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Crocodile Park

Davao City Tour: A Do-It-Yourself Guide

August 10, 2011 by Davao Traveler Admin Leave a Comment

It’s the Kadayawan Season once again in Davao. And that means a lot of visitors will be coming over to Davao City to see the best of what the city can offer.

Frequent visitors are expecting some of the usual things they always see during the Kadayawan Festival:

  • Good Fruits (Durian, Lansones, etc) and Orchids
  • Good Deals (A lot of businesses are coming out with their gimmicks)
  • Good Vibes (Just have fun with friends)

For the first time visitors and travelers, it is also the best time to visit Davao! And by “best time”, I mean you really get to “feel” what the city is all about.

While it is generally safe to just stroll around the city from your hotel, having a sense of where you want to go would save you from encountering the unexpected – unless, getting lost in the city is your definition of an adventure. 🙂

To this end, we have prepared a list of spots where you can possibly go for a city tour and what you can expect to see if you go there.

Stopover #1: The San Pedro Cathedral — Where The Heart Is

san pedro church -- davao city tour

There’s really not much to see once you are there at the church.

Am I crazy to even suggest that this place should be the first stop? Well, not really. Consider this: Once you are there, you’ll be standing (or sitting – it’s really up to you) at the heart of the city. Hey, that’s the very center of Davao City!

On top of that, the San Pedro Church is a historical place. Wow!

But, don’t go around asking people to give you lecture about the Church’s place in history. They can’t recall anymore. And besides, who ever wants to remember High School History, huh?

Actually, if you are really into that kind of stuff, there’s the right kind of people to ask. Just across the street (or streets, if you may) is a place called Museo Dabawenyo. You know what that place is? It’s a museum! Oopps, sorry for the obvious answer! I know you know that.

And speaking about “across the street”, don’t you forget to drop by the following nearby places:

  • The City Hall of Davao
  • The Davao City Council
  • The Osmena Park

They are good places to take photos from; especially the Osmena Park where you get to see some magic tricks, live massage, palm reading, gospel preachers, etc.

Stopover #2: The Aldevinco Shopping Center — Where Native Crafts Abound

If I were to describe this place in a few words, it would be these:

  • Forex — the Aldevinco is a popular place to exchange a foreign currency to the Philippine Peso.
  • Native Crafts -– sometimes you can find antiques there, but mostly, you’ll see native crafts which are good for souvenirs.
  • Pomelo Stores – yes, those sweet, little balls you want to bring back to your place as pasalubong.

Stopover #3: The Magsaysay Park — In Search Of Excellent Durian?

This is perhaps the most popular destination for anyone in search of the Durian Fruits all year round. Just before you enter the park, there are small stalls that seem to never run out of durian fruits to sell — even during their off seasons. I’m still amazed to think where these vendors are sourcing their durian fruits from.

Now, Durian is not really for everyone; some just couldn’t take the smell. If you are that type, the Magsaysay Park is really a good place to stroll around — it’s a park, you know — and have a nice little talk with your companion about whatever topics you want to talk about. Maybe you can talk about your next destination? Well, you better print this article because it’s going to be your handy cheat-sheet for your city tour. Throw away that map, because the taxi drivers are all familiar with these places.

Next thing on the To-Do List: Eat, Pray, Love — or something like it.

Stopover #4: Jack’s Ridge Restaurant and The Shrine Hills

Have you read the book entitled “Eat Pray Love”?

Well, I haven’t, but I’ve seen the movie and yes Julie Roberts still looks cute — and Ketut was even more cute.

I’m not really a movie critic, but anyways… at these places, you can basically Eat, Pray, Do whatever it feels like doing.

dine in Davao at jacks ridge restaurantThe most popular place at the Shrine Hills is the meditation center and church known as the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague. It’s one of the best places to pray, meditate, relax or just feel the fresh air and have an overlooking view of the entire city.

