Waaaaaah! I am back! After a 3-month long hiatus. As per usual, I've been busy with a lot of things, especially at work, where I spend most of my time on a daily basis. Imagine getting to work at 8 am in the morning and getting off at 8pm or so. Yeah, it's exhausting but I enjoy what I do so there's that.
As some of you may know, no, scratch that, everyone knows that Coldplay is coming to Manila next year and I'm so psycheeeeeddddd about that. I've been waiting for this since I became a fan, way back 2008 or 2009. And NOOOOOWWWWW, they will come here! Ahhhhh. The excitement is so... ughhhhh. You get what I mean? So yeah, can't wait to see the band next year. :)
CURRENTLY
READING
Follow Me by David Platt
WRITING
Now, I'm working on my stripped down post for this blog, where I will share the things that's been happening with my life, things that are giving me the emotional roller coaster this past few months. I want to tell you guys the things that's occupying my head for a numerous number of times daily. Haha Too formal. You'll know what's been going on with my life this past months and what nots. I will pour my heart out and tell you guys everything. Anyways, that post will be up in a few days so stay tuned.
LISTENING
PARADISE (Coldplay, A Head Full of Dreams) on loop since this afternoon.
This song is giving me all the feels right now. It's been giving me good vibes and perking up my mood lately. But then of course, what ever you are feeling, Coldplay has a perfect song for you.
THINKING
about what December has in store for me. Now that November is coming to an end, I'm looking forward for more adventures before the year 2016 ends. I've been thinking to go on cafe-hopping/museum-hopping/bookstore-hopping with this guy, a good friend of mine. He just gets me. We obvs have the same taste in books, movies, intellectual needs and every minor thing that's going on inside our head. He's more of like my intellectual soulmate.
WATCHING
I'm catching up on How To Get Away With Murder Season 3, the 9th episode was their winter finale and they will be back on January 2017. I already finished the 9 episodes tho, I just wanted to watch it again and check if I missed anything important from the series' previous episodes. Haha. You know, this show has a lot of twists and turns that if you blink your eyes, you might miss something pivotal to the show.
WISHING
for April to come fast! I just can't wait for Coldplay to come here and see them perform live!
HOPING
for my superiors to approve my 4 - day leave on December. I will be going to Baguio this December 26-29 to attend the iDisciple Camp with my church mates.
WEARING
My church clothes, too lazyyyyyy to change. Haha
LOVING
the book (Follow Me) I'm reading now. It's about discipleship which is the primary concern in our church right now. I'm halfway through the book and I already learned so many things about being fishers of men. It's feeding off my spiritual needs and I'm still craving for more. Can't wait to finish the book!
WANTING
to eat burgers with fries in the Burger Lab located in MOA. Ever since I saw their ad on FB, I've been wanting to visit the store and make my own burger!
NEEDING
to get some time off. The only day off I have is Sunday, which is obvs always well spent! But still, I feel like I need to have a 3 day or more rest days this coming week. I don't want to get exhausted of work and I don't want to have the feeling of not wanting to go to work this Monday.
FEELING
an emotional roller coaster because of things that happened this past week. The feeling of being jubilant, sappy and disappointed all at the same time. Will try to get back on track and back to the ecstatic mood I've gotten ever since the announcement of the Coldplay concert next year!
Have a great week ahead!
(Join the TSC link-up by Siddathornton)
Have a great week ahead!
(Join the TSC link-up by Siddathornton)
Just because I can't get enough of the beauty of Davao, I decided to make a list of places to visit when in Davao. I'm so thankful because I was able to visit a lot of places when I was in Davao. I also visited their well-known malls which is the Abreeza mall and Gaisano Mall aka the "G mall". Though 5 meals/day are included in our accommodation, we went there to shop for food for snacks and water to consume during our stay there, what a foodie! I'm so happy we have a lot of free time in between the workshops and seminars, we were able to visit a few places around the area of the hotel where we are staying. Aside from the places I included in my "Exploring Davao Day 1 & 2" posts, the places that I included below are also a must- visit!
