We had a very chill first day in Davao, no rushing to the next destination, no pressure in getting to each place in my itinerary. So for our second day, we we're quite excited since we'll be having a little adrenaline rush in Eden Nature Park.

Eden Nature Park is an 80-hectares of man-made forest park situated at the foot of Mt.Talomo in Davao City, 3,000 feet above sea level.

From My Hotel, we find our way to the street where Jeepneys bound for Toril pass by. We asked the driver to drop us at Mercury Drug in Toril and fare is PHP20.00 each. From there, there are habal habal/ tricycles readily available. We took the tricycle for PHP200.00 for the two of us already, habal habal cost PHP150.00 but its too hot and the park is too far from the main road so much better to take the tricycle. What happened is that when we reached the front desk/ day tour center, the tricycle driver asked us another PHP50.00 because he said that they should only be until the main gate but he dropped us 'til the front desk, so we agreed, its just PHP50.00 and we could only think that we gave him a tip because its really too far. But we're wrong, what he's asking is PHP 50.00 for each of us, that's another PHP 100.00. I read in blogs that tricycle from the main road should be PHP200.00 so I immediately grab his offer when we hopped-off the jeep only to ask another PHP100.00 from us because he said the security guard at the entrance of the park ask for food/ fees when they take guest inside the park. But since I gave-in to paying another PHP50.00 the first time he asked, I just agreed to pay PHP100.00 because we're in a hurry to catch the guided shuttle tour. I could have asked the security guard if its true that they ask fees from the driver entering the gate but I don't wanna ruin this trip. PHP100.00 is still PHP100.00. But then, its just PHP100.00 so might as well not ruin the trip with that amount.

Forget about the rant! 

When we reached the Day Tour Center, I immediately approached the front desk to pay for the entrance fee and the activities. I said I would like to take the guided shuttle tour at 10:45AM, but they won't allow us since there is an LGU from General Santos, 400++ pax I think that they still have to finish before catering to other guests. I'm pissed-off again knowing that the next available slot would be at 2:00PM. Like, we were there past 10:00 and we will  take the tour at 2:00PM? I asked her what else could we do while waiting, she suggested we could proceed immediately to the Sky Swing and Sky Cycle area and ask if we could do it. But they won't let us again and again because they still have to finish the LGU. So what should we do? go home?? I was so pissed that time. Not to mention that that area is waaaay too faaaar from the day tour center/ front desk. You still have to go outside the main gate and cross the street. I am thinking that they will let other guests wait for hours just to finish the 400++ pax first. How many hours is that?

Now I'm ranting again!!

I just wanna keep myself cool because there's nothing I could do about that. I didn't call them before going, but there's no announcement on their website either. Why not do a special tour for them while still catering for other guests?

Anyways, enough of that, I promise that's the last rant you could read. 

We just had a picture taking while waiting.....

 We had the buffet lunch at The Vista Restaurant before we proceed to the activity area. Entrance fee that includes the buffet lunch is PHP550.00 each.

After that, we proceed immediately to the Sky Adventure area for the Sky Swing- PHP200.00 and Sky Cycle- PHP200.00.

We had the Sky Swing first because there's a line for Sky Cycle and there's no one brave enough to try the Sky Swing. Sky swing is the first-of-its-kind in Davao City and the resort's highest and fastest adrenaline rush. 

"Ride individually or in tandem, Sky Swing will hoist you 80 feet above ground. In its highest position, the ride reaches a maximum height of 95 feet" says Brenda Ocampo, the resort's marketing manager.

After that, we proceed to Sky Cycle.

I'm not biking, but I know how. But biking from a cable 60 feet high, its a different story. I was so scared at first, I don't have fear of heights, but biking up there is real scary for me. Especially that the boyfie was waaaay ahead of me, maybe because of his weight. He didn't have to pedal, he's just moving on its own because of his weight. Haha! When we reached the other end, I'm telling him to slow down and wait for me, again and again, while on our way back, I'm telling him to slow down. But he said, he's not pedaling anymore and he can't control it. But he can just hit the break so he could stop and wait for me. Wew!   

You can leave your camera and phone to the person in charge so they could take a photo of you while sky cycling.

