Davao2015: Davao City Tour
8:52 PM
The first time I went to Davao is when we were in transit going to Surigao Del Sur. I knooow, its too far, but Butuan flights are fully booked and we already filed our leave. So what other option we have than wasting our leave is to take the flight to Davao and travel for almost 8 hours or so to Surigao. We weren't able to see Davao then since our itinerary is in Surigao, but I made sure to come back to tour one of the safest city in the world, Davao City. (Check our Surigao Adventure HERE)
Traveling during lean season means having to pray to the Lord every single day that there's no typhoon during our trip. And I think, I'm always lucky in choosing our travel dates because since then, even though we're traveling during the lean season, we always had a good weather during our whole trip. And this trip is the same.
So, last September 23, the boyfie and I had our advance anniversary celebration. We flew via different airlines and just met in Davao Airport before going to the hotel.
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| Touchdown!! |
We stayed in My Hotel located in San Pedro Street, Davao City. We had the double deluxe room which has one queen sized bed, air-conditioning unit, TV, cabinet, bathroom with hot and cold shower and basic toiletries. The room is pretty basic, not fancy but clean. The bathroom is small though that the sink won't fit so they placed it outside. And the air condition is not that cold even though we put it in the coldest temp.
Not complaining with this PHP995.00/ night for two persons room since we were out the whole day.
After resting, we first looked for a restaurant to eat our lunch. We looked for the nearest Penong's we saw on the way to the hotel from the airport. We tried walking because I thought its just near the hotel until we were tired and decided to ask the locals and ride the jeepney.
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| First meal in Davao- Penong's |
We ordered their chicken barbecue with unlimited rice, grilled baby back ribs, and green mango shake and boy, that was the bestest green mango shake I've tasted in Davao!!
After lunch, since I did not research on how to commute to the tourist spots in Davao, we decided to go ride a cab.
Let's start the tour!!
1. D' Bone Collector Museum
"D' Bone Collector Museum is more than just a museum that features bones from animals all over the world. We're a registered non-government organization dedicated to teaching young and old alike to value life and environment by bringing bones back to life" Source: D' Bone Museum
D' Bone Museum is a 3-storey museum that features real bones from different animal species. entrance fee is PHP80.00 to be paid at the souvenir store. There is a guide that could tell you the story behind each animals by the bone they left behind and show how our actions impact on how they live and die.
American Bone Collector Darrell D. Blatchley is the founder - owner and curator of D' Bone Museum.
"The museum was opened in 2012 with a total of 150 specimens in a one-storey building. Today, the museum occupies the three-storey building that houses over 700 specimens. "
The museum has been recognized as having the largest collection of assembled skeleton of whales and dolphins in the Philippines.
During the tour, I learned that most of them died because of the trash in the ocean. Some died because of a small bottle cap, fish net or plastic wrapper trapped in their throat that won't let them breathe. Its so sad how a huge whale or dolphins died because of just a small bottle cap humans throw in the ocean.
D' Bone Museum is open Monday to Friday, 10:00AM to 5:00PM and Saturday, 1:00PM to 5:00PM.
2. Museo Dabawenyo
The museum showcase the rich historical and cultural heritage of Davao City through the exhibitions in the various galleries in the museum.
Museo Dabawenyo is divided into four rooms;
1. The Indigenous People's Gallery is a collection of arts, crafts, musical instruments made by the different tribes.
2. The Moro People's Gallery is where you can see the miniature houses & boats, musical instruments, chairs, weapons and armors used by the Muslim people in the southern part of the Philippines.
3. The Contemporary Gallery is a collection of classic and modern designs from wood carving to paintings.
4. The Memorabilia Gallery is a collection of olden day clothes, money, and a lot more.
Taking a photo is prohibited inside, this is the only area where its allowed.
3. Osmena Park
This park is located in the middle of a busy road where you can find bunch of people offering massage, manicure and pedicure for a minimal fee.
This park is located in the middle of a busy road where you can find bunch of people offering massage, manicure and pedicure for a minimal fee.
The San Pedro Cathedral is the oldest church in Davao City and was named after San Pedro, the patron saint of Davao City.
The San Pedro Cathedral is now recognized as a National Cultural Treasure.
5. Crocodile Park
From San Pedro Cathedral, we rode a cab going to Davao Crocodile Farm is which is about 30 minutes away. Entrance fee to the park is PHP200.00 each which includes an entrance to the Crocodile Park, Butterfly House and Tribu K' Mindanawan.
From San Pedro Cathedral, we rode a cab going to Davao Crocodile Farm is which is about 30 minutes away. Entrance fee to the park is PHP200.00 each which includes an entrance to the Crocodile Park, Butterfly House and Tribu K' Mindanawan.
When we entered, we got bored because there are just crocodile fence, not much to do about it. We just walked and see how many crocodiles are in there and how huge they are. We are tired so we almost don't care about it and decided to just go home after walking around the farm.
And when we were already outside, we heard that there's some sort of a program happening already so we went back.
And its already time for "Crocodile Frenzy", the time of the day where they will feed the crocodiles which made everyone excited. Someone went inside the fence with a protective suit carrying meat for the hungry crocodiles. Everyone is shouting as we see how hungry the crocodiles are and how they are just like statues and suddenly they move so fast just to get first dibs on the meat.
After that, its time to feed "Pangil", the biggest crocodile in the park. If I remember it right, Pangil has to eat about 50 kilograms of meat, so if you're already tired and done with your life, and weighs 50kgs or more, you might just be perfect for Pangil. Kidding!
Aside from crocodiles, you can also find various animals here such as monkeys, snakes, birds, bear cats, ostrich, various types of reptiles and a lot more.
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| Price of a crocodile skin! |
5. Jack's Ridge Resort & Restaurant
After Crocodile Farm, we went back to the hotel to rest and refresh before we head out for dinner. Where's the perfect place to have it? At the highest point in Davao, Jack's Ridge Resort & Restaurant. The place is located on a high mountain slope of Shrine Hills,Matina, Davao overlooking the scenic expanse of Davao City and the gulf of Davao.
Jack's Ridge has three restaurants, Taklobo Restaurant, Kai's Bar and Grill and Karlo's Gourmet and Coffee. We decided to dine in Taklobo, Jack's Ridge's main restaurant. And we had a good view of Davao City while eating.
After this, we went back to the hotel to rest and sleep. We are so happy on how our first day went and we're excited on our next day's adventure, the Eden Nature Park!
I made an itinerary for this tour, but we weren't able to follow it because of limited time and lack of research. We missed 4 of 8 places I listed to visit on our Day 1, but nevertheless, its not about how many places you've been to, its all about seeing the beauty and what this place has to offer.
I made an itinerary for this tour, but we weren't able to follow it because of limited time and lack of research. We missed 4 of 8 places I listed to visit on our Day 1, but nevertheless, its not about how many places you've been to, its all about seeing the beauty and what this place has to offer.
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