Davao: Tourist Paradise
I have to admit, i’m always hesitant to go to Davao, mainly because it’s in Mindanao, wherein there are Abu Sayyafs, NPAs, MILFs, and MNLFs are almost synonymous to Mindanao. As we all know, Mindanao is like a “killing field” of the Philippines. I have never-ever imagined that i will visit any place in Mindanao.
Since my brother, Jayson, is spending just 3 weeks here in the Philippines (he’s working in China), it’s a must that we should maximize his short stay. He was actually scheduled to have his 3-week vacation sometime in April, but his Boss denied his vacation leave, he opted to take an early vacation. Our original plan is to have a family vacation in either Hong Kong or Singapore, but we have to opt for alternative plan due to his early vacation. Our only viable alternative is to have a local trip to a resort here in the Philippines. After several phone calls to Palakbayan personnel, we have selected Pearl Farm Beach Resort, which is located in Davao.
I really didn’t know what to expect in this Davao trip. I had already envisioned that i could meet some soldiers in APCs along the airport and roads, lots of checkpoint and military soldiers are scattered in the streets. Well, I was WRONG.
Davao International Airport was really an “international airport”. The airport can be compared to the Centennial 2 Airport here in Manila. It’s even better than the “old” NAIA International Airport. Though, there were military soldiers, i was shocked when i didn’t see any APC (not like in Dipolog). We have also visited the city proper of Davao, and the city is very clean, and there is no traffic! The Davaoenos we met along were very courteous and polite. Just seeing a clean Davao City justifies that this is one of the beautiful cities in the Philippines.
Our Pearl Farm Beach Resort adventure was AWESOME! I would personally call it the “perfect paradise” in the Philippines. The country-side tour, wherein we visited the city proper, souvenir, durian and suha (pomelo) shopping, Philippine Eagle Breeding Center, and Crocodile Park, was also a great experience.
Visiting and exploring Davao definitely changes the “picture” of Mindanao in my mind. At least, i can now say that Davao is truly a tourist paradise!
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so hindi mo mn lng kami ili-link sa personal site mo? pano kung biglang naging PR 10 ‘to? hahaha! share ka nmn ng link.
blog tungkol nmn po sa china daliii!
Comment by joni — March 20, 2006 @ 8:52 am