Bantog Backpackers: Davao

Showing posts with label Davao. Show all posts

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines. It is also home to the highest peak in the Philippines, Mount Apo, with 3,412 meters (11,194 ft) as its highest point. Mount Apo is a potentially active volcano.

Davao City is approximately 946 kilometers (588 miles) southeast of Manila over land and 971 kilometers (524 nautical miles) by sea. The city is located in Southeastern Mindanao, on the Northwestern shore of Davao Gulf, opposite the island city of Samal.

As of now Davao was listed as the 4th safest city according to the statistical website. Tourists are guarded not only by the police but also by the people around.

A curfew on minors is enforced. All businesses, especially bars and discos, are mandated by a city ordinance to stop selling alcoholic drinks at 2am. Motocyclists without helmets and motorists with defective lights are not allowed to drive in the city. Checkpoints in key parts of the city and its limits are manned 24/7 to enforce traffic laws. (source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_City)

I highly commend Mayor Duterte for making Davao City the first city to impose a no-smoking policy since 2002, the first in the Philippines. It was praised by the World Health Organization.

Cebuano/Bisaya is the native language used by Davaeños. English and Tagalog are their second language.

We purchased our plane tickets via Cebu Pacific at Php1,332/person roundtrip. I've been here in 2006 for a work-related travel for the Maramag-Bunawan Transmission Line Project. And it's soooo good to be back...this time with my family =)

Bantog siblings

On our second day, we traveled to General Santos and came back the next day. Our whole third day was spent at Punta del Sol in Samal Island. Our last day was meant to tour the city, our flight back to Manila was scheduled close to midnight so we can still roam around.

We came from Philippine Eagle Center and planning to go to the Municipal Hall, when we found this...

yummy barbeque at Php6 per piece

grilled tuna at around Php250

We stayed here at the plaza not just for the photo ops but also to buy our food while we were about to wait at the airport. San Pedro Cathedral, the city's main cathedral, is just across the City Hall.

at the plaza

at Davao International Airport

going back to Manila

Top 13 Interesting adventures and places to visit in Davao
People's Park
White Water Rafting
Davao Crocodile Park
Davao Butterfly House
Maxima Aqua Fun and Canopy Tours
River Walk Grill
Philippine Eagle Center
Matina Town Square/Jack's Ridge
DECA Wakeboard Park
Zip City
Samal Beach Resorts
Climb the Philippine's Highest Peak, Mount Apo
Eden National Park

For hotel accommodations, click here

Thursday, September 5, 2013

By going to Samal Island, you will be crossing another province. Island Garden City of Samal belongs to Davao del Norte. Samal Island is located only 2 kilometers from Davao City, Davao del Sur. You can reach the island by riding a jeepney from Davao City at Php8 fare going to Sasa or Kilometer 11 (Onse). From Sasa, there are ISLAND EXPRESS buses bound to Samal Island, bus fare starts at Php10 from Sasa to Babak District. At Babak District there are already a number of beach resorts in the area, but since our destination is Punta del Sol, we traveled from Sasa to Peñaplata. Bus fare from Sasa to Peñaplata, Php30.

At Peñaplata.

You can buy your food and supplies at Peñaplata, there's a grocery store here. From here, there are habal habal waiting for tourists and locals to bring you to your destinations...

habal habal ride from Peñaplata to Punta del Sol, Php60, we rented 3

hahaha =) enjoy!

my one and only princess, Janelle

Punta del Sol Beach Resort offers packages fit for every budget. Rooms ranges from Php600 to Php3,600 good for two or more people, fan or air-conditioned rooms.

Oh!

so blessed to have good looking kids! Thanks to Daddy =)

with our super cute little boy

the three beach addicts

my eldest son, growing so fast and so good-looking!!!

chubby pa si mommy

our dinner costs Php710 with 3 viands, rice and softdrinks

witnessed sunrise at Samal Island

my pretty baby, Janelle

antok pa si kuya JP

super clear water

fine and white sands at Samal Island

time to say goodbye to Samal Island

nipa houses at Punta del Sol

going back to Peñaplata

There are a lot of beach resorts in Samal Island from low to high end, the famous of them all is the Pearl Farm Resort and the Maxima Aquafun and Canopy Tours .

For the complete lists of beach resorts at Samal Island, click here

We stayed for just a night at Punta del Sol, visit their official website here

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Philippine Eagle Center is located at Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. It can be reached via private or public transportation. It is an hour drive from the city center or you can take a bus bound to Calinan. It departs every 15 minutes from the Annil Terminal at the corner of Elpidio Quirino Avenue and San Pedro Extension. There are tryks and pedicabs at Calinan bound to Philippine Eagle Center.

We came from Samal Island on that day. Our route was Peñaplata-San Pedro, bus fare Php50, San Pedro-Bangkerohan, jeepney fare Php8. At Bangkerohan, there are vans going to Calinan, fare Php40, and at Calinan we flagged a tryk at Php140 for the 6 of us... Grabe! ang layo! Gusto ko lang talaga marating ang Philippine Eagle Center ulit after 6 years. Our fellow tourists rented a van in touring Davao City, for more information about vehicle rentals, click here. Vehicle rentals are quite pricey in Davao =(

our photographer, Joshua

the blind eagle

Philippine Eagle Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles, 18 of which are captive-breed. It also houses 10 other species of birds, 4 species of mammals and 2 species of reptiles. The tropical forests surrounds the center. Visit their official website at http://www.philippineeagle.org/index?pageval=thepecenter

Guests are charged a nominal entrance fee to enter the facility, adults at Php50 and kids at Php30. Proceeds of which are used to support conservation efforts of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.