MINDANAO
Mindanao is the second largest island of the Philippines with an area of 97, 530 square kilometers. Mindanao is mostly mountainous being home to a few mountain ranges and volcanoes. Most prominent is Mount Apo, the Philippies highest peak. Then we have Mount Matutum, a dormant volcano in South Cotabato, with its sister Mount Parker just a few kilometers away. Even though the news mainly covers bad things about Mindanao like terrorism and bombings, its because thats what the media organizations always look for in Mindanao. In fact, the people in Mindanao are very warm, friendly and hospitable. Mindanao is also home to some of the country's best tourist spots. We have Dakak Resort in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Samal Island in Davao, Tinago Falls and Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City, Cloud Nine in Surigao where there is an annual World Surfing Competition. It is also home to some of the Philippines best zipline spots because of the mountainous terrain. We have Camp Zabros in Digos City, the zipline at the Seven Falls in Lake Sebu, and the ones at Bukidnon. There are a lot of things to do in Mindanao. The main mode of transport between the major cities is by bus. From Manila, you could ride an airplane to one of the big cities like Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Surigao and Zamboanga, but in going to other places the bus is the easiest mode of transportation. The reason why I created this blog is to show the different routes taken by Mindanao buses to help people that are travelling to Mindanao and people from Mindanao who want to go around the island. I will also give a brief overview of the cities and places that are worth visiting. I shall be updating the Home page as I progress through the different bus companies. As of now I have Rural Transit Mindanao Incorporated/Bachelor Express Incorporated so I shall talk about its major serviced cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro and some of the minor cities serviced. For information on the buses, click one of the links in the pages bar. :-)
DAVAO CITY
Located in the southeastern part of Mindanao. Bounded by Davao Province on the north and Davao Gulf on the east, Davao del Sur on the south and North Cotabato on the west. Davao City, being a developed city, became the regional trade center for Southern Mindanao, and international trade center for the Southern Pacific. It is also the Southern Gateway to and from countries like Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Australia. Davao City has a mild tropical climate, making it ideal for tourism and other outdoor activities. Davao is the main transport hub for Samal Island, a Boracay like Island in Mindanao. Some of the spots in Davao City include the Mount Apo, The Philippine Eagle Center, Pearl Farm Beach Resort (Samal Island), Eden Natures Park and Resort, Lolengs Mountain Spring Resort, Malagos Garden Resort, Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, Jacks Ridge Resort and Restaurant, Davao Museum, San Pedro Cathedral, Gap Farm and Davao Crocodile Park (http://www.clickdavao.com/tourist_spots.php)(http://www.davaocity.gov.ph/).
FESTIVALS:
**Kadayawan Festival every August**
http://www.wayph.com/top-10-tourist-spots-in-davao-city-2/
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
Located in northern Mindanao, right smack in the middle of it, Cagayan de Oro is one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines. It is also known as the City of Golden Friendship. Bounded by Macajalar Bay to the north, Bukidnon to the saouth, Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental to the east and Opol, Misamis Oriental to the west. Cagayan de Oro is a highly urbanized city comprising of 57 urban barangays and 23 rural barangays. It is divided into two districts. The West District and East District. Cagayan de Oro also serves as a port for people going to places like Cebu and Dumaguete. Cagayan de Oro is filled with tourist spots. Some of the tourist spots to be found in Cagayan de Oro are Monigue Cave, Malasag Eco - tourism Village, Macahambus Adventure Park, F.S. Catanico Falls, Mapawa Nature Park, Macahambus Hill Cave, Pueblo De Oro Golf and Country Club, Rodelsa Hall, Xavier Museum, Night Cafe and Night Market, McArthur Marker, Kagay-an Resort and the Tourism Showhouse.
FESTIVALS:
**Kagay-an Festival every August**
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_de_Oro
http://www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph/
http://www.cagayan-de-oro.com/
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY
Located in northern Mindanao, right smack in the middle of it, Cagayan de Oro is one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines. It is also known as the City of Golden Friendship. Bounded by Macajalar Bay to the north, Bukidnon to the saouth, Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental to the east and Opol, Misamis Oriental to the west. Cagayan de Oro is a highly urbanized city comprising of 57 urban barangays and 23 rural barangays. It is divided into two districts. The West District and East District. Cagayan de Oro also serves as a port for people going to places like Cebu and Dumaguete. Cagayan de Oro is filled with tourist spots. Some of the tourist spots to be found in Cagayan de Oro are Monigue Cave, Malasag Eco - tourism Village, Macahambus Adventure Park, F.S. Catanico Falls, Mapawa Nature Park, Macahambus Hill Cave, Pueblo De Oro Golf and Country Club, Rodelsa Hall, Xavier Museum, Night Cafe and Night Market, McArthur Marker, Kagay-an Resort and the Tourism Showhouse.
