making dalaw Davao DAY 1 (Keme-Keme Tour)

I have waited so long for this trip to happen.  The last time I went for an out-of-town trip was eight long stress-filled months ago (Ilocos Trip - which I still have not chika about, yet!).  Vacations keep me sane.  Eight months without vacay, I was on the verge of losing it.  By the way, I would like to apologize to those who had been witnesses of how grumpy I could be.  It's just that I felt so aligaga being celibakasyon.  O diba, nakapag-coin pa ako ng term.  CELIBAKASYON - the state of being bakasyon-less pero puro stress, what ezz!

After our Camiguin-CDO-Bukidnon getaway last year, my friends decided on Davao as our next destination.  Another thing that keeps me sane - my crazy friends.  Err, keeps me crazy-sane, that is.  Meet the gang who ruined the peace and quiet in Davao for four days.  :D  Gorgeous Ala came with us, so it's riot times ten! :)

We mourn for those who were not able to join this trip.  May your laways tulo from the fun we had.  Kidding!  

DAY 1 

ETD Manila - 4:15AM antokyo japan ang mga utaw!  We had to be at the airport around 3, kongrachumaleyshens to most of us na wala halos tulog. hehe

To start off our adventure, or Ace's adventure rather, barely 10 minutes after we landed at Davao International Airport, nahuli siya ng pulis for smoking where he shouldn't be.  Makulit ka eh!  Alam naman na bawal, sige, arya, ginusto mo yan, sa presinto ka magpaliwanag, di masabihan eh! hehe, truth is we were so worried about him spending time sa kulungan.  In fact, we were so worried the rest of us went to have breakfast while he and Reymund were convincing the cops of his "innocence".  :D Trust the guy to get away with anything, nag-acting workshop kaya yan! 

After breakfast, we rented a van to bring us to Green Windows Dormitel where we camped for 2 nights.  Thanks to my officemate Eric for the hotel recommendation, nakakapamura sa sobrang mura ng stay there. :) The dormitory is good for 8 pax at Php 1998 per night.  Diba?? Nakakahiya man aminin, pero binarat ko pa yan. Haha.  We just paid for an extra bed to accommodate all 9 of us.  The room has wifi (sometimes), cable and a nice bathroom.  We wasted away morning of Day 1 with them sleeping, me working.  Boo-ya I had to bring my laptop with me!  Kadiri lang but that was just that.  Fun, fun, fun na afterwards.  

We called up Kuya Jessie (the van driver we met at the airport), to take us on tour.  I promised to post his number, for those who will need a ride around Davao.  Here: 0927-701-0174 :)

O wait lang, bago ko makalimutan.  The cab drivers in Davao are the coolest!  Never mo sila mariringgan na "Ma'am, dagdagan niyo naman po."  They would give exact change to your money, bawal ang manggagantso sa Davao, laveeet! :)

First stop: Pasalubong shopping at Apo ni Lola.  I found durian goodies I actually liked.  Ang sarap, hindi pa masangsang ang amoy.  And oh, their mangosteen tart is heavenly. 

Next Stop: Eden Nature Park. Buffet lunch at Php 470, err, hindi sulit!  Ang bilis maubos ng mga hain sa buffet table.  For people like us who have monstrous appetites, that's a no-no!  We had to wait several times for the waiters to re-fill the food trays.  Nothing special with the food either.  Just being truthful here!

After dining, we found this mala-tarzan ride where you hang on to a rope and go down the slope.  I enjoyed it very much except for that one moment when it threw me off and nearly sungaba face-first for all my evil friends to see.  They got it on vid, will post next time. :)

We didn't get to see the entire park because it started raining.  We left to visit the Philippine Eagle Center next.  I got to see for myself why it is our pambansang ibon.  Walang binatbat ang pambansang ibon ng US na angry birds.  Nyok nyok nyok!  Some eagles are behaved, one may go near it and take photos unlimited.  But some are so threatening, they got a cage, meters high, to themselves.  There were also other wild animals in there, like the brown deer, wild boar, and crocodile.  Hindi ko bet mga ganyan.  Afraid!

 

And then, we went to Jack's Ridge for dinner.  Wonderful view of Davao City.  Even their restroom has view of the city lights.  Noice!!  I liked the food at Taklobo Restaurant.  We also got to try the Durian Coffee which is too durian-y for me, eeeek!  

We went back to the hotel, cleaned up and rested.  We're getting old, we crave for sleep so much that we chose it over nightlife.  That's Day 1 of our making dalaw Davao. bow :)