We landed to our President Duterte's beloved land - Davao City! I was so impressed of this big city as I first came here. Davao has gentle and disciplined people. The streets, markets, fruit stands, bus terminals are truly clean. They have four lane roads and their streetlights are useful and functioning. They are gradually implementing the "wire-free city" project where electrical wires are buried below the ground. How I wish we could have these in Cebu as well.
Moreover, we traveled beyond the city of Davao and reached Mati City in Davao Oriental. We experienced the ultralight plane ride, surfing and skimboarding in Dahican. We traveled back to the city and crossed the nearby island - IGACOS, Island Garden City of Samal. Read the detailed story below.
Day 0 - Davao City
We reached Davao International Airport almost 5 in the afternoon. From the airport, we took a jeepney ride to Claveria and stayed overnight in Aveflor Inn, the nearest inn we found after walking around the big city of Davao. Nobody has ever suggested this place to us but we were a little surprise that we only paid 250 pesos each for the night. Thumbs up!1. Roxas Night Market
Place sounds familiar? This was the market bombed September 2 last year. Seemed like nothing happened but the security has tightened. Armed men had to check your bags first before going in as if it's a mall.
Barbecue stalls line up and street foods were everywhere -- kwek-kwek, tempura, fishballs, fried ice cream and a lot more!
Day 1 - Mati City
Woke up 3am and had a quick breakfast at 7eleven. We headed to Ecoland and caught the bus terminal going to Mati. Surprisingly, the bus left with only 5 passengers and that made me realize we made the wrong decision of taking the bus instead of the van. The bus leaves without passengers but it follows the speed limit and stops over every bus station which will take 5 hours to Mati. The van, on the other hand, waits until it's full before leaving, don't care about the speed limit and only takes 2hrs and 45 minutes to Mati. Both are just around 230 and 250 pesos respectively, just a slight difference. Learn from this. Think wisely.
2. Amihan sa Dahican
We found another surfing spot in the Philippines and it is in Mati! My surfing skills taken from my trip in Siargao has awaken and from "Trained", I can say that I have leveled up to "Beginner" level. Hahaha.
We only rented one surfboard and one instructor since we are "confident enough" of the skills we've got from Siargao. Also, our main reason to be in Mati is the ultralight plane ride so definitely we saved our money for that.
We also tried skim boarding. The kids who are the most expert and learned made it so easy to look and made it so convincing for us to give it a try.
Kids sell this so called "pastel" -- a complete meal of viand and rice wrapped into a sheet of banana leaf. This actually became our breakfast giving us energy for an hour of surfing.
We only rented one surfboard and one instructor since we are "confident enough" of the skills we've got from Siargao. Also, our main reason to be in Mati is the ultralight plane ride so definitely we saved our money for that.
We also tried skim boarding. The kids who are the most expert and learned made it so easy to look and made it so convincing for us to give it a try.
Kids sell this so called "pastel" -- a complete meal of viand and rice wrapped into a sheet of banana leaf. This actually became our breakfast giving us energy for an hour of surfing.
3. Pangyan Falls
Our 2 guides brought us to Pangyan Falls after we got disappointed knowing that the Ultralight planes in Mati Airport were not able to fly that morning due to bad weather. They took us to a waterfalls adventure instead and enjoyed the natural waterfalls (busay) massage. It also has a little hotspring and there were kids who enjoyed there very much.
4. Mati Airport
This was the highlight of our Davao trip - ultralight plane ride! After our first attempt, we came back to Mati Airport since the weather went a bit fine. I had the chance to try it first with my handsome (super gwapooo) pilot -- Capt RV of Mindanao Saga Flying Club. The cheapest rate is 2500 with video recording for 15 minutes. Believe me, every second is just memorable! I got to see Mati in aerial view. From the coconut trees to the long shoreline, it was breathtaking. I was in awe the whole time!
5. Subangan Museum
The largest fish bone (sperm whale skeleton) I have ever seen. Subangan Museum features the natural and cultural heritage of the province and the life changing stories it has.
Entrance fee is P100 for foreign nationals, P50 for locals, P30 for residents, P20 for senior citizens and students outside Davao Oriental and P10 for students and children within Davao Oriental. (Source: The Daily Roar)
Entrance fee is P100 for foreign nationals, P50 for locals, P30 for residents, P20 for senior citizens and students outside Davao Oriental and P10 for students and children within Davao Oriental. (Source: The Daily Roar)
6. Mati Plaza
We stopped over Mati Plaza and looked for the nearest eatery for early dinner. People go there for a walk, family bonding and picture taking.
7. Sleeping Dinosaur
We went back to Dahican and stayed overnight with a tent. The next day, Angel (The Travel Buff) and Joemar rushed to Mati airport to catch the earliest flight. I was just in Dahican beach and watched them fly from afar. That same morning, we left Mati and bid goodbye to the sleeping dinosaur!
Summary of Expenses
Day 0 - Davao City
Overnight at Aveflor Inn 250 pesos each
Day 1 - Mati City
Going to Dahican 100
Tent Rental 300 (shared by 3)
Surfboard + Instructor 500 (shared by 3)
Skimboard 100 (shared by 3)
Ultralight plane ride with recording 2500 each
Pangyan Falls 10
Subangan Entrance 50
Dinner 391 (shared by 3)
Day 2
Motor ride + guide for 2 days 1900 (shared by 3)
Van to Davao 220
Total: 4193
It was such a nice experience being in Mati and being in Davao. Read my next post about our trip to the nearby island - IGACOS.
Happy traveling!
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