Davao Day 2 - Part 1: Phil. Eagle Center, Kookel's, Jack's Ridge, Japanese Tunnel

This is a long delayed post.  But I’m posting it just the same for the sake of documenting the memorable vacation/celebration of ours. 

On the second day of our trip to Davao, we're up from bed early in spite of the tiring tour we had the first day. We were picked up by our driver/tour guide ahead of the appointed time and headed early to the Philippine Eagle Center.   We have heard much about this center where the famous Philippine Eagle named Pagasa is being taken cared of and that made us curious how the birds are doing there.  We found out that Pagasa and another one named Pagkakaisa were products of artificial insemination, a successful attempt to increase the dwindling population of the Philippine Eagles. It is now 19 years old. Pagkakaisa, I think is younger. Pagasa is indeed huge! I can only imagine how magnificent it could be if seen out in the wild freely flying high! Hopefully, time will come when humans will be gentler and would stop their poaching activities for the survival of the wild life.

Our trip to Philippine Eagle Center was more of educational than leisure. Pythons are displayed on a couple of stores just like an ordinary pet cat or pet dog.  They rent it out for photo op purposes. The two boys dared posing with one.  I couldn’t help screaming out of fright! More so when I saw a man placed her little baby girl inside the cage of a massive python just to prove to us that the python isn’t at all ferocious. Oh my!



Pagasa: The Celebrity Phil. Eagle

Buying few little souvenirs.


Son with the albino python.


Patronizing native accessories being sold by a Maranaw boy.


The little baby making the python's cage her crib.

It was noontime when we finished exploring Phil. Eagle Center.  Subsequently, our tour guide/driver brought us to Kookel's  for our eating escapade.   Kookel’s is another Filipino inspired restaurant located in Bangkal, Davao City. It is also one good eating place with considerably fine ambiance. It has two al fresco dining section and one air conditioned area. We chose to stay inside the aircond room since it was humid and hot that noon.  Food choices were the usual Pinoy fare the kiddos enjoy.  Sisig, chicken barbecue, chop suey and the likes.  I’d say food was great and reasonably priced which is likewise highly  recommendable to those who’d visit Davao.

Wanting to see a lot more of Davao’s popular places, we rushed to see the historical Japanese Tunnel but passed by Jack’s Ridge along the way.  Located at the top of Shrine Hills in Matina, Jack’s Ridge is a  resort  with restaurants and bars to choose from and a pool which we were not able to see.  From here, the breathtaking view of Davao can be seen crisp and clear on a bright sunny day. Likewise, we were told that it is more interesting at night coz the city lights brings forth more enigmatic scenery than daytime.  After some good photo sessions we proceeded to Japanese Tunnel.

The big kiddos while waiting for our driver.

The Japanese Tunnel is a historical spot that was conserved and safeguarded from further destruction. The remaining tunnel is only about 300 meters long but is said to be much, much longer and crisscrossed had it not been occupied and owned by other private individuals.  It is totally dark if not for the light bulbs that lit the place.  It’s hard to believe how this tunnel took its shape.  From there, you can clearly visualise the sufferings of the Filipinos who were forced to dig the tunnel under the harsh supervision of the Japanese conquerors.  It was indeed a nice actual review of our Philippine history.

The facade of the Japanese Tunnel.

  

Japanese lady statue to welcome you as you enter the tunnel.


Can barely see but I'm in the photo. Lol!

Countless birds' nests attached to the "ceiling" of the tunnel.
The place has become birds' sanctuary of sort.

Railings are placed around the water spring
for safety measure.

The big kiddos as they came out of the tunnel.

There goes my very late post. Thank you so much for taking time reading this entry! Have a great day!

Our Christmas that was

The Waterfront Beach Resort, Morong Bataan

And so Christmas is over now!  I hope you guys had a wonderful celebration!  Ours  was peacefully spent in a beach resort in Bataan.  I said peacefully because it was spent with just our small family together  with my sis and her 2 big kiddos in a very peaceful beach resort  ‘Twas a simple Christmas bonding moment far from the hustles and bustles of the chaotic traditional celebrations. 

Back home, been quite busy after Christmas with some activities here in the village. And now, trying to update this blog  in haste cos I gotta go in a minute or so.  I friend’s mom passed away and have to go with her in Batangas to sympathize with her
.  

I hope to be back asap!  See you in your sites soon!

I turn 18 today

No, don’t get me wrong! I mean, my second lease in life is now  18, a debutante!  Yeah, it has been 18 blessed years since my diagnosis of Breast Cancer.  I ‘m here alive and kicking with clean bill of health and ever so thankful for the great miracle!  Alongside with my gratitude to our God Almighty is my prayer request devotion that an equally immense healing is granted to a beloved someone who has been slightly smeared by this alarming illness.  I believe she is now healed as I am.  Ask in prayer and believe it’s been granted. So it is!
And to my debutante second life,  I say, so much mission in life to face!  Cheers!!

Visiting Back Cebu

The last two days of our 4day Anniversary Celebration/Vacation was spent in the most popular island in Visayas, Cebu.  Like Bohol, it was also our second time to visit this island. We are glad we settled to book for this province again 'cause there are lots of beautiful spots we haven’t yet seen apart from the newest exciting attraction that the island offers, the Sky Experience Adventure that I have enjoyed and blogged earlier.

After our Ocean Jet ride of about an hour from the port of Tagbilaran, we disembarked in the Port of Cebu.  We realized that in this area, taxi drivers are equally hassles as the barkers who were forcing  us to pay a contract price of 4 to 5X of the normal fare instead of using the taxi meter.  Too annoyed by the swarm of smelly boys around us all asking for tips, we stood on not giving in to their harassment.

