My Overnight Stay in Davao City [Part2/2]

Name of Trip: My Mindanao Family Affair 2010
Date: May 22 - 27, 2010

Destination: General Santos City, Sarangani Province & Davao city

Travel via: Air (Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific), Land (van, tricycle, bus)

@Jack Ridge, Davao City

This is the continuation of our tour in Davao City. After spending more than an hour, we finally reached the city proper. My nephew's friend suggested to have a city overlooking tour. So we went to Matina, one of the districts of Davao that was highly elevated.

Next Stop: Jack Ridge

One of the most popular recreational activities in Davao. It was located on top of a hill and will have to see the great view of city, day and night. It was situated along Shrine Hills in Matina. Before you reached this place, you will saw different TV networks like ABS-CBN, GMA and TV5 decked along this hill. 

Trivia: The land on which Jack’s Ridge now stand once formed part of the headquarter of the retreating Japanese forces towards the end of the World War II. The Americans had landed in Davao on May 1, 1945, forcing the Japanese to beat a path to Matina Hills where they had a commanding view of the Davao Gulf where the American ships were anchored. Fierce fighting soon erupted between the two forces, and as history shown us, the Japanese lost. (Source: Jack Ridge's History)

Welcome Davao Sign

Steel artwork by Lamberto “Obet” Acyatan

Lumad Artwork

some restaurants

overlooking Davao City at night

me

having a great view

@Karlo's Gourmet and Coffee Shop

our drinks

another shot!

happy picture! :)

There were no entrance fee to the site. It is also a place for dining since there were plenty of restaurants, bars and shops such as Taklobo Restaurant, Kai's Bar and Grill and Karlo's Gourmet and Coffee Shop in which we spent there drinking coffee. There were other places here such as the souvenir shop, Tap Room Piano and KTV, cottages, swimming pool and amphitheater. 

How to get there: 

Jack's Ridge is easily accessible and Davao people knew this place. Take a taxi and it will take you 25 to 30 minutes from the city proper. Follow the map:

More details here:

Jack's Ridge Resort and Restaurant

Address:	Jack's Ridge Resort and Restaurant Corp. Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City 8000 Philippines
Telephone:	63.82.2978830 to 31
Telefax:	63.82.2976535
Email:	info@jacksridgedavao.com

Website:	http://www.jacksridgedavao.com/

Next Stop: People's Park

After our visit to Jack's Ridge, we went back to city proper to have our dinner at Penongs, one of the best tasting chicken in Davao and Mindanao. Affordable meals as its best.  However, I wasn't able to take some photos due to busy eating. :) Penongs has many branches within the city.

After we took our dinner, we went to People's Park. It was one of the best park in the Philippines. It was situated along downtown area. This place was a former PTA ground and it was built through the help from former mayor and now Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. This is the place were activities were made such concerts, festivals such as Kadayawan (August) and Araw ng Dabaw (March), orchid shows and more.

The Durian Dome

entrance

Giant Philippine Eagle Sculpture

me and my niece

cannot reach the eagle! :)

me and the giant eagle

some sculpture with the Lumads

and the other

with durian

me holding durians

How to get to there?

The Park is situated in the heart of the city right across Casa Leticia at the corners of Jose Camus and J. Palma Gil streets, and is a walking distance from Apo View Hotel, Mandaya Hotel, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, commercial establishments, and entertainment areas.

After that, the rain fell hard in the city. We stayed at my nephew's friend house which was nearer to the airport. We had some small talks and we ended up sleeping at 2AM. We woke up at 7AM and take a shower and back to the city proper to buy some pasalubongs and have some quick tour. These are some of the places we went:

Marco Polo Hotel, the tallest hotel in Davao City

Ateneo De Davao University

buy some batik in Aldevinco Souvenir Shop, right beside Marco Polo Hotel

Other places around the city such as Philippine Eagle Farm and GAP Farm were not visited. But I was able to visit them since last 2007 and 2008. Here are some of the photos:

Entrance to the Philippine Eagle

Check those eagles

with American Hawk

picture!

Family tour at GAP Farm

picture!

at Japanese Tunnel

I enjoyed my stay in Davao. Though it was short overnight tour and stay, it was fun. I have been to the places that I never been to and I learned about the city. It was nice pleasure to meet my nephew's friend who helped us on the tour. Davao is a great place to stay and have a vacation. It will keep on coming back and explore more of the city and the surroundings! :)

Daghang Salamat Davao! :)