Experiencing the best of Davao City

NEITHER the recent flooding reports nor the punching incident of its lady mayor could dampen the high regard I have for Davao City and its disciplined people, for the visit I had in this largest city in the island of Mindanao last month had left me with wonderful postcard-worthy memories.

The visit was a timely escape from the gloomy weather in Pampanga.

Stepping out of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, I was greeted by the fair Davao City weather.

Named by Foreign Direct Investment Magazine as the 10th "Asian City of the Future," Davao City boasts of bustling tourism industry, good commerce and a peaceful community.

The polite taxi driver pointed out that aside from the low crime rate, the city is outside the typhoon belt; however, it is not spared from the usual flooding problems during the rainy months.

Staying in Davao City is a breeze as there are a host of different hotels and inns for different budgets, and even boasts of high-end hotels that cater to the most discriminating of tastes. For my three-day stay, I was lodged at the four-star accommodations of Grand Regal Hotel for my first two nights and spent my last day at the D'Counter Executive Dormitory for easy access to shopping areas of Davao City's downtown area.

A recommended place to visit on a first day in the city is the Eden Nature Park located in the town of Toril. From Davao City, one can take a jeepney ride to Toril town with fare price at P25. Then take a habal-habal or tricycle ride at Mercury Drug. The trip will take some 20 minutes and fare is at P100.

Eden Nature Park is located in the mountains, so it's cooler than Davao City. The road leading to the park is rich in greeneries with large coconut and mango plantations. The park has nice walks, restaurants, horse riding and a zip-line facility for eco-tourism adventurers.

Day tour is set at P180 with an entrance fee of P100. The tour package includes a guided tour of the park and it’s amazing facilities. It boasts of herbariums, flower gardens, bird aviaries and cottages for people wanting to stay for the night. Perfect time to visit is in the morning as afternoon weather in the mountain may be cloudy with occasional mist and drizzles.

My next stops after Eden Nature Park were the Philippine Eagle Center and the Crocodile Park for a short guided tour.

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