DiscoveringDavao: EDEN NATURE PARK—A MAN-MADE NATURE PARK 🌴🌿🍂

(Run for your Life! Hahaha)
Eden Nature Park is an hour away or 26.5 kilometers from the city center. You have to hire a private van, taxi or motorcycle to go there since there is no direct route that travels from the city to the nature park.
While on our way, we could see that as far as we were going, the more rural the place is.

In the middle of our journey, we pulled over and captured this view.

The journey wasn’t smooth since the road is hilly and narrow but that made our experience unique yet amazing.

After an hour of travelling from the city, we had finally arrived!

There are a lot of things to do in Eden. We booked a Day Tour Package which cost us Php1,000 each person; that includes a lunch buffet and guided shuttle tour.

The guided shuttle toured as all around the nature park to see the different attractions. While waiting for guided shuttle tour, we gallivanted around.

We found this Aviary Section where we could definitely hear the birds chirping that echoes everywhere.

They also have some monkeys at the BirdsWalk Section.

Now, let us see where the shuttle tour takes us! While we were looking around, we had a tourist guide who tells us important information about the nature park. She mentioned that Eden Nature Park is 90% man-made which means almost every tree or plant in that 80-hectare park were planted by workers/people.

The first destination is the FLOWER GARDEN.

According to our tourist guide, many of these flowers were brought as seeds from abroad. The flowers you can see in this zone are the Black-eyed Susan, Buddleia Lavender (Butterfly Bush), Sunflowers, Blue Rose, Cleome White Brush, and Gerbera (Daisy).

While we were exploring the Flower Garden, we saw this statue of St. Francis.

Next is the AMPHITHEATRE

This Amphitheatre is evocative of the ancient Roman civilisation. This is one of the functions of Eden Nature Park where masses, weddings, ceremonies or concerts are held especially, we can see the view of Davao City and its gulf.

(It is always foggy in the morning that’s why the view is not clear)

Near the Amphitheatre is the RAINBOW PASS

Rainbow pass has seven arches; each arch coincide with the different colours of the rainbow. It is ideal for pre-nuptial or wedding photo shoots and even group candid photos!

Next is LOLA’S GARDEN

In Lola’s Garden, it highlights the well of Hibiscus or Gumamela. In different corners, there are different kinds of vegetables and flowers as well.

Just few steps beside the well, we could find this statue of a Carabao. Why Carabao? In the Philippines, Carabao is the national animal which was introduced by Malay immigrants around 300 to 200 AC. It was the most important animal in a rice farm because it helps the farmers to plow.

Next is TINUBDAN

Tinubdan is derived from the root word tubod which means spring or origin of water.

In this attraction, we explored the Mindanaoan culture, traditions, customs and beliefs. It also shows us the dimensions of Lumad existence. Tinubdan zone occupies almost 5,000 square metres, so it’s like a cultural park within a park!

That is one of the statues of Diwata which the Mindanaoans in the early times believed in. Diwata is a kind of spirit or deity.

“The word “Diwata” although used in Tagalog does not retain its Indian/Hindu meaning. Among the Tagalogs, Diwata is usually understood as a fairy. In the Visayas however, the word Diwata is understood as equivalent to the word Anito or ancestor spirit. –Jose Rommel Fernandes

That is Bagani, a Manobo word for "WARRIOR"

This is a Bahay Kubo. Bahay Kubo is one of the most popular icon in the Philippines. This nipa hut is based on the Spanish phrase “Cubo” which means cube. (Do you notice that most terms or even names we use in Philippines are based in Spanish Language? It’s because Spaniards colonized the Philippines in the early times for hundreds of years.)

(My sister taking a picture of me)

The result? It’s BLURRY! Hehehe

LET’S JUMP TO EDEN NATURES PARK’S ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES!

Eden Nature Park has a lot to offer; from delicious food, nature activities to Recreational Activities too! So what are these activities you can do?

One of it is Sky-cycling!

Next is the Sky Rider!

It was our second time to do zip-lining. It was not the best experience yet worth a try.

They also have Indiana Jones.

I honestly enjoyed this more than the zip-lining. This is open for Adults and Children for FREE! Also, look closely at the far left side of the gif, you can see some people riding colts(horses). I think it cost 30 pesos for 10 minutes.

You can also enjoy the swimming pool in the middle of the forest!

The pool is clean and well-maintained. It was a bit cold but we could handle and still enjoy the swimming.

And that summarizes our short exploration in Eden Nature Park. Thus Eden Nature Park is the best destination in Davao that thrills our “nature-loving” soul and surely gives us information about authentic history of pre-colonial Filipinos.

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE BEFORE? HOW WAS IT? LET'S TALK ABOUT IT!