Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Backpacking: Top Reasons To Visit in Davao City, Philippines

Welcome to Travel+Experiment!

Davao is a safe and peaceful city in Mindanao. I previously visited this place last June 2013. Davao is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines and is also known as the "Durian Capital" of the Philippines. There are bunch of exotic fruits that can be easily purchased in the farmer’s market at a very affordable price.

There are great amount of distance between each tourist site. Tourist destinations in the city include the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Nature Center, Mount Apo, the Davao Crocodile Park, Eden Nature Park, People's Park in the city center which is popular for its sculptures of indigenous people and dancing fountain and also the Samal Island.

Davao is a special for me due to the fact that I was engaged with my husband in Pearl Farm, Samal Island. It is an island city situated accessible by boat about 45 minute rides, popularly for its beaches.

Davao activities& Attractions must see.

Destination: Introducing Davao City!

Going to Davao from Manila by plane is about 1 hour and 45 minutes travel. The Davao International Airport or locally known as Francisco Bangoy International airport cater domestic flights mostly from and to Manila and Cebu and other Philippine cities. This airport also made it available for international flights like Silk Air with direct route to Singapore.  Roaming around the town wouldn't be that hard. There are a lot of options for you to choose from:
  • For a hassle-free tour around in the city, you may ride on Taxi cabs, available at anywhere. It’s a guarantee that you can be assured of friendly and honest taxi drivers here in Davao City. They will take you anywhere you want as long as you know where you want to be heading. They won’t ask for “extras”, you’ll just have to pay them as indicated in their meters.
  • Jeepney is another option for tourists who would wish to delve in with the locals of Davao City. This is the main mode of transportation. You get to ride with people from almost all walks of life. It may take you much of your time if you ride the jeepney since drivers have to get more passengers to fill in their vehicle. But if you’re not in a hurry, why not try?
I. Davao City Tour
1) The Parks

A.) Eden Nature Park

Apart from its cool temperature because it is more than 2000 ft. above sea level, it is a serene and relaxing mountain resort. Elsewhere in the city, Eden Nature Park offers activities such as camping, trekking, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching and even a zip line. There are many sites with cottages, townhouses, all in a sylvan setting for rent. Take the open car tour, since it takes you around the many places on the sides of the mountain and the valleys. It is designed with all the native flowers and plants growing around including all the herbs and rare plants. This mountain resort reservation offers a cool climate, lush forest, and natural surroundings, overlooking the city and the gulf.

2.) Davao Crocodile Park
 

The Davao Crocodile Park is the home of seven hundred cultured Philippines crocodiles. Aside from cultured crocodiles, Davao Crocodile Park is also a haven for a variety of other animals, such as tigers, wild boars, apes, birds and pythons. If you are an animal lover, and you are heading to Davao, this renowned tourist spot is a must-visit!

Entrance Fee:
  • Adult – 150.00 pesos
  • Kids – 75.00 pesos

3.) People’s Park
People's Park features mini-forest, interactive and dancing fountains, man-made waterfalls that is connected with the man-made lake, kids playground, tropical rain forest trees, open plaza, durian dome, gigantic statues of lumads all over the park, the Philippine Eagle statue and the Durian dome.

One of the park's attractions is the interactive fountains that can be found at the center of the field. They also have a dancing fountain shows that kids will surely love to witness. Fountain show starts at 5:00 pm every day.
People's Park is located at Camus Street, in front of Casa Leticia Hotel. A 30 minutes taxi ride from Davao International Airport.

Entrance Fee is free every day. But be advised that the park is packed with visitors every weekend so better plan your trip carefully. 

2) Jack Ridge Resort & Restaurant

It is located in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City; this is the highest area here in Davao City. Just be aware of that there is a charge if you are planning to bring food inside the premises and security will be conducting search for the prohibited items and food inside the bag. Jack’s Ridge has a lot of Restaurants where you can dine in. This place has no entrance fee.

How to get there: 
Cabs are easy to find in Davao. From the city proper, taking a cab to Jack’s Ridge will cost you about 150.00 pesos.
If you are on a budget, take a jeepney with route Matina/Bangkal/Ulas and tell the driver to drop you off at crossing Shrine Hills. Fare ranges from 8.00 pesos to 15.00 pesos. From there, tricycle will likely be available to take you to Jack’s Ridge.

