While the service vehicle we were riding was cruising the national highway from Bancasi Airport to Butuan City in Mindanao Island, Philippines, my daughter Aliyah Eimereen chanced upon a roadside signage showing the way to Delta Discovery Park, offering among other services, dual zipline, horseback riding and others. Exciting to know what are in store to be discovered in the place and how does it fare with the more popular Dahilayan Adventure Park, I acceded to the plea of my daughter to visit the spot.

Upon reaching the Butuan City Sports Complex, we turned right on a paved road leading to Barangay Bonbon. We were having a smooth travel then until we reached the gravelled road, majority portion of which were turned into wallowing mud courtesy of ten-wheeler trucks plying the area en route to and from the gravel quarry site. After an approximately 4-kilometer bumpy ride, we finally reached this area . . .

The Delta Discovery Park Reception Center

The reception staff then showed us the menu of the adventures available at the Delta Discovery Park with the staff acknowledging that such menu needs updating as the 1.3-kilometer single zipline for a fee of PhP 650.00 was not yet included . . .

The Delta Discovery Park Adventure Menu . . .

As I and my wife had already gone ziplining at Dahilayan Adventure Park, we just let our daughter Aliyah and son Ranjick to try the 400-meter dual zipline. After paying the fee of PhP 400.00 per head, we proceeded to the stairway leading to the zipline launch and holding area . . .

The stairway to the Zipline Launch and Holding Area. . .

Taking a break in the midst of the uphill stairway climb . . .

After hurdling the uphill stairway climb, you will be engulfed with the feeling of fulfillment as you could witness a panoramic mountain view with both the 400-meter dual zipline launch and holding area, on the left side portion, as well as the 1.3-kilometer dual zipline holding area on the right side portion conveniently sitting at the hilltop summit at the heart of the Delta Discovery Park . . .

The Delta Discovery Park Zipline Launch and Holding Area

Affixing your name, signature and ride preference (super man, sitting and others) at the registration booth is a must for zipline riders . . .

Aliyah and Ranjick doing the mandatory rounds at the Zipline Registration Booth . . .

After wearing the proper gears, you will then be subjected to in-depth ziplining orientation. . .

Aliyah and Ranjick listening intently to the zipline staff briefing . . .

After which, you will be ushered by expert staff for the zipline launch . . .

Get set . . . Fly . . .

Nothing beats the feeling of being on top of the world as you fly by wire. . .

Ranjick and Aliyah enjoying how the birds feel

For Aliyah and Ranjick, flying by wire is really fun . . .

A victory jump was then held at the foot of the stairway to celebrate the wire flying triumph of our two children . . .

Aliyah, Ranjick and Vanjie on their best wacky jump . . .

As we were heading back to the Reception Center, my son told me that he saw a tiny falls and a swimming pool on the ground while flying by wire. Instantly, the waterfalls fanaticism in me had came out as I hurriedly inquired from the reception staff where the area being referred to by my son was located and we were told to head this way . . .

This way towards the Delta Park Swimming Pool . . .

After a few minutes ride, we reached a place so close to my heart: a pond teeming with colorful fishes with a cerenderia and private cottages lining on its side. A few steps walk and my eyes were glued to this very serene spot . . .

The alluring Delta Discovery Park Swimming Pool . . .

We never lost time to pose  for souvenir shots . . .

A poolside pose for posterity . . .

A pose at another poolside angle . . .

After which I took one of the most beautiful photographs I have had taken in my entire life . . .

The panoramic view of the Delta Discovery Park Swimming Pool . . .

Delta Discovery Park – Final Thoughts

Delta Discovery Park is still relatively unknown, the fact that their longest single zip line in Asia, having a length of 1.3 kilometers, was just opened in September 18, 2011 while their 400-meter dual zip line was launched in May 2011. But it was not only the zipline that endeared the park to first time visitors like me but its hidden secret: the dainty swimming pool, whose serenity is only disturbed by the gentle splash of waters oozing out of a mad-made tree branch. Candidly, the beauty of the pool and the tranquility of its vicinity had stimulated my senses and rejuvenated my soul. The Delta Discovery Park is on its sure way to become the primary thrill seekers and adventure lovers destination in Caraga Region.

I was not into travel blogging yet during my last stroll at Rizal Park, otherwise known as Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines way back in 2010. Hence, being a history buff who would readily choose heritage tours over any other forms of trips, I squeezed my hectic schedule while in the capital city to visit the park which used to capture my childhood imagination. While traveling the EDSA-UN Avenue Stations on board the Monumento-bound Light Railway Transit Line 1, I was picturing how the old Luneta, a Spanish term meaning little moon, looked like as described in my high school history books as a crescent-shaped area outside of Intramuros which was cleared in the early 1800’s by the Spanish colonizers purposely to prevent the social and business center from sneak attacks from the patriotic natives but transformed later into a favorite promenade among the elites who came to the place to enjoy the beautiful vista of the sunset at Manila Bay. My imagination also covered the days when it was subjected into a seesaw game of care and neglect as it went through several names: Bagumbayan, Plazuela de Isabel II, La Plaza, La Calzada, Wallance Field and finally, Rizal Park, throughout the decades.

It was exactly 6:00 o’clock in the morning when I reached the Taft Avenue side of the most popular park of the country . . .

The Rizal Park signage . . .

It was my original intention to just make a quick stroll at the place and proceed to the Lopez Museum in Pasig City. Nevertheless, I decided to extend my visit that I failed to notice that it took me 4 hours to roam every nook and corner of the promenade. As a consequence, I decided to write my Rizal Park sojourn in series to give justice to the readers like you who want to know the details of the 58-hectare (143-acre) Rizal Park considered as one of the largest parks in Southeast Asia.

Entering through the Taft Avenue entrance of Rizal Park, the raised Philippine Relief Map considered the largest of its kind in the country with Horizontal Scale of 1:18,300 (1 meter on the relief map represents 18.4 kilometers) and Vertical Scale of 1:4,600 (1 meter on the relief map represents 18.4 kilometers) would surely capture your attention. On the opposite entrance to the raised structure, you can find this marker . . .

The Philippine Relief Map Marker . . .

Like in my case, if you happened to visit Rizal Park before June 19, 2011, which was the launching date of the Philippine Relief Map Refurbishing Project in time for the 150th birth anniversary of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal, you would surely be surprised with the presence of a concrete walkway strategically passing over the map lengthwise thereby affording the revelers like this mother and child tandem, to have a closer appreciation of the Philippine archipelago . . .

The spruced up Philippine Relief Map

With the new structure, you can surely have a vantage point to take a look at the biggest Philippine island of . . .

Luzon . . .

The biggest island group of . . .

The Visayas . . . .

The second largest island of . . .

Mindanao . . .

Looking at the northeastern-most tip of Mindanao, you can find the island of my birth . . .

Bucas Grande Island with its popular neighboring island of Siargao. . .

Not to be outdone in form, is the most popular island in the Philippines . . .

Palawan Island . . .

Rizal Park – Visiting The New Relief Map

My fascination with history always haunts me like a shadow wherever I go. Hence, visiting the Rizal Park while in Manila was the best decision I made if only to show to you the spruced up appearance of the Philippine Relief Map that you and I can surely be proud of and enjoy watching over and over.