Touring Fort Santiago

Five years ago was when I first set foot on Manila. But it was only this year that I was able to visit that part of Manila which is very rich in history. I'm talking about Intramuros: the walled city of Manila. This post is particularly dedicated to Fort Santiago.

Fort Santiago is a defense fortress which was created way back during the time when the Philippines was under the power of Spain. Jose Rizal, our national hero, was imprisoned here in Fort Santiago before he was executed. During the American regime in 1900's, Fort Santiago has also become the training ground for American troops, it served as the headquarters of the U. S. Army. Later on, Fort Santiago was attacked by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

The fort has mostly been restored and it has become a tourist destination. A lot of improvements have also been constructed in place. There are also several vintage canons displayed at Fort Santiago. Some of these canons were from Cebu.

Catholicism was introduced by the Spaniards during the colonization. That time, there are four kinds of priests in the Philippines: the Dominican, Augustine, Jesuit, and Franciscan. The great influence of the church has remained until today.

This is kalesa: the Filipino's vintage way of transportation. It is a carriage pulled by a horse. The person who guides the horse is called a kutchero. You can hire a kalesa to tour you around for a fee of 50 pesos.

Here I am posing with my friends from Thailand.

Although our guided tour was done in a hurry because of time constraints, I was glad that I visited Fort Santiago. Our guided tour cost us P500. Entrance fees to the Fort Santiago is P75 for an adult and P50 for students.

If you're hungry after touring Fort Santiago, I recommend going to Ilustrado Restaurant in Intramuros and taste heritage Filipino cuisine.

Delta Discovery Park: Longest Zipline in Asia

I was on vacation last week and my feet brought me to Delta Discovery Park in Bonbon, Butuan City. Delta Discovery Park houses the longest zipline in Asia as of this writing. The zipline is 1.3 kilometers long and it took me about 1 minute and 30 seconds to traverse it. Delta Discovery Park opened last May 8, 2011.

It's not my first time to ride the zip line but it certainly was a new experience to be suspended on air for more than 1 minute. Also, the zip line would traverse part of the mountain which was scraped to make way for a road. That was the most interesting part of the ride (watch at 0:50 on the video).

To reach Delta Discovery Park, a 4x4 jeep would fetch you from the lower part of Bonbon and this jeep would bring you to an exciting ride up above the mountain. Some say that the jeep ride is an adventure in itself, it truly is!

Rates:

Entrance Fee - P20.00
Zipline (1.3 km) - P650.00; Re-ride: P200.00
Zipline (400m, two-way) - P350.00; Re-ride: P100.00
Swimming Pool - P100.00
Transportation - P150.00 (minimum)
ATV Ride - P500.00
Buggy - P700.00

Road Trip from Agusan to Misamis Oriental

Unexpected road trips are a part of my life.

Here are some snapshots of my February road trip to some places in Agusan, Cabadbaran, and Misamis Oriental. All photos were taken while inside a moving vehicle.

The road going to Misamis Oriental

Magsaysay Town Hall

Magsaysay is a little municipality in Misamis Oriental. It's a small municipality but I'm amazed at how almost all of their roads are already cemented.

Cabadbaran City Lighthouse

I have to admit that I've seen this lighthouse more than once and I want to really alight from the car and explore the lighthouse. However, I haven't really set my foot on Cabadbaran, I was just passing through.

View from the zigzag roads of Misamis Oriental

Road block: We witnessed an accident along the way. This container van has probably lost its brakes.

These photos were taken mid of February but Christmas decorations are still around. We found this municipality hall of Carmen still with their "Season's Greetings." 

Carmen Town Hall looks a lot like a barbie mansion

Closer look

What I love about road trips is the greenery that I see. Falcata trees are abundant in Agusan del Norte. This is also one of the spots that I want to take photos of, of course, while not inside the car.

Falcata trees make great background for photos

I'll be going back to Butuan City in a few days but I'll be taking a plane this time. I wonder how these areas would look like from a bird's eye view....

Revisited: Manila Ocean Park

My first visit to Manila Ocean Park was way back 2008. I was not very impressed then. Maybe because Manila Ocean Park has just begun its operation and there were several empty tanks on their oceanarium. If I remember it correctly, Manila Ocean Park only had an oceanarium when I first visited there.

Fast forward to this day in 2012, I am so proud of the improvements in Manila Ocean Park. Our Ultimate Experience Ticket included the following shows and attractions:

1. Sea Lion Show + Marine Life Habitat
2. All Star Bird Show
3. Oceanarium
4. Trails to Antartica (Penguin Exhibit, Slide 'O Fun, Snow Village)
5. Jellies Exhibit
6. Musical Fountain Show

The Ultimate Experience ticket cost us P899. This is a discounted package for the Pre-Chirstmas Bonanza promo of the Manila Ocean park which is available from October 2, 2012 to November 30, 2012.

