Life has its way of sending great you surprises every now and then. I consider my trip to the enchanting island of Mindanao as one of these. The moment I received an invite to join a state college in their educational tour, I couldn’t contain the excitement of exploring and rediscovering places. Our first stop was Davao Oriental, in a municipality called Mati. After checking on a state college for benchmarking, we went to a museum called Subangan. Here you can find the history of Davao Oriental, its marine biodiversity, and also its tourist destinations.
After a short trip to the museum, the next stop was the Sleeping Dinosaur. This is a scenic view where you can find island formations that form the shape of a dinosaur that is asleep. Other people call it the Sleeping Turtle Island while one of my teacher companions calls it the Sleeping Dragon. Seeing that scenery felt like being in Jejo Island in Korea. Around the area, you will be surrounded with colorful bougainvillea flowers.
After Mati’s own version of the Korean Island, we went to Davao City to visit another state university. Shortly after a brief talk with the university officials, the group headed towards the hotel to freshen up and get ready for dinner. Dinner was Filipino dishes composed of the exotic bamboo rice, native chicken, and the Filipino pancit.
Then next day was Samal Island day. We took the car to the barge that will cross the channel from Davao City towards the island. We went around the island, stopping momentarily in some spots to take pictures. We then went to a farmer’s restaurant where food from fresh produced was served. After the sumptuous meal, we went back to the city.
Then afterwards, we went to a man-made adventure park within the city. It is called D’Leonor. You can enjoy statues of prominent cartoon, sports, and historical figures of varying types that will certainly bring back the child in you. You will also find what may be the largest pool in Davao City. You can enjoy the whole theme park by riding their shuttle car around. For those who like wild adventure rides like zipline, D’Leonor will give you the thrill you have been seeking for. To end the day we went to SM Lanang for dinner and went back home to rest.
Then next day we were up at 6 AM and after breakfast, we were on the road again to Surigao Del Sur where we will go to Bislig for its marvelous, jaw-dropping waterfalls called Tinuy-an. Legend says that the falls took its name after natives of the place were able to escape from slavery by leading their abusive master to fall off the falls’ edge. Hence the name “Tinuy-an” which means intention or will. Tinuy-an is also popularly known as the Niagara Falls of the Philippines. It is the widest falls found in the country.
The adventure was not yet over. Next destination was the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. The river forms a cone and its unique formation actually leads to a cave underneath it. It is indeed a river lagoon that leads to the Pacific Ocean. There are so many things that you will find as truly enchanted. The area is known for turtles and for fish species of different colors and sizes. The river also will give you shades that are truly unusually beautiful and with a little time for yourself, everything you can say is that it gives you goosebumps.
