Travel | Xiamen Airlines Launches Direct Flight from Davao to Quanzhou

Source: https://flights.xiamenair.com/en-ph/flights-to-jinjiang

This December 18 will start a new international destination from Davao: Davao City, Philippines to Quanzhou, China. Davao International Airport has three (3) existing international flights, to wit: Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Now, Quanzhou will be the 4^th international destination coming from Davao City brought by Xiamen Airlines.

Davao City will be very excited to show its culture to the Chinese visitors. Davao City, as home to 11 tribes, will exhibit arts and dances that will welcome the visitors with much color. A visit to the areas of conservation like the Philippine Eagle Foundation will also be a good opportunity to see the mighty eagle and visit the countryside of the city. Not so far, there are beautiful white sand beaches also that tourists will love to dip in. Also, fresh, good food will be enjoyed!

Something that will interest our travelers…

If you wish to be in a historical and cultural city, Quanzhou is one of them in China. Tourists will enjoy beautiful attractions in the city. It is home of a large Buddhist complex, the Kaiyuan Temple, wherein tourists can observe monks praying, can roam around beautiful gardens and have some souvenir items. As a historical destination, some museums are good to visit too!

For those nature lover and hikers, Mount Qingyuan is there to show you the beauty of nature and the city view.

Also, there are so much food that can be tasted with bunch of sea food, noodles and grilled meat. For tea lovers out there, ceremonial tea may be in your bucket list to experience and taste.

Both destinations will show their best to tell a story. Both will be worth a visit. Both are sister cities. 

Flight schedules twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) are as follows:
Quanzhou (JJN) - Davao (DVO) flight MF8679 departs at 09:00H and arrives at 12:15H
DVO - JJN flight MF8680 departs at 13:50H and arrives at 16:30H

But I hope visa processing from Davao to Quanzhou will be easy. Consulate of China in Davao can serve visa processing. :-)

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Travel | Enjoy the Waters of IGACOS!

Babu Santa, Talicud Island

A plunge to the beach, waterfalls and other bodies of water may be your thing during dry and hot season in the Philippines. Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), commonly known as Samal Island in Davao Region, may have some of those activities you have in mind for the season. Let’s check it out!

IGACOS is part of Davao del Norte Province wherein it lies at the middle of the Davao Gulf. It has great white sand beaches, waterfalls, caves, diving spots and you can do some water sport activities. It is the nearest city from the center of Davao City wherein less than 10 minutes of roll on roll off (RORO) water vehicle ride will reach you to the port of Babak in IGACOS. One can bring their own vehicle or commute with the island city bus or with motorcycle in IGACOS.

Hagimit Falls

One of the treasures of IGACOS is the hagimit falls.

Hagimit Falls

The hagimit falls is situated 2km from Penaplata proper and entrance fee to the place is P40. Upon entering the place, one will need to walk down towards the basin of the water falls. The place is relaxing with the sound of pouring water from the steps to the basin of the water falls. The water is also cool and fresh. It is really one of the places flocked by people during the dry and hot season.

I love Samal, Kaputian Beach Resort, Kaputian, IGACOS

The best part, really, of IGACOS is the white sand beaches. It is spread around the whole island and really a place to enjoy the salty waters and have some aquatic activities. The LGU-managed resort in the island is the Kaputian Beach Resort. Entrance fee is set at P10 per pax for a day tour, but P75 for overnight stay. Rental of cottages and rooms will range from 200-400 pesos.

There are more to experience in the island and nearby island, Talicud island. These are only among the few places to visit in IGACOS. The city government of IGACOS has taken part to the ongoing Visit Davao Summer Festival, together with the provincial government of Davao del Norte Tourism office, so there's more to enjoy during the season in the island!

Thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

#VisitDavao

#WideFest

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Travel | Exploring Western Boundaries of Davao City: Itinerary and Budget

Sunrise and Sea of Clouds at Sonnen Berg Mountain View

Many would think that they have known Davao City already with the most famous icons attached to the place like the Philippine Eagle, Mt. Apo, Waling-waling and Durian. However, many don’t know yet the magic of Davao City’s western boundary that is surrounded by mountain ranges. Do you want to experience a cool weather? Do you want to witness a breath-taking sunrise with sea of clouds? Do you want to be one with nature? Of course, many want that! That’s all in one at the Marilog-Buda area of Davao City!

The Marilog-Buda Tour is really one of the things I really want to experience. I don’t want to spend so much so the best way to do it is to join a tour! As always, I join a tour and gain some friends. :-p

It is a very early departure and early breakfast from downtown Davao City, around 2:30 AM. It will take 2 hours before arriving at the first stop. The first stop is at Sonnen Berg Mountain View, the place where the sunrise is seen with sea of clouds. The place is privately owned and has an entrance fee of P50. Surprisingly, there’s a lot of people who have gone to the place very early morning. Then, it is waiting time for the first rays of the sun to show up around 5 AM. The full sunrise is seen around 6 AM. You will see the sea of clouds too with the area surrounded by mountain ranges. A Sagada-like experience, but not necessarily finding your true-love here. (hahaha) It is such a beauty!

Eagles Structure

Indigenous People Structure

Indigenous People Selling Indigenous Craft

Next stop, the Eagle Structure! It is a very huge structure of the Philippine Eagle and an eaglet with some structures of indigenous people too. Seeing this while on road travel, either commuting or by own car, will tell you that it’s part of Davao City. There are indigenous people around, too, selling some indigenous products for tourists/guest/visitors. Well, we can stop by the area anytime of the day but an early visit makes us own the area with few tourists.

Bemwa Farm

Then, next stop, Bemwa Farm! What does this farm offer? A lot! It has an entrance fee of P50 but consumable for some food. That’s another breakfast to eat. (hahaha) After eating, it is now a tour at the farm. You’ll be seeing fresh farm products and farm plants like strawberries, lettuce of different kinds and many more. It can be an experience of strawberry picking during harvest season. It is something mostly done in Baguio City or Benguet but can be experienced in this part of Davao City. Of course that is not copied there, but it is a source of livelihood and now part of tourism.

Skylab (motorcycle with wings)

Next stop, more of mountain ranges of Marilog District - Hills View and Gethsemane. Are you ready for the adventure? Yes, it is really an adventure as one or a group has to ride a skylab (motorcycle with wings) though off-road cars can pass there. The ride to and from amounts to P170 per person.

Hills View Deck

View of Mountain Ranges

Hills View is a sight to see more mountain ranges and take a pose on top of the hill. There’s an entrance fee of P50 wherein it’s part of the community development and maintenance. Mostly, Matigsalog tribe people are there.

Gethsemane Garden

Then, at the Gethsemane… It is a garden of beautiful landscape. Also, it has an entrance fee of P50. Really, the tour is more of being with nature very far from the bustling city life. It is a great diversion of thoughts and embrace nature’s beauty.

Gethsemane Landscape

Then, a sumptuous lunch at the borders of Davao City and Bukidnon Province is a great way to regain energy from an adventurous trip in Marilog District. Then, it is back to the city.

Actually, there’s a lot of resorts in Marilog-Buda. There are those privately-owned, open to public and virgin forests. It is such an experience once in a while to be with nature and explore the city where you reside. There’s more actually to discover. It is also a great thing to experience to mingle with our indigenous brothers and sisters.

For the expenses during this tour, here the breakdown:

P 500 - for the van, tour guide and coordination

P 150 - for the entrance fees at Bemwa Farm, Hills View and Gethsemane

P 170 - for the skylab

P 250 - for food expense along the way (snacks) and lunch

P 1, 070 TOTAL (not bad)

I hope you guys enjoy this travel adventure, thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.