High Five Davao 2013

Hearing much about Davao makes me want to visit the province long time ago and finally my feet touched their ground. Yeeehhaaa! I learned that the peace and order is the number one priority of their LGU (local government unit) and I want to give a high five to their mayor (Mayor Rodrigo Duterte). The city is so clean, feels like your in Singapore or much better than that. Not a single trash can be seen in their side walks or elsewhere which just goes to show that local residents are well disciplined.

Arrived at Davao International Airport Thursday night and was welcomed by our hotel shuttle. Thank you Jade Dragon Suites for a warm welcome. If you plan to visit Davao and your budget is tight, try to stay in Jade Dragon Suites, their rooms are clean and affordable (http://jadedragonsuites.com/). We stayed there for just one night. Next day we all woke up early and had our breakfast at Jade Dragon's resto located at the ground floor. After breakfast we went straight to Waterfront Insular Hotel Pirata Bar Area where our boat ride to Chema's by the sea is already waiting. This is it! Beach finally..... Yehey!!! :)
Clockwise: Photo1: Welcome name from our first night's hotel. Photo2&3: 
Davao International Airport with Elaine and Mom.
Clockwise: Photo1: Waiting for our breakfast at Jade Dragon's Suite's
Resto. Photo2&3: Friends and Mom at Jade Dragon Suite's lobby. 
After our very relaxing stay at the beach we headed back to the city and explored its beauty. First stop was Eden Nature Park but unfortunately there were two events being held at the time so we didn't get to enjoy all their amenities. We decided to just have a light snack and go on with the tour. On our way to our next destination we stopped at the nearest fruit stand which sells only Durian, Marang, Mangosteen and the hanging ornaments that I forgot to ask how it's called.. :)
From left clockwise: My closest friends munching on a very
delish Marang (another local fruit from Davao, aside from durian).
Closer photo of Marang. The ones hanging from the store's ceiling
is said to be a local ornament (according to our tour guide).
My friend Tiny having a great time with the smell of Durian. :)

Next stop is the Japanese Tunnel where one of my friends felt the creepiness of the place. It was said to be discovered by an engineer who spearheaded the construction of the diversion road while digging on the site few years ago. The entrance fee is Php50/pax which includes the tunnel tour guide. If you plan to visit this site make sure you are not claustrophobic or you don't have any heart problem because the ventilation inside is less.
Top left clockwise; Photo1: Me behind bars. It was said to be the prison 
inside the tunnel, at least 6-10 people were imprisoned there at the same 
time. Imagine that. Photo2: Me and my friends trying to feel how it was to be 
squeezed inside a small cage-like prison. Photo3: Japanese tunnel. Photo4: Spot 
the table. Tour guide told us that it's still authentic but with some improvements. 
It's where the Japanese held there meetings.
We had our dinner at Bon Appetit La Boutique (http://www.resto-bonappetit.com/), a French restaurant owned by a very accommodating guy named Yves who's already based in Davao City and finds our country beautiful. They have regular menu and they also serve different sets of menu every week which makes his restaurant stand out from the rest.
With the owner of Bon Appetit La Boutique, Mr. Yves.
He's such an accommodating guy, he even gave us a
free dessert (choco pot cream).
Clockwise; Photo1: Ordered Filet de Saumon Grillé Sauce 
Gingembre (Grilled Salmon Filet with Ginger Sauce) and I 
tell you guys 'twas one of the best grilled salmon I've tried
and the mashed potato tastes so much different. Photo2:
Menu for the week. Photo3: Facade of Bon Appetit
La Boutique.
The night is still young, let's have a shot....of coffee. Those that we don't have in Manila. We went to Blugre Coffee and tried their Durian Coffeeccino and the Durian Artic Blast. The prices of their drinks are quite reasonable compared to the ones that we have here in Manila.
Clockwise; Photo1: Durian Artic Blast. Photo2: Strawberries 
and Cream. Photo3: Me and Mom in front of Blugre Coffee.

Practically our day ended a bit late but we definitely had a blast. It's always best to travel in groups especially if the group consists of your closest friends because you get to divide some of your expenses like rooms, shuttle fee, food etc. Oh, and by the way I also travel with my Mom most of the time. :)
We stayed in Park Inn By Radisson on our last night.
Clockwise; Photo1: We were welcomed by the hotel's 
friendly Labrador (K-9), he looks so calm and "deadma 
to the world". Photo2: Hotel lobby of Park Inn by Radisson.
Photo3: Facade of the hotel.
Upper photo: Me and Mom (photo taken at the
bridge way of the hotel adjacent to the SM Lanang)
Lower photo: View of Park Inn hotel and bridge way
going SM Lanang. (photo taken from the mall's
terrace)
I share this room with my dearest Mom. This is a
connecting room, next to us is Elaine and Christian's,
I find it cool being just next to their room.
The next morning, before proceeding to our city tour we woke up early and opted to enjoy the hotel's amenities first. The swimming pool of course. I find that part of the hotel to be relaxing, the poolside chair are very classy and dainty, the pool flooring is different from the usual ceramic tiles that other swimming pools have.

After experiencing the hotel's swimming pool we all headed to our rooms and prepared ourselves for a long day ahead. I didn't let this vacation pass without seeing the inside of their SM Lanang premier mall, just so I can compare it with other mall branches. Haha! Hashtag usisera.
Park Inn Hotel swimming pool. Me and my friends
having a good time before heading back to Manila
later that night.
Inside SM Lanang Premier Mall. They say it's a 
small version of SM Aura and their ground floor is
spacious even if they are holding an event during
the time that we were there.
Check out time at Park Inn, we went straight to Marina Tuna to have our sumptuous lunch. It's like we had a seafood fiesta and I admit, I didn't get to take decent photos of our meal because I was too excited to eat. :)
Top photo: After having our lunch at Marina Tuna.
Tiny is still enjoying her BANANA! :) Lower photo: While
waiting for our orders, Mom and I had tuna sashimi
for appertizer and Tuna head sinigang as our main dish.
We were supposed to stop by at Lachi's in Marfori Heights to at least have a dose of their desserts but unfortunately the store is close every Sunday (well most of the stores in Davao are close during Sundays). Now were headed to the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus where we paid respect before going back to Manila. On our day was an overlooking sight of Davao City, it's the same way going to Jack's Ridge.
Clockwise; Photo1: I was enchanted with this tree's
beauty, I like how the roots was spread out in the
ground so I instantly took a shot of it. Photo2: Open
Blessed Sacrament inside the shrine's compound.
Photo3: Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus.
After paying respect we went to Aldevinco shopping center and Yema Tower store where we bought some pasalubong for our families and friends. I think that Yema tower is one of the best tasting Yema's I've tried. 

Another visit to Davao is a must because there are still a lot of things in store for us when we get back. My Mom loved it there and so she's planning to book a flight early next year to give another HIGH FIVE to Davao.
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