Throwback Thursday: Why DFAT was so Memorable

Back in 2008 the Davao bloggers organized the "Davao Food Appreciation Tour". We were so excited since it was the first of its kind. For a few days we hopped from one resto to another to feature their food in our blogs. It was dizzying since we would cover five to six places a day. The best thing about DFAT though is we gained a lot of new friends.  

DFAT 2008, Marco Polo Hotel

Because we had so much fun during DFAT 1, we signed up for DFAT 2 the next year. The organizers mixed in some activities in the itinerary. One activity they offered was ziplining at Outland Adventure. I immediately signed up for it since I enjoy ziplining. Sweetie wasn't keen, but he went along. What I didn't know was he conspired with our blogger friends to surprise me. 

Headed to Pepper & Peppers after the adventure.

When we arrived at the resort I was told to leave my smart phone in the car. It was for safety they said. I complied without a second thought. Apparently, they didn't want me to have access to the internet in case someone spilled the secret (someone announced the engagement before it happened haha). While waiting for my turn to go on the zipline, I wondered why Sweetie and I were split up. I even wondered more when I was put last on the line. 

The answer was waiting at the other end of the zipline. I was winded when I hit the stopper because my camera hit my chest. Then I saw the huge signage that said, "Sweetie, will you marry me?" Then I was surprised to see Sweetie on the platform with a ring. We shared the beautiful moment with so many of our friends from all over the country. 

DFAT is a happy memory from 2008 and 2009. We got busy with work and life after that and we were not able to join the tour anymore. Many things have happened also since then, but I'm happy I'm still able to keep tabs with what's happening with the friends we gained from that tour. They'll probably laugh at our old photos once they see it again. We were all so balingkinitan back then! Haha. 

Here are my DFAT photos:

2008 DFAT Day 1

2008 DFAT Day 2

2008 DFAT Day 3

2009 DFAT

#BeKind #StaySafe

From the Baul: That Time When I Used to Vlog My Travels

I started vlogging over a decade ago. I made travel and tech vlogs. Eventually I got tired of it because it was tedious to edit videos and I got busy at work. I also realized I'm so self-conscious in front of a camera and it just felt awkward.

One of the trips I vlogged was when we visited Eden in Davao. I super love that place even though it's a long drive from Davao City. It was the first place I went to after I had heart surgery. I love Eden because it's just like the garden of eden. Everything is green, the air is clean. It's one of the most relaxing places on earth.

The last time I watched the video was when I uploaded it. It's a nice memory for me and I miss those days I was carefree and was allowed to go on a zipline! I still want to if I'd be allowed to go on it. I miss flying through the air, feeling the wind go through my hair. Ahhh and I miss being young LOL.

I've lost count how many times I've been to Eden. I also went there together with my high school friends. A few more times with other bloggers and then with my family after my heart surgery. It's one of those places I'd like to visit again after all this craziness is over.

And doing travel vlogs again? This was my plan this year, but the plan was cancelled. I even got a new camera last Christmas. So I re-worked my plans and I've just been vlogging about my kitchen and garden adventures. Check out my latest post here.


CB//115 #StuckAtHomeDay/145 #WFH84  #StayHome #BeKind

The Davao F.A.T. Journal

I have finally completed my Davao FAT blog posts and here's the complete story:

Day 1

Early morning visit to Samal Island

Lunch at Tadakuma

Skipped the museum visit to go to Lachi's

Dinner at Lachi's

Coffee at Kangaroo

Day 2

the exhilirating Xcelerator experience (and the proposal)

Lunch at Pepper & Peppers

Went to Lachi's (again)

Crocodile Park and the Butterfly Sanctuary (post coming up this week)

Merienda at Bryan's Bar & Grill

Dinner at Mamu's

Day 3

Lunch at Cafe Andessa

went to see David (ahh I've yet to blog about that)

Davao F.A.T. Day 3: Eden Nature Park

It was my second time to visit Eden Nature Park and I was quite surprised that it only took about an hour to get there from Davao City. The first time I went a couple of years ago the road up the mountain was so bad it took us two hours to get to the park. We were all in high spirits on the way up to the mountain, trading SMS' with the bloggers in the other car (they were taunting us for being a bit slow, but we were just 5 minutes behind), checking out the scenery and . We were so excited we would've probably jumped up and down like kids when we arrived if there weren't any other park visitors. LOL.

Highlights of the trip include a tour of the park which included a preview of the "Tana Tanaman" (land garden). The garden is dedicated to showcase the diversity of cultures in the Mindanao region and is expected to be open to the public by Easter. What made all of us perspire and ravenous though was the Indiana Jones. After lunch we couldn't wait to get on the Sky Rider. The flights of stairs we had to go up on though was quite tough. Check out my vlog to find out what Indiana Jones and Sky Rider is all about (watch till the end for outtakes).