My excitement in our snorkeling today in Giant Clam Sanctuary at 9 a.m. woke me up so early. I rushed into the window and hailed the curtain. Oh my, it was gloomy! But rain or shine, we got out from Captain Hook’s Red Parrot Inn and started the day taking a morning walk in a nearby Kaputian Beach Resort to see the humble community of Kaputian.
the wide stretch of Kaputian Beach Resort
Setting foot at Samal Island or the Island Garden City of Samal in the province of Davao del Norte is the most exciting part of our Davao City tour. The island which has been said the largest resort city in the Philippines boasts of the famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort, pristine white sand, rich marine life, waterfalls, and other exciting tourist spots that will surely make your stay so memorable.
the stunning view from the veranda of Capt. Hook’s Red Parrot Inn
Davao City is famous for its Durian and Marang, their signature fruits which are commonly asked for pasalubong. And there is more, the city is so clean and peaceful. Thanks to the strong leadership of the Dutertes for imposing a remarkable discipline to Davao City, thus making the people so proud of it.
Seeing Davao in person is such a fulfilling experience. I’ve learned the reason/s why this city though far is now frequented by tourists and adventurers like me.
I think I’m in love with You Davao!
Let me now begin my story in our Davao City tour.
This is the first time that I traveled by air with my kids. It was raining hard in Manila when we left by 8:00 pm, and so we experienced turbulence up in the sky. That’s part of the adventure, anyway. We were all excited setting foot at the airport and seeing my hubby waiting for us at the arrival area. He was on a two-week IT project in the city with his team. He enjoined us to spend their last weekend for an exhilarating getaway.
the excited trio
We boarded a taxi going to Lanang to where we will spend our first dinner at Penong’s Barbeque Seafoods and Grills. It is one of Davao’s famous chicken barbecue restaurants and is famed for its juicy barbecue. I was so curious to taste their food which was comparable to Mang Inasal’s delicacies. Well, let us see which is better.
the jam-packed restaurant at night
Penong’s was set in an open-air dining area, built entirely of authentic native wooden material. Thus making it so cozy and homey. Barney, Froi, and Dwight joined us in our dinner. It was now packed with people and we were lucky because we got the last table.
We ordered the delectable Fiesta Plate, a combination of chicken and pork barbecue, liempo, pork chop, and longganisa (P710) with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, and a pinch of calamansi juice. We also ordered kinilaw na tuna (P113), sinigang na hipon (P121), and bottomless ice tea for our drinks. We were given complimentary bulalo soup and cold water. I left my diet in Manila and so I ate all the dishes served on the table.
the delectable Fiesta Plate
The Davao kinilaw style was so delectable. It was me and my hubby who feasted on it. Yummy! Overall, the food was really good, really good that Pao and Shen’s plate had no rice leftover. Whooh!
the Davao tuna kinilaw style
What amused me much was the clapping of hands to call the waiter’s attention. I recommend this restaurant for its affordable price and fast service.
they had a juicy barbecue that you will long to go back and eat for more
Honestly, their barbecue is much better than Mang Inasal and they have more variety of foods to choose from. Better try this if you happen to visit Davao City. They have budget meals with price ranges from P68 to P92, choices of chicken, pork barbecue, and pork chop.
Location: JP Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City (in front of Toyota Motors and near SM City Lanang Premier)
Schedule – 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Happy Eating!
My comments about Davao City – I was impressed by its clean environment. But what I admired most was the strict implementation of city ordinances like the city-wide ban on smoking in public areas and the selling of alcoholic drinks which prohibits from 2 AM to 6 AM. See how effective Davao City’s governance was ruling anyway?
Next stop – Drifter’s Apartel and British Hub
After a hearty dinner at Penong’s Seafoods and Grills, we boarded a taxi going to Drifters British Pub and Apartelle located inside Nova Tierra Subdivision in Lanang. The apartelle with its affordable price and cozy ambiance is a nice place to stay for the weekend.
so inviting to swim
Once a year, it is a must for employees (like me) to get out of the four-corner room and have fun in outdoor activities. One of the best activities to indulge in is team-building. This motivates everyone to interact, communicate and give their best in every challenge to be done. I was thankful that the company chose Camp Tipolo Adventureland because it was teeming with exciting outdoor games and is surrounded by verdant landscape and tranquil surroundings.
going down was quite tiring but the verdant landscape will whisk off everything
I was so excited when our team-building for Finance, IT, and Admin Departments for 2013 was set in Camp Tipolo situated within Loreland Farm Resort in Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City. This 8-hectare farm was owned by Lolita and Renato thus giving it the name Loreland. It felt so great going back to a place where I had a wonderful swimming activity with my family eleven years ago. You can book Loreland Farm Resort, Antipolo City with Traveloka.
revisited Loreland Farm after eleven years
Election day was over. Part of our one-week vacation in our hometown in Albay is the exciting sun and sand getaway. My relatives mentioned a secluded beach in Baryo Jonop in the municipality of Albay. I was puzzled for I knew there’s no beach resort in this town. Out of curiosity, we contacted a van for hire, hastily cooked for our lunch, and off we go for another water adventure.
the elusive Mayon Volcano
Caramoan of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region is now becoming famous for two reasons. First, it is blessed with islands with pristine white sand, caves, lagoons, islets, and limestone karts formations. Second, it has been the site of the global reality game show Survivor by several countries, including the USA in 2012.
the awesome limestone cliffs in Sabitang Laya
I stepped out of bed early to savor the cool breeze and the fresh morning scent of Caramoan. There was no sunshine photo because the sky was gloomy. A bit dismayed, I took a quiet walk on the peaceful road, amused to see early riser locals and pleased to smell the sweet wafting fragrance of flowers. Oh I just can’t sustain my excitement and happiness looking at the pleasing sights.
Good morning lovely Caramoan!
the long stretch of creamy white sand of Sabitang Laya
Part of our Caramoan tour with my former office mates is to visit Albay’s primary tourist attractions with Cagsawa Ruins topping the list. This sojourn is for Sir Alex and Alma who will capture memories as they will set foot in my beloved hometown for the first time. I was a tour guide on this exciting getaway.
seize the moment