3) Pearl Farm Beach

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort lies in a secluded cove on Samal Island off the coast of Davao City. This 11-hectare spread was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls. This renowned world-class beach resort is the perfect getaway for people who are in search of a heavenly and blissful retreat. In addition to its tranquil atmosphere, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort offers an excellent buffet with lots of delectable and scrumptious dishes.
How to get to the resort:
From Manila and other major cities and airports all over the Philippines, there are several domestic airlines that fly directly to Davao. From the airport or other places in Davao, you must go to Pearl Farm Marina wharf where you will board a boat to Samal Island. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes by cab. There are 3 trips to and from Pearl Farm daily.
Regular boat transfers:
  • From Pearl Farm Marina Wharf to resort: 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM
  • From resort to Pearl Farm Marina Wharf: 8:00 AM / 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM
Special boat transfers can be arranged with applicable charges. Guests are highly encouraged to reserve seats on their preferred boat trip and are advised to be at the Pearl Farm Marina 30 minutes before the departure of the boat.
4) The Durians

Your visit in Davao would not be complete without eating or bringing home some durians. Davao is the top producer of Durian – about 80% in the country – and you can find the cheapest durians in the market, so take advantage of it! There are also sweets and desserts made of durians to sample here, from candies, pastels, cakes to ice-creams.
5) Mt. Apo
Mt. Apo, tallest peak in the country at 10,311 feet above sea level the mightiest upward surge of along mountain range extending from North Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Davao City to Agusan del Sur and Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao.

Mt. Apo straddles a long mountain range delineating the boundaries of the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato and Davao City. The volcanic peak Apo meaning grandfather of all Philippine mountains dominates a vast area of 72,769 hectares where natural wonders lure outdoor enthusiasts to trek through this tribal god's domain and conquer this towering peak and sea an exotic display of nature at its best in its virgin state a steaming blue lake in a picturesque setting, geysers and sulphur pillars, rainwater lakes, the swift flowing Marbel, Sibulan and Baruring Rivers, waterfalls cascading with a thunderous roar from a deep gorge for a total drop of almost 300 feet. Several miniature falls in lake like spray give touches of silvery beauty to the verdant surroundings.

Climbing Mount Apo takes four days. There are many trails so climbers often ascend and descend through different routes to see more of the place. Before climbing, contact the Department of Tourism Office in Davao (Magsaysay Park Complex, Tel. (82) 221-0070/221-6955) or the Mt. Apo Climbers Association of Davao City where tents, camping, gear, provisions and guides are available. The Davao Tourism Office also organizes Holy Week climbs called "Conquer Mt. Apo" and semestral break ascents in October called "Octotrek" where large numbers of climbers join in.

Tour Packages: http://www.mtapoadventures.com/tour-packages/
 * Updated Price is per Person Effective January 2015
Duration: 3 Days Trek

Inclusions:
  • Transportation (Davao City–Jump Off-Point and Exit Point –Davao City)
    • 2-5 Guests (Public Transport and Motorcycle)
    • 6 Guests and Up  (Private Vehicle)
  • Climbing Permit
  • Certificate of Climb
  • Exit Fee
  • Guide Fee
  • For 2-5 Persons ( 1 Guide)
  • For 6-10 Persons ( 2 Guides)
  • Food for the whole duration of the Climb (Dinner on the 1st – Lunch on the 4th/last  Day of climb)
  • Equipment Rentals for Tent, Sleeping Bag, Trek pole and Mess Kit
  • Porter Fee
    • For 2-5 Persons ( 1 Porters min load of 15 Kilos per porter)
    • For 6-10 Persons ( 2 Porters min load of 15 Kilos per porter)
  • One Night Hotel Accommodation in Davao City with Free Breakfast
  • Documentation Photos on CD ( Available if the Author is your Guide)
  • Mt. Apo Souvenir T-Shirt
Note:
Add P 2,000.00 per additional porter
These were taken after my husband proposed to me in Pearl Farm Resort (June 2014).
Happy Travels!

