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Davao and Samal Itinerary (3 days)

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Three day travel itinerary during my first visit to Davao City in Mindanao Island (Southern Philippines). Since it was my first time, my focus was geared towards getting a personal view of the downtown area of Davao City,Samal Island, “meeting” the mighty Philippine Eagle, and eating an actual Durian fruit.

Day 1 – Philippine Eagle Center, Jack’s Ridge

  • 9:10am – arrival in Davao International Airport
  • Walk to highway outside of airport compound gate (approx. 500m from the passenger terminal).
  • Cross street and ride jeepney to Downtown Davao (has “Claveria” on the jeepney route) – P15 fare
  • 10:00am – drop off at Bangoy St., Downtown, Davao City
  • Walk to My Hotel Davao. Check-in.
    • Single fan room (shared TB) – P250 per night + P200 deposit (refundable upon check-out)
  • Walk to Bankerohan (Public) Market
  • Ride “hop-on hop-off” van to Calinan (45 minutes) – P40
  • Ride habal-habal to Malagos Water District – P20
  • 1:15pm – Malagos Water District – P5 entrance fee
  • 1:30pm – Philippine Eagle Center – P50 entrance fee
  • Ride habal-habal back to Calinan – P20
  • Ride jeep back to highway (“Ulas” intersection) – P20
Attempted to visit Eden Nature Park. I was discouraged when I went to Toril and asked about transportation getting there. There was no way to commute and it would have been too expensive to hire a tricycle/taxi by myself so I decided to go back to Davao instead.
  • 4:45pm – Ride jeep back to NCCC Davao. Quick visit to NCCC and Matina Town Square
  • Ride jeep to intersection going to Jack’s Ridge (cor MacArthur Highway – Santos Cuyogan Rd) – P7
  • Ride tricycle to Jack’s Ridge – P10
  • Dinner at Taklobo Restaurant, Jack’s Ridge
    • Shrimp Tempure (Rebusado) – P243
    • Rice – P23
    • Garlic Rice – P27
  • Taxi to My Hotel – P80

Day 2 – Davao City Commuting Tour

  • 11:00am – walk to Davao City Hall area
    • San Pedro Cathedral
    • Rizal Park
    • Osmena Park
    • Museo Dabawenyo
  • 11:00pm – lunch at Banok’s
    • 1 grilled chicken inasal, unlimited rice, 1 coke – P75
  • 12:00nn – walk to Bankerohan (Public) Market
  • Buy 1 fresh (Arancillo) Durian and ate at the sidestreet – P35
  • Ride jeep to Ateneo de Davao – P7
    • Aldevinco Market
    • Marco Polo Davao
  • Ride jeep to Gmall Davao – P7
  • Ride jeep along Santa Ana Avenue to Chimes Mall – P7
  • Ride jeep back to Gmall – P7
  • Ride jeep to Victoria Plaza / Pryce Business Park
  • 4:00pm – Ride taxi to Crocodile Farm – P100+
  • 4:20pm – Crocodile Farm – P150 entrance fee. No crocodile show that day. Scheduled for the next day.
  • Ride taxi to Damosa Gateway – P7
  • Ride jeep back to F. Torres St. – P7
  • Walk to Kasagingan Kapehan
  • Pre-dinner at Kasagingan Kapehan
    • Maruya supreme  - P75
    • Chorizo Sandwhich – P55
  • Dinner at Blue Carabao (Dr. 4-7 Sobrecarey St., Obrero, Davao City near Gmall). They have now transferred to a new location at 146 Montreverde St at the corner of Alveraz St. (near Magsaysay Park / Santa Ana Wharf right across the street from the Davao City Fire Department).
    • Pork Adobo, Pancit, Rice, Coke – P120
  • Ride Jeep to San Pedro St. 0 P7
  • Extended stay at MyHotel for two more nights – P500 (P250 per night)

Day 3 – Talikud and Samal Island

  • 10:20am – Breakfast at Kusina Davao (infront of My Hotel)
    • Beef curry rice toppings – P55
    • Native coffee – P15
  • Taxi to Magsaysay Park – P60
  • Walk to Santa Ana Wharf
  • 11:30am – Bought fery ticket for 12:30nn “Jessa 3″ trip to Talikud Island – P50 fare
  • 12:30nn – Ferry departure from Santa Ana Wharf
  • 2:00pm – Arrived in Sta. Cruz Whard, Talikud Island, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS)
  • Habal-habal ride to Babu Santa Beach (20 mins from pier) – P150 round trip fare + P20 tip
  • 3:00pm – Dropped off at Isla Reta Beach Resort.
  • Walk back to Sta Cruz Wharf (10 minutes)
  • 3:30pm – No passenger crossing left to Kaputian (Mainland Samal). Had to split a chartered boat with one other passenger – P300 for the whole boat or P150 each
  • Ride “Island City Express” Bus to Babak (45 minutes) – P40
  • Ride tricycle to Monfort Bat Colony – P60 roundtrip charter (P30 per way).
  • 5:30pm – Monfort Bat Colony – P30 entrance fee
  • Ride “Island City Express” Bus to Santa Ana Wharf
    • crossed Babak, Samal to Sasa Wharf, Davao City via RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) Ferry
  • Ride taxi to Lachi’s – P50
  • Dinner at Lachi’s
    • Grilled Pork Ribs – P130, New York Cheese Cake – P45, Iced Tea (Sola) – P40, Rice – P20
  • Walk to tricycle stop
  • Ride tricycle to Davao Medical Center
  • Walk to People’s Park
  • People’s Park sightseeing
  • Walk to My Hotel Davao

Day 4 – Davao to Zamboanga Flight

  • 6:45am – checkout at My Hotel Davao. Claimed P200 deposit
  • Ride taxi to Davao International Airport – P120
  • 7:10am – arrived at the airport
  • Breakfast at the airport
    • Egg, Hotdog, Rice, Mineral Water – P110
  • Check-in for Davao to Zamboanga Flight – P200 terminal fee
  • 8:30am – Departure from Davao Airport
  • 9:40am – Arrival in Zamboanga Airport
Money spent for the whole Davao leg – P4,000+

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Davao and Zamboanga Back-to-back Trip: First time in Southern Mindanao for 6 Days

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Mindanao used to be a vast mass of uncharted territory for me. I was, however, determined to see more and experience for myself, the many alluring charms of this often misunderstood island. Thanks to a (relatively) new route serviced by Cebu Pacific, I was able to fly direct from Iloilo to Davao City. The plan was to spend three days in Davao and another three days in Zamboanga City. My first-time visit to these two Southern Mindanao cities was one of my most surprising trips of the year. I did not expect so see such beautiful places in both cities (even without venturing too far from urban comforts). I also liked how different these two cities are from each other. The distinct experiences definitely kept my interest throughout the whole trip up.

Davao and Zamboanga Back to back Trip: First time in Southern Mindanao for 6 Days
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Still Wandering in October

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As mentioned earlier, I’ve been AFK (away from keyboard) for a while now. It’s still a busy month of traveling for me. Since I started blogging, it has always been my goal to live the lifestyle of other travel bloggers. To be able to travel extensively and frequently for longer periods of time. If feel really lucky that I’m already starting to live that kind of life and thankful to everyone who continues to visit my blogs and leave comments, which fuels my passion to continue blogging. Here’s a quick rundown of places I’ve traveled to since my last post.

Still Wandering in October
Taken at Kuala Lumpur International Airport just before the return flight from our Singapore – Malaysia trip at the end of September. It took multiple shots … but I still couldn’t keep my eyes open for the shot since I was already so tired.

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