DAVAO - the Crocs & the folks of Tribu Kamindanawan

From our quick sojourn to Samal Island, we decided to stay in Davao city before heading home. We walked-in to Davao Royal hotel for 2D/1N stay. The place is reasonably price, very clean and accessible. For a double occupancy room of PHP900, you have free breakfast for two. They have a place designated to smoking clients with an open balcony and a small garden (sorry no picture here).

I also felt this hotel was more like a painting gallery (according to my less artistic mind) than a hotel, everywhere I looked every vacant space has a strategically-placed painting on it and all of it has a price tag.

Our room and the sample paintings @ Davao Royal Hotel

We want to visit the famous crocodile park in Davao and watch their animal show- off course starring the crocodile named “pangil”. Aside from crocodile meat, the farm sells exotic bags, belts & shoes made from crocodile skin (sorry wasn't able to take pictures). They also invented crocodile ice cream, which was already sold out as soon as we get there (so bad). 

The park is also home of other animal species like snakes, tigers, birds, monkeys and other reptiles. 

  

Entrance fee: PhP 150 (adult) 
Taxi fare: approx. PhP 150 (from city) 

We also visited, Tribu k'Mindanawan cultural village. The place shows the various tribes in Mindanao. The village displays the replica of the cultural communities’ traditional houses namely – Mangguangan, Mansaka, Ata Manobo, Ata Paquibato, Obo Manobo, Bagobo Tagabawa, T’boli, BN’laan and Mandaya.

The highlight of the evening - the fire-benders. A different kind of fire dancing that uses more complex tools and equipment far from the usual poi that most fire dancers use. These guys are using metal objects with several fiery points that come in different shapes.  They also have ethnic presentation playing tribal music  in colorful costumes. 

Truly, their performances deserves a praise!  Clap! Clap! Clap! 

Of course, the visit to Davao wouldn’t be complete without Durian. This is a common sight among the street vendors and fruit stands anywhere in the city. The fruit very well served as an iconic symbol of Davao where infrastructures like the dome in The People’s Park and the durian statue at the airport were obviously created in its likeness. 

Like other fruits, durian has a variety of sweet delicacies made from it - candies, pastries, ice cream etc. And, if you’re craving for caffeine mix, Blugre Café is the place to go. They have several branches in Davao city that serves a unique blend of coffee mixes with a twist of durian - the Durian coffee & Durian Gatchpuccino. Yes, durian fruit bits were stirred in our coffee! Off course, the best partner to a durian coffee is the durian cheesecake.    

And what a way to end this trip!  

Escape to Samal Island

A fast pace life in the city sometimes feels very suffocating. All the stress from work combine with the responsibilities at home would make you feel like hiding yourself in a far away land out of reach by everything and everybody. After few months of being entirely focused with work I feel like my concentration is slipping away so my husband and I decided to escape to the isolated island of Samal . 

So what makes Samal Island our place of choice?

1st: It's easily accessible.

2nd: There are plenty of resorts to choose from

The Island Garden City of Samal is accessible via domestic & international flights directly to Davao city or public bus from any point in Mindanao. There are 2 wharves to get to the Island - SASA wharf and Sta Ana Wharf. We choose the later because it's conveniently located near Magsaysay Park. 

Note: Boat fare PhP 50/head

Fig 1: Boats waiting for passengers

Fig 2: Captain Jack Sparrow?

Fig 3: The representative  in white T-shirt waiting  for our arrival by the docks.

We arrived at the resort with only the Manager and few staff present. They are very friendly and accommodating and they truly look up to their client's need. They prepared our meals on time and promptly delivered our snacks.

Well, this is not surprising since we went there during OFF-season and we literally own the resort during our stay. It is picture-time unlimited! Anywhere we went, anything we do ... Nobody was there to bother us. Isolation to the highest level, awesome!   ☺☺☺

We arrived at the resort with only the Manager and few staff present. They are very friendly and accommodating and they truly look up to their client's need. They prepared our meals on time and promptly delivered our snacks. 

The resort has 24/7 guards on duty, so security is never an issue. There is no WI-FI connection in the resort and cell phone signals is limited to some areas - but no one would need internet access during honeymoon, right?☺☺☺  

Fig 4: Our room

Fig 5: Our home for the duration

Fig 6: The open cottages

Samal Island is a haven for those who are looking for underwater adventure like scuba diving, wake-boarding & snorkeling. The place is abundant in coral reef and marine life, in fact some parts of the island is known to cultivate sea pearls thus the name pearl farm was made.  

  

Fig 7: The rocky shore

Fig 8:  Instead of white sand, its corals!

Fig 9: Close cottage intended for large group

Fig 10: Food, food and more food

Fig 11: Punta del Sol resort @ night.

On our last day, we toured the whole Samal Island and make a quick visit to Maxima Aqua Fun resort. The resort entrance is PHP 200 which includes the use of the 40 meter giant slide and banana boats, tables etc.

Overall, our sojourn to Samal Island was unforgettably relaxing and thoroughly satisfying. I would definitely come back to Punta del Sol for a much needed reprieve in the future when the need arrives.

Punta del Sol Tariff or you check their website for latest update: 

Resort email: puntadelsol_samal@yahoo.com

website: www.puntadelsolsamal.com