the one thing i could not forget on my way to davao was the taxi driver in cdo reprimanding me. when i hopped on the taxi and the driver learned i went to valencia, bukidnon the previous night, he gave me his two cents. he belatedly advised me that i should have checked out from VIP hotel the previous day and should have spent the night at valencia.  since my destination was davao city, he told me that i would have been 3 hours away from davao then. but since i went back to cdo from valencia, i was back to square one. meaning - my travel time from cdo to davao was back to six hours.

right. that’s why doing some research and preparing an itinerary is a must when traveling.

ticket stub: cagayan de oro - to - davao city  via BuDa Route [AC, NO stopover , fare @ PhP 305 back in sept. 2003] bus terminal: agora bus terminal - click on the link to view info on bus routes and bus companies serving the different provinces of mindanao. 

on board Rural Tours bus. the bus leaves on schedule regardless of number of passengers on board.

accommodation: free courtesy of college friend peachi and her mom 

peachi - my ever pleasant, lively, and gracious host while in davao. she’s now based in thailand.

peachi pie and her mom took some time off work to accompany me in visiting the different places of interest in davao.

on our way to paradise island resort - samal island, davao [ferry fare: PhP 12.00/person back in september 2003]

paradise island. [caliclic, babak island garden city of samal - davao del norte] my pictures of the area don’t do justice to this place. the island is truly magnificent.  water is crystal clear. in fact, you can see small fish swimming along the shoreline. check out paradise island’s website for more info and for better pictures.

accommodation at paradise island

paradise island has its own mini zoo and aviary

malagos garden [baguio district, calinan, davao city]

lobby of malagos gardens. malagos gardens is a must-see for people who love flowers and beautiful plants. it also has several durian trees. again, i failed to take pictures of the area saved for the one above. so check out malagos garden’s website for more pictures and info.

of course, a visit to davao wouldn’t be complete if you don’t drop by the Philippine Eagle Center.

Entrance fee is pegged at PhP 50 for adults and PhP30 for children. For information on how to get there - click the Philippine Eagle Center link.

another must-see place in davao is jack’s ridge resort and restaurant. it was nighttime when we went there and the place was simply awesome. the place is best for hanging out with friends, for dating, and for a spectacular dining experience as it is overlooking the city.

jack’s ridge. shrine hill, matina, davao city

[photo above is taken from jack's ridge's website] click on the link to see jack’s ridge’s location map.] for more pix and additional info on jack’s ridge, click on my friend ram’s blog entry here.]

another nice place to visit especially at night is Dencio’s Kamayan sa Hilltop located at the Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City. like jack’s ridge it has a spectacular view of the city. unfortunately, i couldn’t find a website or pictures of the restaurant.  anyway, you can contact Dencio’s Kamayan sa Hilltop at these numbers: (082)305-8653, (082)305-8653.

Going HOME

Davao to Cebu via Cebu Pacific [fare @ PhP1,905 back in september 2003] [at present one-way fare @ PhP288 is PhP 1,515.36//@ PhP388 is PhP 1,627.36//@PhP 588 is PhP1,851.36] watch out for cebu pacific’s piso-fare promo for a much cheaper airfare.

terminal fee: PhP40.00 back in sept. 2003 at the old airport. [at present: PhP 200.00 at the new airport]

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