YES, Eden Nature Park and Resort is a must-visit tourist destination in Davao City. Its luscious green trees, high-standard amenities and all-time cool weather make it a favorite go-to-place for family reunions, retreats, team buildings, corporate plannings, weddings, education tour, birthday celebrations and just simple get-together of friends and loved-ones.
A whole day won't be enough to tour the resort what with various recreational and adventure activities it can offer.
But little did I know that it would be such a perfect venue for a romantic getaway Valentine's Day dinner date with my husband Alvin.
Since both of us needed to work the whole day on Feb. 14, we really looked forward to a night of just being together.
As we arrived around 8 p.m., we were delighted to see candle-lit pathway leading us to the Vista Restaurant where all-time favorite love songs greeted us. Upon registration, I received a long-stemmed red rose from Eden Nature Park and Resort marketing manager Brenda Arabe Ocampo who also led us to our table on the mezzanine area where we could see glittering lights of downtown Davao City.
Local band Music Avenue was already entertaining guests who were finishing up their meals.
A waiter then took our orders allowing us to choose our main course. Set A is Filet Mignot with Honey Mustard Sauce and Baked Tuna Belly with Lemon-Basil while Set B is Roast Pork Loin with Wild Mushroom Gravy and Pan-Grilled Salmon with Teriyaki Sauce. We chose both sets.
The waiter attending us served Garden Salad with Oriental Vinaigrette, Cream of Tomato Soup then the main course with Steamed Rice. Fresh fruit slices, Oreo Choco Mousse Cheesecake and Strawberry Shortcake completed our romantic dining experience. Softdrinks were served, too, but since I'm exclusively breastfeeding my 10-month-old baby Shem Nathaniel, I just opted for service water.
Anyway, fresh veggies never appealed to me and my husband before. But the Garden Salad served to us was just perfect making us fresh vegetable salad addicts in an instant.
Everything served was highly pleasant to the taste especially the main course, ang sarap talaga kaya kinapos kami sa rice! Hahahaaha!
Meanwhile, lucky guests also received attractive prizes during the raffle. Overnight stay certificates from Eden Nature Park and Resort and Waterfront Insular Hotel, buffet lunch for two and one-month gym membership at Holiday Gym and Spa certificates were awarded to the raffle winners by Mrs. Ocampo and sales manager May Aranda. They also thanked minor sponsor Camella Homes for backing up the event.
A few minutes later, a souvenir box of Hershey's Kisses chocolates were handed to each couple putting up smiles to our faces. I love Kisses! I think of most of the guests munched on their Kisses before leaving the resto and proceeding to their room accommodations at the resort while others proceeded to the photo booth courtesy of Party Solutions.
Everybody else was having fun in scouting props to wear at the photo booth, there were colorful clown wigs, King and Queen crowns, Pirates-themed head accessories, different shapes and sizes of shades and glasses, among others to choose from. Young and more mature couples alike were found giggling with their choices as they strike their regale and wacky poses.
While the band took a break after their first set, other couples huddled together in their own private conversations.
Truly, the night's theme, "Love is in the Air", lived up to its billing as every pair left Vista Restaurant feeling young again to love and be loved.