Davao City, the second Davao Trip I had was last December 24-31, 2018.
Day 1 - November 5, 2022
Our Manila - Davao Flight
While boarding in our Davao flight at NAIA Terminal IV
To avoid being late, we were at the airport at around 4:30 A.M. We even have our breakfast at the airport already. Fortunately, my son, Matthew was quite cooperative and he did not give us any inconvenience.
Matthew while on board the plane
Having boarded an airplane for a few times, Matthew can be observed as very playful after the plane take-off. He did not even sleep while on board.
While at Davao International Airport
Arriving at Davao International Airport
Davao City is the largest city in the province of Davao del Sur and the largest city of the Philippines in terms of land area which is 2,443.61 square kilometers. The region where it belongs is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, which is highly visible in most parts of Davao City. The city is also nicknamed the "Durian Capital of the Philippines". This is actually my third time in Davao City, but first time of my wife and son.
Our Airbnb accommodation
Avida Towers: Our Davao City accommodation for 4 days
Taxi drivers in Davao City are very honest. From the airport, we just took a taxi cab which is accessible right at the queue of taxis and fares are highly regulated. We only paid P250 going to our Airbnb accommodation at Avida Towers along C.M. Recto Avenue, Poblacion District.
An affordable and comfortable airbnb accommodation
We stayed at Unit 2411 of Avida Tower 2. The caretaker was kind enough to allow us to have an early check-in without additional charge since it was only 10:09 A.M. when we arrived at the property. Check-in is usually at 2:00 P.M. Imagine for the period Nov. 5-8, 2022, we only paid P5,250 or for a rate of P1,750 a day.
Other captured photos of our airbnb accommodation:
The comfortable bed
The well-furnished living room
The kitchen area with the dining table
Relaxing at the living room with my son
Since the accommodation was an Airbnb, we opted to buy our food supplies from supermarket at the downtown. We wanted to cook our food while in Davao City, though part of our itinerary was to eat in a few known restaurants. Since we were tired from our flight, we opted to sleep for an hour after buying food supplies from the supermarket. We just had our lunch at the nearby restaurant.
Eden Nature Park & Resort
It took us around 1:00 P.M. to decide in going to Eden Nature Park and Resort which is approximately 25 kilometers away from our accommodation. Since, public transport is inconvenient while carrying a baby, we chartered a car which we paid P500. This resort is located in Toril, in the mountains overlooking Davao. Driving to the resort was an uphill scenic trip.
While at the park's entrance
Walking from the entrance to park's main attractions
Since the taxi just dropped us the gate, we have to walk going to its main attractions. The resort is an expansive area of 80 hectares which offers lush greenery, pine trees, various attractions, accommodations and adventure rides like ziplines, sky cycle (like biking on the air) and swings for visitors.
Just a part of the resort park
We paid P550 for our day tour entrance per head and this was consumable, where we had lunch. We did not take a shuttle package and so were walking all the time from one attraction to another.
At a Sky Cycle ride
While boarding the Sky Cycle
Embracing the trill of a zipline
The launching pad for the Sky Cycle and Zipline is adjacent with each other. These pictures were taken by the operator and is a part of the package which I paid P400 for each round trip ride.
My daring wife at the Sky Cycle
The lush backdrop while at the zipline
Since, our son is not allowed yet to ride in sky cycle and zipline, my wife and I alternated to ride in a sky cycle and zipline. She cannot take pictures for me since, Matthew was uncooperative. He keeps on running around when not held by any of us.
The launching pad of the Sky Cycle and Zipline
Stef at the Sky Cycle
My wife Stef was quite daring when she rode both at the sky cycle and zipline. Though it was really a struggle to take pictures since my son when released runs and keeps going around.
Heading to the other side of the nature park
The Cafe Vista where we had snacks
Though we kept on walking around and, the place itself is so relaxing because of its lush surroundings. We opted not to take a tour guide for we want to own our time with our own pacing, considering that Matthew wanders a lot in this resort park.
Our consumable snacks at the park
Since, the meal orders are pricey, we just opted to avail of our consumable snacks from our entrance fee paid. Stef took a spaghetti and mine is a hotdog burger.
Fortunately, there was an event on that day, so we happened to see these installed structures. This is just at the back of the "I Love Eden" marker.
The event at a distance
After we walked around the Vista Restaurant vicinity, we moved to another section of the park there are ponds. I have seen that a staff was harvesting tilapia in this pond.
Heading to the park's main entrance
We were at the main park's entrance at 4:15 P.M. and worried that we won't be able to get a taxi, we stayed there and waited.
We passed through this point after exiting from the main park's entrance boarding in a taxi cab. The land and housing development was the Las Colinas, still a part of Barangay Eden of bustling district of Toril in the city of Davao.
Back to our Accommodation
Avida Towers swimming pool
Waiting for the light showers to subside
It was such a gloomy afternoon and even at 5:40 P.M., it was already very dark. Also, the management did not allow us to have a swim at the pool since there was light showers with presence of thunder and lightning.
Disappointed of the situation since we want to have an evening swim
My wife ready for a swim
We are actually a number of small groups waiting for the pool to be opened for a swim. All of us guests are not in the accommodation and thus, we are not able to use the pool facility.