If you started this city tour at 9 o’clock in the morning, by the time you reach the Shrine Hills should be the perfect time for lunch.

And you don’t have to go that far just to satisfy your gastronomic trip. The Jack’s Ridge Restaurant could just be the perfect place to Eat and have your version of “La Dolce Far Niente”.

The good thing about dining at Jack’s Ridge is that you get a good view of the city from high altitude (imagine if it’s night time) while you enjoy the good food being served. Plus, there are other amenities there too that you can enjoy.

Stopover #5: The Crocodile Park

To just say that this place is awesome would be a disservice. The Crocodile Park is like a mini-zoo and a little bit more. To describe the place would be to combine the following words: exotic, wild, fun, colorful and… well, I’d rather want to see you describe this place.

Go there and see these things:

  • Crocodile – they claim to have the largest croc in the country.
  • Large snakes, Ostrich, and other animals
  • Butterflies — your kids will love it.

Well, here’s a short video clip to show you what’s there at the Crocodile Park

You’ll definitely like it.

Stopover #6: The People’s Park — By The People and For the People

You should have been tried by now. If you want to relax in an open air and watch people go by, one of the best places to be is the People’s Park.

As it turns out, someone has made a video of the place. Here, get a virtual tour of the park before actually going there or deciding to skip the place for the next destination.

Stopover #7: The NCCC Mall – Davao’s Homegrown Mall

There are a lot of malls in Davao. There’s the ever popular SM, the old-timer Gaisano Mall, and just recently, the Ayala Group has a joint venture with Anflocor to put up the Abreeza Mall — positioned to be a high-end mall in Davao.

Not to be left out is Davao’s very own NCCC Mall – known as Davao’s Homegrown Mall. I don’t know what it is with the NCCC Mall, but the people of Davao just love to buy their grocery items there. But of course, there’s more to be found at this little mall than just the grocery shop. They have a bakeshop, a number of restaurants and dinning centers, cinemas, specialty shops, old books, pawnshops, and much, much more.

