It has always been my dream to travel around the Philippines first before I go the rounds of Asia, Europe and the Americas. Fortunately, my line of work gives me the opportunity to see the countryside. Little by little, tourist spot by tourist spot, unadvertised awesome sites and relatively unknown finds, I get acquainted with the magnificent beauty of our country.

The first time I went out-of-town for work, I was sent to Davao for two weeks. You might say that I had really no experience traveling, let alone living in a hotel. I didn’t pack enough clothes and forgot to bring the more important ones. I didn’t know anybody in Davao, I didn’t know where to go and what to do in my spare time.

It was a blessing that my officemate had some prior experience and is what you may call an expert when it comes to traveling and sight-seeing. Digital cameras where still a few years away and she carried with her an automatic film point-and-shoot. She knew some people there and she was able to manage a tour for us during the weekend.

We went to sea the majestic Philippine eagle, her royal highness Pag-asa (who was still very young in those days). We went to Luz Kinilaw which was still in its heyday and feasted on fresh catch. We rode a boat to an island (not pearl farm) and swam for about an hour or so. On one night, our hosts took us to a hill overlooking the city , favorite hang-out of the yuppies.

Oh yeah. Fruits galore. Marang I first tasted when somebody in the class we were teaching brought one. Suha or Pomelo, sweet, juicy and not pricey. Mangosteen touched my mouth, but am not too fond of it.
And your stay in davao wouldn’t be complete of you don’t get to taste Durian. We savored he warm and soft flesh of the King of fruits. And you have to use your hands. To take the sap/flavor/smell of durian from your fingers, wipe it off the inner shell. You might want to try their durian-flavored milk or pastillas.

Aileen mentioned she would like to stay there. Next to my (and Gina’s) home towns, I’d choose to live there too.