Afterwards, we went back to the Day Tour Center for the guided shuttle tour. It cost PHP120.00 each.

The guided shuttle tour is a 45-minutes shuttle ride that takes you to the different attractions of the park. This is advisable especially that the park is so huge, you cannot just walk from one spot to another. The tour stops over at three points, The Flower Garden, Tinubdan and Lola's Garden.

• Flower Garden

Dinner

The first time I went to Davao is when we were in transit going to Surigao Del Sur. I knooow, its too far, but Butuan flights are fully booked and we already filed our leave. So what other option we have than wasting our leave is to take the flight to Davao and travel for almost 8 hours or so to Surigao. We weren't able to see Davao then since our itinerary is in Surigao, but I made sure to come back to tour one of the safest city in the world, Davao City. (Check our Surigao Adventure HERE)

Traveling during lean season means having to pray to the Lord every single day that there's no typhoon during our trip. And I think, I'm always lucky in choosing our travel dates because since then, even though we're traveling during the lean season, we always had a good weather during our whole trip. And this trip is the same.

So, last September 23, the boyfie and I had our advance anniversary celebration. We flew via different airlines and just met in Davao Airport before going to the hotel. 

We stayed in My Hotel located in San Pedro Street, Davao City. We  had the double deluxe room which has one queen sized bed, air-conditioning unit, TV, cabinet, bathroom with hot and cold shower and basic toiletries. The room is pretty basic, not fancy but clean. The bathroom is small though that the sink won't fit so they placed it outside. And the air condition is not that cold even though we put it in the coldest temp.

Not complaining with this PHP995.00/ night for two persons room since we were out the whole day.

After resting, we first looked for a restaurant to eat our lunch. We looked for the nearest Penong's we saw on the way to the hotel from the airport. We tried walking because I thought its just near the hotel until we were tired and decided to ask the locals and ride the jeepney.

We ordered their chicken barbecue with unlimited rice, grilled baby back ribs, and green mango shake and boy, that was the bestest green mango shake I've tasted in Davao!! 

After lunch, since I did not research on how to commute to the tourist spots in Davao, we decided to go ride a cab.

Let's start the tour!!

1. D' Bone Collector Museum

"D' Bone Collector Museum is more than just a museum that features bones from animals all over the world. We're a registered non-government organization dedicated to teaching young and old alike to value life and environment by bringing bones back to life" Source: D' Bone Museum

D' Bone Museum is open Monday to Friday, 10:00AM to 5:00PM and Saturday, 1:00PM to 5:00PM.

2. Museo Dabawenyo

The museum showcase the rich historical and cultural heritage of Davao City through the exhibitions in the various galleries in the museum.

Museo Dabawenyo is divided into four rooms;

1. The Indigenous People's Gallery is a collection of arts, crafts, musical instruments made by the different tribes.

2. The Moro People's Gallery is where you can see the miniature houses & boats, musical instruments, chairs, weapons and armors  used by the Muslim people in the southern part of the Philippines.

3. The Contemporary Gallery is a collection of classic and modern designs from wood carving to paintings.

4. The Memorabilia Gallery is a collection of olden day clothes, money, and a lot more.

3. Osmena Park

This park is located in the middle of a busy road where you can find bunch of people offering massage, manicure and pedicure for a minimal fee.

4. San Pedro  Cathedral

The San Pedro Cathedral is the oldest church in Davao City and was named after San Pedro, the patron saint of Davao City.

The San Pedro Cathedral is now recognized as a National Cultural Treasure.

5. Crocodile Park

From San Pedro Cathedral, we rode a cab going to Davao Crocodile Farm is which is about 30 minutes away. Entrance fee to the park is PHP200.00 each which includes an entrance to the Crocodile Park, Butterfly House and Tribu K' Mindanawan.

5. Jack's Ridge Resort & Restaurant

After this, we went back to the hotel to rest and sleep. We are so happy on how our first day went and we're excited on our next day's adventure, the Eden Nature Park!

I made an itinerary for this tour, but we weren't able to follow it because of limited time and lack of research. We missed 4 of 8 places I listed to visit on our Day 1, but nevertheless, its not about how many places you've been to, its all about seeing the beauty and what this place has to offer.

xx, Joyce