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!