Since we arrived at Manila Ocean Park at 10:00 AM, we were finished with touring the place and attending the animal shows by around 3:00 PM. Unfortunately, the Musical Fountain Show would start only at 7:00 PM and it would be a hassle to wait for it. We decided to skip the Musical Fountain Show. 

A good thing, though, is that you can keep your tickets for the Musical Fountain Show and save it for some other day. Therefore, you can still get the chance to watch it on the succeeding days. 

To guide you on Manila Ocean Park's operating schedule, here's a photo that I grabbed from www.manilaoceanpark.com

A visit to Manila Ocean Park is a MUST when visiting Manila. It will be worth it!

I will make separate posts for the attractions and shows that I've witnessed in Manila Ocean Park. I'm sure that you, too, will enjoy it. Wait for it in the coming days. (--,)

Davao Destination: SM Lanang Premier

Who's excited for the opening of Davao's newest destination? I am!

SM Lanang Premier will open its doors for the very first time on September 28, 2012, at 10:00 in the morning. SM Lanang Premier will be the biggest mall in Mindanao with a total floor area of 144,000 square meters, and lot area of 10 hectares.

Davao's newest destination will house the first ever IMax Theater in Mindanao, 122-meter dancing fountain, Sky Garden, and SM Center Stage. New facilities and entertainment such as SM Bowling, SM Science Discovery Center, and SMX Convention Center.

I will have to admit that I am most excited about the opening of Forever 21. Finally, the source of all things fashion at reasonable prices has finally reached Davao. I know I'm not the only girl who's drooling to go hoard clothes and accessories at Forever 21.

SM Premier will also be the very first pet-friendly city in Davao. You can bring your pets inside the mall, too, provided that you carry them. =)

Meet the Aporbo Siblings

That girl is fondly called Lang-Lang. She's in her early teens and currently studying in high school. She's the only female skim boarder in Amihan Team and she taught me how to surf. She's not only good at surfing, she is great at skim boarding, too, as you can see from the photo above.

Lang-Lang seems to be the odd person within the team being the only female, the only rose among the thorns, as they say. But, she's never alone because she has her kuya Bayogyog, who happens to be the ultimate achiever in Amihan Team. Just recently, Bayogyog was declared champion in a skim boarding competition held in Leyte. Bayogyog and Lang-Lang Aporbo are truly worth emulating.

Bayogyog doing skimboard tricks

The Aporbo siblings did not let poverty get in the way, instead, they used their talents and skills to be able to go to school and be successful in their endeavors. You will often find these two, along with the other members of the Amihan Team, scouting the best waves to practice. Visit them at Amihan sa Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Davao Life Is Here: Malagos Garden Resort

How's that for a welcome? (--,)

We were surprised with a grand treat from Malagos Garden Resort.

We were greeted with birds and butterflies.

And oh, what a lovely banquet! 

Delectable greens paired with cheese from their own goats.

Fresh fruits, sweet and juicy!

Can I interest you on some grilled chicken for lunch?

Or how about a healthy serving of Kalderetang Kambing?

And let's not forget the resort-produced Bignay wine.

Take some rest with their accommodation suites.

And get ready with your cameras as you explore nature.

You don't have to chase birds.

They are friendly little creatures.

This is one of the happiest days of my life!

Do you want to experience being one with nature? Visit Malagos Garden Resort at Calinan, Davao City. For more information, visit www.malagos.com.

All photos are courtesy of Jay Alfelor.

Sul Orchids Davao

If you're ready to feast your eyes with a festival of orchids with different shapes, sizes and colors, visit Sul Orchids at Mintal, Davao City. Sul Orchids is an orchid farm, there are no entrance fees, and you can get a free orchid farm tour if you wish. The orchids in this farm are for sale at affordable prices.

As soon as you set foot at Sul Orchids, you'll be greeted with an array of Dendrobium varieties already in full bloom. If you go further, you'll see Vanda Terete, Phalaenopsis, and of course, the famous Waling-Waling. Of all the orchids I've seen, I have a favorite: Kagawara Christie Lou.

And at the risk of being redundant, here's my photo posing beside Kagawara Christie Lou. Thanks to Kikit for taking this photo.

Davao Life Is Here: D' Japanese Tunnel

It was a gloomy day.We took a right turn from Bangkal towards Peace Avenue and a few moments later, we crossed the Diversion Road and was welcomed by the warm staff of D' Japanese Tunnel. Our itinerary included a tour that would take us around 15 minutes inside a 150-meter tunnel dug several decades ago. 

It was not my first time to visit here, but it would definitely be my first time to enter the tunnel. I'd have to think of happy thoughts and shove images of earthquakes and collapsed mining sites in my head just to make me have that little courage to set my foot on the dark tunnel. 

