Davao City Adventure: Day 3 - Philippine Eagle Center and Malagos Garden Resort

The next day, I planned to visit the magnificent Philippine Eagles. They are one of my reasons for visiting. They are endangered and needs to be cared for because they are only endemic to the Philippines and one of the largest birds of prey in the world. Through my visit, at least, I am helping with their conservation. The Philippine Eagle Center is located in Malagos. An hour away from the main city which I rode a jeepney to instead of a Van or A/C vehicle. It's amazing that a jeepney that can take you outside of the city passes by on the main road. Most cities in the Philippines offer buses already for that kind of distance and those public vehicles don't pass by the main city roads, only at the terminals. When I saw the eagles personally, they are really magnificent. It saddens me to know that we have very few of them left in the wild.

"Fighter"

Hagibis

After spending time with the eagles and other bird species at the center, I went to Malagos Garden Resort. I was just expecting that I will just be around 15 minutes there but I was surprised that it a large place with playground, farm, bird domes and even have a skatepark. I ended up spending nearly an hour there. Before going back to the metro, I stopped by at the Malagos Dairy Farm - where you can buy flavored milk from their cow farm at a very affordable price! A 1-liter bottle of flavored milk just costs Php56 and the best part of it is that it's not from factories.  Downside of it though is that I wasn't able to bring those back at home. It is not enough to freeze those but they have to be in a container so that they won't spill. I learnt a lesson but I was able to get a taste of the milk before my departure thanks to a lady security guard asking me to go with her on her lunch break. I left her the two bottles as my thanks. 

Malagos Garden Resort Map

Chocolate and Melon Milk from Dairy Best

I was hungry after my trip and I wanted to go to President Duterte's favorite kinilaw place - Luz Kinilaw. The fish was so fresh and doesn't smell at all even without vinegar on it. I also ordered some Chicken BBQ though I wanted their squid or their tuna panga but they weren't meant to be eaten alone. The plate costs Php120 but it was all worth it.

The president's favorite place

The yummy Kinilaw

Seafood for charcoal grilling to choose from :)

Oh I forgot to mention, before going to the airport for my flight back home, I asked my taxi driver who gave me a tour the other day to go to the President's house for picture taking. I wished he was at home that time so that I can meet him but I know his schedule is pretty busy.

The president's house

Here are the overall expense I had with my trip and also info with entrance fees:

Again a disclaimer as I am a foodie and I do take home a lot of souvenirs/pasalubong, you can definitely save if you don't spend too much on them. I took out the amount of food and pasalubong and you could end up with just Php4,131 for the trip excluding airfare.

What I want you to know:

1. Tourist spots in Davao City are very far from each other. You can take a tour package or you can talk to the Taxi drivers and they can offer you that tour. Prices range from Php2000-Php3000 depends on where you want to go. You can try contacting Warren, who was my guide/driver there, at 09952867892. He is very accommodating and nice. 
2. Luz Kinilaw is not a fancy place so expect to have some flies there. You can dine on the second floor which may have a better setting than the one on the ground floor.
3. The Roxas Night Market has a lot of food choices that is cheap and some delectable treats like the fried ice cream. They are just food stalls so bring cash with you. And expect a lot of people!
4. Davao City has their police visible around and is safe but it is always good to be mindful.
5. Eden Nature Park has a buffet at 12noon so if you prefer to have that than just snacks when you go there - be early. They have a canteen and you can buy food but that buffet is already included with entrance fee which is their Day Package.

Davao City Adventure: Day 1 and 2 - City Tour

Davao City is where the current President, Rodrigo Duterte, started his political career and has been in service for 22 years. He made it into a place that piqued my interest. When I was young, I have heard that Davao City was chaotic and a dangerous place but that reputation changed after he became Mayor. He changed it to where it is now called the safest city in the Philippines. He would also coax the people to visit the people and see for themselves as to why. It is also the biggest city in terms of land area in the Philippines if not in Southeast Asia.

How I got there:

I have booked a promo flight from Cebu Pacific for Davao. It cost me around Php701.84 for a round trip airfare. I have been on a look out for promo fares and my flight was booked last May 2016 and it was money well spent.

Where I stayed:

I was planning on staying at Hotel Uno as they have a single fan room that is good for solo travelers but I had a housemate that told me she stayed at Green Windows which has an A/C backpacker room for a very affordable price.

Here is the room rates for Hotel Uno. But prices may change without prior notice so please contact hotel first for current information. 

 For Reservations or Inquiries:

 Trunkline:    +63 (82) 282 1111

Mobile:      +63 925 5111011

 Email:          hotelunodavao@gmail.com

I also check out Homitori as it a dormitory type of accommodation in Davao. The location is near the Sta. Ana Pier where you can take a ferry to Talicud Island and also it is an accessible place for the Magsaysay Fruit Vendors.