At around, 10:00 P.M., I left my wife and son at Avida Towers and boarded an airconditioned bus going to Municipality of Sta. Cruz at 11:00 P.M. for a distance of approximately 70 kilometers. It is still a part of Davao del Sur and at around 12:30 midnight, I met my guide for my Nov. 6-7, 2022 3-summit minor climbs in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Day 2 - November 6, 2022
Bamboo Peak Climb
Bamboo peak at 1,106 MASL is a popular hiking destination in Barangay Jose Rizal, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, known for its beginner-friendly trails, forest views, and proximity to Biga Falls, offering a challenging yet rewarding trek with stunning scenery, an Indigenous Bagobo community, and cultural immersion. The trail is around 4.6 kilometers from the jump-off point. This climb has a separate blog post.
I started my climb from the jump-off point at 5:40 P.M. with my guide. I was back at the jump-off point at 12:15 noon. Then, we took another habal-habal going to the jump-off point of Mount Loay.
Mount Loay Climb
Mount Loay at 1,040 MASL elevation is a minor climb which is usually considered as a minor climb for Mount Apo. I started my climb at 1:45 P.M. and was back at the jump-off point at 5:25 P.M. Its jump-off point is also in Barangay Jose Rizal in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. This climb has also a separate blog post.
After the climb, my guide and I travelled to Barangay Sinoron and stayed there for an overnight in preparation for our climb in Mount Dinor the following day. We stayed in the house of my guide's friend, but pitched my tent outside their house for a comfortable sleep. The place was cold at night and I've got a soundly sleep.
Day 3 - November 7, 2022
Mount Dinor Climb
Mount Dinor has an elevation of 1,274 MASL with its summit situated in an old dipterocarp forest with the jump-off point near Sinoron Elementary School, close to Sinoron Barangay Hall of Star. Cruz, Davao del Sur. It has steep ascents, rock formations and breathtaking views along the trails. It has a healthy forest cover and biodiversity. The word "Dinor" is a Bagobo term for Almaciga, an endemic tree species in the Philippines and plenty of them can be seen in this mountain. This specific climb has a separate blog post.
In the house were we pitched my tent outside where we stayed overnight, we woke up as early as 5:30 A.M. and my guide cooked for our breakfast. We started the trek at 7:05 A.M. We set foot at its summit at 11:10 A.M. We stayed at the summit for our lunch at 11:30 A.M. and had our descent where we reached the jump-off point at 3:13 P.M. This was the coolest climb I had that I was not in a hurry. I kept on taking pictures and videos along the trails.
Going to Sta. Cruz town thru habal-habal was really a struggle because the rough road is so bumpy that the vehicle trailed on top of big rocks. It was such an exhausting trip. Then, Roben and I had a late lunch and I took a bus going to Davao City and was reunited with my wife and son in our accommodation at Avida Towers. I arrived there at 7:20 P.M. since the bus trip from Sta. Cruz town was already very late in the afternoon.
Day 4 - November 8, 2022
Uraya Beach Resort - Olivia Sands
Step by step guide on how to go to Uraya Beach Resort
1. Get to the Wharf from Avida Towers:
Ride a jeepney from Avida Towers (likely near Ponce De Leon /Roxas Avenue), take a short ride (jeepney) heading towards Sasa Wharf or Santa Ana Wharf. Sasa Wharf is common to Babak, while Santa Ana often goest to Kaputian area.
2. Ferry to Samal Island:
- From Sasa Wharf: Look for public ferries or barges going to Babak Port (the main entry point to Samal)
- From Santa Ana Wharf: You might find passenger boats (sometimes going to Kaputian) or barges.
3. From Samal Port to Uraya Beach Resort:
- Hire a tricycle /Habal-habal: Once you arrive at Babak or Kaputian Port, ask locals for tricycles or motorcycles (habal-habal) going to Uraya Beach Resort. Uraya is a well-known resort, so drivers will know the way.
- Confirm with Driver: Tell the driver "Uraya Beach Resort, Barangay Audanao" (or nearby area to ensure you're heading to the right place.
Initially, we dropped by here as we were planning to soak into its cold water falls. Unfortunately, during our visit, it was still closed.
Uraya Beach Resort, also known as Olivia Sands is located in Adecor, Kaputian District, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) in Davao del Norte, Philippines. This was my second time here. The first time was when I was still single in December 2018 Uraya Beach Resort escapade This time, I have with my family.
It offers an affordable getaway with an entrance fee of P300 per person for an overnight stay or P200 for a day tour. Small open cottages start at P1,000 and they now offer bamboo cottages with air conditioning starting at P3,000.
Surrounded by beautiful birds, trees, and natural serenity, the resort provides a calming atmosphere, especially at night with the soothing sounds of cicadas and night birds blending with the gentle waves.
At 2:00 P.M., we left the place since our return flight to Manila is at 8:20 P.M. On our way back to the wharf, we chartered a habal-habal to make our trip fast.
While on board the ferry crossing to Sta. Ana wharf
Disembarking from the ferry
From Sta. Ana wharf, we took a taxi cab going to our Airbnb accommodation at Avida Towers. Since, we already took our lunch at the beach resort, we just packed our things when we arrived to our accommodation and took a taxi going to Davao International Airport reaching there at 4:20 P.M. Too early, but I learned lessons from previous flights that when we arrived less than an hour at the check-in counter, we are no longer admitted for check-in.
While at our flight's boarding gate at Davao International Airport
We might have stayed too short in Davao City, but our family has bonded so well and we enjoyed so much this trip. We valued so much our privacy.
No comments:
Post a Comment