Davao Journeys

A long overdue blog about Davao City. I thought of myself as both a "local" and a tourist in the biggest city of the Philippines. I'm a frequent traveller to this city. Home of indigenous tribes and a melting pot of other locals. A vibrant city, spectacular landscape, as I pass through J.P. Laurel Avenue going to Victoria Plaza, on a clear day, the mountains are visible. The mountain side is visible on a clear day also from Paradise Island Resort in Samal Island and also from Times Beach in Matina.

How do you feel like a "local' here? The people are friendly and welcoming. Gentle. As a "local" I enjoy commuting here to explore places. There's no pollution, the travel time though can be "quite long" depending from where you are coming from to where you want to go. Remember, it's a big city, east, west side, north, south side. There was a time about early 2000s, there were "uso-uso" jeeps, they play loud music. And my relative who would accompany me to public ride, wait for the "uso-uso" jeeps.

People can ride the jeep to get to the wharf of Paradise Island Resort then board their service boat to Samal Island. All for about 10minutes boat ride, you are on the beach. I have been first to Paradise Island Resort in 2000; the facilities are well maintained. The common bath and toilet facilities for day trippers are always clean, no foul smell. There's always a lady maintenance staff to clean the room and as well sweepers on the beach.

Entance fee though have gone up from about 45 pesos in 2000 to about 90 pesos as of September 2008. Boat ride per person from bout 6 pesos to 12 pesos in 2008. (That's one way fare.) I have not gone overnight to try the new cottages. I like the fan room cottages before, it was well ventilated with a porch. They still have a mini playground for kids, a mini aviary, zoo. They still don't have a pool. It can be useful since by around lunch time it's low tide.

Further, south of Samal Island is the Pearl Farm Resort. It's about an hour's boat ride from the wharf. We tried to come here about 2006 on a day trip that was extended to an overnight because we enjoyed the place. It was after Kadayawan and they still have Kadayawan package, it was affordable. We enjoyed the buffet, good food. We went back last September 2008 on a day trip. The famous parola has been maintained. There were a lot of day trippers. There was not enough common bath and toilet for day trippers use. I observed though that most was just enjoying the day, napping, relaxing by the beach chair, so there was no crowding in the bath facilities.

From the beach, we go up the mountains, at the foot of Mount Talomo in Toril. It's still within Davao City. You can ride a taxi going up Eden Mountain Resort in Toril. I'm not quite sure about the taxi fare; it's about an hour away from downtown. You can also book a van ride with Eden Resort booking office in Matina Townsquare.

The resort was developed through the years by the Ayalas of Davao. It was a labor of love. Visitors can enjoy nature within the resort, cool mountain breeze and specially their homegrown salad greens. That's what I would come back too, the fresh salad served at lunch time. They have overnight facilities from dorm room type, honeymoon cottage, family cottage and also camping facilities. They have added a Tinubdan tour and across the resort, there's a zipline, horse backriding, and team buliding facilities also by Eden.

In Malagos, there is the Philippine Eagle Center within the Davao Water district. Here you can see the majestic Philippine Eagle. The information center has been enlarged. Further from the center is , Malagos Garden Resort, there is an ostrich farm, flower farm and also overnight facilities here.

Back to the city, there's Davao Crocodile Park. It's a three themed park: Butterfly Garden, Crocodile Park, Tribu Mindanao. Jack's Ridge has several restaurant with overnight facilities, pool; and known to be a place where you can have an overlooking view of the city. In Insular Village is the Davao Museum, where you can read the city's history, view the photos of the early inhabitants and settlers. There is also life-size exhibit of indigenous people on the second floor. There's so much to explore in Davao City and it's environs.

Now, after touring the city, where do we go for chow time? F. Torres? Damosa? SM Davao? Victoria Plaza?
It's for everyone to explore the cafes that have mushroomed in the city, the old time restaurant, discover new food fusion restaurants or the 99 buffet places. Take your pick.

Food trip: Kasaginngan Cafe, Taps, Banok's, Kuya Ed's, Harana, Papa Ching's, Antonio's Bar and Grill, Swiss Deli, Fagioli, Ah Fat, Sen Ton Wan, Nanay Bebang's, Greenhills, . . .after eating you may want to take a walk around People's Park. It is well guarded by the police and army. It is well lighted at night.

Souvenir place is Aldevinco, across the Marco Polo. There are native handicrafts from Mindanao, souvenir shirts. Fruits galore in Magsaysay Park, Lanang Fruit stand, Durian Park in F. Torres Street. For pomelos, there are shops inside the airport selling them too as well as other souvenir items. Malls: Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Mall, NCCC, SM Davao, Chimes, and more being built.

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