Tribu Mindanawan and Green Buffet Haus

On our first night in Davao, we watched the Tribu Mindanawan show beside the Crocodile Park. We arrived past 5 pm, so we were not able to watch the crocodile show. Good thing that we were not required to pay entrance or show fee of Tribu Mindanawan, as long as we dine at their Kaonanan Restaurant.

Visitors are welcomed by the female drummers who are also the fire dancers of the show. One or two members of our group danced to their rhythmic beats on the street, while some of us took photos and video of the fun event.

Mt. Apo : Ascent to Philippines' Highest Peak

Reaching the summits of Mt. Pulag and Mt. Kanlaon last year, I’ve been looking forward to climb Mt. Apo, to complete the trilogy of Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao highest peaks. This plan had finally commenced last month with 6 members of AKAC team.

 

We stayed overnight in Davao City first, had watched the Tribu Mindanawan where we also had our dinner, before leaving to Kidapawan the following day. We left the Green Windows Dormitel while its still dark, then rode the van to Kidapawan at Php 150 fare/person. Below is the view of Mt. Apo from the southwest road that leads to Digos City.

Penong's Grill, Luz Kinilaw, Kusina Dabaw

Our first dinner in Davao was spent in Penongs, a highly recommended barbecue chain of restaurants, with affordable menus. Think of Mang Inasal restaurants in mostly open-air dining area with unlimited rice meals, but with more menu items like bulalo and grilled seafoods. 

Service is fast on their Sta. Ana St. branch, inspite of many diners that night. Waiters automatically serve complimentary bulalo soup and cold water to all their customers.

Royale House Hotel in Davao

During our 3D2N stay in Davao City, we stayed at Royale Pension House which is along C.M. Recto St. near the San Pedro Cathedral and Davao City Hall. It is also walking distance to the People's Park, though we didn't have time to see it. C.M. Recto is a one-way street, so our usual route in going back to the hotel is from San Pedro St. The jeep route no. 4 pass thru C.M. Recto after making rounds in Magsaysay Avenue and Quezon Boulevard. Many other jeepney routes and taxicabs pass the hotel, so transportation is never a problem.

Fastfoods like Chowking and Jollibee are just 5-minute walk through the Rizal Extension. There is also an NCCC Express Supermarket nearby. There is a night market along San Pedro St. if you fancy ukay ukay clothes, streetfoods, and pirated DVDs. The Bankerohan Market is a 5-minute ride on the jeepneys that pass the San Pedro St.

Hagimit Falls & Kaputian Beach, Samal Island

After our visit in Monfort Bat Caves, we asked our tricycle driver if she could take us to Hagimit Falls in Penaplata district, for an additional Php 200 fare. We checked first the arrival time of next Island Express bus that will bring us to Kaputian district, so that we'll know how much time we can spend at this locally famous waterfalls.

If I remember it correctly, the entrance fee in Hagimit Falls is Php 30/pax. Its quite far from the main road, so a vehicle is recommended to visit the area. Again, habal-habal is the more common form of transportation to this place.

Monfort Bat Cave in Samal Island, Davao City

Day 2 of our Davao tour was spent on the Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS for short. Our first destination on the island is the Monfort Bat Cave which provides shelter to at least 1.8 million fruit bats, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

From Magsaysay Avenue at downtown, we boarded the Island City Express bus for Php 30 fare/person up to the Babak district.  The mini-bus boards a Ro-Ro vessel, owned by the same company, along with other vehicles and boat passengers. 

Upon arriving at Babak pier, we rented a tricycle that will take us on the northwest portion of the island and back to the pier for Php 250 after minimal haggling with the female trike driver. Habal-habal should be less expensive and faster, but there are four of us including 2 kids, so its not an option. 

Davao Crocodile Park & Tribu Mindanawan

This is the last itinerary on Day 1 of our Davao DIY tour, which is near the city center. After riding the passenger van from Malagos, we took a taxicab to the Crocodile Park inside a subdivision. Entrance fee is Php 150 for adults and half price for kids. The fee includes free entrance to the butterfly center across the street, and to the Tribu Mindanawan cultural village and show.

The show at Davao Crocodile Park starts at 4:00 pm during weekends. It starts with a mini-bird show, followed by a yellow python, and an orangutan named Carlo. Afterwards, its the big croc Pangil splashing water to the spectators, feeding frenzy, and tightrope acts of 2 men above the crocs' area until 5:00 pm. 

Phil. Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City

After our buffet lunch in Malagos Garden Resort, we proceeded to the Phil. Eagle Center, about 2-3 km farther uphill if my estimate is correct. Tricycle fare is only Php 10 per person from the Puentespinas' garden resort.

Entrance fee is Php 50 for adults, while its Php 30 for those 18 years old or younger. There is a snack store and souvenir shop on the center, where proceeds benefit the protection of the endangered Philippine eagle species. The relaxing lotus pond below with large koi fishes and a footbridge above it welcomes the visitors.

Malagos Garden Resort's Bird Show in Davao

Two weeks ago, I took my wife and 2 boys at Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City. The highlight of the visit there is the interactive bird show during Sundays at 10:30 am, which lasts for 45 minutes. Entrance fee for adults is Php 125, while its Php 100 for kids. Adding Php 150 to the entrance fee entitles a customer to avail of their lunch buffet, which is not bad for its price.

Near the entrance of the garden resort is their playground with a tower on the middle.