I'm finally back in Davao City. This was thanks to another of those one-peso fare tickets on Cebu Pacific I had booked earlier this year. And I'm simply reaping the fruits of my foresight. Hehe! I had taken a flight just a month ago and a lot's changed since then. Imagine what one "terror expert" could do to the entire security system! I knew about the ban on liquids which is why I purposely did not bring any gel, toothpaste and other liquids so that I would not have to check-in my backpack. But I ended up having to check it in because anything with wires is not allowed on hand-carried luggage as well, phone chargers included!
As I entered the waiting area, I had to wait a bit since passengers were taking off their shoes for the x-ray. The security personnel also asked us to remove our belts, eyeglasses and everything else in our pockets. Anyway, I guess this is for our safety.I arrived in Davao City at about 5:30 p.m. just in time for dinner. My brod Jepri passed by for me at the Davao International Airport which is a new airport by the way. I was impressed with the facilities especially since the Manila Domestic Airport is such a shame!
We ate at this new place called Gardena Fresca which was a garden restaurant that served ihaw-ihaw among others. We got ourselves some pork ribs if I'm not mistaken and an order of guso or seaweed salad. I spent PHP90 for the package meal which comes with fruits and juice and an extra PHP45 for the guso.
After dinner, we met up with my SSEAYP batchmate Steve, who was meeting with other SSEAYP alumni from Davao at a coffee shop. Didn't stay that long since I was craving for durian. And we ate some at Magsaysay Park. Yummy! Hehe! The arancillo variety was PHP50 a kilo.After that heavenly snack, they say durian tastes like heaven but smells like hell, we went for a Swedish massage. I'm going to bed quite early since we have a lot planned tomorrow. Anyway, more tomorrow.
Hello Ivan! Welcome to Davao City! My name is Bob Martin, a blogger here in Davao.
ReplyDeleteI still remember the first time I had durian....I thought it tasted like nilagang baka with sebo! After brushing my teeth and chewing through a whole pack of mentos, the taste and smell was still there! Fortunately, when I took my first trip to Davao a couple of months ago, I really learned to like different kinds of Durian. I even wrote a blog about loving Durian! haha! Now I can't wait to go back there to have some more! Have a good trip!
ReplyDeletedunno if we're so into this "safety requirements" for our safety, or just to please the "Kanos". funny thing is, these "Kanos" who always criticizes Pinas for our supposedly lax airport security are actually the ones who are GUILTY! my husband just came back from the US. Going to and coming from, airport security failed to detect his toiletry bag containing toothpaste, shaving gel, facial wash, etc. my husband's not to blame. hindi sya nananadya. it was I who packed his things and it totally slipped my mind na bawal nga pala. still, point is HINDI NILA NAKITA OR KINUHA!!!
ReplyDeleteHello everyone, thanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteThat photo of yours munching those durian totally cracked me up!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! It's true that once you learn to love to eat it, it tastes like heaven!
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to visit Davao City again!!!
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeletei'm from davao and i hope you could tell me where gardena fresca is located. thanks!
Ivan,
ReplyDeleteThose photos of you and durian are just too funny. Last time I was in Zamboanga, I purchased a few very ripe durians at that excellent local market, then put them on the plane back to Manila. Everybody had a laugh about that one. Checked baggage. Inspection guys looking at the white American with stinking durians, and thinking what? Overall, great fun.
Back in Manila, I took a taxi from the airport to Malate Pension and then took my durians into the back yard and hung them from the tree, having a small taste several times daily. Ah. Durians. Malate Pension. Jennifer. Should I go on?