debay's VirtualTourist Home Page

You will find us in the southeastern part of Mindanao and no matter how many images of horror and terror appear before your eyes when you hear "Mindanao"---don't you believe any of them!

This is one of the most livable cities in Asia, if not the world.

From afar, the Marco Polo Hotel stands out across the cityscape which consists mostly of 2-storey to 4-storey buildings.

This is our Davao and it is the best-kept secret livable city in the world, I think. Many expats who have settled here will attest to the fact that they like the pace of life, cheap food and urban feel. Not too fast.... not too slow. Plenty of sunshine and some breathable air. Rainfall usually in the evenings. Life is just RIGHT in Davao City!

So, what's special about calling some place "HOME" ?
My very creative friend, Gigi, came out with a list :

So, you think Davao is a boring place to be? Then you are >>>> wrong!!! I listed down 30 things to do in one of the biggest cities of the world. (BIG means there is a lot to cover)

Things required to bring with you:
A SUV with Full Tank Gas
Money
Camera

1. Island Garden City of Samal: though Samal is not part of Davao City, it is very accessible . These are things you can do:
· Go rappelling
· Visit Bat caves
· Swim
· Ride the waves with jet ski or the banana boat
· Go Scuba diving
· Sleep at Pearl Farm resort
· Go Island hopping

2. Paradise Island Resort - also in Samal
3. The Waterfront Hotel, formerly the Insular Hotel of Davao.
4. Davao Museum
5. Crocodile Farm
6. Japanese Tunnel Restaurant
7. Sto. Nino Shrine
8. Jack’s Ridge
9. Driving range near Jack’s Ridge
10. Wild Water Rafting at Davao River
11. Malagos Garden Resort
12. Philippine Eagle Foundation (near Malagos)
13.Eden Nature Park
14. Baracatan ( By invitation only)
15. Cafe Hopping: Bo’s Café, Blu Gre, Cups and Lower Case, Basti’s, Figaro, all with free WIFI
16.The Venue
17. Foreign restaurants: , Krua Thai, Hanoi, Tsuru, Arirang, Picobello, Swiss Deli, De Bonte Koe, La Toscana, Picobello, Claude’s, etc. (This deserves a separate listing!!)
18. Grilled food: Penong's, Colasa's, Luz Kinilaw, Banok's and good ole HARANA (The Harana group also deserve a separate listing)
19. Michaelangelo’s David at Queensland : visit only in the evening. It's embarrassing to see him naked during the day!
20. Magsaysay Park: get free Tai-chi lessons at 5 AM
21. Marco Polo Hotel
22.Aldevinco Shopping center: after eating at Marco Polo, cross the street and shop all you want, and make sure to haggle!
23. City Hall of Davao: Who knows you might bump into Mayor Duterte?
24. Malls of Davao: they open at 10 AM
25. Davao Evangelical Church: Staff are quite friendly and willing to show you around
26. DXFE: help support this Christian Radio station with your prayers as well as with your money.
27. Ponce Suites: the owner displays his work of arts around the perimeter of his hotel/inn. One of a kind in Davao.
28. Tole Haus: sells handpainted wood tole for great giveaways ; can be personalized.
29. Thai Massage: after a long day of walking, shopping and walking, YOU deserve a Thai massage. Prices are reasonable, and the place is clean. (with free green tea afterwards!)
30. Father Franco’s Herb Garden – BUDA (Bukidnon-Davao) Highway(Davao side), about 1.5 hours’ drive, and enjoy the crisp cool air as well!

Just a short note about my "member photo" ---how could I have forgotten to explain it?

This is a popular dessert anywhere in the Philippines and it is called "halo-halo" meaning a mixture of things, in this case, sweets. The ingredients will vary from place to place but most likely, it will contain some of the following: milk, shaved or crushed ice, pinipig (roasted rice grains) or cereal, sweet beans, kaong, nata de coco, leche flan, ube (or purple yam), red and green fruit jellies, your choice of ice cream flavor on top, shredded coconut, sugar to taste.

Don't miss this delicious dessert if you happen to visit the Philippines!