10 Things to Visit and Do in Davao City

Since we’ll be coming back to Davao this November, We’ve thought of listing our top 10 based on our trip last 2011.

#1. Jack’s Ridge – the best time to come here is during the night where you can see the view of Davao while having a sumptuous dinner. It is also a great place to take pictures because of the nice landscape. The city lights, food, singing group that will serenade you while eating, perfect for a great dinner.

Off to Tacloban with No Itinerary and Reservations

We usually have set itineraries, cost estimate, and accommodation reservations when we go somewhere. But this time, we don’t. Pure adventure.. fun.. and excitement.

Six months before our flight, there was a promo with Cebu Pacific. As promo-grabber as we are, we booked to any destination where there are still promo seats available. Just trying out any destination in the list… Puerto Princesa – sold out. Dumaguete – sold out. Tagbilaran – sold out. Davao – sold out. Boracay – sold out. Tacloban – taaadaaaan!!! We do not know what’s in there, but we booked flights for the 4 of us.

A little research told us Mc Arthur landing shrine is there.  Not sure if we can pass by the famous longest bridge in the Philippines, San Juanico, but, we put it in our list. And that's it. We did not bother to research more until the date is really fast approaching.

November came and we'll be flying to Tacloban already. Bembem can’t come with us due to work schedule. Mika had hesitations because Bem can’t come with us. And if Mika won’t go, and so as Bevvy Joy. Poor Weng, I’m the only one left! :(

But… wait wait wait...  Bevvy Joy texted me 2 days before... She asked if I still want to go to Tacloban. Of course I said yes. And she also liked to go. We’re now going! High five! :)

I tried to book a hotel 12 hours before our arrival. As expected, all hotels I called were all fully booked. I also asked for quotations for tours but they were all too expensive. Good luck to us.

Upon arrival at Daniel Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, we called the other hotels I haven’t called yet. So lucky, Bevvy Joy found one. Leyte Park Resort is so nice. We enjoyed the pool and the everyday breakfast buffet. 

Also at the airport, we found a van that can tour us around the whole city and bring us to Sohoton cave in Samar. Now, that’s what we call adventure, wonderful and fun memories worth looking back.

Historical? Yes!

Leyte Provincial Capitol

 

UP Tacloban

Madonna of Japan

Balyuan Tower

Sto. Nino Church

Sto. Nino Shrine

There are other places that we've visited such as the famous McArthur Landing Monument, Rafael's Farm, and San Juanico Bridge which is the longest bridge in the Philippines!

Nature? Of course. We also went to Sohoton Cave in Samar.

Actually, after the tour, we just realized that we do not need a van to tour around the city. They are just near each other we can even just walk around except for the Rafael's farm, San Juanico bridge, and McArthur Shrine.

A Weekend at Borawan – Itinerary

Do you want to escape from the busyness of the city? Its pollution and noise? Well, aside from the destinations found at nearby provinces such as Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas, there is one found also in the southern part of Luzon... and don’t worry, it is not that far... and it has white sand.

Have you heard of Borawan? Yes... it is not Boracay... and also not Palawan... but Borawan...

anawangin-capones island adventure

have you wondered how much we spent in our adventure trip to anawangin cove and capones island?

below you will find our itinerary and the expenses we incurred.

really really cheap!

Rock Climbing in Sagada

Have you tried rock climbing? Me? I have only done wall climbing. It’s my first time to try it and to think it’s in Sagada and not a man-made one, which most of us have tried, I am really excited.

After trekking to Big Falls, we went straight to the rock climbing site since it is already getting dark. It is time to use those muscles.. hahaha! Natural rock climbing, let's get it on!

Big Falls

Have you seen waterfalls, heard the sound of music they produce, and wonder how it feels to be at the edge of it and fall with the water like in a movie?

I have always wanted to see Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao and Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna. I know those since I was in elementary through books. But unfortunately, I have never been there until now… still on my bucket list… but not the falling part. I think it only happens in movies. :)

Although I have not seen those two yet, I can say that seeing Big Falls in Sagada is very fulfilling.. One of the many words to describe the feeling is “refreshing” or should I say "spectacular."

Sumaguing Cave and Hanging Coffins - Sagada

After  more than 12 hours of travelling on the road and many hours of waiting... Do we still have the energy? Of course!!! :)

The cool breeze of air... pine trees... small town.. rice terraces.. mountains.. locals.. serene place.. These are just some of the many things that gave us the energy we needed.

And our first destination? Sumaguing Cave and hanging coffins!!! Go go go spelunking!

While on the Road - 1st Day of Our Sagada Trip

This was our first trip together. It was one week long, two days of which were spent travelling on the road.

We are supposed to be booked with Cable Tours. Unfortunately, the bus company said that due to the volume of passengers, they will no longer have advance booking and will just do a first come first serve basis on the date of travel. Well, to be able to buy tickets for two, I went to Cable Tours terminal at 6am. I also met two other passengers who were informed the same way that it will be a first come first serve basis. So, I wake up early on that day just to get disappointed....