Today I wondered what to check out first. I came to Davao with two main activity highlights: 1) Go sky cycling at Eden Nature Park, 2) Get a shot of Mount Apo. But despite residing at a dormitel situated on Mt. Apo street, the famed mountain — the largest in Philippines — was nowhere near me. Heck, Mount Apo, wasn’t even visible from Davao City! It seems Mount Apo is so huge that most people just go there as part of a multi-day trek.
I couldn’t do that since I only had two more days in Davao so I figured I’ll go check out Eden Nature Park. I followed the instructions on their website on how to get to Eden Nature Park and boarded a jeepney going to Toril (₱20). The landmark given to get down at was a Mercury Drug Store in Toril.
I sat up front beside the driverSaw where the SM Davao mall is located. We were driving down McArthur HighwayIt was a looooong ride to TorilNearly an hour later, I got down at a junction at Toril where you have a Chowking to your leftThis was taken while I was standing on the left side. Across the road is the Mercury Drug Store. From here there were many bike taxis offering to take you to Eden Nature ParkOn Eden Nature Park’s website, they mentioned bike taxis would charge ₱80 for the ride from the junction at Toril to the entrance of the park. But the bike taxis guys here were pushing for ₱200! I told them about ₱80 and they scoffed claiming that was more than a year ago. I bargained as much as I could but eventually settled for ₱150. I couldn’t delay myself anymore.It was a 20 minute bike ride up to the park’s entranceThe good roads for much of the journey gave way to a bad, pot-holed stretchBut the park was close now
It was along this road I saw signs pointing to Mount Apo. Excited about seeing Mt. Apo after my time at Eden Nature Park, I asked the bike taxi driver if he could take me to Mt. Apo National Park so that I could just take a photo of the mountain. But the driver told me it’s still many kilometres further from Eden Nature Park.
Anyway, the bike taxi dropped me at the entrance to Eden Nature Park and I made way to the ticket counter. I bought the ₱200 entry ticket which is the basic entry fee access to the park. I needn’t buy the tickets for the Sky Cyle and zip line from this counter as the attendant told me I could do the same in the Sky Cycle area.
I picked up a map of Eden Nature Park (free)That’s the main ticket counter and where the restaurants areI was making my way out againEven though it felt like nobody was going to Eden Nature Park when I was on the bike coming here, there were no shortage of visitors today. Many come by private tour vans or their own vehicles.The road leading out to the exitThis is the main roadThe Sky Cycle and zip lines are across on the other side of the roadOn the left is where we can buy tickets for the Sky Cycle rideThis is also where the zip lining isThat’s the tower from where you begin sky cycling and zipliningYou have some horse riding and other kiddy activities on this side too
I bought the ₱300 (Rs. 418/$6/€5) ticket for both Sky Cycle and zip line (it’s cheaper if you buy the combo ticket). The ticket price includes a basic lunch meal. Then I sat down at the waiting area for my turn.
I was excitedZip lining was a lot quickerSky Cycle speeds depend on how fast you pedalQuite a sight isn’t it? The distance didn’t seem too far awayEnough time for a selfie!
When my number was up, I climbed up the tower with my GoPro, leaving my locked bag at the visitor’s area.
Those are Eden’s own greenhouses where they grow a variety of vegetables and other plantsA lady zip-lining above meI had to get strapped upTime for me to ‘cycle in the sky’. Gulp!Ready…Set……and we’re off!That guy was way ahead of me… or maybe it’s because I was just pedaling slowlyI was a bit nervous and I tried not to look down. But the main reason I rode slowly is because… well, as you can see in the photo. I was just using one hand to hold the handle bar.If you are wondering how the cycles stay steady, the tires have been removed and replaced with a groove that just rolls into the beam. That and a steel rod connects the bike to the steel cable above. The same cable above is also where the passenger’s harness is secured to.Half way thereThat’s the view of Davao from the Sky CycleIt wasn’t easy to click photos, but if you ride slowly, you canWhen I reached the second tower, I got off the cycle, they turned the cycle around, checked the safety harness and only then allowed me go. This gave me time to set up my GoPro to record video.
(I merged the Sky Cycle and zip line videos into one video which you can see below)
After I returned to the first tower, I was un-strapped of the harness I was wearing. Now it was time for me to strap on the harness for the zip line.
First up, photosNeedless to say, the zip line is a LOT faster than riding the Sky CycleI reached the other side.
On the way back, I took a video — which you can see after the Sky Cycle ride (at the 2:06 mark).
And with that, I was back on my feet and on the groundI walked down to check out the Greenhouses for a bitThis one was growing tomatoesThe view of the Sky Cycle riders from the greenhousesAt ₱300 for both the Sky Cycle ride and zip line, I guess it’s good value. After all, I don’t know of many places in the world that offers such a unique experience.
Mind you the ticket includes a lunch meal and I was going to the small restaurant where they serve it next.
I decided to make the second half of my time at Eden Nature Park as a second post.
