Dolly's House of Seafood - Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Providing an even better option than Hai-Ma that we wrote about last time is Dolly's House of Seafood (though most restaurants from this stretch use "seafoods" which unnerves me). In fact, we visited Dolly's first because we heard they serve "bihud".

If you're not familiar with "bihud", there are clumps of fish eggs (much like "caviar") taken from a large fish called Maya-maya or Snapper. The crabs were a bit disappointing, but there were plenty of choices.

Dolly's provides more options at even cheaper prices (no pork served) and thrice more spacious and brighter than Hai-Ma which is located next door. They also have a balcony where you could watch the sprawl of the blue Pacific. Watch down below the balcony and you will find children waist to knee deep, waiting for visitors to toss coins (or bills). No, it isn't really dangerous as the waters are almost always shallower than thought.

This seaside restaurant strip is found beside the main highway between Davao City and Davao del Sur. This is near Franklin Baker.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Bihud at PhP160 per plate.

"Chicken adobo" is PhP70.

"Bihud" is a clump of fish eggs.

"Lambay" (crabs) costs PhP50 per piece.

The seaside fishing community along this stretch in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, the municipality that borders the province from Davao City.

A little girl was desperately waiting for people to toss coins at her.

Other coin divers.

What could that be?

Addendum:

I received an email from Ms. Dolores Ramos, owner of Dolly's House of Seafood, who's presently based in Hilo, Hawaii (the largest city in Hawaii county - yup, east of the Big Island). She currently runs Dolly's Handicrafts in Hilo so if you're headed to that place of the world, go check out Dolly's Handicraft and you just might meet this very gracious lady.

The National Highway and the view facing Dolly's House of Seafood (sic).