We opted to have dinner at Taklobo Restaurant at Jack's Ridge because it's near the city center, it overlooks the city, and food isn't expensive.
Our last stop for the night was Matina Town Square (MTS) to try the popular Blugre durian coffee (tip: MTS bars and restos open at night) . Blugre is a modern-day coffee shop, and the price range is similar to that of Starbucks or Coffee Bean. We tried both their version of Frappe, and the local flavor, hot durian coffee. Those cost us P315.00. The durian coffee was strange - good strange or bad strange, I can't quite decide. But it was worth trying.
The first thing we did on our last day in Davao was visit the Magsasaysay Fruit Market. We wanted to make sure that we bring some durian back home from the durian capital of the country (it was durian season too!). The fruit sellers pack durian in a plane-safe way. They have the whole tourist thing down pat.
We also wanted to try out the raved about Aling Foping's durian halo-halo, but apparently it's obscure because everyone we asked didn't know about it. Someone directed us to a Gaisano mall instead to check if the food court had any durian halo-halo. That's exactly what we did, but still we found no durian halo-halo.
Aside from failing to try Aling Foping's halo-halo, here are other things I had intended and still intend to visit in Davao City:
Dinner at Jack's Ridge.
Our last stop for the night was Matina Town Square (MTS) to try the popular Blugre durian coffee (tip: MTS bars and restos open at night) . Blugre is a modern-day coffee shop, and the price range is similar to that of Starbucks or Coffee Bean. We tried both their version of Frappe, and the local flavor, hot durian coffee. Those cost us P315.00. The durian coffee was strange - good strange or bad strange, I can't quite decide. But it was worth trying.
At Matina Town Square. Billiards (left) and Blugre coffee.
The first thing we did on our last day in Davao was visit the Magsasaysay Fruit Market. We wanted to make sure that we bring some durian back home from the durian capital of the country (it was durian season too!). The fruit sellers pack durian in a plane-safe way. They have the whole tourist thing down pat.
Magsaysay Fruit Market.
We also wanted to try out the raved about Aling Foping's durian halo-halo, but apparently it's obscure because everyone we asked didn't know about it. Someone directed us to a Gaisano mall instead to check if the food court had any durian halo-halo. That's exactly what we did, but still we found no durian halo-halo.
Left: EuroBaker in a Gaisano mall. They sell durian chocolates at about P50 for a box of 4. Quite expensive.
Right: Emerald Durian also in a Gaisano mall. They sell different sorts of durian pastries.
Relatively new Ayala mall-- Abreeza.
Abreeza Mall food court.
Durian float from the Abreeza food court (left). Durian shake from Ranchero in Abreeza (right).
Aside from failing to try Aling Foping's halo-halo, here are other things I had intended and still intend to visit in Davao City:
1. Davao Museum - I'm a sucker for museums. This one is apparently close to the airport so might be a good idea to hit it when you arrive before going to the city center, or visit it before you to the head to the airport before leaving Davao. (Zonta Building, Insular Building, Lanang)
2. Lachie's - Supposedly a resto that's really worth visiting because of good food. They say you have to make reservations because the place tends to be crowded. (Door 1-H VAL Learning Village, Ruby St., Marfori Heights)
3. Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) - This is quite far from the city center, and can be reached by bus or by jeep. Personally, I think it's easier if you just ask the cab driver you get as a guide to take you there.
4. Malagos Garden Resort - This is near PEC.
5. People's Park - They say this place comes alive at night. They say a lot of things happen here. I wanna see how people roll.
*This entry is dedicated to my lil' sister who turned 18 yesterday. :)
*This entry is dedicated to my lil' sister who turned 18 yesterday. :)