From Islands to Highlands

AS THE Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT) came to a close, the participants were treated to two days of fun under the sun. The first one, on an island hopping tour around Samal and the second on a day tour of Eden Nature Park. And in between, food and fun company.

On May 2, 2010, the DFAT 2010 Team rose early excited to go on an island adventure. But first, breakfast at one of the iconic food establishments in Davao City, Taps. The participants ate various silog meals that Taps had to offer in order to prepare them for a day out in the sun.

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After the filling breakfast, the team proceeded to the Marina to meet up with the day's tour guides, Tom Claudio and Jojo of ETours Davao (http://www.etours.ph).

On the banca, Jojo regaled the participants with trivia and stories about the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos). For one, did you know that the garden in the city name does not pertain to a flower or plant garden? The "garden" it refers to is the vast coral gardens in the Davao Gulf that separates Samal from the Mindanao Island.

The participants enjoyed the trivia while taking in the sights of the Davao Gulf and Samal and enjoying the various siopao provided by Dimsum Diner (http://www.dimsumdiner.net). Participants had a fun and yummy time guessing the different flavours of the siopao based on the color of the dots on top.

First up on the island hopping tour was a stop at Mr. Sonny Dizon's Maxima Aquafun Resort (http://maxima.psdgroupph.com). The participants had a fun time on the diving platform, on the aqua slide, and the water trampoline. It was definitely a thrill for the water lovers to have slid down, dived, and jumped onto the clear blue waters of Davao Gulf.

After the aquafun at Maxima, the group returned to the banca to enjoy the lunch prepared by St. Angel's Kitchen. Who would have thought they could still enjoyed Baby Back Ribs and Chicken Rosemary while on a banca?

The group cruised through Davao Gulf, stopping by Wishing Island, Angel's Cove, Coral Garden, and Babu Santa where the tourists enjoyed the pristine Davao Gulf and enjoyed the underwater scenes which amazed them and gave them a childlike wonder. For some of them, it was their first time to see a coral garden and some underwater creatures. Seeing a starfish gave them much delight and excitement.

After the fun island hopping tour with ETours, the group freshened up, ate dinner, and set out for a gastronomic adventure in the city: eating durian at Magsaysay Park. It was the first time for several participants to try out the King of Fruits. They had a sampling of two varieties and they were anonymous in saying that the Puyat variety was more to their liking. The participants also tried out mangosteen and they all loved it.

For most of the participants, their adventure in Davao ended with the durian tasting. But for some, the next day would be another adventure all together.

On May 3, 2010, the group travelled to Eden Bayabas, Toril District to experience the beauty of Eden Nature Park (http://www.edennaturepark.com.ph).

Most of the group had two things in mind: take wide angle nature shots of the scenery and macro shots of the park's various insects and invertebrates.

Before that, we had a sumptuous lunch buffet where we enjoyed food fare highlighted by a sampling of fresh vegetables and fruits from Eden's own garden.

The afternoon day tour was very much enjoyable for the insect hunters as they ventured into the different gardens and facilities of the park to capture the best shots of some of nature's tiniest models, displaying a variety of color and textures that could not be found on other creatures.

After the tour ended, the out of towners prepared their luggage full of photographs, memories, and fond stories to tell about our beloved Davao City.

It was a wonderful and exhilarating experience to have toured and journeyed Davao with tourists who can appreciate all its delicious delights, wonderful sights, and natural beauty with so much awe and fun.

Thank you to all the participants, sponsors, hosts, and my co-organizers of the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2010! Til next year.

Taps has branches at Torres Street, Matina Town Square Mc Arthur Highway, and Ilustre Street.

Dimsum Diner (http://www.dimsumdiner.net) has branches in Davao City, General Santos City, Panabo, Digos City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

ETours Davao may be contacted through +63917-7011882, +63916-4333199, + 63922-8674779, +6382-2861173, and +6382-2861645 or via their website is at http://www.etours.ph.

Maxima Aquafun Resort is located at the Island Garden City of Samal with website at http://maxima.psdgroupph.com.

The Eden Nature Park is located at Eden Bayabas, Toril, Davao. Their Sales and Reservation Office is located at Matina Town Square, McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City. You may contact them at +6382-2991020, +6382-2960791, and +63918-9307590.

Photos courtesy of Lyle Santos (http://www.lylesantos.com), Andrew dela Serna (http://www.davaophoto.com), and Chattee Lara (http://www.katherinevlara.com).