Eden Nature Park

Got to visit Eden Nature Park once again. Peace. Serenity. Stillness. Bonding. You've got the best of time and relaxation at Eden.

Entrance Area

Last January 5, 2012, Saturday, we'd a Christmas Recollection at Eden, it was the second time that our annual recollection was held there, the first time was in November 2008. You might wonder why it was called "Christmas Recollection" here's a little explanation: In the Catholic calendar, Christmas season officially begins on the birth of Jesus (December 25) and ends on the Feast Sunday of His Baptism, normally falls on the second Sunday of January (Sunday after the Epiphany or Three Kings), this year, 2013, Feast Sunday of Baptism is on January 13, thus our recollection still falls on the Christmas season :-)

It's good to be at the heart of nature once again with the stunning backdrop of the mountain, rolling hills and green plants, it makes me feel good. The cool breeze of the countryside provides comfort and serenity, it's a welcome respite from the clutters of the daily life in the city.

Actually, I am not really very obsessed with Eden as I grew up in the province with the same landscape of trees and hills but the well-developed environment, organic farm and amenities that Eden provides are what make the  the experience very different. 

Eden is located at Toril approximately one hour ride from Davao city. Visitors may hire a cab from  the city proper as no public utility bus or jeep directly travelling there. What's good at Eden is the private leisure it provides. 

Cottages

Organic Farm

It is a home to botanical garden, bed of flowers, pine trees, organic vegetables, adventure and lush tropical foliage. It has indigenous creatures too with Deer park and Bird walk. Extreme sports adventure can be experienced at Eden too. At night you can go camping at its trail site. Or go walking among boulders in the morning and try zip line in the afternoon. 

Eden offers the best experience of being relaxed and stress-free. The cool mountain air, the fresh organic foods harvested from the farm and the calmness of the surrounding. This nature park resort is truly a good destination to unwind and loosen up.

Green Salad fresh from the resort's organic farm

The first time I visited Eden in 2001 the surrounding was not yet fully developed but the basic facilities were already there, got to ride the cable swing for the first time :-) and we did fishing. In 2008 more amenities were added and the foods had improved!

Taking Indiana Jones this year for the third time

 Second time in November 2008

What to do at Eden:

• Fishing
• Bonding with family and friends
• Eat and eat :-D
• Mountain trekking
• Mountain and sky adventure
• Swimming
• Relax and unwind
• Contemplate :-)

Facilities, Amenities, Leisure Areas:

• Indiana Jones (cable swing)
• Swimming Pool
• Camp site
• Fishing Village
• Skyride
• Botanical Garden
• Restaurant
• Boutique/Souvenir's shop
• Bird walk/Deer park
• Organic farm
• Cottages/Suites
• Function Hall
• Garden Party

At Eden, you can choose to stay overnight or just take a Day tour with family, friends and special someone.

Day Packages:

Entrance and Meal
        Adult: P470.00 Child (4-10 years old): P300.00
Plated Snacks 
       Adult: P200.00 Child (4-10 years old): P170.00

Rates:
Shuttle Tour: P120.00
Skyride rate: P150.00
Horseback Riding: P55.00
Fishing Village: P85.00
Swimming Pool: Adult - P80.00 Child - P55.00

For more information about the resort's room rates, accommodation and other packages for special occasions, visit Eden's official website

Precious Garden and GAP Farm

It's Summer time!!

But my latest visit to Davao's relaxing holiday escapes is not related to summer getaway, we're on a trip for a scheduled pre-nuptial photo shoot of our dear colleagues in the university who are getting married this year, Roy and Juvy.

Our friend, Kathy Dacanay, an aspiring photographer, volunteered to do the job for this photo shoot event and I accompanied them in support hehe!

GAP Farm

Location: Maa Diversion Road

Entrance fee: Php 30.00

Gap farm is one of the oldest mountain resorts in Davao city, when I first came to Davao in early 1990s to attend college, Gap farm was still the most-talked-about holiday getaway in the city because of its soothing environment plus the countryside feel within the city. 

Gap farm is located near the superhighway in the diversion road of Maa, Davao City, just less than an hour drive from the city proper. Its thick rainforest and rolling hills provide visitors with a unique relaxation haven.

How to get there? If you are staying in the Davao City proper, ride a jeep going to Maa then disembark at St. Francis of Assissi Parish and hire a tricycle. Entrance fee is only Php 30.00. Visitors are allowed to bring food and drinks. If you want convenience, ride a jeep from downtown then disembark at NCCC mall and hire a taxi cab for Gap farm.

Gap farm is purely a farm resort with tropical trees, botanical gardens, hills and park benches. There's a Japanese tunnel within the resort, entrance fee is only Php 10.00. Horseback riding is also available. If you choose not to bring food and drinks, there's a mini-restaurant serving fresh farm foods.

Farming mode hehe!

With the future bride, Juvy Panos

It's a very scenic and relaxing resort, away from hustle and bustle of the city. You can hear the sweet sounds of the tweeting birds, very soothing! There's a swimming pool inside the resort too near the restaurant.

PRECIOUS GARDEN

Location: Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Province

Entrance fee in the restaurant is free as long as you will order food hehe!

After spending lunch at the GAP farm, we're off to Precious Garden resort in Samal. We rode a jeep from Maa going to Magsaysay to catch a bus ride for Samal Island. The ride took more than an hour. The bus will travel to the island via barge, don't worry it's not scary, you just have to sit comfortably at the bus and just look around and enjoy the scenery. Most of the time, sea water that divides between Davao City and Samal Island is very calm and no big waves to worry.

Precious Garden can be reached through a tricycle ride from the city road where buses passed, fare is only Php10.00. 