Here is their room information and again prices may change without prior notice so be sure to contact the hotel first. 

 

Location:

F. Bangoy Street corner Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000

Contact Info:  

  Phone    +63(82)295-2969;+63(82)295-2971

  Mobile   +63(922)8994646 or +63(922)8541127

  Email:      homitoridvo@gmail.com

For Green Windows Dormitel, here is the room info: 

 

The things I did and the places I went to:

I was supposed to meet a guide there to show me around the place but because she is a Rescue Volunteer, she has been assigned a job for that week because of the ongoing ASEAN Summit. I ended up having a DIY Tour instead.

A Philippine Eagle Statue at People's Park

The Memorial Monument @ Roxas Ave. Night Market

I first left my things at the hotel and then headed for Marco Polo Hotel, where I was supposed to meet her. I stopped over at People's Park and thanks to Google Maps I didn't get lost and I arrived at the destination. I briefly met with Fenah and she showed me and told me about Roxas Night Market which happens to be just across the street since the hotel was situated there. I love the night market, it a haven for a foodie like me! There are a lot of streetfood buys there fit for the budget. She bid goodbye to me after I told her that I can just show myself around because I noticed her being busy with her phone ( they must be looking for her) and decided to get a back massage. I preferred to be laying down instead of just sitting but it was still good enough to relieve me of the aches and pains I had been feeling. I went walked back to the hotel after and one thing I can say, it is safe to walk on the streets even at night in Davao City. The police is very visible and there is that safe feeling you get when you are there.

The unique structure of San Pedro Cathedral

The puppet exhibition at Museo Dabawenyo - they feature different exhibitions each month

Different skulls at the Bone Museum

 On my second day, I visited the San Pedro Cathedral for its unique structure. Then I had walked from the church to Museo Dabawenyo. There is no entrance fee for the museum but no pictures are allowed to be taken once inside the museum. You can only take a picture at the main entrance/lobby. From the museum, my next destination is D'Bone Collector Museum and though it was not near the museum, I still opted to walk there. The museum is, as the name suggests, a collection of bones from different animals and one or two from dinosaurs. They also have bones from whales and what is amazing about them is that they can make you realize that they are really huge animals.

Tribu K' Mindanawan Entrance

The stage for their Fire Dances held every weekend nights

Tribu K'Mindanawan Menu

Tribu K'Mindanawan Menu

From there, my next stop was the Crocodile Park but there is no way I can walk from my current location to there and it was 12NN and it was blazing hot. I booked a taxi through my Grab App (see 6 Helpful Apps for Travel) and just waited for the driver to pick me up at the museum. I was able to talk to the driver, Warren, and he was friendly. I had told him of my dilemma with tours since the tourists spots of Davao are very far from each other especially the Philippine Eagle Center and Eden Nature Park. Most taxi drivers offer tours whole day for PHP2000-2500 but I was able to haggle with him to Php1500 as it was already 12NN excluding Philippine Eagle Center. I was planning to do it the next day. From the park, Tribu K'Mindanawan is just within the vicinity so I was just able to walk there from the park. I also had my lunch there.

Replica of Lolong - who held the record of the largest captive crocodile in the world

Farmville at the Crocodile Park

Nipa Hut with a Carabao statue - showcases the everyday farmer's life at Eden Nature Park

Wishing Well @ Eden's Nature Park

 He was very accommodating and very friendly and telling me about the places we went to. We head straight to Eden Nature Park as he wanted me to catch up the last tour. The next destination is the Japanese tunnel which gives a glimpse of history that both amazes me and saddens me of the Filipinos caught up with the war. The amazing thing about the tunnels is how they were able to dig up those stone tunnels that lasts for miles and yet the tunnel also has the "bartolina", a chamber for prisoners, where is so small yet 6 people were held there during the era. It was past 6PM when we went to the Japanese tunnel and the tour should only be until that time but I asked if Jack's Ridge was included, he said that tour should only be about 6PM but later he decided to take me there because he doesn't want his guest dissatisfied with the tour. I was thankful so I treated him dinner.

The 'bartolina'

Going deeper in the tunnel

A statue of a Japanese Soldier during Japanese era

Jack's Ridge overlooking the city - can't be described by photos alone

Check out my next post for my Malagos adventure - 3rd day of my Davao City trip!

Badian's Lambug Beach and Kansanto Spring

Badian, Cebu

Badian is a municipality south of Cebu that is emerging as one of the go-to places because of the canyoneering activity there. However, I went there to do some soul-searching and the place can really help you. If you are not into canyoneering then you can check out Lambug Beach and Kansanto Spring.