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Backpacking: Best Things to Do in Camiguin, Philippines

Welcome to Travel+Experiment!

After your adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro City, up next is the volcanic paradise island of Camiguin.

Camiguin is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is politically part of the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province.


Camiguin Activities & Attractions must see.

Destination: Introducing Camiguin!
How to Get to Camiguin from Cagayan de Oro (CDO) 

Via Balingoan
From Cagayan de Oro, take a taxi or van to Agora Bus Terminal. Fare should be around 200.00 pesos per person. From your hotel within the city center, you can take a taxi or motorela to Agora Bus Terminal. Take a Butuan-bound bus (143.00 pesos) or van from Agora Bus Terminal to Balingoan Port. Travel time is about 2-3 hours. If you're taking the bus, get off at Balingoan Bus Terminal and rent a tricycle or motorela (8.00 pesos) to the Balingoan Ferry Port. Alternatively, you can just walk towards the port. For vans, you can ask to be dropped off at Balingoan Port. RORO and ferry boats (170.00 pesos) leave hourly from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port (Camiguin). Early trip is 5:00 AM. Travel time takes about 1 hour.

Via Fastcraft in Macabalan Port
This is the expensive option but fastest way. From Cagayan de Oro Airport, take a taxi or van to Macabalan Port in Cagayan de Oro City. From your hotel within the city center, you can rent a motorela or take a jeepney (with "Pier" sign) to Macabalan Port. Take the Ocean Jet ferry from Macabalan Port to Benoni Port (Camiguin). Fare is 550.00 pesos per person and travel time is about 2 hours. Take note that Ocean Jet has only one trip per day (8:30 AM). We took this option from Camiguin to Cagayan de Oro (4:00 PM).
4 Days 3 Nights Cagayan de Oro with Camiguin Package Tour - usually this package tour would cost around less than 5,000 pesos.

Day 1 – Pick-up from Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan Airport, drop-off to hotel in the city. Standard check-in time is at 02:00 PM. If reaching early, it will be optional for the group to go to Water Rafting, Dahilayan in Bukidnon for the zip line activity or visit Del Monte Plantation. Overnight in Cagayan de Oro Hotel.

Day 2 – Drive to Balingoan port, located 1hour away from Cagayan de Oro City. Take 1 hour ferry from Balingoan to Benoni port in Camiguin. Upon reaching, proceed to do the Camiguin Countryside Tour. Spots to visit when in Camiguin, during Camiguin Tour: Island hopping, Waterfalls, Sunken Cemetery, Church Ruins, Soda Water Pool, Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Ardent Hot spring, Station of the Cross.  Overnight in one of the Camiguin resorts.

Day 3 – Time to go Island Hopping in Camiguin. The most popular spot is White Island, which is a sandbar which may be reached through a pumpboat (outrigger). Those who are trying to catch a trip back to Cagayan De Oro must leave early. However, it is suggested that pax allocate an entire day so they can also visit Mantigue Island and the Giant Clam Sanctuary before heading back to Cagayan de Oro. Depending on flight details on Day 4, the group can decide whether to spend another night in Camiguin or head to Cagayan de Oro in the afternoon.

Day 4 – Departure from Cagayan de Oro 


I. Camiguin Tour
Camiguin Island is a pearl-shaped island with an area of approximately 238 km2 (92 sq mi). The island measures about 23 kilometers (14 mi) at its longest and 14.5 kilometers (9.0 mi) at its widest breadth. The island is mountainous with the highest elevation reaching over 5,000 ft (1,500 m). It is encircled by a national road with a total length of about 64 kilometers (40 mi). As of the August 1, 2007 census, the province has a 5th class income classification with a population of 81,293.

History: Volcanic activity from 1871 to 1875
On February 16, 1871, earthquakes began to be felt on the island, which increase in severity until April 30 when a volcanic fissure opened up 400 yards southwest of the village of Catarman, northwest of Hibok-Hibok Volcano. Mt. Vulcan was born and continued erupting pouring lava into the sea at the same time gaining in height and width. In 1875, theChallenger expedition visited the area and described the mountain as a dome, 1,950 ft (590 m) in height, without any crater, but still smoking and incandescent at the top.

