The beauty of Davao's natural wonders, preserved as a rich legacy for future generations is an enduring gift from the Land of Promises...
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park, Mount Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum in the town of San Isidro, is one of Davao Oriental's rare and true gems. The modern and pristine white facade of the museum, located high above Mount Hamiguitan, showcases the rich bio-diversity of the land with its informative and interactive exhibits as well as a hiking trail around the surrounding forest. It's one more memorable stop in an adventure of chasing wonders in Davao with AirAsia...
The launch of AirAsia's new In-Flight Catalog and Santan In-Flight Hot Meal created by Chef JP Anglo with Malagos Chocolates brings us to the King City of the South for a three-day immersion in Davao's sights and flavors. Chasing wonders with the country's many destinations is easy with AirAsia, with regular direct flights from Manila and Clark to Davao (for more on the AirAsia new In-Flight Catalog and Santan In-Flight Hot Meal created by Chef JP Anglo with Malagos Chocolate, see my earlier post, #AirAsiainDavao: AirAsia Introduces Unique Malagos Chocolate-Infused Meal to Santan In-Flight Menu Selection and #AirAsiainDavao: Experience Davao's Sights and Flavors with AirAsia on my other food blog).
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and ASEAN Heritage Park, Mount Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum in the town of San Isidro, is one of Davao Oriental's rare and true gems. The modern and pristine white facade of the museum, located high above Mount Hamiguitan, showcases the rich bio-diversity of the land with its informative and interactive exhibits as well as a hiking trail around the surrounding forest. It's one more memorable stop in an adventure of chasing wonders in Davao with AirAsia...
The launch of AirAsia's new In-Flight Catalog and Santan In-Flight Hot Meal created by Chef JP Anglo with Malagos Chocolates brings us to the King City of the South for a three-day immersion in Davao's sights and flavors. Chasing wonders with the country's many destinations is easy with AirAsia, with regular direct flights from Manila and Clark to Davao (for more on the AirAsia new In-Flight Catalog and Santan In-Flight Hot Meal created by Chef JP Anglo with Malagos Chocolate, see my earlier post, #AirAsiainDavao: AirAsia Introduces Unique Malagos Chocolate-Infused Meal to Santan In-Flight Menu Selection and #AirAsiainDavao: Experience Davao's Sights and Flavors with AirAsia on my other food blog).
The immense size of the region sinks in with a four hour drive from Davao City as we enter Davao Oriental. The enormous distance blurs by with the long and seemingly endless winding concrete roads for another memorable experience of Davao.
High up the hill, Mount Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum reflects the day's light like a beacon signifying the local government's staunch commitment to preserving Davao Oriental's natural wonders. The museum is located inside a massive 225 hectare Pygmy Forest with its abundance of bonsai trees said to be more than a century old and even the largest of its kind in the world. The nature preserve is also home to over 1,300 plant and animal species, including over 300 species indigenous to Mindanao from cockatoos to golden crown flying foxes, tarsiers and warty wild pigs, mossy pygmy fruit bats and the iconic Philippine eagle. Deep inside the forest, more wonders await, like the mysterious Tinagong Dagat, a mountain lake with low and high tide cycles and the beautiful Twin Falls. It will take a full day, perhaps more, to fully experience the vast natural wonders of the world heritage site.
But if you just have a few hours to spare, a tour of the museum is more than enough to take in the wonders of Mount Hamiguitan. As you walk up the steps to the museum, one can't help but admire the lush greens surrounding the property. Inside, our tour began with a short introduction to the area's rich biological diversity. The objectives of the museum are to increase awareness for the mountain's conservation efforts as well as encourage participation among locals and visitors alike in the many on-going preservation efforts.
Our guide takes us through the museum's modern recreation of the forest highlighting both flora and fauna endemic to the region. Guests can enjoy all these in total comfort. The interactive exhibits are both informative and entertaining, leaving you with a better appreciation of the natural habitat's richness.
Outside the museum, a semi-enclosed trail frames the verdant and lush forest...
...taking you up close to the forest.
But it's the trail to the forest that immerses you in the natural wonders of Mount Hamiguitan, with gently sloping paths and bridges taking you deeper in the forest.
The trail around the museum surrounds you in vibrant greens, with nothing but the sound of birds adding to the calm serenity of the experience.
There are built paths as well as dirt trails along the route...
...and if you need a breather, you can simply take five in one of many nature-inspired metal sculptures along the winding trail.
The carnivorous Pitcher Plant grows abundant in the protected forest, with many more sights to be discovered along the trail, so keep your eyes open.
Get up close with nature at Mount Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum, and be amazed with its many natural wonders. Progress can bring with it rapid change transforming the local landscape, but at Mount Hamiguitan, time stops preserving the forest for future generations. And AirAsia can take you there...
Mount Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum is located at San Isidro, Davao Oriental.
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