I want to start my journal with a good note but much has been written about the sights and sounds of Davao City...what to see, to experience and what the place has to offer. Having lived an enjoyable life here for the past years, i find it perplexing to list down a few places and situations that tourists should avoid so they’ll be spared the disappointment and the utter waste of precious time.

Corrupt airport taxi -   Cab drivers here are said to be one of the most honest in the country, however there are still quite a number of them who will try to rip tourists off, especially if you're coming out from the airport terminal.  Always insist on the meter and do check your stuff before alighting.

A Life less ordinary Chinatown -  A visit to any Chinatown is always visually stimulating but compared to other Chinese districts in other cities...here is a bit sluggish, it's streets littered, rundown, a bit abandoned feeling. And what makes it even unattractive is because thieves on bike have known to lurk this place so dont consider walking here at sundown.

Bring smiles on kid's faces -   Children begging for coins are almost everywhere. Giving few pesos wont hurt but i discourage such practice for it will only encourage more beggars to stream into the capital city. Instead, offer them a piece of sweet bread or two...sweet smile of thank you is what you will get back.

Taking these simple precautions will make you enjoy your trip to the fullest and did i mention that a short heavy downpour is enough to cause flash floods in Davao ?  So do check the weather forecast in advance before hitting the outdoors.

Remember that some roads aren't meant to be journeyed alone...enjoy your trip.

JohnRon

Rain poured it's fury when i was heading to Samal Island but that didnt stop me from taking the 7 minutes outrigger boat ride over choppy waters,  to witness what would be the the World's largest colony of fruit bats. Terrified i've always been of these flying mammals and to see 1.8 million of them hanging in a single underground hollow is more than enough to stop a human heart i must say.

A glaring Sun welcomed me at the seaport of Babak and its a good thing that i didnt allow the heavy downpour going there to impede my plans or i would have missed the chance.  All motorbike drivers pretty much knows the place so locating the cave wasn't much of a problem and after like 10 minutes of scenic but bumpy ride on a rented motorcycle , there i was standing at the gate of the famous Manfort Bat Cave, their rancid stinky smell instantly  hit my nose.

A minimal entrance fee of 20 pesos i had to pay.  I was scared of the sight when i was slowly walking towards the cave opening...i cant even find the right words to describe it.  The images i saw on the internet didn't actually do justice to the real picture i witnessed before me....it was a jaw dropping loathsome scene and i had trouble believing that a tourist beside me was actually having pleasure munching his hamburger LOL

After taking photos for like 10 minutes, i was ready to detach myself from the bat sanctuary. The exit walkway leads you to an educational tour section...after absorbing and understanding everything about bat's big contribution to the environment , i found myself race walking back to the cave and appreciating what i thought are mysterious and seemingly useless creatures.

The Monfort Cave currently holds a Guinness World Record title as the world's largest colony of fruit bats and that alone is reason enough to visit thie place.

JohnRon

Rain poured it's fury when i was heading to Samal Island but that didnt stop me from taking the 7 minutes outrigger boat ride over choppy waters,  to witness what would be the the World's largest colony of fruit bats. Terrified i've always been of these flying mammals and to see 1.8 million of them hanging in a single underground hollow is more than enough to stop a human heart i must say.

A glaring Sun welcomed me at the seaport of Babak and its a good thing that i didnt allow the heavy downpour going there to impede my plans or i would have missed the chance.  All motorbike drivers pretty much knows the place so locating the cave wasn't much of a problem and after like 10 minutes of scenic but bumpy ride on a rented motorcycle , there i was standing at the gate of the famous Manfort Bat Cave, their rancid stinky smell instantly hit my nose.

A minimal entrance fee of 20 pesos i had to pay.  I was scared of the sight when i was slowly walking towards the cave opening...i cant even find the right words to describe it.  The images i saw on the internet didn't actually do justice to the real picture i witnessed before me....it was a jaw dropping loathsome scene and i had trouble believing that a tourist beside me was actually having pleasure munching his hamburger LOL

After taking photos for like 10 minutes, i was ready to detach myself from the bat sanctuary. The exit walkway leads you to an educational tour section...after absorbing and understanding everything about bat's big contribution to the environment , i found myself race walking back to the cave and appreciating what i thought are mysterious and seemingly useless creatures.

The Monfort Cave currently holds a Guinness World Record title as the world's largest colony of fruit bats and that alone is reason enough to visit thie place.

JohnRon