DAVAO LIFE IS HERE: THE JAPANESE HISTORICAL SITES OF DAVAO CITY

Last weekend members of  The Davao Bloggers  in cooperation with Davao City Tourism Office held a day tour entitled "DAVAO LIFE IS HERE DAVAO BLOGGERS DAY TOUR". Participants were divided into four groups and I was able to join  "The Calinan thrill -seekers" group composed of 10 bloggers and  photographer. Here's the first part of my blog:

"D'Japanese Tunnel Hotel and Family Resort" located in Matina, Balusong Diversion Road. The tunnel was built in 1942   by the Japanese with the length of 8.9 kms. but today it can be accessed up to 150 meters.  Inside the tunnel were life size replicas of Golden Buddha and Japanese Soldiers.

replica of  japanese soldiers

 replica of "The Golden Buddha"

The resort has a swimming pool for kids and adults,  restaurant and function rooms for wedding, baptismal and conference. One of the best getaway for families and friends. For bookings and reservations you may contact D'Japanese Tunnel Hotel and Family Resort  at (082)299-0975, (082)2950678.

Pool area for kids and adults

 D'Japanese Tunnel Hotel room

Next stop for that day was in Mintal known as "THE LITTLE TOKYO OF DAVAO CITY"  were we met up with the Barangay Captain Raymond Bargamento. It was my first time hearing the history of Mintal and I was amazed by the history itself.

We visited  Mintal Historical Markers in Mintal Elementary School where the "OHTA KYOZABURO"  memorial site which was made in honor of Ohta Kyozaburo a Japanese entrepreneur who was one who invested in Davao City.  Old remains of  ruins of Japanese school structures and the ruins of  Japanese Pyramide can also be found. We also made a visit to Japanese Cemetery,  Irrigation Canal, and Old Japanese houses.

                                                            Ohta Kyozaburo Memorial Site

                                                             

                                                              

 JAPANESE CEMETERY

                                                          OLD JAPANESE  HOUSES

Watch out for the continuation this story as we explored Sul Orchids Davao, Malagos Garden Resort and our our last stop at Santander, Kainan ng bayan, Inato lang Ihaw-ihaw.  Special thanks to SMART  for providing us pocket wifi.

HUNDRED ISLANDS AND MT. PINATUBO

When it comes to Luzon Trip, I am always incharge in buying tickets,  making itineraries and arranging  accommodations for the group. This time, its a 2 days tour to Hundred Islands and Mt. Pinatubo.

When we arrived in Manila our hired  two (2)  aircon van were already  waiting for us at the airport. Together with my 19 outdoor buddies from Manila and Davao, we departed NAIA 3 at 1:30am and arrived in Alaminos, Pangasinan at 6:00am. 

Our first stop was a day tour in Hundred Islands in Barangay Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan  which is composed of 124 islands at low tide and 123 islands at high tide but only three islands were developed namely Governor Island, Quezon Island, and Children's Island. Everything went well except that after lunch our tour operator called us asking if we will pursue our trip to Mt. Pinatubo for the next day since it was closed for the day due to heavy rain and no assurance if  we could get the chance to climb the next day. 

Late Lunch in Dagupan City

After our tour in Hundred Islands, we had our lunch in Dagupan City and had our meeting for any back up plans for the next day activity but we can't make a final decision since we have different decisions. It was a headache for me. Our dinner and overnight stay was sponsored by  NIA Office in Tarlac. We are so thankful for their warm  accommodation. Our group decided to have a tour on the next day in Tarlac. 

AT NIA Office, Tarlac

Dinner at NIA Office

But, thanks to my friends Tina, Cheryl, Marj and Tupe for pursuing to Capas, Tarlac the next morning and when the weather was nice they give the climbers a go signal  to trek Mt. Pinatubo. We were so happy since it was our main target why we were in Manila. The 4x4 vehicle ride took us around an hour via skyway and the trek is thirty to forly minutes depending on your pacing.  The trail was easy even kids are allowed.  In the end, everything turned out right and we were back to Manila with satisfaction in our faces.

4x4 vehicle ride

with Mr. Juan dela Cruz

A Kid Aeta you will meet along the way

Journeying Sarah at the majestic crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo

Photo credits: Keir Ashley Lim, Olan Emboscado, Caroline Espejon and Ophelia Casel