Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls

     From dinner to a quick prep and off to Hinatuan, Surigao we went to the most talked about nature wonders --- Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls.

     It was a 5 hour drive from Davao in a Starex Van with us 10 sleeping all the time, except the driver of course. When we got there, an entrance fee of P35.00 welcomed us. And just after the cottages was gthe sight of the waters everyone was dying to see.

    The river place was more than a marvel. It was not exactly how I see it in images, it was MORE beautiful and breathtaking when I saw it with my two eyes.

     Enchanted River was too good to be true. The fishes were as clear as they are seen out of the waters and the blue color of the water was undeniably amazing to look at. It was creepy at first, but eventually the water will make you relax. Then at 10am, the fishes begin to surface on areas where there are people. You can see them around you, swimming but stagnant...eyes seem staring back at you as you look at them...they flock together waiting for something edible for them to eat though they don't harm people(well stories so far told so). At exactly 12 noon, all fishes take over the upper part of the water to eat.. people no longer enjoy that privilege in those minutes (after feeding, swimming for guests is again allowed..=) ).

Enchanted River for 2 reasons:

- many attempts to measure the depth, nobody was successful enough to do so

- in attempts to catch the fishes (fish length=my lower leg), the number caught will always be lesser than the count you expected you had

So the stories say ---- i suggest go to the waters and stare at the depth for for more than 20 seconds, and you'll understand why it's it was given that name. ^_^ *wink*                                                       

 There was an available island tour which we took around 10:30 am. The boat ride was P 160 per 5 persons and will take you to 3 places. We were taken first to a bar in the middle of the waters with the "pawikans" as their main attraction. Then we headed to a quite white-sand beach that gave a beautiful nature scene. We didn't stay long because we wanted to go back to the Enchanted River and watch the caretakers feed the creepy fishes.

      

     Tinuy-an Falls was a sight of beauty and dominating water power. We  went there after lunch. It was a 45 minute travel. 

      The site of the  cascading falls welcomed us right away.  It was cold and very strong. We rafted near the falls..we just had to..the danger was too tempting. The raft was not allowed to go under the falls. There are available life guards, but with NO life saving devices. So safety is self-regulated, make sure you know where the ropes are in the water. Now to see the biggest falls (possible for humans to go to)..one has to go up a LONG way (that part I hated the most). But like they say, "you miss half of your life for things that you didn't even try enjoying.."... that time, I stopped complaining and climbed up, no matter how agonizing it seemed. When on top -- the leg aches were definitely worth it.

Say Goodbye to Surgical Scrubbing

       Surgical scrubbing means  doing a systematic routine of washing hands and arms following specific number of strokes. It involves lathering, soaking, and brushing one hand and arm and then the other. My students always do that before they start preparing the sterile field for the surgery. I remember doing that and counting the strokes in my mind at the same time.

       But when I when I went to duty last Monday, I noticed that the scrubbing area did not have that canister that contained the surgical scrub brushes. I looked for it but all the 3 scrubbing areas did not have that canister. I even thought that the staff of the previous shift did not just have the time to prepare it.

       Then, I was told that we were not using that anymore. There will be no surgical scrubbing done anymore in this hospital. Instead, a surgical handwashing solution replaces the surgical scrubbing procedure. All we need to do is wash our hands and our arms thoroughly with this solution and then we are already sterile enough to start wearing our surgical gown and gloves.

      
      Then I learned that hospitals from other countries also followed the same method. I was told that there are researches conducted which stated that surgical scrubbing breaks the integrity of the skin and predisposes us to infection. I will have to research on that to learn more.

       So, there will no be surgical scrubbing in this health facility. But still, the principle of Asepsis will be strictly followed.

Pleasant Basic Medical Check-Up

     " The most pleasant place to have yourself undergo medical check-up." I confirmed that again yesterday as  I accompanied my cousin Jesmon today for his medical check-up at Davao Doctors Hospital. Since health costs cheaper here in the country, we wanted him to take advantage of it while he is here and get the best health service in the city.
         Today, I was not a clinical instructor for students on duty in this hospital. I was a mere patient's significant other or SO. I have no idea how the whole process will start so I went to Ma'am Jeck as soon as I saw her on the lobby. She's the one incharge of admitting patients and making sure that there are available rooms for them.
         I knew she didnt' know my name but she recognized me. She was kind enough to take me to Ma'am Osang, the one incharge of this check-up.  She was kind enough to accompany us from cashier, then laboratory than to Ultrasound area and Cardiac Diagnostic Center. She went with us until we were done.
         Everyone was really nice to us, her the most. This made me and my cousin impressed of the hospitals accommodation to patients. This, I believe, is not the same with other hospitals, so I heard.We could have done it on our own but she did not let us. And the in-charge of the different departments we went was kind also to us, considering they have a lot of patients as well.
          It is in the people that comprises the institution that  makes the whole health care different. Quality healthcare means personal touch with the patients. I have kept bragging that today. And until we were done with the last test, Ma'am Osang was with us.
          Yes,I admit that the costs here are higher than the rest but I believe that patients come back because  the nurses know how make them comfortable.

