Davao Travel Blog

Did you know that you can tour around the entire Samal Island in a matter of six hours? Your tour guide will tell you, “No, it will take about ten to twelve hours.”

Why, yes of course if you include occasional breaks like picture taking, a little dip into the shores, tummy-filled lunch and some chit chat with friends.

How about actually doing it with a group of friends? You think it’s fun? If you happen to have attended the Strategic Planning Seminar last week, now is the time to put it into practice. Get your creative juices flowing. Sit down with your pen and paper and try to strategically plan a trip to the Samal Island this month of May.

If that sounds crazy, you can simply call the team at Wind And Wave Davao. They can assist you in your Island Tour Adventure and all. Take a look at what’s in store for you this month.

• Island Tour only PhP 399.00 inclusive of boat fare. This will be on May 25.
• Diving 101 - obviously, a diving lesson. Only PhP 999.00 inclusive of scuba gear and PADI dive instructor. This is scheduled for May 18.

Each activity comes with buffet lunch served with fruits. As a guest or participant, you will also get a personal copy of pictures and video in a single CD.

For more information, get in touch with Wind and Wave Davao at 082-305-3483. You may also send SMS to 0905-330-5045.

Most people would agree that summertime is best spent on the beach — swimming, snorkeling, or getting your skin colored under the heat of the sun. For us here in Davao, the best place (or beaches) to be is to jump out of the city’s land mass into the nearby island: The Samal Island.

Falling In Love With Isla Reta

Davao Traveler’s pick for this summer is the lesser advertised (too bad) beach resort in Samal, or more specifically in Talicud Island. The name is Isla Reta. Now thanks to the Internet, the resort is getting its share of high-tech exposure.

Here is Isla Reta at a distance:

Got a few words to describe it? Here are some from those who have been there (including the author):

• Very clean, white sand
• Nice view of the mountain in front
• Secluded and very quite
• Perfect for snorkeling
• Peaceful and relaxing

Well, you can add yours on the comment of this article after you have visited the beach yourself. You will definitely like it there, just like the kids on the photo shown below.

If that is not enough, here is a short video of kids (former kids, I think) having their time at the Isla Reta enjoying the beach and each other’s company.

Some Tips For Isla Reta Guests

Isla Reta is some 30 to 45 minutes of motorboat ride from Davao City. If you intend to go there and be back in Davao on the same day, better make your trip to the place early in the morning. They have scheduled motorboat trip from the Magsaysay Wharf in Davao City. To be sure of the schedule, better get in touch with their staff over this line 082-234-7903.

There’s not much commercial stores in that part of the island. So it is advisable that you bring with you the necessary things and enough foods for your beach activities. Products coming from the city are more expensive there (think about the distribution cost) so take that into consideration.

You may also request the staff to cook for you for a minimal fee.

So, if you are thinking of going to the beach this summer, think of Isla Reta.

Motorcycle fanatics and Yamaha fans in Davao, here’s something that you might love to see.

Mark your calendar on April 8 to 13. Yamaha Motor, a Japan-based motorcycle company known for its innovative motorcycle technologies will be coming here in Davao to showcase its latest offerings. The Yamaha Evolution 2008 will be at SM City Davao to give you a taste of Yamaha’s latest models like the Yamaha Mio Soul, Nouvo, Cryptin and Sniper.

And oh, if you have a valid driver’s license, this will be your chance to experience a test-ride of Yamaha motorcycles during the exhibit.

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Ambulance Services Needed

Yamaha is looking for a company offering Ambulance Services, which will be needed for up-coming the exhibit. If you are a company offering such services, please contact Yamaha representative immediately:

ANALYN TRINIDAD
Mobile: 0917-5404301
Landline: (02)634-4925, 636-4500

“Is it Dabaw or Davao?”

I was asked that question by a site visitor a couple of months ago. He said he was born in the Philippines, but is now based in the US of A for about 20 years already. Wheeewh! Funny how easily a native Filipino can forget that there are two ways of spelling that word.

Ahh… I remember Andrew Jackson, he said: “It’s a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.”

To the Davao Travelers: Dabaw is to Filipino (the language) as Davao is to English.

Got it? You should.

The month of March is when the whole of Davao will celebrate the Araw Ng Dabaw or Davao Day if you may. It’s actually just a single day event. To be exact, that’s on the 16th March. The entire schedule of events is available online. For everyone who will be there to celebrate the Araw Ng Davao, the city government has prepared some merry making events to spice up the day.

And since we are a nation crazy for boxing, all eyes will definitely be glued on the screen sets for the morning (Philippine Time) boxing match of the greatest Filipino boxer — sort of a living legend.

“Is it Pakyaw or Pacquiao?”

I bet, Andrew Jackson will have an easy way out. It’s just “Pacman”, st_p_d.

Want some tips on getting a US Visa? Let Diana Velasco help you along the way by sharing her own personal experience in securing a US Visa. This article appeared on SunStar Davao last year and is reprinted here with permission from the author.

For the record, I would like to begin by stating that the United States is not in my list of the top ten countries I would like to visit before I die. One of the biggest reasons for that are the numerous stories from friends and colleagues about the horrors and near-impossibility of obtaining a visa. The alleged reasons range between insufferably arrogant consuls and the mass of documents one has to bring to the embassy. I said I wouldn’t even attempt to go there, as the stress would probably kill me.

Late last year, and with much disbelief, I found myself surfing the Net to secure an appointment at the US Embassy. I was selected by Rotary District 3860 as one of the delegates to the 2007 Group Study Exchange Program, and it was an opportunity I would be foolish to forego.

Some people would say that the first thing to do to secure a US visa is to book an interview. That is a common mistake and something that I would like to correct.

Read the complete article »