Travel Blog #5: The Second Annual Reunion of ECE Unblocked - DAVAO GETAWAY

The first week of July was not a happy week for me since my 10 months old Huawei P10 was stolen by a bunch of addicts when I was on my way home. The feeling was too heavy at first since that phone was the first phone I purchased on my new work and also I bought it because I need it for my blogging activities.

Now my Anthony wanted to cheer me up. He even asked our colleagues not to mention or ask about my phone because I definitely will shed plenty of tears. In line with that, he convinced me to attend the second annual reunion of ECE Unblocked in Davao.

He was able to convince me on the day of the planned departure, two hours earlier to be exact. I had to ask permission for an early out since I need to go home and pack my things. My home is a 45-60 minute drive from work. It was impossible for me and Anthony to depart at 5:00 in the afternoon. So from 5:00 in the afternoon, we traveled from Iligan City 7:00 in the evening and our other two classmates waited for us in Agora Bus Terminal

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TRAVEL SEQUENCE

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Tambo Terminal Iligan City to Bulua Terminal, Cagayan De Oro City (2 hours)
Bulua Terminal, Cagayan De Oro City to Agora Terminal, Cagayan De Oro City (20 minutes)
Agora Terminal, Cagayan De Oro City to Davao City (6 hours)

From Iligan City, it will take 8 hours to reach Davao City via land trip excluding the traffic and checkpoint and the travel time from a bus terminal to another bus terminal. It was definitely a butt-exhausting travel but since we traveled in the evening, we just slept for the whole ride.

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PLACES TO VISIT IN DAVAO CITY

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San Pedro Cathedral

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San Pedro Cathedral is located right at the center of Davao City in front of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Dabaw Building or City Council building.

The church English name is Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral of which it is dedicated to Saint Peter. Aside from that, it is also named as Davao Cathedral and widely known as the city's oldest church. This church was built by the first Spanish settlers in the area in the year 1847.

Unfortunately, the church was closed and there was an ongoing construction. It was not remodeled when we went there though this church underwent remodeling twice in the mid-1900s and 1964. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Davao which then considered as a National Cultural Treasure.

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Museo Dabawenyo

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If you want to see a glimpse of Davao's past, then Museo Dabawenyo must be in your itinerary.

Museo Dabawenyo is also known as the "Museum of the People of Davao". Taking pictures and shooting videos are not allowed on most of the Museum's part. With that, all eyes and ears to the guide and to the information bombarded.

The first floor showcases the Indigenous People of Davao Province with their collections of arts, crafts, musical instruments, and weapons. The other one is the Moro people with their miniature houses, boats, musical instruments, chairs, weapons, armors, and other things used by the Muslim Royalties and Muslim people.

The Moro People, the Christians and the Lumads.

In the other room, it shows the history of Davao, how the people in Davao fought hard for the Spanish, American and Japanese Colonization and also the aftermath of the colonization. Trophies are also displayed showcasing the pride and honor of Davao's accomplishment through the years. Aside from the trophies, it showcases the four icons of Davao City of which they call it the symbol of hope and pride: Durian, Mount Apo, Waling-Waling and the Philippine Eagle.

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The first room on the second floor was a Memorabilia Gallery where it shows the collection of olden day clothes, bills, porcelains, jar, and a lot more. Also, it shows the former and up to the present leader of Davao with a large painting made by a foreign artist dedicated to the beloved President Duterte who is commonly known as the Tatay of Davao.

The next room was the room full of paintings made by the students of Magallanes Elementary School. The art exhibit runs from June 30, 2018, to July 12, 2018, so probably there's new exhibit running today in that room. This is the only part where we can take pictures and all.

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President Duterte's House

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It is not actually a historical place to see but visiting the President's house is a must thing to do as a fan of President Duterte. I jokingly refer him as Daddy D, an English version of what others call him, Tatay Digong.

In front of their closed green gate is a human size standee of President. Since it's the president house, the security was very strict where logging in and showing your identification card is a must.

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D' Japanese Tunnel

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The D' Japanese Tunnel is now considered as one of Davao's finest tourist attractions. Lots of tourist want to visit this tunnel since this tunnel is a reminder of the war that shaped the history of the world such that it was dug out by the war prisoners ordered by the Japanese Army during the Second World War. This tunnel became their headquarters and threshold when they were chased by the American armies.

This 300-meter long tunnel was accidentally discovered by the landowners while excavating the area for the hotel's construction preparation. Aside from this historical tunnel, this place offers you a pool good for some splashing and plunging which is located on the above.

Jail for the six prisoners.

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Davao Crocodile Park

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If you love animals, then never missed Crocodile Park in your itinerary. Davao Crocodile Park is established in the year 1995 which promotes conservation of crocodiles along with other wild animals. Yes, you read it right. Contrary to its name, Crocodile Park offers you different kinds of animals.

Pangil, an 18-feet saltwater crocodile.

Now, this park is the home of the Philippine's largest crocodile in captivity - Pangil. Aside from Pangil, the park showcases self-nurtured crocodiles that vary in age and sizes. Feeding the crocodile is allowed such that the food to be fed must be purchased in the park. But, if you want a close encounter with animals, then the Kois and Ostriches will entertain you. The food is available in the area.

From crocodile to Koi, to ostrich, the park is also home to various animals like a Lioness, Siberian Tiger, Orangutan, different bird species, snakes, Iguana and some family of cats.

When we get there, we were too early for the Davao Crocodile Park Show. But, we were able to see and taste Lechon Buwaya (Roasted Crocodile). Also, the area offers you ice cream with various exotic flavors such as crocodile coffee, crocodile durian, and ostrich vanilla.

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WHAT WE MISSED

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We missed a lot on our itinerary. We weren't able to visit the D'Bone Collector Musem and the People's Park. The D'Bone Collector Museum is one of the largest collections of bones, skulls, and skeletons in the country with over 700 specimens. The People's Park has been described as one of the cleanest and greenest public parks in the Philippines.

D'Bone Collector Museum

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People's Park

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We were supposed to visit the two after we buy boat tickets going to Isla Reta but the schedule of the boat where we spent the night was moved earlier. We couldn't afford to miss the boat since it was the last trip going to Isla Reta.

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Even though we weren't able to visit the other tourist attractions in Davao City, I'm still happy that my first trip to Davao was spent with these brilliant engineers!

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EXPENSES

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This blog is the first day of our 2 Days and 1 Night trip. For the whole trip, we were 9 in the group and our budget was only Php 2500 each excluding the fare from Iligan to Davao City.

Rental Van with Driver	Php 300 per head
D'Japanese Tunne Entrance Fee	Php 50
Crocodile Park	Php 250
Lechon Buwaya	Php 1000 per kilo
Koi and Ostrich Food	Php 20 per pack/piece
Crocodile Food	Php 50 per meat

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All photos with no credits are mine, captured by Huawei P10.

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