You could be there shopping at night, which is perfect just before you go back to your hotel. Wouldn’t it be nice to be shopping for the things to bring back to the hotel? You can do just that at the NCCC Mall.

~~~

“Davao City Tour: A Do-It-Yourself Guide” is written by Carlos Velasco.

Filed Under: About Davao, Attractions, Dining, Hangouts, Tourism News Tidbits, Travel Guide Tagged With: Aldevinco, Crocodile Park, Davao Hotels, Hotels, Jack's Ridge Restaurant, NCCC Mall, People's Park

Inbound Travel To Davao: Part 2

July 2, 2008 by Davao Traveler Admin

In the previous article, you got a glimpse of what Kahsan Tours has to offer when it comes to Inbound Travel to Davao. There is more to their services than just City Tours and Countryside Tours.

In this second part, let’s explore the islands and see what Kahsan Tours has in store for you.

TOUR PACKAGE #3: ISLAND’S ULTIMATE BLISS

Take a dip or just get great tan at Isla Reta Beach Resort, Coral Garden, Isla Cristina, Fish Sanctuary or the Wishing Island. It’s all fun under the sun with lunch at the Pearl Farm. This package requires a minimum of 10 persons. Pickup time at the hotel is 7:30 AM.

Tour Inclusions:
Boat, service of a tour guide, user of five sets of snorkeling equipment, use of one kayak, refreshment, fruits and lunch at Pearl Farm.

TOUR PACKAGE #4: WILD WATER RAFTING

A day of exhilarating experience as you go down the rapids of mighty Davao River. Tour starts at 8:00 AM and ends at 5:00 PM.

Tour Inclusions:
Round trip transfers — hotel to Crocodile Park, RT Transfers from Park to jump-off site, packed lunch, experienced river guides and equipment.

TOUR PACKAGE #5: SCUBA DIVING

Get a chance to dive at the deep blue waters of the Davao: Davao Gulf-Ligid Island and Aundanao — considered to be the best diving sites in the region.

Tour Inclusions:
2 dives with Korean-, German-, or Japanese-speaking divemasters. Lunch will also be served.

TOUR PACKAGE #6: DAY TOUR OF PEARL FARM

This is perfect for those who are curious about the Pearl Farm Beach Resort. You’ve seen it on glossy TV commercials. You’ve probably read it in travel magazines. Now is your chance to visit the Pearl Farm Beach Resort, even for just a few moments. If you like it, you can always come back.

This particular tour package, the meeting place is the Marina Jetty in Lanang, Davao City. The boat leaves from Marina Jetty at 8:00 AM and leaves Pearl Farm at 4:00 PM on the same day.

Tour Inclusions:
Round-trip boat ride, welcome drinks, buffet lunch, free use of selected resort facilities.

There are more Kahsan Tour Travel Services to be featured in the next article. If want to try any of their tour packages, jot down the phone number now. It’s 0063-082-225-4213.

Filed Under: Inbound Tagged With: Crocodile Park, Davao Travel, Pearl Farm, Scuba Diving, Travel and Tours, Wild Water Rafting

Inbound Travel To Davao: Part 1

June 17, 2008 by Davao Traveler Admin

Any first-time visitor to Davao City would naturally want to know more about the city. An easy and fun way to explore Davao would be relax and have a professional travel guide show you around the city.

If that sounds like a good idea, reach for your pen and paper now and got down the contact number of Kahsan Tours — a travel agency that focuses on In-bound Davao Travel and Tour services around the city. You can reach them at 0063-082-225-4213 or via email at kahsantours[at]hotmail[dot]com. Take note of that number, because you will seldom see a travel agency offering in-bound travel services. (Most of the travel agencies here want you to go out of Davao, instead of come here to Davao.)

Listed below are some of the tour packages you can avail from Kahsan Tours.

TOUR PACKAGE #1: CITY TOUR

A great introduction to this metropolis! The tour starts at the newly renovated Davao Museum showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the colorful tribes of Davao: Bagobos, Mandayas, Kalagans.

Next stop is the Crocodile Park. Watch them at a close but safe range. Not only that, the Crocodile Park is also a home to orangutans, boa constrictors, rare birds, bear cats, ostriches, and colorful butterflies.

Your tour guide will then bring you to the Gap Farming Resort or the Japanese Tunnel Restaurant, Shrine Hills of the Holy Infant Jesus and the Jack’s Ridge Restaurant, where you will get a chance to view the whole of dowtown Davao from atop a mountain view.

From atop the mountains of Davao, you will then go back to the downtown area passing Davao’s popular landmarks like the San Pedro Cathedral, City Hall of Davao and a short shopping trip at the Aldevinco Shopping Center.

Tour Inclusions:
Aircon land transport, entrance fees, services of tour guide and other tour amenities like distrilled water or fruits in season.

TOUR PACKAGE #2: COUNTRYSIDE TOUR

Enjoy Davao’s pristine countryside passing through verdant farms as you find your way to the Philippine Eagle Breeding Center in Malagos. The endangered raptor us known to be the second largest in the world and reportedly there are only 500 left majestically soaring above the Philippine forest.

Next, the wonderful Malagos Garden Resort. Take a walk through its impressive collection of endemic plants and flowers, bird park and butterfly sanctuary or simply watch a race ostriches and horses.

Davao is known of its orchids. If you love those, you will love your final destination for this tour. At Sul Orchid Farm, you will have a chance to see a variety of orchid collections including the beautiful Waling-waling that Davao is most proud of.

Inclusions:
Aircon land transport, all entrance fees, snacks, services of tour guides and other tour amenities.

In Part 2 of this series, we will continue on the other tour packages offered by Kahsan Tours.

Filed Under: Inbound, Travel Services Tagged With: Crocodile Park, Davao Tour, Malagos Garden Resort, Philippine Eagle

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