FESTIVALS:
**Kagay-an Festival every August**
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cagayan_de_Oro
http://www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph/
http://www.cagayan-de-oro.com/
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About 3 hours bus ride from Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan is a highly industrialized city with over 10 major indistries operating in the area like Pilmico and Holcim. It is bounded by Lugait, Manticao and Opol to the north, Baloi, Linamon, Tagoloan, Kapai and Tagoloan 2 to the south, Cagayan de Oro to the northeast, Talakag to the east and Iligan Bay to the West. Known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls, there are over 20 waterfalls in the area. One such example is Maria Cristina Falls where the NAPOCOR's hydroelectric powerplant AGUS IV, AGUS VI and AGUS VII are located. There are a lot to see in Iligan. We have tourist spots like the Maria Cristina Falls, Maze Park, Tinago Falls, Timoga Resorts, Iligan City Public Plaza, Delamar Resort, and Mount Agad - agad.
FESTIVALS:
**Diyandi Festival every September**
OZAMIZ CITY
A second class city in Misamis Occidental, it is sandwiched between the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. About 4 hours bus ride from Cagayan de Oro City and a 20 minute boat ride from Lanao del Norte across the Panguil Bay. One major landmark and tourist attraction in the city is Fort Santiago or Cotta in Ozamiz City's port area, Bukagan Hill, Naomi's Botanical Garden and Tourist Inn, Mt. Malindang Golf and Country Club, Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park, and Immaculate Conception Pipe Organ.
FESTIVALS:
**Subayan Keg Subanon Festival every July**
FESTIVALS:
**Subayan Keg Subanon Festival every July**
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72636446@N00/1949470407/
http://www.ozamiz.com/html/attractions.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozamiz
http://www.ozamiz.gov.ph/about/history/
http://www.ozamiz.com/html/attractions.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozamiz
http://www.ozamiz.gov.ph/about/history/
PAGADIAN CITY
Located in Zamboanga in the Zamboanga Peninsula, bounded by the municipalities of Tigbao and Dumalinao in the Southwest, Kakewood in the West, Labangan in the East and Northwest and Midsalip on the North. About 45 percent of the city is steep and sloping. Due to this topography the city rarely experiences flooding because of its natural drainage that goes directly to the Pagadian Bay. The tourist spots in Pagadian include Lourdes Hot and Cold Springs, Pulacan Falls, Lison Valley Waterfalls, Lourdes Waterfalls, Manga Falls, Ditoray Waterfalls, Mt. Susong Dalaga, Mt Pinokis, Mt. Palpalan, Dumagoc Hill, Bulatoc Hill, Kendis Hill, Manga Caves, La Suerte Hanging Bridge, Lower Sibatang Hanging Bridge and Bagalupa Hanging Bridge.
FESTIVALS:
**Pasalamat Festival every January**
Located in Zamboanga in the Zamboanga Peninsula, bounded by the municipalities of Tigbao and Dumalinao in the Southwest, Kakewood in the West, Labangan in the East and Northwest and Midsalip on the North. About 45 percent of the city is steep and sloping. Due to this topography the city rarely experiences flooding because of its natural drainage that goes directly to the Pagadian Bay. The tourist spots in Pagadian include Lourdes Hot and Cold Springs, Pulacan Falls, Lison Valley Waterfalls, Lourdes Waterfalls, Manga Falls, Ditoray Waterfalls, Mt. Susong Dalaga, Mt Pinokis, Mt. Palpalan, Dumagoc Hill, Bulatoc Hill, Kendis Hill, Manga Caves, La Suerte Hanging Bridge, Lower Sibatang Hanging Bridge and Bagalupa Hanging Bridge.
FESTIVALS:
**Pasalamat Festival every January**
nice blog. thanks for sharing. I love mindanao...
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