         I can only hope for good results tomorrow.

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Davao Doctors Hospital offeres Basin Medical Check-up at P 4400.00. This includes the following tests:

1. CBC, Plt and Hct :
        a) RBC will determine amount of Hgb in the blood,
        b) WBC -  increased when infected or prone to infection (decrease)
        c) Platelet (Plt)  will determine if patient has coagulation or clotting problems.
        d) Hematocrit (Hct)  is the percentage of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells
2. USD of pancreas, gall bladder and kidneys
3)Chest Xray
4) ECG tests
5) Urinalysis and Fecalysis


 Each patient is instructed not to eat or drink the night prior to your exam.

MADAYAW DABAW !!

DAVAO city celebrates KADAYAWAN this year...an annual celebration of thanksgiving for good harvest of the tribes in davao..and the blessed life of people in the city. 


The city has prepared a lot for this celebration. 

     Aug 8  - Agri Trade Fair ate SM Davao (ends on aug. 31)
                   -  Hulagway at Davao Museum
     Aug 14- 1st Mayor Inday Sara Duterte All - Women Aero Marathon
     Aug15 - The Best of Sayaw Mindanaw Showcase @ SM 
               - Photo Gallery of Davao City Prominent Icons @ Victoria Plaza
     Aug16 - PANAGTAGBO:MULTI-CULTURAL PERFORMANCES @NCCC 
                - KADAYAWAN TABO: MAG-NEGOSYO ‘TA FAIR TRADE @NCCC Mall
                  - Canon Photography Competition (ends at aug 22)
       August 17 - 9-Ball Billiard Tournament @ NCCC Mall
     
      August 19 - 14th Mindanao Trade Expo @ Central Bank
     August 20 - Kapuso star &  Hiyas ng Kadayawan at Almendras Gym
     August 21 - Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan 
     August 21 - Kapuso Mall Show at SM City Event Center, 4PM 

                    -  Kapamilya at Gaisano Atrium     
    August 22 - Pamulak Kadayawan Float Parade
   August 22- GMA joins Float Parade  (Claudine Barretto and Richard Gutierrez)
                     - S CENTRAL @ GMall 4:00 PM.
                     - KAPUSO NIGHT at GMall
                     - Katuwaan @ NCCC Mall
                     - Fun Run Kasaganahan at Kaunlaran @ Rizal Park
                     - Kite Festival @ Davao Coty Highschool
   August 28   - Faces 2010 Ball @ CAP Auditorium


     Parties: HUDYAKAAN: ON-THE-STREET FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT @ Bolton St.
                 Tunog Mindanaw @ MTS Taboan


  Aside from the numerous activties, there are lots of fruits in all streets of the city..talk about durian, mangosteen, mangoes, lanzones, rambutan, pomelo. Feast your eyes  and your mouths to these! Come and enjoy our festivities! Madayaw Dabaw!

Pictures are from the official website of Kadayawan and Davao City Tourism

CRABS at C-TRES Buffet

         We spent our weekend dinner at C-TRES Buffet restaurant. I wanted to treat them with my extra cash with one of the sought buffet restaurants in town, C-TRES Restaurant. They serve also unlimited delicious Crabs (fried). The other food served were also very delicious you wouldn't want to stop. I ate something like cordon blieu that was so tasteful that I didnt notice i filled my plate with it.


       The desserts for that night was also as good as the rest of the food. C-Tres is one best place to spend meals with families and friends. You can take your visitors and Davao will have a good impression with it.


         Try Dining at C-Tres which combines soothing elegant ambiance, good food and affordability ( P 299 per person). The dining experience will be truly extra-ordinary.

VILLA DE MERCEDES in DAVAO

It's like paradise in here..reminded me of a little part of boracay and palawan..(my brother says it's like batangas)...it's a perfect get-away for couples, friends and families...for people who would want to relax and enjoy the calmness of paradise.

The place is a 30minute ride from metro but trust me, the place is breathtaking..it's a beautiful resort at the center of a very well crafted subdivision...you can just go there for a day or overnight. The food and coffee is fabulous not to mention to mention the friendly staff who is ready to assist you.
The resort is open from mondays to sundays, 6am until 10pm. For those who would want to stay overnight, there are big huts provided for families located in a part near the resort. The place is good for children since there are amusement games and structures for them. The smell of fresh air in this place is priceless.

IT IS  paradise..one that i can brag about Davao.

AHFAT..my mom's bday

it's my mom's bday and we were craving for really really good food....AHFAT (located behind Victoria Plaza Davao City) is the top most dining place we had in mind.


Really really good food is served. It is seen in the number of customers they have each night. It started only with one restuarant..now they have 3 and it still seemed too little for bunch of customers.


We had CRABS in Sate sauce for tonight..and it was soo good you would want to have it the next day. My family loves SEPO (i believe, it was coined after SEAFOOD-- prepared CHAP-SUEY). And also their GARLIC CHICKEN..you would want each piece.


And for long life they say..we ordered PANCIT BAM-I...


Any celebration is best done with really good food. AHFAT is one of Davao's Best Dining Place...don't ever leave not having experienced it.