Then somebody turned on the lights, it wasn't really scary, after all. And we were 10 in the group, plus the two accommodating staff of D' Japanese tunnel who told us stories on how, when, and why these tunnels were dug. It was quite an interesting story. This tunnel has been dug during the 1940's, before the war between Japan and America broke. Poor Philippines, our country was a battlefield, and this tunnel would served as the Japanese's hiding place for their army, guns, ammunition, and even treasure!

Artifacts were found in this tunnel, like the molds the Japanese used for the gold bars and some of their arms. D' Japanese tunnel has preserved this tunnel, even the monkey cage that used to hold 5 or 6 persons for detention. Improvements have also been introduced, like these statues that shows us some glimpses of how this tunnel used to be. Also, the muddy trail is now replaced with a concrete path to allow visitors to explore without getting their feet dirty.

Dug by hundreds of Filipinos with the use of a shovel, this tunnel has actually stood the test of time and earthquakes. The tunnel ends in the General's Office. Though we can clearly see that at the back of the "General's Office" is a continuation of the tunnel and what seems to be three different paths that lead to who know where? We were told that some of these tunnels would take you to Malagos and to other different parts of Davao. But we can't fully satisfy our adventurous cravings because it's prohibited to explore deeper into the tunnel.

Apart from being a historical site, D' Japanese Tunnel has amenities such as swimming pool, restaurant, and hotel accommodation. It's actually befitting to take some rest on their rooms after exploring the tunnel and getting a short Japanese historical crash course.

But, this is not the end of the Japanese historical crash course. Some more Japanese historical sites will be featured on our next post as we drive up all the way to Mintal, Davao City. Maybe the tunnel would really lead to Mintal, don't you think?

This is part 1 of a series of post about Davao Familiarization Tour

 sponsored by the Davao City Tourism Office. 

All photos in this post courtesy of Jay Alfelor.

Hotel Tropika

Hotel Tropika is a 30-room hotel located at Km. 7 Lanang, Davao City. The guest rooms are equipped with either King-sized or twin beds. Each room has a flat-screen tv, writing desk, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facility, and hot and cold shower. They also have 2 function rooms which, when joined, can accommodate up to 70 guests.

Each room has a good view of the garden. The hotel is located around 100 meters away from the national road so even an afternoon nap is possible without being distracted by vehicle or traffic noises.

Read after the jump to see more photos.

Tagum City: Banana Beach

Welcome to Banana Beach: The only beach resort in a banana plantation.

It's weird having a beach resort in a banana plantation. Stories about Banana Beach, both good and bad, have already passed through my ears so I basically know what to expect. But I haven't really seen photos of the resort before we went there on a cool Sunday morning so I was in the mood to discover what Banana Beach has to offer.

The Tourist Center greeted us with a bang. You can arrange everything here: the length of your stay, the package/s you wish to avail, payments, etc. The lounge area has this really huge and comfortable sofa and I was thinking that the rest of the resort would have the same relaxing atmosphere as the Tourist Center.

Of course, Banana Beach wouldn't be called as such if they didn't have..... bananas!

You can eat as many as you want for free!

Although a lot of water sports such as banana boat, water trampoline, and skimboarding are also available, those activities weren't allowed during our visit due to the Amihan season. The resort staff have high regard for the guests' safety. You wouldn't get bored, though, because you can still have a lot of interesting things to do at Banana Beach.

One of the main attractions of the resort is the swimming pool. The beach isn't as lovely as expected.

The supposedly infinite view was interrupted by trees.

But I love how the trees provided shade.

 

At the back is the main restaurant

A view of the Kiddie Pool

 Below are the shots we took while we roamed around Banana Beach:

A jar of hope?

I was puzzled why there is always a big jar outside each hut, with a peeking banana to boot! I satisfied my curiosity and found out that the jar is actually filled with water and that peeking banana is the handle for a dipper. Beau explained that it could be used to wash the sand off the guests' feet before entering the cottage.

If you're in the mood for fishing, you may do so at their Fishing Spot (The Spot). You can have your catch cooked for an additional fee.

Since the sea is inaccessible for water sports, we availed of what's not prohibited: river kayaking! Though it took us only 30 minutes to kayak (you may also choose to do it for an hour), it was really exhausting. It gave us a good view of the peaceful river and it kinda reminded me of Bohol's Loboc River Tour, although this time, kayaking through the river is much more personal since I'm also doing the rowing.

Our guide took this photo. =)

We spent P750 per person for this day tour. The package is consumable for food and includes unlimited use of the swimming pool, and also consumable for other resort activities. Kayaking rates vary, with the lowest at P250 good for 2 persons for 30 minutes. It would have also been nice to avail of their Forest Tour where you might (or might not) see animals such as wild pig and monkeys.

Banana Beach is a good place to visit with your family. It's a place where relaxation and recreation collide. I'd recommend this if you're touring Tagum City.