Davao – What Your Eyes Can See, We Offer

by: - October 29th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

Do you want to experience the rich cultural history of Davao that matches the richness of the sightseeing opportunities that it offers to visitors? From the time of the early settlements of the different ethnic groups, up to that of the Spanish and the Americans, Davao has remained a strategic place for many good reasons.

Getting around the city can be done by car, taxi, boat, jeepney (a small bus), and even taxied motorbikes. For those who prefer to rent a car, there are many car rental agencies around the city.

Most probably, you would settle for a taxi. Just like in many other cities in the Philippines, taxis happen to be a more comfortable but more expensive means of transportation. Air conditioned taxis have slightly higher fares than non air conditioned ones.

Now that you know how to get around Davao, the next important part would be to choose your sightseeing destinations. For nature lovers, Davao offers you different options from the lowlands to the mountains.

The Eden Nature Park is a mountain resort about 3,000 feet above sea level, located at the foot of the highest peak in the Philippines, Mt. Apo. Mountain hiking will introduce you to the fresh, cool breeze while walking under the swaying tall trees that welcome you. Many visitors describe the place as “the best place to talk with nature and to commune with God”. Mountain trailing, bird or deer watching, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and more can unwind and recharge you.

The Japanese Tunnel is another sightseeing spot located at the hilly areas, west of the city proper. The Japanese Tunnel was created by Filipino prisoners of war during World War II, and was developed into a tourist spot. The original purpose of the tunnel was to be a hideout for the soldiers and their belongings.

The Malagos Garden Resort offers a bird sanctuary, garden-filled park, lots of trees and other plants, fishpond and some birds and fowls. Here, nature lovers can find their way into this not so luxurious place, but can surely give you that nature touch that you’ve been looking for. To fill your eyes with nature’s treasure of natural ornaments, the garden houses some of the beautiful orchids which are in full bloom. Birds that may be endemic to the place or in other parts of the Philippines are also on display. A leisurely walk around the resort will invigorate your spirit.

Some other sightseeing destinations include Ethnic Villages, Mount Apo, Philippine Eagle Center, Ramon Magsaysay Park, Samal Island, Talicud Caves and a whole lot more.

These are only some of the popular sightseeing destinations in Davao. All you need to do is to choose the best package that suits your preferences. Dubbed as “the largest city in Asia”, you can also get the largest share of what nature has to offer to your eyes, and more!

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An Overview on the Greenviews Resort in Palawan

by: - October 28th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

The province of Palawan is known in the world as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. Palawan is located in the southern region of the country. It is popular for its tropical rainforests as well as the marine wildlife found in the province. Palawan is also one of the areas in the Philippines that have protected areas such as the Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary and the El Nido Marine Reserve.

Aside from the reservations and tropical rainforests that made Palawan popular, the province is also famous for its white sand beaches. Each year, more tourists are visiting Palawan’s resorts and other tourist spots. Due to the increasing number of people traveling to Palawan, the number of resorts and hotels are increasing in the different areas of the province.

One of the resorts that cater to tourists and locales who desire to enjoy their stay in Palawan is the Greenviews Resort. The resort is located at the Port Barton which is known to be a community at the Pagdanan Bay. In this regard, one of the downside of the Greenviews Resort is that it is not accessible to tourists because it will take 3 to 4 hours to travel from the Puerto Princesa Airport to the Port Barton.

The Greenviews Resort is not fully developed. But, its facilities showed that the owner of the place has a deep desire for protecting wildlife. The rooms in the resort are constructed in grounds that were planted with trees and shrubs which were meant to attract butterflies and sunbirds into the garden. The Greenviews Resort has 11 cottages that can accommodate 2 visitors each. The prices of staying in the cottages range from 18 to 30 U.S. dollar every day.

The resort has a restaurant that provides Filipino dishes to visitors. The staff at the resort is friendly and they guide guests to the other tourist spots in the vicinity of Port Barton. They also organize trips to the other islands of Palawan. The Greenviews Resort has boats used by its visitors in snorkeling, fishing and trips to El Nido as well as the Underground River.

Despite of the location of the resort, it is still attractive because it is affordable. The resort does not have other recreational facilities but tourists still stay in the Greenviews Resort because of the hospitability of its staff. The efficient service offered by the staff is sufficient to invite other travelers to stay in the resort.

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South Drive Manor

by: - October 25th, 2011   Filed under: Travel and Leisure Add Comment

The South Drive Manor is one of the most elegant and sophisticated hotels in Baguio. Combining the cozy feel of a home away from home together with luxuries you would expect from a five star hotel makes this a perennial destination for tourists.

Rooms and Rates

This three star hotel has a total of 50 well kept and immaculately maintained rooms. The rates here average about Php 4,000 but some of the rooms here can be had for even half that price. What really strikes the eye is the Italian motif used in the design. The rooms all have hot and cold showers, cable TV, a telephone that you can use and other basic necessities.

Amenities and Accommodations

The South Drive Manor has other facilities that you can avail of. This includes a fireplace, and there is also a restaurant. At the eatery you can have your fill of different types of Filipino food, as well as Italian cuisine, and native dishes from Korea and other Western delicacies. The place itself is something that visitors never fail to marvel at, as it has the look and feel of a cabin you would find somewhere in Europe.

It is also no secret that part of what makes staying at the hotel so attractive is that it is a little farther away from the city. This allows you to savor the view of the pine trees and the skies. However, it is easy enough to get to the city proper itself thanks to the jeepneys that are always passing by Camp John Hay, which is nearby.

Location and Contact Information

The South Drive Manor Baguio can be found at 34 Paterno St. in South Drive in Baguio. It is actually a few minutes away from Teacher’s Camp, so if you are going there, the hotel will be visible. If you are coming from Session Road you can get on a taxi and get to the hotel in 10 minutes.

The cost for a cab ride by the way, is about Php 25 to Php 35. For those who would like to know more about the hotel, particularly the rates and other facilities, the number is (6374) 444-7146. Any other inquiries you may have concerning the hotel can be asked through that line.

Those who have gone to Baguio before will know that South Drive Manor has always been one of the tourists’ favorite places. If you opt to stay here, you will surely find out why.

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