It is summertime and the best antidote to the scorching heat of the sun is to bask and soak in the beach.  That is just what we did today.

Sunset Beach Resort on a lovely day

Our boss in the office initiated for a summer beach outing.  Yet, we are scarce with budget and so, another office mate suggested that we’ll go to Sunset Beach Park Resort because it is affordable there.

I have never been to the place.  We just ride a Public Utility Vehicle (PUJ) going to the barge wharf in Sasa, Davao city.  The wharf is very full with beach goers and I remember, it was a holiday since it is May 1, Labor day.  We write our names on the logbook and then waited for our ride in the barge.  When we arrived in Samal, we ride a tricycle and told the driver we are heading to Sunset Beach Resort.  When you are at the barge wharf in Samal island, Sunset Beach Resort is approximately 1-2 kilometers going left.

There were already many people when we arrived at the resort.  The place is nice in relation to the tariffs that they charge.  Charges like entrance fee, corkage are a lot cheaper compared to other beach resorts in the area.

The Place

The ambiance of the place is generally cool. It has many trees serving as shade when  the sun really gets hot.  There are a number of open cottages at the beach front and closed cottages are numerous as well for those who want to go overnight. I heard from friends that during night, the place gets really lively because there are fire dancers and there is also a live band. I have not experienced it myself though because we went home in the afternoon.

Kids are having fun at Sunset beach Park and Resort

Open cottages near the beach

Grilling area at Sunset Beach resort

Souvenir Store

Closed cottage – non air conditioned

Air conditioned closed cottage at Sunset Beach Resort

jet ski for rent

Charges/Tariffs

Entrance fee

Php20.oo +Php5.00 (environmental fee)=Php25.00 / Php35.00 – for overnight

Child – Php10.00 / Php15.00 – for overnight

Cottage

Open cottage – Php250.00 / Php300.00 -for overnight

Closed cottage – (non-aircon) – Php800.00 / Php800.00 – for overnight

Closed cottage (air-con) – Php1500.00 – good for 2 persons, maximum of 5.  Excess persons will be charged  100 Pesos each

Function hall – Php2500.00 / Php3,000.00 – for overnight

Corkage

Softdrinks and liquor

1 case softdrinks – Php50.00 / Php10.00 per bottle

1 case SMB or SML – Php50.00

Long neck – Php50.00 / Php20.00 per 500ml

Jet Wave Sports

When you are at Sunset Beach Resort, you can enjoy water sports.  You may rent a jet ski or ride a banana boat and have fun under the sun.

Rental fees:

1 hour jet ski rental – Php3,500.00

1/2 hour jet ski rental – Php2,500.00

15 minutes – banana boat – Php300.00 per person – minimum of 5 persons

Jet ski rental contact number ->0942-399-8853

Amenities

The place is huge and it has a function hall.  There are tenants or renters in the place like a store and a bar.  There is also a souvenir shop.  When we were there, there’s a henna tattoo station for those who want to have it.

Generally, the place is all right, having an affordable price and good ambiance.  However,  the number of CR and baths cannot accommodate all of their clients when the place gets full. given their huge area.  It would be also nice if there are faucets/ lavatory that will be strategically located so that beach goers do not have to walk far just to wash hands and plates.  Other than those concerns, the place is really awesome.

(Disclaimer: all prices reflected above are based on our visit.  It is provided as a baseline information or a reference point.  It is a fact that prices change from time to time.  So if you want to visit their place, contact them thru telephone numbers given below to get accurate prices on the time of your visit.)

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Sunset Beach Park Resort

Kinawitnon, Babak

IGACOS

Contact #:09302902464

When going to SM Lanang Premier, we usually go to the fountain court because little girl really loves it there.  On our latest visit, we noticed that there is a newly opened quaint looking restaurant, right in the center of the fountain court.

Mesa Restaurant Ambiance and Interiors

This restaurant intrigued us and knowing that it serves Filipino dishes makes us want to try it out.  We went in front of the restaurant and looked at the menu displayed outside.  As we looked at the menu and the price range of the food, we decided to dine there.

Mesa Restaurant

Inside Mesa Restaurant – SM Lanang Premier, Davao City

Interiors of 2 enclosed rooms at Mesa Restaurant-SM Lanang Premier

 The interior of the restaurant is very cozy and true to its name, it has a native design yet a touch of modernity.  It is evident in the embellishments of their lighting and the cone-shape design that is made of native material, yet the cushions are made of modern fabric.

