TRAVEL: EXPERIENCE WILDNESS IN DAVAO

It all happened in Davao. It also was my first travel assignment. The Department of Tourism hosted a trip for members of the media. We went from the water to the skies to experiences the best of the bests of Davao.

Off I went to the Airport and met my colleagues as early as 2 a.m. Our flight schedule was 4 a.m. At around 7 a.m., we went straight to Waterfront Hotel, which I barely enjoyed my stay because we were always on a tight schedule.

As soon as I got in my room, I threw my things on my bed, changed my clothes and got ready for the most extreme adventure I have experienced in my life. Take note, I barely slept during the trip and was still feeling dizzy and sleepy when I got in my room. But the following experiences that you’d read, I tell you, woke up my nerves and lifted my spirits in full blast.

An hour’s drive away from Davao City is the famous Crocodile Park which is the meeting point for the adventurers who want an extreme experience of Wild White Water Rafting at the heart of Davao River. Our rafting on the river was three and a half paddling and pushing against and along the smoothness and rapids under a sunny first day of April.

At first, the river introduced itself as an easy and peaceful body where couples would love to have a sweet time. But without minutes away, the rapids made me lose my sweet thoughts. The raft that I, five other media representatives and a guide were riding on was pushed unbelievably against huge rocks and fluctuating current that soaked us with bland water. Nevertheless, we ended waving our paddles up for a big high five after encountering almost 30 rapids.

From the river, we trekked uphill to Camp Sabros to surf the skies with a view of Mt. Apo. It is a 700 meter trek on a muddy hill where as one successfully takes a step also sees Mt. Apo to almost touch it.

Up to Camp Sabros is the 820 meter-long zipline, the longest zipline in Asia. The zipline is a one minute ride where thrill starts even before you wear the safety gears. The majestic view uphill and the damp and cold air bring every adventurer a taste of the skies. It was like being up to Sleeping Beauty’s silent castle or famous Prince Charming’s palace of beauty. I donned the safety gears and prepared for a one minute zipline adventure. The next thing I knew, I was shouting at the top of my lungs and almost woke the birds silently resting beneath the trees as my voice echoed everywhere.

Definitely, Davao is king of the highlands as the longest zipline in Asia and the highest mountain in the country dwell on it.

After the extreme adventures, we were all rewarded with an Island tour. A 30- to 45-minute drive from the metropolis is the Island Garden City of Samal where one can literally bond with nature. The paradise at the very end of Samal is the world-famous Pearl Farm—known for its world-class beaches, services and facilities.

Pearl Farm is definitely the best place to unwind. Being away from the city, the beach houses facilities and services where one can relax and enjoy the goodness of nature. My favorite was the Infinity Pool. Also, the sea was vividly clear and clean. The greeneries also shield the place from extreme heat of the sun and maintain the coolness of the place. Truly, it is a paradise island.