Davao Where The Colors Come Alive

Davao is a favorite city. Just 1 1/2 hour plane ride south of Manila, Asia's biggest city - in terms of area (244,000 hectares) is a delightful gem. It has a charming balance of laidback provincial life and the excitement of cosmopolitan city. The streets are wider than Cebu, and is considered the safest city in the country. The locals protect their tourists. Sumptuous exotic fruits abound. And everything else is cheap! A buffet can be enjoyed at PhP99 at restaurants like Kuya Ed's. Davao has the best of everything: the mountains, the beaches, nightlife, shopping, foooooooood, etc.

My favorite getaway is Pearl Farm Resort, an 11-hectare resort nestled in Samal Island, just 45 minutes by boat from Waterfront Insular Hotel's port. Though overnight stays are relatively expensive, a day-tour can be enjoyed at just under PhP2,000 which already includes transportation, welcome drink, a dizzying array of culinary delight at the lunch buffet, and boat rides to and from its neighboring island, Malipano, which is a secluded island which has 11 villas of the Florendos. For day-travellers, boats leave for the city at 3:30PM.



The Parola Bar at the entrance of Pearl Farm Resort in Samal Island.

It has 2 swimming pools. This one overlooking the Malipano Island, which you can visit for free, as often as you like during your whole stay. Boats can be readily availed - for free, if you want a more solitary sun-and-sand experience in Malipano.

Infinity pool near the Parola Bar entrance of the resort.

Mangroves in Samal Island





Native designs of elegant cottages, one is named after a royal guest, the Prince of Brunei.

Poetry in a strip of white sand in Malipano Island.

Commune with God and nature at a chapel in Malipano.



Ahhh... life! (Malipano Island, overlooking Pearl Farm Resort.


The bluest of blue skies can be enjoyed almost all year round in Davao.

Lily (?) at a pond in Malagos Garden Resort.

Orchid Heaven at Malagos Garden Resort.

This is the Eye in the Sky!