The Food

It was mid-afternoon yet we are up for a heavy snack. There were only few people inside the restaurant and as we get inside, the waitress, knowing that we were only three, ushered us to a round table with a beautiful cone-shape native design enclosing it.  We were literally wowed by it because it afforded us real privacy from other diners.  There were around four of it and in front of us are 2 enclosed rooms fitted for business meetings and VIP affairs or gatherings.

Mesa restaurant

Grilled Liempo

Our order consist of grilled liempo, mesa way which I believe will surely appeal to little girl who is a picky eater. It is a classic grilled pork belly (Php185) served with a dip.  It is very tender and deliciously marinated.

Pan- fried lapu-lapu sprinkled with latik on top

Fish is my favorite.  We decided to try their pan-fried lapu-lapu  with latik (fried coconut meat)-(Php 495.00 – 90 Php per 100g).  The fish is huge and delicious. The flavor of the latik gives contrast to the luscious lapu-lapu meat.

Oxtail Soup

Oxtail soup

Since it was a rainy afternoon, a warm soup would be very good so we ordered Soup Buntot – Double boiled oxtail and tripe soup (Php 290.00).  When ordering an oxtail, first consideration is it must be really tender or else it will be like eating a rubber.  When the soup arrived, it was contained in a big soup jar.  The waitress then placed some soup and oxtail on the 3 soup bowls she brought.  When dining at other restaurants and when ordering soup, we are used to be left serving ourselves with our respective soup bowls but this time, it was the waitress who served it for us. Excellent customer service, I must say.  The taste of the soup is really good and it is very rich.  The best thing is that the oxtail is very tender that the meat easily fall off from the bone.

Drinks consist of sagot’ gulaman, fresh buko shake and mango juice

Our drinks consist of sago at gulaman for little girl, fresh buko shake for me and mango juice for hubby.  Overall, it was not an inexpensive treat but definitely it was a great  dining experience with superb service.

There are lots of reasons why Davao foodies must delight nowadays.  So many new restaurants and cafes are opening in Davao City.  Thanks to Davao’s progressing economy.

Ching’s Resto-Kaffee recently opened its doors that will surely delight to both locals and travellers alike.  It is located inside Jade Dragon’s Suites which is conveniently located along Aurora Jacinto Streets, Davao City.

Opening of Ching’s Resto-Kaffee

Inside Ching’s Resto-Kaffee

Mouth watering!

Yummy

Ching’s Resto-Kaffee makes you see art pieces of Davao’s selected artists.  So you can enjoy the nice ambiance of this resto-cafe, delight the beautiful art masterpieces while savoring your delicious treats.

When looking for a place to stay, a lot of factors are taken into consideration.  Comfort is first and foremost.  It makes your stay in the place worthwhile and meaningful.  Being comfortable affords you to relax, get rejuvenated and be ready to savor and face life’s adventures in the new day.

Next consideration is location. Accessibility is very important when choosing a place to stay to avoid the hassle of long travel time and traffic congestion.You need to be just a stone’s throw away from important establishments that you may need to go as you stay in the beautiful City of Davao.

Another thing to consider is reasonable price.  Budget is an important aspect when you are not home or when you are traveling.  So, you need to be able to get the worth of what you spend (of course!).

The last but most important consideration is safety and security.  If the place you’ll stay is safe and secure, then you can enjoy peaceful and sound rest.

Fortunately,  you can get all  of these at Jade Dragon’s Suites in Davao City.  Sharing to you some photos:

Facade of Jade Dragon Suites, Davao City

Lobby

Comfy and luxurious rooms at Jade Dragon Suites

Rooms have hot and cold shower and cable TV.

Ching’s Resto-Kaffee at Jade Dragon Suites

Inside this hotel,  Ching’s Resto-Kaffee offers sumptuous meals that will delight to your taste buds.  It gives you an opportunity to view art pieces of selected Davao artists.

Inside Jade Dragon Suites

• Free scheduled shuttle service going and back to Gaisano Mall
• Free internet wifi
• Free Breakfast on standard room rates
• Free Baggage Counter service
• Free Blood Pressure taking and first aid
• All rooms are furnish with LED Cable TV, Hot and Cold Shower, Air condition rooms, pabx telephone system
• Elevator Service
• Security Services
• Equipped with 24 hour Security Surveillance Cameras
• Shuttle Service
• Restaurant and function room (Namely the Ching’s Resto-Kaffee and the Lutong Bahay atbp.)

