Philippines: Scuba diving for the first time, at Samal Island (Davao)

By Mithun Divakaran
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Sep 23, 2014
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Philippines, Travel

Date: May 6, 2014

The plan for today began with the idea that I would take a ferry to Samal island and hope to go an island tour from there. Trouble is, it wasn’t easy to book tours to the island as the few travel agencies I made contact with at Davao City told me they only do the tours on certain days and that too if they get enough tourists.

So figuring I could try my luck and find some tour agency near Davao port, I took a taxi to get there early enough. When I was dropped off near the port entrance, I saw many dive centers.

Carabao Dive Center Davao Philippines — Carabao Dive Center was a name I came across when researching Davao tours

I inquired about their ‘introductory dive’ scheme which cost ₱850 (₹1100/$19/€14). To my luck, they told me there was a group today and if I pay up, I could join them. I thought about whether to do a Samal island tour — or (finally) experience scuba diving for the first time.

Scuba diving it was!

I paid up, and was asked by the staff to choose a wetsuit and scuba foot fin that fit me.

Davao port sea side — I was a bit nervous, and at the same time excited. Although I have always wanted to try scuba diving, I never planned for it today!

Davao port Philippines — We walked towards our boat

Davao port tour boats Philippines — The boat ride to the dive spot wasn’t very far off

Scuba dive boat tourists Davao — This was my group

Loading up the boat scuba tour Davao — They loaded up the boat

Boys swimming Davao Philippines — And we were finally off!

Continue reading “Philippines: Scuba diving for the first time, at Samal Island (Davao)” »

Philippines: Philippine Eagle Center, Davao

By Mithun Divakaran
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Aug 29, 2014
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Philippines, Travel

Date: May 5, 2014

After an eventful day at Eden Nature Park yesterday, I realized I had to make yet another long journey today to get to the Philippine Eagle Center. Using public transportation, you first need to get to Calinan and then to Malagos.

After breakfast, I walked from Green Windows Dormitel to Calinan Transit Terminal near Bankerohan Public Market.

Durian jeepney Davao Philippines — They had to offload quite a few durians at the market before the jeepney could set off for Calinan 🙂

Davao highway Philippines — The jeepney ride to Calinan costs ₱45 and it took an hour or so

Once I reached Calinan, bike taxis approached me asking if I wanted to go to the Philippine Eagle Center. It cost ₱20, so I hopped on one and I was on my way.

Davao town Philippines — It wasn’t a short ride to Malagos but it only costs ₱20

I was dropped at the entrance to a park, for which the entry fee was ₱5. The Philippine Eagle Center is housed inside this park.

Water reservoir Davao Philippines — Some water reservoir

Philippine Eagle Center Malagos — This was the entrance to the Philippine Eagle Center

The entry ticket for the Philippine Eagle Center costs ₱50 (₹69/$1/€0.8).

Philippines Eagle Center walk — The park didn’t seem very big

Visitor steps Philippines Eagle Center — As a fund-rasing scheme, visitors can pay to have their names on concrete slabs and leave a memorabilia behind. As long as you don’t mind being stepped on.

Continue reading “Philippines: Philippine Eagle Center, Davao” »

Feeding butterfly watermelon Davao Philippines

Philippines: Attractions at Eden Nature Park… and getting lost

By Mithun Divakaran
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Aug 19, 2014
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Philippines, Travel

Date: May 4, 2014

The first half of my day was spent at the SkyCycle and zipline area. Now it was time for lunch.

Forest path Eden Nature park Davao — I crossed the road and walked to the cafe where my lunch coupon was valid

Restaurant Eden Nature park Davao — This is the main restaurant at Eden Nature Park

Buffet Eden Nature Park Davao — They have buffet lunch too, but that costs extra

Cafe Eden Nature park Davao — This is the cafe where I was going to get my ‘lunch’ as included in the ticket

Spaghetti tomato sauce Eden Nature park — A glass of soft drink, a cupcake and a plate of spaghetti with meat sauce, and garlic bread

If you are wondering where the meat in the sauce is… yeah I wondered that too. I only got mushroom bits, and when I asked the server where the beef bits where, he looked at the plate and poured more of the same sauce.

So after a sloppy, lousy spaghetti meal, I began to explore the rest of the park.

Family Village Eden Nature Park Davao — I walked to the Family Village

Philippines monkey Eden Park Davao — More of a mini-zoo really. This the Philippines Monkey.

Cockatoo Eden Nature park Davao — Cockatoo

Peacock Eden Nature park Davao — Peacocks

There were a few more animals and birds but it was all things I had seen at many other zoos or bird parks. Plus the condition the cages were in were pretty poor. So I felt guilty standing there taking photos of these animals. Continue reading “Philippines: Attractions at Eden Nature Park… and getting lost” »