SimplyAbuDhabi XL

D avao Oriental is located at the southern tip part of the Philippines in the island of Mindanao. It is home to more than 600,000 people including the indigenous peoples Mandaya and Kagan. Its geographical location features the province as a unique, multi-faceted, and dynamic tourist destination. The west side of the island faces out to the Gulf of Davao, where a string of captivating localities has been dubbed “Gulf Towns” and “East Coast” on the other side. As part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor in Southeast Asia, Davao Oriental’s tourism offerings will spoil you for choice between points of cultural interest, outdoor adventure, gastronomic delights, and pristine beaches and reefs teeming with marine life. Due to its location in the “tuna highway”, the province is a coastal province with all its municipalities and city lined-up with a 513 kilometers stretch of sea and ocean coasts. Davao Oriental is an emerging destination in diving. The virtually undisturbed Tinaytay and Burias reefs will be a once-in-a- lifetime sight for diving enthusiasts. A few other noteworthy destinations await anyone taking a diving tour. One site, off General Generoso, is called simply “The Wall” – a tremendous coral wall covered in soft corals, barrel sponges and large sea fans. Off Mati City, Pujada and Mayo Bay are recently gaining renown as unmissable diving sites. And Tarragona’s Lucatan is a beautiful dive location, rich in diverse sea creatures including marine turtles and giant batfish. Along the Gulf Towns, the Subangan Museum will enrich your travel experience with its diverse artifacts dedicated to the history and culture of the Davao Oriental region. When you’re ready to get out and commune with nature again, make your way up Mount Hamiguitan and visit its splendid Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to endangered and endemic flora and fauna including the iconic Philippine Eagle. Eight newly discovered species are found nowhere else except in Mount Hamiguitan. Cape San Agustin in Governor Generoso is located where the Pacific Ocean and the Davao Gulf meet; because it had long been a strategic navigational location, three lighthouses (parola) now dot the seascape. On one side of the Cape is a mangrove, while on the other is a pink beach, where you can see an altar-like stone formation that is said to mark a significant moment for Christian history in the Philippines. Thrill-seekers will want to ascend to the heights over the Cape for its absolutely stunning views, but if that’s not your style, feel free to relax on one of the gentle low swings by the beach, reading a book or just listening to the waves in peaceful serenity. The East Coast, on the other hand, provides a fantastic range of cultural experiences. In Caraga, one of the oldest towns in Davao Oriental, San Salvador del Mundo Church has been designated a National Historical site, as well as an active house of worship for those members of the local community who practice the Christian faith. Its sun-bleached limestone and coral edifice houses what is thought to be the first place Christianity was introduced to the eastern regions of the Philippines. The Sangab Cultural Community is where the Mandaya Tribe, one Southern Mindanao’s Indigenous People’s communities, has perfectly preserved its culture which it celebrates and shares with pride. The Manobo- Mandaya Community and School of Living Tradition is located in nearby Boston, and is a fascinating experience for learning more about the culture and traditions of the Indigenous Communities of the Philippines. Other scenic beauty spots that have been untouched by urban development await you on the island, like the expansive Bonsai forests in the highlands, or the majestically cascading Cawa-cawa Stepped Falls. In fact, countless spectacular waterfalls await you on the east coast of the island – with Cateel, Manay, Baganga, Caraga, and Boston being among the most notable. Early birds, take note: Pusan Point is another unforgettable place from which to commune with the sea and sky. Located on the easternmost tip of the island, it’s well-loved as a peerless place to watch the sun rise before calling in at the Pusan Point Science Discovery Center and ecoPark. All in all, DavaoOriental is an emerging ecotourismdestination that offers a wide array of diverse Culture, Adventure, and Nature experiences.