Davao

  Davao, Mindanao, Philippines
Saturday, July 25, 2009

The typhoon must have been heading south to north as we arrived back in Manila just at the end of the typhoon in Manila and it was in a bit of mess, more so than usual. Parts of town where completely flooded. 

For my last adventure in the Philippines I headed to Davao on their southern island of Mindanao. I found a great place to stay that was owned by a local artist and it was a great place to hang out as the whole place displayed his work. No part of the walls, ceiling etc was free. The whole place was covered with his stuff. Even outside the hotel there was huge sculptures, quite funny considering the place was in a residential area.

Davao was a great city although I did not play the tourist that much. I was invited by one of the staff to have food with his family and for the next couple of days I was welcomed with open arms into their family and extended family as they all lived close together. Every night I was invited somewhere to eat and. We all went out to the beach and also to People’s Park one night. Peoples park is a sculpture park containing lots of work from the artist who owned the guesthouse I was staying in.




It was a perfect way to end my time in the Philippines. I became a local in the neighbourhood and a member of their family. The Filipinos are extremely hospitable fun loving people and my time with John and his family was a great example of this. My final night was dispadida night (leaving party) and it was a big night of drinking. I learnt how to make one of their local drinks (Boracay) which tastes virtually like Baileys but at half (or a third of the price). All you need is a bottle of local rum, some coffee mix and condensed milk. Good stuff.
 
The following day feeling very rough it was time to say goodbye to everyone and return to Manila for my final stay at Friendly’s