Philippine Holiday Part 2

Cont:Holiday Part 1 in Davao City

Forgot to mention that a week before this trip to Davao,we heard in the news about a bomb explosion in a public place that killed several people and these incidents happens from time to time since the last time i visited the city many years ago.

Davao City is in Mindanao region and is the region in Philippines that is composed of all the philippines predominantly Muslims provinces and city.
In the philippine history,the region and most of Mindanao has always been in a seperate territory which enabled it to develop its own culture and identity, therefore it has been a homeland of muslim filipinos even before the spanish colonized most of philippines in the beginning of 1565.The arab missionaries came before the spaniards and converted the natives into Islam.


I was concerned for hubbys safety and i began having 2nd thoughts wether i should take him in that region or not so i told him my preocupation,he told me we should proceed with our plans and not to worry.

After passing all thru a thorough body search,shoes( yes,we have to remove our shoes for x ray check) and baggage inspection,finally we are on board and relaxed during an hour and a half flight.
Another surprise upon arrival at davao airport was the armed military presence inside and outside the building.We were brought to our hotel by a driver who thought we were part of a group he was waiting for but as he realized we were going to the same hotel, no problem he said " I will take you first and come back later for the group"

We stayed in Davao Insular Hotel categorized as 4 star hotel,pleasant sourrounding,beach front but not suitable for swimming,hospitable staff but unfortunately rooms are not well maintained we have to request to change room because of the toilet and the air conditioning that does not function.

On our first day,there was a christian gathering coming from all over the world and they were also belited in the same hotel for a week period.So it was quite a pleasant surprise for us.As we went out to view the hotel sourroundings, we saw people of different nationalities in their own costumes, probobly the presentation and program of the day as a stage was also erected where we saw local tribes in their costumes performing their dance as shown on photos below:




Myself with the pretty and friendly local girls



Holiday Part 2 in Cebu City

Anyway,after a long busy and pleasant week in Davao, we took our next flight to Cebu City dubbed as the Queen City of the south.The mactan-Cebu Int´l Airport is just 20 minutes drive to the city.

Again,even before it was colonized ny the spaniards,Cebu was already a prosperous settlement with trade relations to China and other countries of southeast asia.

The citys is an important cultural center in philippines,the most famous landmark is the Magellan Cross which is housed in a chapel,was supposedly planted by Ferdinand magellan when he arrived in the Phil. islands in 1521.The original cross was encased in a hollow wood to prevent devotees to take it home chip bt chip.it is the symbol of the beginning of Christianity in Philippines.


Photos below:

Magellan Cross and Kiosk in the early 1900´s



A few walk from the cross is the Basilica Minore del Sto.Niño,an augustinian chruch which was elevated to the rank of minor basilica in 1965 during the 400th year aniversary of christianity in philippines.



The Taoist Temple but mostly known as chinese temple,located in Beverly Hills subdivision.Built by cebu´s substantial chinese community with an elevation of 300 meters above sea level and open to public worshipers or non worshippers alike.
A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant ones wish.The ritual as weve seen includes washing of hands,going to the chapel barefooted and dropping two blocks of wood.If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish.If not,the devotee must come back another day for that wish.(We are not allowed to take photos inside)





Cebu photos were all taken with in the city,we did´nt go outside the city where all the beautiful beach resorts of cebu are located.Hubby was no longer in good disposition at the time. We only passed our time mostly going around Ayala Center and also enjoy the good food in one restaurant which i forgot the name.For this reason we have to cut short our intended stay in cebu.

Next post will be about another beautiful place called Bohol.

Philippine Holiday Soon!!

Finally, I will be going on holiday to Philippines few months from now. Actually it will be in December to spend christmas and new year with my family,Yuppeee!!!
I´ve been longing and looking forward for this ocassion as its been a long time since i last spend christmas holidays with my family.Hubby finally gave in to my request.

It was for this reason that i have´nt posted for long time,my head is always afloat and besides i´ve been busy preparing plans for our long holiday of 49 days.Hubby never like to be in one place during these times,there are still many places he must see that is why i need to plan everything for me also to have time to spend with my family.I always make it a point that we have few days all together in a certain place for outings.It has to be this way because my kids also work and dont have much to spend with us except during week ends or if hubby and I are not somewhere around.

During our last holiday in Sept.2006,hubby and I spent almost two weeks getting to know the Visayas and Mindanao region. Although i have been to some of those places,i have to revisit again to show him also places that i know he would enjoy.

The Philippines archipelago comprises of 7,107 islands, commonly divided into three island group,the Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.I think i have been only to a hundreds of them therefore i am taking holiday opportunities with hubby to see more of my beautiful country.

Here are some 2006 photos taken during our 2 weeks visit in the two biggest island group outside Luzon where Manila is the Capital City.Manila is a very busy and buzzling city,a place where you will enjoy your shopping,good eateries,cultural visits.You may want to head south or north of manila for nature visits.

Philippine Eagle Park in Davao: a sanctuary for our endangered philippine eagle species Pls click photos to enlarged





The Crocodile Park in Davao







Malabagos Garden Resort and Nature Park,Davao


Me under a pergula covered with a beautiful bright red flower hanging above me whereas the other photois the resort garden restaurant where we had our lunch.


Here is a photo where the lady vendor was preparing a local fruit delight called Durian for hubby to taste.You should see his face when he tasted it,cant describe it!!



Hubby and I in our dream house ,the native house called Nipa Hut and in another photo with our native transport pulled by a carabao or rather water bufalo.This animal is also a good friend of our poor local farmers,the carabao is normally used by farmers to help prepare and till their lands before planting rice.

Last but not the least was an enjoyable day trip to Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island (originally a pearl farm before it was sold to a chain hotel)
Fee for a day trip was 1,500 Pesos or the equivalent of 23 Euros.Buffet lunch,boat trip to and from the resort,use of the resort facilities,all inclusive.all worth the trip!!




Before the boat ride and while we were inside the boat,coins were tossed to the water for the boys to dive into the water to get the coins before it plunges to the bottom.
Photos below were taken upon arrival at the resort,before and after diving into the pool and during a mouth watering buffet lunch after a swim.



Have to stop from here,this post has become too long again and also I filled it up with photos from philippines to show my dear readers the beauty of my country as seen by yours truly and of course by hubby!

Next post will be photos from Cebu City and Tagbilaran,Bohol