The hotel that we booked in was only few blocks away from the port and only few steps away from  the mid-city’s commercial center.  It is a relatively clean and well maintained place with hot shower, phone, wifi, gym, and cafeteria. Hubby even took advantage of the stationary bike for long hours.

We hired a van thru the assistance of the hotel’s receptionist.  How glad we were to see a very brand new Toyota Grandia fetching us. We were toured around the island the whole day then alighted in Crown Regency Hotel Towers for the Sky adventure.  Stayed there till late in the evening even long after we’ve enjoyed the Sky Adventure and the sumptuous buffet dinner at the Sparkz Restobar at the 37^th floor. Just couldn’t get over admiring the city’s scenic lights from the tower’s top view deck.  Great sight of Cebu indeed!

The last remaining day was spent on some last minute sightseeing around the vicinity after the same van picked us up to bring us to the airport for our 5pm flight to Manila.

Ocean Jet Ferry Boat

Magellan's Cross

City Hall of Cebu City

Lapu-lapu Shrine

Alegre Guitars of Cebu

Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant where we had lunch.

Taoist Chinese Temple

The view from the Chinese Temple.

Beverly Hills Subd. in Cebu

Shangrila Mactan Resort Hotel's pool side

Sparkz Resto Desserts corner

Chefs and pastas of Sparkz.

Jubilant after the Edge Coaster Ride.

Part of Crown Tower's View Deck

Scenic Cebu City Lights

Father's Day Celebration

And so, today is Father's Day! I hope all the fathers I know had a wonderful day with their families! We're glad, the father of the house here at least spent the evening with us after spending the whole day biking like he used to do on weekends. We treated him to dinner in a Chinese Restaurant and that's about it. It is just another commercialized celebration according to him, as we had to wait in queue for an available table for us. tsk tsk.. It was indeed a day to celebrate most especially by restaurateurs. (Lol!) Anyway, be it commercialized or not, we still feel the need to celebrate just to make him feel that we appreciate all his struggles to give us, his family the comfortable life we have, if I may say so. Thanks to you, dear!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year too!

It's Valentine's Day once again! Time to express love not only to your spouse or sweetheart but likewise to your kids, parents, siblings and friends. Let Love be felt around you! Color the day red!

Happy Valentines to all!

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

I'm not sure if I spelled it right but whether right or not, I just want to greet all my Chinese friends a Happy Chinese New Year! May this Metal Tiger Year brings everyone a bright and prosperous year!

And as always, my Filipino-Chinese friend, Susan Young-deLeon never missed sending me a Tikoy every new year that comes. (Thanks a lot my friend! ) Tikoy is our Pinoy term for this sticky Chinese delicacy. I was told that it is said to bring good luck to the recipient as well as the giver.

I hope you all have a lucky Lunar Year!

The celebration of two

There was no plan at all to celebrate daughter’s birthday. She was contented at home coz it was no work day and she was with her netbook and dvd’s. Thinking that we’re not going out to celebrate, I just cooked for her a little spaghetti and bought her a small birthday cake. She blew her candle and that’s it! Celebration is done. Or so I thought! I was wrong coz there was a call from Sil asking us to go out for dinner. She wants a combined celebration since she had just celebrated her birthday last Thursday, February 4. Daughter was more than glad agreeing to the idea. And so we headed to our usual dining place, the Emerald Restaurant in Roxas Blvd. Although far from our location, we all preferred that place for its good food. It was just us, her family and ours, though her's wasn't complete. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the food we ordered, like steamed Lapu-lapu, Shrimp salad, fried chicken, pancit canton, corn soup with quail eggs, beef with broccolli. and some I forgot the name. As we were about to finish eating, I remembered I have my camera with me but the food were almost gone. Anyway, I was able to catch a few.

I love roses that I can't help but post this.

This is half of the bouquet she received from

a friend. It was as if it's mine that I was the

one who arranged them on flower vases while

daughter is watching by.

Her little birthday cake.

The simple spaghetti.

The 2nd round of yang chow fried rice.

This' what has remained of the steamed lapu-lapu.

The other dishes were nowhere to be found, (lol!)

The two celebrants seemed to have enjoyed their birthday celebration. It is all what matters after all!

To all of you, have a great start of the week!

Our 29th Celebration

Although this post is way too late, I’m still posting anyway, only to keep record of one important celebration. …our 29^th wedding anniversary last November 22nd! Oh yes, 29 is such a huge number! (as commented by a blogger friend.) But it looks like 'twas not too long ago when we were married in Malate Church one Saturday afternoon. Ahh.., my mind seemed to be stuck in time that stood still! Well, I supposed this is just normal to one aging brain like mine. Or is it? It didn’t feel like it’s already almost three decades spending our lives together. This marriage may not be perfect, but for me, it almost is! Although he's five years my junior, it didn't pose a threat to the relationship. After all, age is just a number, right? I think the significant other feels the same way! (He said so. Keeping my fingers and eyes crossed that he's telling the truth. Lol!) Belated Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

To celebrate the day, we drove to Subic once again. Had lunch at our favorite pit stop in NLEX , roam around Subic, went shopping… chilled out in the much loved Pizza parlor in the place and that’s about it. Celebration is done! No frilled fancy date.. . ganon yata talaga pag matanda na. Ouch! Anyhow, 'twas a wonderful day for the family!

Here are some photos taken:

Have a great weekend, everyone!