BONE MUSEUM
A first in Mindanao, and one-of-its-kind in the Philippines, D' Bone Collector Museum is a welcome addition to the ever growing number of museums in Davao City. The Museum features a unique collection of over 200 well-preserved skeletons of various animal species from different environments such as the plains, shallow seas and reefs, tropical rainforests, lowlands, and arid regions, including the skeletal remains of two rare sperm whales, one of which is a 41-foot (12.4 meters) long sperm whale which is the largest species of toothed whale and on display at the center of the Museum. The bones of the sperm whales are among the 47 skeletal remains displayed in the world and two of only four in the Philippines.
How to get there
D’ Bone Collector Museum is located at Family Circus Compound, Barangay 76-A, in Bucana along San Pedro Street Extension, Davao City.
Museum Hours
The Museum is open from Mondays through Fridays, 10 AM to 5 PM, and on Saturdays from 1 PM to 5 PM only.
Admission Rates
Children and Students - P40.00
Adult/s - P50.00
Contact Information
D’ Bone Collector Museum Inc.
Barangay 76-A, Bucana, San Pedro Extension
Davao City 8000, Philippines
For reservations call 0919-624-0744
E-mail crocodiledd1@yahoo.com
Please visit the Museum's Facebook page
Museo Dabawenyo (Davao Museum)
The Museo Dabawenyo is one of the Divisions under the City Mayor’s Office of the City Government of Davao established through City Ordinance No. 0266-06 Series of 2006. It is being run in collaboration with the private sector. It is a "people's museum" and its programs are geared towards better historical and cultural awareness, understanding and integration.
Admission Rates
Adults – P100.00
Students – P20.00
Students must present their school ID to avail the student price. Don’t forget to ask for an official receipt.
How to get there
The Museum of Davao is located about 8 kilometers from the city center. It is along J.P. Laurel Avenue going north-east. Take a jeepney/taxi going to Insular Phase 1 or Lanang. If you’re on a jeepney, tell the driver to drop you off at the entrance gate or Jose Rafael Fine Coffee (near the entrance). In the guard house, tell the guard you’ll visit Davao Museum. Turn right on first corner then turn left on the next. Meters away you will see Davao Museum, a small building (which looks like a house) painted in white. Taxi from the City Center should cost about P150, jeepney fare is at P8.
If there’s a direct path from Davao International Airport to Davao Museum, it’ll only be 3 kilometers away. But since there’s none, you need to take the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH 26) going to Mamay Road then to J.P. Laurel Avenue which is about 7 kilometers. Taxi fare from the Airport going to Davao Museum is about P135.
Museum Hours
Davao Museum is open from Monday to Saturday at 9:00 am to 12:00 nn and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is closed during Sundays and Holidays.
Contact Information
For more information about Davao Museum of History and Ethnography, please contact Angely Chi (Researcher 2) at mobile number +63 908-547-0950 or landline +63 82 233-1734. Alternately you can contact them via email at davaomuseum@yahoo.com.
CROCODILE PARK
The Davao Crocodile Park all started from the enchantment of the owner, Mr. Philip Dizon, to Freshwater and Saltwater Crocodiles. It was not in his mind that this is a moneymaking business until he realized that crocodiles are raised in the United States of America not just for public viewing but for production of leather to be made into bags, belts and shoes as well. It was in November 1995 when the government has given Mr. Philip Dizon the accreditation and permits to operate the 1st ever Davao Crocodile Park. 10 years later, on August 18, 2005, the world-class Crocodile Park was opened with the help of the consultant Dr. Gilbert Buenviaje. The Davao Crocodile Park Inc. is owned and operated by a group of businessmen headed by Mr. Sonny Dizon, a resident of Davao City.
Admission Rates
Adult/s - P150.00
Children - P75.00
Davao Crocodile Park Show Schedule
Monday to Sunday
9:00 AM -11:00 AM - Animal Petting (Reptiles and Raptors)
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Animal Petting (Reptiles and Mammals)
Friday to Sunday : Animal Shows (PM)
3:15 - 3:30 - Crocodile Dancing
3:30 - 4:00 - Tightrope Walker and Stunts
4:00 - 4:30 - Pangil Encounter
4:30 - 4:45 - Crocodile Frenzy
4:45 - 5:00 - Crocodile Feeding
How to get there
Davao Crocodile Park is located in Davao Crocodile Park Complex in Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City. From the city center take a Buhangin Route Jeepney (P7 fare) and inform the driver to drop you in the “Habal-habal” (motorcycle for hire) area in the corner of the Diversion Road. A habal-habal can take you directly to the park for P20-P40 depending on how you negotiate with the driver.