 The garden restaurant

Honestly, I love this resort. So relaxing!! The beautiful landscape, the tranquil environment and the food, everything was fascinating! The atmosphere of the restaurant is ultra comforting, felt like I was in Italy!! Precious Garden originally is a restaurant until the owner decided to convert it to the resort, developing the surrounding to create a tropical atmosphere in a European setting, sooooo spectacular! Its pizza recipes are worth trying.

beautiful afternoon at Precious Garden (after eating pizza)

It has a two-story hotel within the garden for visitors who may want to stay overnight, the rooms are directly facing the neatly-trimmed landscape of tropical plants and flowers. The structure of the hotel is so romantic because all its rooms have verandas where visitors can relax overlooking the garden and the beach side. 

Restaurant area

The beach side area of Precious Garden, just a walking distance from its restaurant

The pre-nuptial photo shoot went through successfully as we planned and we enjoyed the rest of the day in the garden. We ordered pizza and after resting for a while we moved to the beach side to watch the romantic sunset. Its beach resort is just a walking distance from the restaurant.

We went back to Davao at 6:00 pm.

Precious Garden accepts booking for wedding events and other special celebration. For more information, please visit Precious Garden site here

RMPC Beach Resort

 

RMPC beach resort

RMPC beach resort is located at barangay Camudmud, Babak district, Island Garden City of Samal. It is one of the most magnificent beaches in Mindanao with sunkissed white sand and crystal green water. What I love about this resort is its spacious ground and comfortable cottages at affordable rates. Plus you can organized fun games with friends due to its wide playground. Unlike other resorts, RMPC allows visitors to bring food and drinks without additional charges.

This resort offers a relaxing atmosphere especially at night. When we had an overnight stay here last May 2010, we enjoyed the night resting at the ground talking with friends under moonlight because cottages are quite far from the beach side so we'd all the freedom to laugh and talk without disturbing other occupants. 

The quiet environment of the resort is very ideal for a perfect holiday get away. There's enough time to loosen up and unwind here, the crystal green water is super fabulous and seemed sparkled at the rays of the hot summer sun. The resort can be reached through a bus ride or via ferryboat. Visitors may choose to spend meals either at the lined-up waiting sheds or at the table provided within the ground.

Cottages of RMPC Beach Resort 

With friends during our overnight stay at RMPC in May 2010

RMPC Beach resort is a safe place for everyone because it is not located in an open-sea but smacked in a secluded countryside of Samal Island under the backdrop of trees and mountain, perfect for a well-deserved vacation. Aside from its spacious ground, the resort has trees lined up along the beach line protecting visitors from the scourging heat of the sun. The idyllic environment is a welcome respite and a good venue to unwind with friends and family. Cottages are not directly facing the sea but covered by some trees and plants, so visitors can be assured of a very private accommodation.

 

relaxing environment of RMPC

Rates vary, depending on how many nights you will stay at the resort, but the rate is very much affordable even during pick season at summer. Each bedroom of the cottages can be comfortably occupied by two to three persons.

The most ideal way of going to this resort is by taking a boat ride from Sta. Ana or Sasa Wharf, travel time only takes an hour. Life at this beautiful beach is more tranquil, fascinating and relaxing, it has a very friendly area where people are free to frolick with in the ground, the beautiful atmosphere of the countryside adds a more amazing experience with in this beach.

You can make an advance booking at the resort just reach the management through this telephone number: (082) 302-7501. For rate inquiries, click the price list below to enlarge.

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Mergrande Ocean Resort (Davao City, Philippines)

Mergrande Ocean Resort is a paradise with in the city of Davao. The name itself beckoned a haven of happiness and excitement, taken from the coined words Mer, a French term means Ocean and Grande, a Spanish word means Great.

At the large shoe structure within the fairytale mini-park of Mergrande

Strategically located within the beachfront of Bago Aplaya, Talomo District, just a few mile drive from downtown Davao, Mergrande Ocean Resort is a wonderful choice for people who want to relax in a resort with a mini-themed park. There's a beautiful Disney-like themed park within the area so it will be an exciting vacation treat for kids.

(The elaborate private park within the resort)

At the receiving hall of the resort

A perfect venue for parties, celebrations, family reunions and seminars, Mergrande Ocean Resort offers a spacious function area just beside the pool. Amenities and facilities include a pavilion, exclusive villas, billiard hall, a mini-fairytale castle, a structured-maze, swimming pool, a golf course and a tennis court.  Visitors can enjoy the magnificent sunrise at the seaside which is a short walk from the cottages.

Playground area of Mergrande

Poolside

At night, Mergrande is a picture of loveliness and serenity, the lively environment is filled with lights and ornaments. The pathways leading to cottages are trimmed with flowers, grass and plants. It has a detailed pavement developed for a more comfortable stay.

Categorized as a class A resort in Davao City, tourists are assured of peace and warm accommodation. You can reached Mergrande Ocean Resort through a jeepney ride en-route to Toril, Davao City just disembark at Dumoy district. From there, you can catch up a pedicab/trisikad ride all the way to the resort.

I had an overnight stay with my friends) in Mergrande last August 2009. The cottage we rented was good for 3 persons Php 1,500 air-condition, since we're five in the group, we paid Php200.00 each for the two excess heads. We did not go swimming at the beach because the waves were erratic we might drown hehe! We stayed at the pool which was exciting and fun because there was a slide to play on.

Mergrande's entrance fee is only Php 50.00 and swimming pool entrance is Php 60.00 (adult and child). Visitors are allowed to bring their foods but alcoholic drinks has a corkage fee.

For more information of this resort, visit their official website here.