Eden Nature Park Mountain Resort

3,000 feet above sea level.  That's how high Eden Nature Park Mountain Resort is.  Which is why the walk from the parking area to the Activity Center where one registers may have you panting, because although it is a short distance, it means going UP.

GUIDED SHUTTLE TOUR

At the Activity Center, there were cabs waiting to take us on a guided shuttle tour around the 40 hectare property.  If you do the math, a 45-minute tour of a 40 hectare place would mean doing it at a FAST PACE.  Since my camera isn't exactly top of the line, I quit trying to take still pictures from the vehicle after my initial shots ended up as blurry figures.  I just turned on the video function and hoped I get something.  Another reason I had problems taking pictures or videos was that I was seated in the middle.  The people seated at the sides were blocking any clear shot I could have gotten.  Anyway, I did manage to get some nice pictures and videos.

The Shuttle Tour wasn't supposed to make any stops, but since we were ahead of schedule, the drivers decided to stop at Lola's Garden, where finally we were able to get some decent pictures.  The Shuttle Tour, therefore, isn't the best way to go if you are in Eden Nature Park to get some pictures.

There are many photo opportunities in the park, and the owners (the Ayalas of the south, and not related to the Spanish Ayalas) did a good job of bringing back to life a deforested area. 

Yup, it was a sadly deforested area when the Ayalas took over the place in the 1970s.  They took it upon themselves to replant trees.

 

They also planted flowers, vegetables and herbs.  Some of the flowers were actually brought down from the higher levels of Mt. Apo.  The vegetables and herbs are used as ingredients in the Resort's restaurants.

The place offers a lot of other activities to those who have time, like fishing, horseback riding, hiking and swimming.  It has cottages for anyone or any group of people who want to take a retreat, or maybe hold a seminar.  The place is even accepting reservations for wedding receptions.

Apart from fish and horses, deer and birds could be found in the resort.  The peafowl more or less wander around freely.  One peacock was even sounding out its mating call while the Shuttle Tour was still in progress.  If you thought a rooster's crow is painful to the ears, wait till you hear a peacock's mating call.

The shuttle brought us back to the Activity Center.  Nearby is a flight of stone steps going down to the Vista Kiosk and Restaurant.  Took some picture while waiting for lunch to be served.

VISTA KIOSK/RESTAURANT/PARK

At least four peafowl were wandering through the Vista Kiosk, though none were allowed inside the restaurant.  We realized it was their mating season when a peacock began dancing with its feathers upon seeing a peahen.

Near the restaurant was the Vista Park, which is a playground.  This is where you would also find the "Indiana Jones" rope ride.

Lunch was finally served around 11:30 am.  It was buffet style and the salad greens tasted good.  Unfortunately the main meals did not.  I think the restaurant did not have enought time to prepare as the beef was still a bit hard and the fish fillet tasted as if it was not fully defrosted when it was cooked.

Took more pictures after lunch:

 

ACTIVITY CENTER

Going down from the Activity Center to where the buses are parked proved to be harder than going up the slope ... go too fast and you will find yourself rolling down.  That would hurt and will be messy since the ground is still muddy from the rain. 

This diorama of a Bogobo family is found at the foot of the slope.  Bogobos are natives of Mindanao.  The influx of settlers from Visayas and Luzon forced to move inland and up the mountains.  There are few Bogobos left, and those who remain rarely wear their native dresses in their daily lives.  Soon, their culture will also start to disappear as they assimilate the culture of the settlers.