Every Manileño is wondering what the City of Davao looks like or how it is like to be in Davao. We have been hearing wonderful things about the place where our current president used to reign. They say that you are safe when you're in Davao. Maybe it doesn't hurt to go there and see it myself ;)
Day 1
We scheduled a morning flight to Davao arriving early for hotel check-in which is usually 2pm so we decided to have lunch in Abreeza Mall which is approximately 20-30 minutes away from the airport by riding a taxi. By the way, there are lots of taxi's in the airport. Don't be fooled by some private drivers who'll be offering a ride saying there aren't enough public utility vehicles in the airport. I tell you there are lots of it outside. It's just that they wait for the taxi's inside to run out before they let the new ones enter, maybe to prevent congestion.
We stayed at Crown Regency Hotel near Abreeza Mall. It has lots of rooms so you can be accommodated anytime. The place is very quiet, hygienic, and a perfect place to rest after a long day's adventure. Their service is quick giving you everything you need in an instant.
You may choose to go to Crocodile Park that closes at 5 in the afternoon or Eden Nature Park & Resort that offers Skycycling wherein you will be biking on top of a cable that is 60 feet high. We asked 3 drivers and all of them answered the same offering from the range of 1,500 up to 2,000 pesos for Eden Nature Park tour. You won't find a cab that'll make you pay the meter.
In the evening we took a cab going to Jack's Ridge Restaurant. It is located on top of a high slope so you can see an overview of Davao City while having dinner. They also offer Love Locks for couples who wish to leave a sign of their love for each other that can be bought on their counters.
Day 2
Samal Island is one of the must-see places in Davao that has been compared to Boracay Island and Palawan. From the hotel we rode a jeepney going to Sasa Wharf, it only cost 12 pesos instead of riding a taxi that will cost you about a hundred pesos. From port you will ride a 10-minute Roro that costs 5 pesos each taking you to Samal Island.
From the island there'll be drivers offering a ride to resorts in the island, there are lots of them. We were offered a tricycle ride for only 50 pesos (2 pax) to get to Paradise Island. But upon sitting in the tricycle the driver tried to outsmart us by saying we need to pay 100 pesos since it is uphill. We did not agree with it and told him that we'll look for another driver instead but the driver clinched the deal and took us to the resort.
Upon entering the resort, you'll see an aviary before hitting their counter. We paid 200 pesos each for a day tour and you will be provided with a table to put your things with. It is a very cool and relaxing place. The sand is white and absolutely fine. You can't find a place like this in Manila! They also have a live band to serenade you while the kids are busy swimming in the water. What amazed me more is their bathroom which is very clean. In the girls comfort room they offer different cubicles for shower, cubicles for toilet, and cubicles for dressing up. The place is very well maintained.
If you want to stay the whole day, they offer delicious food that are not pricy. Heading back to the city you will be needing to ride a motorcycle which costs 35 pesos each to get you to the port. Tricycles are very rare in those areas so motorcycle is your only option.
Day 3
Of course all tour comes to an end. Usually for a typical tour the last day is shopping day or souvenir day but it is different in Davao. There you won't see vendors selling souvenir keychains, shirts, and stuff that you can see in places like Baguio or Tagaytay. But I was able to buy some souvenirs in the airport after checking in.