The town of Catarman was destroyed and portion of the town sank beneath the sea. The settlement moved to where the town center is presently located and today, all that remains of old Catarman are the ruins of the ancient Spanish church, a convent and a bell tower.

1) White Islands

Located just a few kilometers off the coast are the two islands of Camiguin.
  • White Island is accessed from Agoho which is about 5 km (3.1 mi) west of the town of Mambajao
  • Mantigue Island can be reached from Mahinog about 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Mambajao
2) Lanzones Festival

Lanzones Festival is held every third week of October and it is a four day grand celebration of the lanzones fruit. The most important livelihood in Camiguin is lanzones. It is when a lot of tourists come to witness the joyous Lanzones festival.Lanzones is one of the major fruit producers in the Philippines. Lanzones is a tropical fruit that grows extravagantly on the north-central coast of Mindanao. Lanzones has a pale brown skin and sweet translucent flesh. It is said that the sweetestlanzones in the Philippines comes from Camiguin. The town of Mambajao in Camiguin celebrated its annual festival calledLanzones Festival together with its harvest in the month of October.

3) Churches

  • Old Catarman Church Ruins: The church of the Old Catarman town was destroyed and partly submerged by volcanic debris during the eruption and formation of Mt. Vulcan from 1871 to 1875. Also known as Gui-ob Church, only the ruins of the church and bell tower remains of the old town. An unsightly modern white lighthouse was recently erected close to the bell tower
  • Baylao Church: The Church located in Brgy. Baylao in Mambajao is claimed to be miraculous attributed to saving many lives during the last volcanic eruption of Hibok-hibok
  • Santo Rosario Church: The Santo Rosario Church in the municipality of Sagay was built in 1882 using coral stones. The church is decorated with driftwood chandeliers, the sawali (woven bamboo skin) walls, the ornamental plants at the entrance, bamboo columns, and other environment-friendly materials.
4) Springs
  • Ardent Hot Spring. At the foot of Hibok-Hibok Volcano bubble the mineral pools of Ardent Hot Springs. Wisps of steam can be seen rising from the running waters heat by the cauldron of the mountain, the most recently active of the seven volcanoes on the island. Entrance fee is also at 30 pesos.
  • Sto. NiƱo Cold Springs and Bura Natural Soda Water Swimming Pool in Catarman are other popular places to get a relaxing dip on the island. Entrance fee in Bura Soda Water Spring is 30 pesos. The pool was divided into two areas, obviously for the swimmers and non-swimmers.
5) Sunken Cemetery

During the volcanic birth of Mt. Vulcan that lasted from 1871 to about 1875, some areas in the town of Bonbon subsided, sinking the cemetery of the town to below sea level. The place is commemorated by a huge cross erected in 1982. 
6) Waterfalls
  • Katibawasan Falls. Located 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Mambajao, the Katibawasan Falls cascades 250 ft (76 m) down to a pool surrounded by orchids and ferns. An invigorating dip on the pool is popular especially on warmer days and several hiking trails are within the park. This is also the favorite jump-off point for trekkers and mountaineers in search of adventure on the slopes of Mt. Timpoong.
Admission Fee
    • Adult - 20 pesos
    • Children - 5 pesos
    • Students - 10 pesos

  • Tuasan Falls is located 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of Catarman. Getting to the falls entails a very scenic hike passing through the Barrio of Mainit, Catarman and along the rocky river bed. The pool below the waterfalls is deep and clear. The surrounding scenery is unspoiled and perfect for a peaceful picnic, the only sounds around you is that of the tumbling falls and running water. There is no entrance fee but you have to hire a tour guide to take you the waterfalls. The water is very clear and clean.
7) Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
It is an 8 kilometer path with 14 human-sized stations situated at Mt. Vulcan in Barangay Bonbon, Catarman. The spot is actually one of the famous tourist destinations in Camiguin Island especially during the Lenten Season as it serves as a pilgrimage site to Roman Catholic devotees.
This photo was taken in White Island Camiguin (October 2009) with the boats in the background.

Happy Travels!

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