Looking for a place to stay in Davao City? Stay at Jade Dragon Suites and experience comfort and luxury.

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One of the factors that contributes to a good dining experience is the place itself.  Vista restaurant is located at Eden Nature park and resort situated at Barangay Eden, Toril, Davao City.  It is a place where you can relax and commune with nature, away from the  bustling life in the urban center.

Signage of Vista Restaurant

The food

The food at Vista Restaurant is deliciously prepared.  You can choose a variety of viands like fish fillet, buttered and fried chicken, lumpia shanghai, and others.  They also serve lavish vegetable salad.  Since it is a nature resort, they grow their own vegetables in hydrophonics so you can expect freshly picked veggies served for you.  Aside from veggies and viands, they will serve you also with desserts consisting of fruits and sweets.

Great foods

yummy foods

The ambiance

The place is huge enough to accommodate their numerous guests.  They have tables provided outside the Vista restaurant for the convenience of their clients should the place itself becomes full.  If you come in a  large group, there is an intended place for you, just adjacent to the Vista restaurant.

spacious restaurant

Full of color

More tables and chairs to accommodate diners

The place is cool being located in an elevated area.  It is surrounded with plentiful of trees so you can not feel much the scorching heat of the sun.  The restaurant provides a beautiful vista of the city of Davao with the beautiful Davao gulf and the lovely flowers and trees in the mountains.  This I think is the reason why it is named Vista Restaurant.

How to go to Vista Restaurant

Getting to Vista restaurant is just easy.  If you have your own car, all you have to do is drive to the south of Davao City and when you reach Toril, turn right near Mercury drugstore which is along the national highway.  From there, you have to travel, going up around 15 minutes and you can never miss the big signage of Eden Nature park and resort where Vista restaurant is located inside.

If you come from the airport, you may hire a taxi to take you to the Eden nature park.  If you are commuting, you may just ride a jeepney going to Toril.  Public utility vehicles bound for Toril can be found in Quirino-Claveria-Roxas Avenue, Davao City.  When you reach Mercury Drugstore in Toril, you can hire a single motorcycle to take you to Eden Nature park and resort.

Inside Probinsya restaurant

Food is always associated with bonding moments with family, friends, and colleagues. There’s nothing happier and more meaningful than eating foods that delight our very own  palate, the Filipino foods – that’s what Probinsya buffet restaurant offers.

Inside Probinsya Restaurant

Filipino foods @ Probinsya restaurant

An array of Filipino foods

More foods

Delectable Filipino foods

Yummy desserts

You can make your own halo-halo here

Simply delicious!

Probinsya restaurant, you can hold special occasion celebrations in their place

For a fee of Php298.00, You can enjoy delectable Filipino cuisine at Probinsya: Home of Lutong Pinoy buffet restaurant.  They serve a wide array of Filipino delicacies like adobo, kinilaw, and many others.  You can have a barbeque grilled for you or you can mix your own halo-halo. Aside from the main dishes, side dishes and appetizers, they also serve a wide array of delicious desserts.

They also serve breakfast buffet for a cheaper price (Php168.00 during our visit).  The ambiance of the place is true to its name, Probinsya.  It has an ambiance of a province with native designs but with touch of modernity.    Are you looking for a place for your Filipino food trip? Try Probinsya restaurant and indulge with Filipino flavorful foods!

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Probinsya Buffet Restaurant

Victoria Plaza Compound, Bajada, Davao City

Daily: 7-10 am / 11 am – 2pm / 6-10pm

Tel #: (082) -225-1455 to 56

Isla Reta Beach Resort, Talikud Island, Samal

I have often heard raves about the beautiful Isla Reta Beach Resort located in Talikud Island, Island Garden City of Samal.  So when I feel like really relaxing for a very busy student life, me and my classmates in the graduate school decided to have a weekend getaway at the famous Isla Reta beach resort.

The boat ride going to Isla Reta from Sta. Ana Wharf in Davao City is only once in the morning and another one in the afternoon.  Our group decided to go to the place in the afternoon so that we still have time to prepare our food in the morning since we are planning to stay at Isla Reta for overnight.  The boat going to Isla Reta left at Sta. Ana wharf at around 3:00 in the afternoon.  It was about one hour ride going to Kaputian Wharf where our boat had a stopover and stayed there for 5 minutes.  After  that, our boat headed to Isla Reta which is just around 10-15 minutes from Kaputian Wharf.