Contact Information
Riverfront, Corporate City, Diversion Highway
Ma-a, Davao City 8000 Philippines
Phone: (082) 286-8883 or (082) 286-1054
Telefax: +63.082.221.4671
Email: johnrie@davaocrocodilepark.com
Website: www.davaocrocodilepark.com
Of course! Like I said in my "Exploring Davao Day 2" post, this place was my favorite among the places I visited during our stay in Davao. The place is so beautiful and very calming. I was able to clear my thoughts and let myself get lost in the beauty of the scenery. It was a perfect place to relax, if you want to get away from the stress of Manila.
PARADISE ISLAND
Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort, or simply 'Paradise Island' as fondly called by the locals, started as a simple picnic destination for the family and friends of the owners and from then on it grew to what is it today - a favorite longtime weekend destination of Davaoenos and foreign tourists alike. It is located in Caliclic, Babak in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) of Davao del Norte, about 20 minutes from mainland Davao City.
Admission Rates
Day Tour - P100.00
Overnight - P200.00
How to get there
The Resort is only a 20-minute boat ride from Kilometer 9, Sasa Wharf in Davao City. Ferry Service is from 5 AM to 5 PM.
Contact Information
Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort
Caliclic, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal
Davao del Norte Philippines 8118
Tels (082) 233-0251, (082) 234-1229 and (082) 300-2343
Fax (082) 234-2926
Mobile +63920- 954-6780
Email paradiseislanddavao@gmail.com
Website www.paradiseislanddavao.com
On our last day in Davao, which is a Saturday. The conference ended at noon and our flight back to Manila was scheduled at 10 in the evening, so we still have a few hours to kill. We decided to go to Samal Island and visit a few beaches and places there. We visited the Monfort Bat Cave, Hagimit Falls and Paradise Island. The last itinerary was my favorite, which is the Paradise Island. The island of Samal has a lot to offer, if only we have a lot of time left, we would've visited all the places, especially the beaches located in the island. The ride in the ferry boat was actually fun, though it was only a 10 minute ride, we just decided to take pictures and enjoy the experience.
MONFORT BAT CAVE
Monfort Bat Cave houses approximately 1.8 million Geoffroy's Rousette Fruit Bats (Rousettus Amplexicaudatus) which is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest colony of Geoffrey's Rousette Fruit Bat in the world. It is owned by Norma Monfort and the park is approximately 23 hectares in size.
Admission Rates
Adults: Php 100.00
4-15 years old: Php 40.00
Monfort Conservation Park Day Tours:
Open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm 7 days a week.
Monfort Bat Cave Day Viewings:
School AM Tour with Pack Lunch
Pre-Arranged for schools only
from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Php 200.00
Inclusions: Access Fee, Guided Tour, Snacks, Bat Education Materials
School PM Tour with PM Snack Bag
Pre-Arranged for schools only
from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Minimum of 6 pax
Php 150.00
Inclusions: Access Fee, Guided Tour, Snacks, Bat Education Materials
Bat Emergence Night Tour (BEN)
Pre-Arranged Basic BEN Tour for schools only
from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Minimum of 6 minutes
Maximum of 30 Pax
Php 100.00
Inclusions: Access Fee, Welcome Drink, Bat Watching Etiquette Briefing
Live emergence watching of circadian flight:
10 persons allowed entry at a time
Cameras are prohibited during BEN Tours to avoid startling/blinding the emerging bats.
How to get there
It is located at Barangay Tambo, Babak District which is just around 15-20 minutes habal-habal/tricycle ride from the Babak Wharf.
Contact Information
Monfort Conservation Park
Barangay Tambo, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
Contact Nos: (082)221-8925, (082)305-8925
Mobile No: 0917-7052228
Email Address: info@batsanctuary.org
HAGIMIT FALLS
It is located in Peñaplata District in the Island Garden City of Samal. It consists of several small waterfalls and is surrounded by unspoiled nature and trees, mostly of the hagimit trees (Ficus minahassae). This is where the waterfall got its name.
Admission Rates
P40.00 per person plus P5.00 environmental fee
Contact Information
Hagimit Falls and Nature Park
Poblacion, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
Mobile No: 09997055330, 09234384689
