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 June 20-23, 2009
Davao City
2nd Time Around
Davao City left a smile on my face when I last visited in March 2008 when I climbed Mt. Apo. I had a feeling of 'unfinsihed business' since I had to leave too early. From Lake Sebu, I headed straight to Davao City to pick up where I left off. To make things a little different, I stayed with my relatives. I have cousins I hardly know, and aunts/uncles I haven't seen in years. It was an opportune time catch up. They even spent time taking me around the city.
A Safe Place
I find it interesting that the word "safe" is relative in this country. When I was in Camiguin, the locals told me it's safe there. What they meant was that the place is zero crime rate. People in Davao say it's a safe city too. But in March 2003, a homemade bomb exploded at the waiting shed fronting the Davao International Airport killing 20 and wounding at least 146. I guess, in war-torn Mindanao, a safe place is one that hasn't been bombed in the last 365 days.
Philippine Eagle
Davao is home to the 2nd largest eagle in the world - the Philippine Eagle (2nd to the Steller Sea Eagle). This majestic bird (formerly known as the monkey-eating eagle) is critically endangered due to poaching and loss of natural habitat (deforestation brought about by illegal logging). The eagles find a caged sanctuary at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, about an hour by jeep from Davao Proper. The center has been successful in breeding the eagles in captivity.
Durian
For me, Davao's alure is it's ability to satisfy the palate. I just love the Durian. With it's pungent smell, this iconic food is either love it or hate it. If this were a car, it would be a Lamborghini. I can devour 2 1/4 kilos of this fruit in one sitting. Non-descript street corners with a lone vendor may sell his dozen or so durians for P50/K. Go to Magsaysay Park, the tourist destination for durians, and you can have it for P70/K, but you have more varieties to choose from - native, Chanee, Puyat, Arancillo, etc.
Grilled Tuna Collar
Tuna comes from Gen San but the people of Davao have honed their tuna collar grilling skills to perfection (inihaw na panga). At P450/collar at Luz Kinilaw, it's not cheap, but it's big enough for 4. Add beer to that and you can bet the ensuing conversation is more animated and colorful. Grilled tuna belly and tuna tail are also delicacies.
Grilled Catfish
Am I still on food? You bet! Davao isn't known for catfish, but if you're heading to the Philippine Eagle Center, you'll be passing by a district called Los Amigos. Along the way you'll see an array of catfish eateries - live catfish on the aquarium and a BBQ grill beside it. You can't get it any fresher than that. At P150/K, which is about 3 big catfish, it's a treat!
Pineapple Samurai
Well, he's actually a pineapple vendor. What's amazing is, from a whole fruit, he'll do a few cuts, insertions, snips, chops and voila, the pineapple comes out of its skin in chunks, ready to eat! All pineapple vendors in Davao can do this. I've asked every pineapple vendor in the country if they can do this....none can...only in Davao! At P10/pineapple, why not indulge?
People's Park
Serving as social hub to the people of Davao is their version of Rizal Park, called People's Park. In the morning, you'd see people jogging, doing martial arts, brisk walking, or simply wanting to start the day right by being in a safe and well manicured park. Kublai's bigger-than-life sculpture is manifest all over. I was told that this park was a pet project of the mayor...well done!
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
UPDATE: Since the brutal killing of a 17-year old student (Kian delos Santos) who pleaded for his life so he could catch his exam, together with the senseless genocide of 20,000 Filipinos in Duterte's misguided crusade against drugs, I have since renounced and withdrew my support from him.
Talk about the mayor, I heard that the 2-fisted mayor is on leave pending fact finding results by human rights activists. I randomly asked the locals how they feel about the whole thing. Taxi drivers got nervous and refused to comment. Others step up the plate and gave me their 2 cents. Bottom line is, criminal elements hate him, ordinary hard working folks like to have him around. Me? Let's just say I walk the streets of Davao at night feeling confident I won't get mugged or stabbed for my phone.
Ending Thoughts
Even though it's my 2nd time around with a little time to spare, I still feel that I missed out on something...dunno what. I ate all its culinary offerings, climbed it's highest mountain, went to see the eagles, snorkeled in their dive spots, but there's something I couldn't put a finger on. Maybe I have to meet the mayor. That's probably it. The entire time I was there, I been wanting to meet him...perhaps get an interview. Some said I should have just gone to his house - everybody knows where he lives. Maybe that's what the 3rd visit is for...meet the mayor. Mayor Duterte, if you're reading this, I hope I get an invite for coffee.