If you are a nature-lover, you will really appreciate the place.  But if you are expecting very high-class amenities like that of 5-star hotels, the place does not offer such.  It does not offer air-conditioned rooms with wi-fi facility.

Follow the rules and regulations!

There is also a spot light directed to the beach for the people who go night swimming.   So for the night swimmers, you will really get to enjoy the place.  If you don’t bring foods with you, you may order at their restaurant.  They have foods with reasonable prices.

Isla Reta Signage

Isla Reta beach resort is a beautiful resort with blue pristine waters, a huge seashore with white sand (Don’t expect white powedery sand like Boracay).  It is sorrounded with many Talisay trees that give shade to the beach goers.   They have a number of open cottages, 5 closed and concrete cottages and a nipa cottage.

Tents are in place before night falls

Many of the people who stayed there overnight had their tents.  If you don’t have tent with you, you can rent at the place.  They also rent out pillows, mattresses for you to be comfortable.

Isla Reta on a beautiful morning

People sleeping on the seashore is a common sight

Lovely beach

beautiful sunrise at Isla Reta beach resort

Closed cottages at Isla Reta Beach resort

Lovely waters in the morning

Heading home

Our stay at Isla Reta beach resort is really a nice one and it indeed rejuvenates our tired souls and be ready to get back to life’s realities.

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Isla Reta Beach Resort

Talikud Island, Samal

Tel. #: 234-7903

Fashion 21 makes fashion shopping for Davaoeños more fun and exciting  as it opens it doors to Davao Shoppers.  It is one of the top brands that is located at the SM Lanang Premier that will be opening soon.

Forever 21 is an American chain of clothing retailers including accessories, trendy fashion for men and women.  It was founded in 1984 and had their first store in Los Angeles, California, the clothing line has grown into 400 stores all over the world including Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan, Puerto Rico, Philippines and the United Kingdom.

Forever 21 gained popularity because their fashion pieces do not have uniform specifications and they have trend-setting designs.  The brand offers products in categories such as Dresses, Tops, Sweaters, Cardigans, Bottoms, Jumpsuits, Activewear, Lingerie, Swimwear, Accessories, Shoes, Beauty products, Jewelery, Bags, Wallets, Hair Accessories, Hats, Scarves, Gloves, Belts, Eyewear, Legwear and more.

Forever 21 Philippines

The Philippines welcomed its first store of Forever 21 at the SM Megamall in July 2010.  Partnering with the SM Retail group in the Philippines, it continues to extend its fashion reach with the opening of new stores in SM Makati, SM Cebu, SM City North Edsa and SM Mall of Asia.

Forever 21 in SM Lanang Premier housed in 1,400 square meter of space, will bring in everything that’s trending in the world of fashion with its exciting line – Forever 21, Love 21, Heritage 1981, Forever 21 Girls, Forever 21+ and 21 Men.

(photo credits: www.facebook.com/forever21)

Many Davaoeños are already excited for the opening of the largest mall in the city, the SM Lanang Premier which opens its doors on September 28, 2012.  This new premier shopping destination in Davao City will have a grand opening with a Friday party.

DJ Callum Davaid

Australian DJ and model DJ Callum will grace its opening  at 10:00 in the morning to 12:00 noon.  Expect to be swayed with his upbeat music at the atrium.  At 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, there will be an ultimate dance party with no other than Iya Villania and Gab Valenciano.  Get delighted also with the surreal music by the Manila String Machine at 4:00 pm.

Iya Villania

Gab Valenciano

The Zombettes

As the sun gives way to the night, party starts with laser lights show and awesome threesome, give way for the Zombettes at 7:30 PM at The Park.  See you at the opening of SM Lanang Premier along J.P Laurel Avenue, Davao City and let us all have fun.

Dish garden designs are very lovely and beautiful.  Plants in dish garden design are planted in a shallow  open containers like planter, decorated basket or in a dish.  Designs resemble mini landscape of different types like foliage, dessert or rain forest.

Every major celebration in Davao city, there is an agri-trade fair that showcased the abundant flora of different types here in Davao City.  They exhibit lovely flowers of different species, bonsai and dish garden designs.

Here are photos garden designs exhibited in different agri-trade fairs in Davao City…

Are they not beautiful? Thanks to the horticulture hobbyists and enthusiasts for showcasing their creations!