How I got there:

From the South Bus Terminal, take a bus going to Bato via Barili. There are a couple buses there that has that route like but I took the Ceres bus. They have AC and non-AC type of buses. The fare is Php126 (AC-type) and although the non-AC costs lesser, it is not much of a fare difference. Travel time is 3 hours. Just inform the conductor that you will alight at the Badian Public Market or mostly known as Badian's merkado. You can opt to be dropped at the corner of the road to the golf course but I preferred the merkado as there are a lot of habal-habal there that can take you to Lambug beach. The fare from merkado to Lambug Beach is Php50 although I was able to haggle it to Php40.

Where I stayed:

I stayed at the Lambug Beach Homestay and it was a very nice place. It is very homey and you can use their kitchen and living room. The homestay is just 1-2 minutes away from the beach. They offer dormitory type of rooms for Php400/person and double rooms that cost from Php1,500-Php2,000 but the rooms are spacious and all have AC on them. The caretaker, Ate Vilma, is friendly and nice to talk to. They also serve breakfast for Php150 but you must order in advance. You can check out their website here. You can also contact them through 09167620044 and 09254606573 or email them through: info@lambug-beach-homestay.com

Kitchen and Dining area of the Homestay

Living area of the homestay

The big dormitory room that can occupy 10-12 persons

If you really need to have a place to stay at the beach front, there are also other places to stay. Here are some of the accommodations you can check:

Grandeur Beach Resort*

Magic Beach Resort*

Angie's Beach House

*photos courtesy of owners
 

You can also set up tents at the beach and I've heard that it's for free. You can take your own equipment with you or you can rent one at the hotels and just ask about those. Take that for a budget hack.

The things I did and the places I went to:

Lambug Beach

Lambug beach has fine white sand and clear waters. It is not a crowded beach and when I went there, if it weren't for the locals, I may have been the only one there. It is a quiet place that can make you think and relax. I have not used any cottage and just opted to sit by the shade of the coconut tree with beverage and junk food in hand. With a music player on, I was enjoying the view and chilling out by myself. I wasn't able to swim at the beach as intended due to that time of the month. Still I was able to enjoy my time there. I got to meet locals and was able to try some sea urchin fresh from the sea. I also got to meet some friendly dogs there. I would definitely go back and bring some friends with me.

Sari-sari stores that sell basic needs

Unspoiled beach

The friendly pooch I met at the beach

The boy I met having fresh food for lunch

Fresh sea urchin - is this uni?

The beach is not complete without coconut trees

 

Kansanto Spring

Kansanto Spring is a lesser known place to visit in Badian. It is a cold spring and the water there is brackish. There are about 5 cottages there that you can use for Php350-Php400 and I also see a videoke machine certainly for Filipinos who love to sing and showcase their voices. There is no restaurant or store there that you can buy food from so better have some food/drinks ready or bought from the market before going there. The water is so clear and there are fishes swimming around. There are two other ponds/enclosures where they are somehow breeding fish but I was told that before they had sea turtles there that they were raising but because they are endangered species, it was ceased by the government and they had to set them all free.

I was also able to meet the caretakers, Ibong and Baldo, as I had the courage to join them because I was the only guest there. Yup, I had the place all to myself once more. It really is nice to meet locals, I spent my afternoon there with them and I got to know them a little more. It was a nice thing to get out of my comfort zone once in a while. Definitely, check this place out!

Hammocks to relax in

One of the cottages - not sure if the top part is a private function room

Here is the breakdown of my expense:

What I want you to know:

1. Tricycle drivers will ask you to do a "pakyaw" to take you Lambug beach if you alighted from the Public Market. They will ask you Php100 so don't opt for it if you are travelling alone. There is the habal-habal that you can take for Php50 but I was able to haggle it to Php40 so if you can do that, don't be shy to flash your charm. Of course, take the trike if you have a lot of luggage with you.
2. There are no restaurants at the beach front only small sari-sari stores for basic needs so better buy your meats or groceries at the market. For fish, I was asked by a local if I wanted to buy fish so I think you can ask some of the locals to go fishing but that's not a guarantee. I did see some carenderias at the far end of the beach near the port if you wanna try out local food but it is a bit far from the hotels/homestays.
3. ALWAYS have cash and change with you. There is only one ATM machine found in Badian and it is located next to 7-Eleven just adjacent of the drop off area. There is no guarantee that it will always work so better have cash ready. If the machine doesn't work, you will have to go to Moalboal, which is the next town, to withdraw cash.
4. If you want to have a driver take you to the homestay or to the market, you can contact Kuya Sawi at 09322456126.
5. The locals are very friendly, I recommend that you interact with them. I was able to hear stories from their life and also got to know the place a little more.

Hit me up if you have questions :)