One of the things that I look forward to in my job is out-of-town travels not only because I can take a breather from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, but I can also visit new places and experience new culture. And the best part is, it’s almost always an all-expense-paid trip 
Some weeks back I went to Davao City in Mindanao, south of the Philippines, for a brief 3-day business trip. Though the limited time didn’t allow me to visit the more popular tourist attractions like Samal Island and Philippine Eagle Center, among others, I still made the most of my first visit to Davao.
Davao
- Considered one of the world’s largest cities with a land area of 2,443.61 square kilometers
- Ranked 10th in the Asian Cities of the Future by Foreign Direct Investment Magazine
- Typhoon-free; balmy weather year-round
- Home to the world’s largest eagle, The Philippine Eagle, which is also the country’s national bird
- Named one of the most peaceful cities in Southeast Asia for its low monthly crime rate
- Home to the world-famous waling-waling, considered one of the world’s most beautiful orchids, making it the “Orchid Capital of the Philippines”
- Most celebrated fiesta is Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival, which happens every 3rd week of August
- Once home to Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, found in Mt. Apo
Durian
Davao is also home to the famous durian, popular in Southeast Asia as the ‘king of fruits,’ but usually banned in hotels because of its distinct smell 
And visiting Davao won’t be complete without trying the durian. But instead of eating the fruit, I opted for the ice blended durian coffee called durian larcepuccino, which you can buy from any of the Blugre Coffee branches in the city. I went to Blugre’s branch at the Matina Town Square—a hotspot for food, booze, and live band—just across Ateneo de Davao University.
durian in a coffee
Dare
A must-do in Davao City is the XCelerator zipline at the Outland Adventure (address: Diversion Road, MAA, across the GAP Farm; tel.nos.082/224-5855 and 082/271-6067).
Outland Adventure is the largest ropes course facility in the Philippines and its XCelerator Zipline is the only US-certified zipline in the country that’s also the longest speed zipline in Asia.
The adventure is made more fun because before the actual zip ride, you first take a 10-minute uphill hike (bring a bottle of water!) and ride a bamboo raft to cross a lake.
bamboo rafting
a thrilling ride
upside down adventure
I took the “Superman” ride and enjoyed flying over the lush greenery and a large fresh water lake, feeling the cool rush of wind on my face as I shouted “I’m aalaaaaiiivvve!”
And travels—like the one to Davao—give me that same kind of feeling that I’m truly alive; of an experience that’s more for the spirit than for the body and mind.
Our org stayed for 7 days in Davao but didn’t even get to do any of these. Sad. I would have loved to visit Samal Island or even just try that zipline.
there’s always a second visit!
Samal Island is on my list when I get the chance to go back. And yes, definitely the zipline, too.
I miss Davao, durian coffee, durian cake, durian ice cream, but not much the fruit itself. =) I’m not sure if the zipline was already operational more than 5 years ago.
would you have tried the zipline?
Durian larcepuccino sounds interesting. Never been to Davao though, but if ever, I sure will try that.
Keep safe on you travels BC!
thanks, skippyheart.
the smell on the coffee might not be inviting, but it’s worth the try.
i love your davao adventure! i spent some summers of my childhood there and miss it for the durian and outdoor stuff.
did you like the durian coffee, though???
surprisingly i did. and now that i think of it, i should have tried the garcepuccino, the hot version, just to compare. haha.
which do you prefer—davao or cebu?
i wish that my work entailed some traveling
how was the durian coffee? i’ve been hearing so much about it lately. i hope the smell is not too strong.
the smell wasn’t too strong; even the taste was…uhm…bearable. haha. i coupled it with pasta just to make sure.
I’m going there next week to visit my family! Glad to know you had a great time despite the short stay. Come back for more adventure!
There’s much to see in Davao so I really need to go back. I heard they now also have a river rafting adventure, and that I also want to try.
enjoy your time with family in Davao.
Oh…is that you on the upside down adventure… ?
Hmm…you have a nice job !
LOL. no, it’s not me. I didn’t muster enough courage to do that kind of ride. I chose the Superman because I wanted to feel like a bird
well, my job doesn’t really entail me to do ziplines and all that, but i believe i have to find a way to squeeze in some adventure time during business travels. work-life balance, yes? hahaha.
oh wow let’s go
serious?? 2010 to Batanes. So 2011 to Davao? LOL.
miss ko na davao (but not durian) pero durian candy pwede pa lol. sana makabalik na ko uli jan.
the durian candy is so sweet i think it has more sugar than durian. durian candy = diabetes. haha!
And to mention also the luscious panga over there, so scintillating. Davao City is really a model city that all our LGU’s should study and emulate…
eeerr, what’s a panga?
“Some weeks back I went to Davao City in Mindanao, south of the Philippines, for a brief 3-day business trip.” >>>> kainggit!
Sobra akong naka-relate sa entry mo about team huddles. My team managers likes to do all the talking whenever we have one. She thinks sumasapaw kami sa kanya when we try to suggest or say something, the reason we don’t look forward to it every week.
i know the type, jeff. don’t you just want to silence (read: kill) her? hahaha.
seriosuly though, i think that woman has many insecurities so she’s afraid to let you guys talk for fear you’ll have a better idea or worse, she’ll look stupid in front of you. has anyone dared to tell her the effect of her comm style?
It’s a roasted head of a tuna fish…People eat that near a riverside area…So tasty actually…
ic. talking about fish, i bought some salmon home and had it grilled for lunch the next day—sort of an extension of my Davao trip. haha.
Oh, me salmon ba dito na fresh. I saw some salmon on sale on downtown market the other day, kaya lang I am cautious kung fresh yun or hindi, kasi we know we have no salmons in our waters, they must come from outside…
galing ata sa GenSan ang mga salmon. sa CitraMina ako bumili.it’s probably not fresh kasi frozen siya. hahaha.
that’s one heck of an area for a city ! No wonder why it is the largest in the world. I love durian…and anything that tastes durian
Good to hear that Davao is ranked 10th in the Asian City of the Future. This is a testimony to the dedication of the Davaoenos who care about the future of their children.
i hope Davao becomes more progressive without losing its ‘natural, rural’ feel. i’m not sure if i’m saying it right, but you perhaps get the idea: balance between urban development and environmental preservation. or something like it.
let’s do a local trip soon. kahit car travel lang. tara! this long weekend.