NTPO Educational Tour 2016

NTPO Educational Tour 2016

We recently had our educational tour at Dakak Park and Beach Resort located in Dapitan City, Philippines.

We left last March 29 at 9PM for Dumaguete City- being our first stop over before we finally reached our destination. Our school bus was full (we were 67 passengers in all) and everyone were so excited for the long 4-hour night travel. The kids were more excited than the adults to see Dakak for the first time.

The bus arrived at Dumaguete City port area around 1:30AM- 1 hour and 30 minutes earlier than the expected time of arrival. We all spent the remaining time at the port area waiting for the ferry boat to depart by 6AM. My son and I decided to go to our house which is located just a few distance away from the wharf. We had coffee and small talks with my mother and sister after which we went back to the port and joined the group. 

The boat departed on its scheduled time and I felt the cold breezy morning air upon boarding the ferry boat. It took us 4 hours to reached the port of Pulauan in Dapitan City. A tourist bus owned by the Fantasyland Tours fetched us from the port and brought us to our first dropping point, the Punto del Desembarco de Rizal where Rizal landed.

The monument of Punto del Desembarco de Rizal

The group enjoyed taking pictures under the heat of the sun. I can feel the super hot of the summer sun but since that was our first time visiting the place, we did not mind it at all. Our tour guide took us to the century old cathedral where Rizal used to attend mass. We passed by the city's well-known Spanish Houses and some real estate properties that Rizal owned during his exile. Lastly, we visited Rizal Shrine where Rizal stayed. Some of us bought goods, souvenir items and novelties as gifts while others enjoyed taking pictures to the scenic place.

At the Rizal Shrine overlooking the clear serene seas of Zamboanga del Norte

We had lunch at Gloria de Dapitan though it was not a memorable one waiting so long for our orders of roasted chicken as if the chickens are yet to be caught at the barnyard :)

Finally, we had our rest at Dakak Park and Beach Resort around 2PM. Dinner was served at the Karaoke Bar where you can enjoy playing billiard, bowling or sip a bottle or two of cold beer while singing to your favorite songs.

Dinner at the Karaoke Bar

After dinner, we all went back to our respective rooms. My friends and I decided to go back to karaoke bar to play billiard. Other members of the group were still there playing, so I decided to order for a cold beer-in-can to unwind while listening to a friend's voice over the karaoke. The rest of the night was spent singing and drinking until the bar closes at 11PM.






Day 2

We visited their chapel and said a short prayer before having our early morning breakfast at the Fusion Restaurant. Our group always made it to be there on time as far as eating session is concerned.

On our way to the chapel

Over viewing the clear seas of Zamboanga del Norte

Waiting for our food to be served at Fusion Restaurant

After breakfast, we decided to go snorkeling and kayaking. Unfortunately, we were not able to avail the free kayak ride because other members of our organization came earlier and had already enlisted themselves to the ride and it will take us sometime to wait for our turn while the sun is already blazing above.

Testing the snorkeling mask

Taking picture before the final dive

Back to the cottage

Lunch was served at the Bamboo Cafė fronting the beach. The meal was good though I was expecting some sea foods considering the venue is at the beach.

 After lunch we all went back to our respective cottages and took some rest in preparation for the beach volleyball competition in the afternoon and giving tribute to our loyalty awardees and retiree.

Pre-competition practice game

After the game and giving tribute to our awardees and retiree, we all settled ourselves in preparation for the dinner and a visit at Gloria de Dapitan and Gloria's Fantasyland for some amusements and presentations like the fire dance and the parade of colors. I was not able to took some pictures during the games and tribute to our awardees.

We had our chicken barbecue dinner at the beach side several kilometers away from Dakak Park and Beach Resort and some of us ordered round of beers to make the moment more enjoyable.

After dinner we all went to Gloria de Dapitan and had fun with the rides at the Fantasyland.

The seats were ready for the grand presentation

Preparing for the 5D experience

The horror house

Kids enjoying the rides

Fire Dance and Parade of Colors

Unfortunately I was not able to took some shots of the fire dance performance. It was well done and I give my thumbs up to the performers especially at the last part where one of the performers set himself ablaze. It was really worth watching.

The finale is the Parade of Colors featuring models in their colorful attires representing different countries. The models were all beautiful and the crowd really enjoyed watching the parade.

What can you say about Dakak Park and Beach Resort as well as the Gloria's Fantasyland? Comments are welcome here.