--- TheLoneRider
 Davao City, Philippines
 tourist attractions
 - hotel
 Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"E The Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"E North Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E Urban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"E The Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"E Alu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E One Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E
 van rental
 Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com
 yoga | health | fitness
 tour
 resto |  cafe
 advocacy
- one of the cleanest potable water in the country
- smoking is banned from commercial establishments
- pineapple samurais are endemic here and nowhere else in the country (pineapple vendors who cut-up whole pineapples into chunks with just a few strokes of their carving knives)
- public utility drivers conspicuously display their IDs
- durian Mecca of the Philippines (not to mention Marang, Mangosteen and Sweet Pomelo)
- you want to add some more? please submit on the form below
- the weighing scale of fruit vendors specially the durian push cart vendors are a blatant cheat - showing almost twice the actual weight
- Revisiting Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- A Roof Over my Head in Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- Davao Yoga Scene Oct 31, 2016
- Pranayama Oct 24, 2016
- Yoga Beyond the Mat Oct 21, 2016
- Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao Oct 13, 2016
- Duterte Mania in Davao Oct 12, 2016
- Sirsasana, Sarvangasana - Yoga Makaranda II Oct 7, 2016
- Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Oct 5, 2016
- Ashtanga Yoga with James Fritz Freire at Holiday Gym and Spa Oct 1, 2016
- There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
- Jin in Davao Sep 29, 2016
- Scrubs and Hilot at Holiday Gym and Spa Sep 22-29, 2016
- The Fabulous Dabawenyos Aug 22-Sep 26, 2016
- Nirvana Breathing Fitness with Lita C. Quisumbing Sep 21, 2016
- Massage, Sauna and Ear Candling at Holiday Spa and Gym Sep 17-19, 2016
- Downpour in Davao Sep 18, 2016
- Lounge One Yoga Sequence by May Bel Le at North Zen Hotel Sep 16, 2016
- Celebrating Davao's King of Fruits - Durian! Sep 11, 2016
- The Blast that Rocked Davao Sep 2, 2016
- Hatha Flow Yoga with Joanna Lizares Co at Holiday Spa and Gym Aug. 31, 2016
- Conducting a Power Yoga Class at Yoga Davao Aug 29, 2016
- Good Eats with Mel Pangan's Davao Food Tour Aug 26, 2016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Aug 25, 2016
- A Gifted Dell Laptop from the Usual Suspect Aug. 24, 2016
- The Duterte Phenomenon Oct 21, 2015
- 20 Days in Davao City July 4- 24, 2014
- Goodbye Davao...Again! Sep 28, 2013
- Wine and Cheese at Malagos Farm House Sep 27, 2013
- Custom-made Peanut Butter at Davao City's Bankerohan Market Sep 27, 2013
- Yoga in Davao Sep 26, 2013
- Celebrating 25 Years of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Sep 18, 2013
- Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match Sep 17, 2013
- Back Into the Black Sep 1, 2013
- No Reply Aug 30, 2013
- Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex Aug 25, 2013
- Fun Day with Crocodile Sonny and Sports Unlimited Dynamic Duo, Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson Aug 15, 2013
- Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island Aug 11, 2013
- Goodbye Davao Jan 22, 2013
- Davao City's Peace and Order Jan 21, 2013
- Holiday Spa Yoga, Davao City Jan 20, 2013
- Free Yoga at People's Park Jan 12, 2013
- Davao City: Family Ties Dec 15-22, 2012
- Breakup Diaries: Chance Encounter in Davao City Dec 19, 2012
- Davao City June 20-23, 2009
- Davao City March 18-20, 2008
- Mount Apo March 15-18, 2008
Currency Converter
 Dennis
(Jul 4, 2009) Mayor Duterte isn't my kind of mayor - condoning vigilante justice is in itself a proclamation that his own police force can't contain crime in the city. Perhaps, you're better off ziplining next time you're there than meeting this man.
 Auntie Neneng
(Jul 4, 2009) ...just minutes after you left, Uncle Boy and Auntie Inday arrived para makipag kuentuhan pa, they didnt know pala you will be leaving na kaagad. Uso kasi duon yung kuento kuento lang, pag tapos na dinner or gawa sa houses nila, lalabas ng bahay at kung merong nagkukuentuhan, ayun sali na. Wala masyadong pera dun, pero marami ang saya. Hope you can come back again and hopefully, tapos na and houses nun...
remember you are part of the family, so you can come to Bolton anytime you want.
062009
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