Unwinding At NRC2

Immediately after we arrived in General Santos City, we proceed to a resort called NRC2 Garden Resort (haven't really asked them about their name).  Just coming from a more or less 3 hours bus trip, the very first thing I would love to do was to lay down and sleep to a cozy bed... but going to the place was unexpectedly not that bad as well.  It was purely simple fun, nothing fancy about the place, makes it perfect for unwinding and relaxation.  More, we're lucky the place wasn't that crowded at that moment... in fact, our group was the only one there.  

The resort was just kilometers away but far enough from the busy life of the city... not to mention that it is surrounded by mountain view.  As for facilities and amusement, they offer the following: 

• They have a 4 feet to 6 feet deep pool for adults and a separate pool for the kids with slides (the kids really enjoyed them).  
• Cottages and function rooms
• A tennis court
• Karaoke or sing-a-long stations (wasn't able to get the mic from my wife...LOL)
• And an ostrich (just saw one, not sure if there's more... hehehe)

 

If you're curious to visit their place, they are located at PhilTrade, Barangay Mabuhay, General Santos City.  It's quite tricky to get to the place, so you may want to ask for direction and other information in their contact number 0918-229-1630.  Good luck.  Yahweh bless.

Gardens Of Eden

In the Bible, the "Garden of Eden" was said to be the place where Adam and Eve (the first people) lived until they disobeyed our Father in heaven.  Today, there were gardens resorts and places named after it, and I was lucky enough to visit two of them here in Davao City.

Eden Nature Park and Resort

A week ago, we had our company summer outing in the place.  With the cool breeze (maybe because of being situated at the feet of Mount Talomo) and wide activity area, it was somehow perfect for huge gatherings, seminars, reunions and alike.  It wasn't my first time there, but I just can never had enough of places especially those surrounded by nature... very appealing and relaxing to the senses.

We had some parlor games just to loosen up and enjoy the company of fellow employees, had our buffet meals, roamed a little bit and had the guided tour around the place... all expense shouldered by our company. That's just how generous our company to it's workforce. No wonder why it's so blessed and loved.

Eden also had amenities and facilities like their cottages (for overnight stay), playground, zip lines, mountain trail (for trekking), fishing village, etc.  I hadn't tried them all due to time constraint (beside the fact that it wasn't included in the freebies, hehehe).  For more info about the place, you can always visit their website.

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ's Covenant Mountain and Prayer Center- Garden of Eden (Restored)

Just this Thursday,  we joined a seminar conducted in the place.  Never been there and heard a lot of good things about it, I was somewhat eager and expecting a lot.  Well, I was not disappointed.

I am a nature lover.  I find plants and trees, especially if nicely landscaped, appealing and soothing to my eyes.  And the place was what I imagined it to be.  There's no really extra-ordinary with the place, but what I admired most was its being clean and well maintained.  From the roads and pathways, to the plants and their arrangement, even to the tiny details as that of the stepping stone edges... very tidy, well trimmed.  Maybe because the members of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (religious founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ) give respect to their sacred place and/or they are just that disciplined.

By the way, it's open to the public.  Based on the information we got from our tour guide, if you wanted to visit their place, you can go at their ticketing office (visit their website) or go directly to their place located at Tamayong, Calinan, Davao City and pay there.  They don't accommodate overnights except for members and special guests only.  It's a religious ground, so don't expect to find things as that of a resort.

So, what can one do?  Well, we roamed around the place and enjoyed the scenery (there were just some restricted areas).  We also used a function room in their restaurant for a seminar (though the tour guide told us, they don't cater wedding reception, birthdays and similar occasions). One can also dine inside in their cafe and restaurants (I heard they had corkage on food and drinks brought inside the compound).  And they have a nursery of ornamental plants (just about everything they had in their garden), for sale.

So, which do I recommend?  Both.  There's really nothing much to compare about the places.  Since one is a resort and the other one is a religious place.  It really depends on one's preference.  But if it's a nature trip you want to have, I highly recommend you see both of them.  Yahweh bless.

  

When Traveling Abroad

Traveling outside the country isn't all fun.  You need to consider a lot of things like money, time and the basic necessities.  It was my first time to travel to a foreign land and my... it was tough, for me and my family.  So, I'm providing below a list of basic things you need to take care of before your flight outside the country based on my experience:

Get a passport and if required, a visa.  It's a must, guys.  A passport serves as your identification as a foreigner.  You cannot legally enter another country without it.

Plan ahead.  Schedule your vacation ahead of time so you won't get in trouble leaving your obligations behind.  Synchronize your leave with your companion(s), if you have any.  Get a flight that suits your budget and time, be it direct, connecting or separate flights schedule.

Travel light.  Bring only the things you need most and base the quantity on the length of your stay.  Don't bring things your planning to buy, unless of course it's a necessity.  You're passport doesn't weigh that much, so don't forget it coz' you won't be getting off our country without it.

Better early than be sorry.  Time is of utmost importance.  Go to the terminal at least 2-3 hours before your scheduled flight.  Anticipate falling in a long line of passengers for multiple necessary procedures.  To save time, if you have an able companion, you can fall in line for the check-in counter while the other for the travel tax payment (assuming you're not an oversees Filipino worker).

Be prepared monetarily.  For all you thought, getting a discounted ticket would bring you to your dream vacation... well that's not all there is to it, there are still travel taxes and terminal fees to pay in the airport which aren't cheap.  Not to mention of course your expenses on the country where your going.

Payment for 2 kids and 2 adults

Bring a pen.  It's a must, you definitely want to bring one.  The immigration won't be providing you with it, and you need to fill up their forms.  If not, good luck, you'll definitely need your charisma to borrow one.

And after everything is done, just say a little prayer of thanks that everything turns out well and may He bless you with a safe journey for everything is always up to Him.  Yahweh bless.