Hoorah for my 2nd travel post on the blog!!! This happened way back 2014 when my two auts went home from the Washington and sponsored this trip to Davao. My aunts really like to travel so every time they come home they always make sure we get to have a vacation once in a while. We toured around Davao for 4 days I think?
The picture above shows the "Pangil", the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the Philippines. He measures 18-feet long, he is the star of the park since he was all over the news by the time he was caught at the Agusan Marsh.
Click this link to check out their website and Facebook page to know more about the park in case you might want to give it a visit.
"All things come to an end." as they say, that was the last tourist spot that was included in our trip. We still have the rest of the day to spend more time at the city and after we were brought back to the hotel, we decided to go the mall nearby, hoping to buy some souvenirs. We went to Abreeza Mall Davao.
Check out their site to learn more! Your next Philippine travel destination may have an Island Souvenir branch!
Davao is famous for the Durian fruit that grows abundantly in the place. Many Filipinos don't like the fruit because of its smell. I, too, doesn't like it and I haven't eaten a single piece of it ever! But I had the guts to taste this Durian ice cream when we saw this ice cream kiosk at the mall. Since I am an ice cream lover, why not taste it as a dessert?!
aaaaaaand.... That concludes our Davao Trip!!! I really hope I'll get to explore Philippines more in the future. When I graduate and have a stable job, I'll save money so that I can travel a lot!
Thanks for reading this blog post! xx
Upon landing on Davao International Airport, we went straight to a port for there is a boat waiting for us to bring us to the resort in Samal Island where we will be staying for 2 days and 1 night.
Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort
We really had a great time staying here. The food were very delicious especially their Crispy Kangkong!!! The staff are very accomodating. The view of the Pacific Ocean leaves every guest in awe.
Of course I won't miss taking a snap of my oootd when we went for a quick swim on the beach. We didn't swam for too long because the water is supeeerr salty hahahaha
After a day of staying in the Resort, we went in for our Island tour. We are scheduled to see 2 places in the Island.
First is the Monfort Bat Sanctuary
(Photo not mine. Grabbed from Google)
With such an abundant amount of fruit bats, visitors can get an up close look from outside any of the five entrances. Visitors cannot enter because any disturbance can cause panic to the bats. Late afternoon is suggested to be the best time to visit because of the daily Circadian flight. The Circadian flight occurs right after sunset, when millions of bats fly out of the cave to find food. There are informational tours that bring visitors to the sanctuary. It is estimated about 400 students visit daily.It's also possible to visit after sunset, starting at 6pm, but only by appointment, and in maximum groups of 6 persons.
This is just one of the five entrances that tour guides will show visitors.
You can check out this website to know more about the place.
Next and last stop is the Hagimit Falls
Upon arriving at the entrance, visitors will have to go on a similar to hiking experience. You'll have to go down numerous steps to be able to reach the falls.
I wasn't able to take many photos because I was too focused walking on trails hahaha
You may want to check out this trip website to know more!
After Samal Island tour, it's time to tour the City of Davao!!!
When we came back to the resort, we went straight back to the city and stayed at the Green Windows Dormitel. We spent the night resting because we had a very tiring day.
Next day is time for the tour!!!
First stop : Eden Nature Park
Upon arriving, you have to arrange things with the receptionist for the park tour. While on tour, guests will ride an open van together with a tour guide.
The park has several villages because they also offer accomodations. We were taken to one of the villages wherein we were welcomed by these cultural performers to have a show for the guests and give us a bit of cultural taste.
Second stop: Philippine Eagle Center, Davao City
Third Stop: Davao Japanese Tunnel
The tunnel was built during the Second World War by order of the Japanese Imperial Army to serve as a dug out for the prisoners of the war. There were items found in the tunnel that were evidence that the tunnel was used by the Japanese to seek cover as they were being chased by the Americans.
The 300-meter long tunnel was discovered by the landowners while excavating the area in preparation for a hotel’s construction. Passageways, rooms, armaments and other artifacts were discovered inside the tunnel.
Vintage weaponry including bullets, rifles and machine guns are also displayed inside the tunnel. Makeshift offices, dungeons and water bankers can also be found deeper into the tunnel. There are also small chapels, one of them houses replicas of gold bars and the famous Golden Buddha.
Many stories curiously thrive about this tunnel, which officially opened in 2001. It is said to have connecting underground passageways to Samal Island, the foothill of Mount Apo and other areas. For now though, only 300 meters of damp underpass is readily accessible to the tourists, at a P50 entrance fee for adults and P20 for children. The rest of the long tunnel is blocked off.
(Please bear with the photos for they are not high quality. I just used my phone and there was bad lighting in the tunnel so I have to rely on flash that time.)
Fourth Stop: Davao Crocodile Park
The park started from the fascination of its owner, Mr. Philip Dizon, to Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles. He did not think of it as a lucrative business until he learned that crocodiles are raised in United States not just for public viewing but as well as for production of leather purposes. It was in November 1995 when the government has given the owner the accreditation and permit to operate the 1st Davao Crocodile Park. 10 years later , on August 18, 2005, the world-class Davao Crocodile Park was opened to the public.
The establishment showcases a ‘state of the art’ crocodile farming system in the Philippines. It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipment. The presence of other exotic animal species like raptors, monkeys, bearcats, snakes, birds, and other reptiles makes it one of the most desired tourist destinations in Davao.
The picture above shows the "Pangil", the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the Philippines. He measures 18-feet long, he is the star of the park since he was all over the news by the time he was caught at the Agusan Marsh.
Click this link to check out their website and Facebook page to know more about the park in case you might want to give it a visit.
"All things come to an end." as they say, that was the last tourist spot that was included in our trip. We still have the rest of the day to spend more time at the city and after we were brought back to the hotel, we decided to go the mall nearby, hoping to buy some souvenirs. We went to Abreeza Mall Davao.
Island Souvenirs is a well-known souvenir store around the Philippines. Here you can get amazingly designed souvenir shirts when you visit a certain province in the country. There are also shirts that you can have customized with your names. Their shorts are really nice pasalubongs for your loved ones.
Check out their site to learn more! Your next Philippine travel destination may have an Island Souvenir branch!
Davao is famous for the Durian fruit that grows abundantly in the place. Many Filipinos don't like the fruit because of its smell. I, too, doesn't like it and I haven't eaten a single piece of it ever! But I had the guts to taste this Durian ice cream when we saw this ice cream kiosk at the mall. Since I am an ice cream lover, why not taste it as a dessert?!
Fortunately, it tasted good! My grandmother said Iliked it since it was already mixed with milk. Oh at least I had a shot at it. Unfortunately, my sister's stomach got upset and she was hell sick while we were on the way home the next day. HAHAHAHA
Thanks for reading this blog post! xx
