Travel tips for Davao...

[Kreeger]

Humabdos/Bear/donb2222... and anyone else,

Any do's/don'ts about visiting Davao, places/people to watch out for, things NOT to do, etc.  I will be in the company of my Mahal, but as we know... s**t happens. If I can kinda prevent s**t from happening, maybe my visit will be much more enjoyable. Thanks for any input.

Joe

[rgg]

... in response to Travel tips for Davao..., posted by Kreeger on Dec 23, 2002

Joe,

You'll have less things to worry about on things going wrong since you will be in the company of your Mahal.  Let her do most of the talking/haggling with cab drivers, waiters, salesclerks, etc.  At any rate, expect a warm climate when you land in Davao, hence, bring a lot of casual shirts for frequent change in case you perspire a lot and comfortable pair of shoes for your shopping spree with  your Mahal.

Public transport, jeepneys and taxicabs (aircon and non-aircon) are readily available to take you anywhere within city limits at established rates.  On changing your dollars to pesos, you can transact either with the local banks (Mondays-Fridays 9AM-4PM) or with money changers at Aldevinco Shopping Mall.  

Tourist spots-Pearl Farm, Paradise Beach Resort, Costa Marina, (located in Samal Island); Coral Garden, Isla Reta (located at Talicud Island)-ferry boats are available at designated place and time;  Eden Nature Park, Malagos Garden Resort (for nature lovers).

In case you need assistance/more info on anything, just give me a call.  Looking forward to meeting you  )))

rgg

[Kreeger]

... in response to Re: Travel tips for Davao..., posted by rgg on Dec 24, 2002

...alot of good info. I will be going to Samal at one point in my trip. If I have any more questions, I will give you a ring when I get there.

Merry Christmas & thanks again,

Joe

[Ray]

... in response to Travel tips for Davao..., posted by Kreeger on Dec 23, 2002

This is presented as info only without comment:

-----
Public Announcement
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
PHILIPPINES
October 5, 2001

A number of recent security-related incidents highlight the danger of travel in the Philippines.  Kidnappings of foreigners, bombings, and other violent incidents call for Americans to exercise great caution throughout the Philippines.  Moreover, as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, U.S. citizens and interests may be at increased risk of terrorist actions from extremist groups, as stated in the Worldwide Caution updated by the Department of State on September 28, 2001.

On June 5, 2001, a group of American Navy personnel on leave and their guides were fired upon by an armed group on the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo.  Americans are warned to avoid hiking or camping in this area.

On May 27, 2001, members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) kidnapped 20 tourists, including three Americans, from Palawan Island in the southern Philippines and took
them by boat to Basilan Island.  This followed a similar attack by an unknown group on May 22 on a resort on Samal Island near Davao City, Mindanao.  That attack was repulsed with the loss of two Filipino lives.  The ASG has taken hostage a number of Filipinos and foreign tourists since April 2000.  Several were freed after payment of substantial ransoms, some escaped or were rescued by military action, and some were killed by their captors.  Other Americans have received threats of kidnapping from persons claiming affiliation with such groups.

There have also been sporadic incidents of violence in southern Mindanao, including bombings in General Santos City and at the Cotabato Airport in Maguindanao Province, as well as bus hijackings on national highways.

The ASG or other groups may attack U.S. citizens and others again.  For example, the ASG has been reported in the press as having targeted beach resorts on Boracay Island for kidnappings.  Because the ASG has broadened its area of operations and has demonstrated its ability to travel long distances by boat to kidnap foreigners, it is possible that other locations in the Philippines could be attacked.  While this ongoing terrorist/criminal campaign of kidnapping foreigners is in progress, Americans should defer travel to beach resorts in the southern Philippines, especially those located away from urban areas.

U.S. citizens are also warned to avoid travel to the southern and western areas of the Island of Mindanao, to include Zamboanga City, due to incidents of terrorism and violence.  U.S. citizens should avoid travel to the islands of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Jolo, located in the Sulu archipelago in the extreme southwest of the Philippines.  Americans residing in southern or western Mindinao and in the Sulu archipelago should carefully review their situation and evaluate their security posture in light of local circumstances.  As a precaution, the U.S. Government has temporarily withdrawn resident official Americans and contractors from these areas.

In view of these incidents and the possibility of future terrorist activity or kidnappings for ransom, Americans are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to increase their security awareness.  For further general information on travel to the Philippines, please consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet for the Philippines, which is available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement of October 4, 2001, to note the withdrawal of official Americans and contractors from southern and western Mindanao and the
Sulu archipelago.  It expires on April 22, 2002.
-----

[Kreeger]

... in response to Travel Warning, posted by Ray on Dec 23, 2002

... that's old news, but thanks anyways. I was in Dipolog in August and it went smoothly. I was looking more along the lines of special customs and such locally around Davao.

[Ray]

... in response to Travel Warning, posted by Ray on Dec 23, 2002

http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/countryadvice.asp?PH

http://www.fco.gov.uk/travel/tips.asp?PH  (note the warning on “mail order brides” LOL!)

[Humabdos]

... in response to Some advice from the Britts, posted by Ray on Dec 23, 2002

Good I guess I won't see any of them limey's around! lol Hope them pesty Germ's stay home too.  Hopefuly things will calm down by the time I get there in mid Jan.!  Anyone know how much an AK47 costs in Davao?

Humabdos

[Humabdos]

... in response to Travel Warning, posted by Ray on Dec 23, 2002

I think Davao city and samal Island are considered safe most of this is hype.  I don't think anyone will be bothering me in a P500 nipa hut. They will be looking for rich kano's over at the pearl farm.

Humabdos

[cc]

... in response to Travel tips for Davao..., posted by Kreeger on Dec 23, 2002

Davao is nice, but I personally prefer nothern Mindanao. You can take an 8 hour bus ride from Davao to Butuan through some of the most spectacular rainforest you will ever see. I have done that route many times (and know every pothole, hahaha). Make sure you visit Samal. the Philippine Eagle farm is sort of OK, but you should have a particular interest in, well, eagle biology to enjoy it. Many great (and for Philippine standard expensive) seafood restaurants in Davao. Your mahal will take you there, no doubt. Enjoy!

[Kreeger]

... in response to Re: Travel tips for Davao..., posted by cc on Dec 23, 2002

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: Travel tips for Davao..., posted by cc on Dec 23, 2002

A bus trip from Davao to Butuan would surely get you kidnapped! I think i'll pass on the rainforest trip this trip. Here in Oregon we are on our 34th day of rain!
Humabdos

[cc]

... in response to Re: Re: Travel tips for Davao..., posted by Humabdos on Dec 23, 2002

I doubt it, there have been few incidents only. Most of the muslim activity is West of Davao, while the bus route goes East. (The Philippine Eagle farm by the way is West of Davao and should be less safe). There has been one incident a year ago (just a week before I was travelling there!) where the NPA blew up a passenger bus, but they kindly let all the passengers disembark first... A business men got kidnapped in Digos a few weeks ago, but overall I would consider the Davao-Butuan route still safe. I am much more concerned about my flight from Europe to the US next week!!! It's snowing heavily in Berlin. Yipppieeee! Merry Christmas!

[Humabdos]

... in response to Travel tips for Davao..., posted by Kreeger on Dec 23, 2002

My trip in Jan will be my first trip to Davao so I can't offer you much info. I think Davao is considered by most to be "safe". Rgg Lives in Davao and would be your best bet for info. If you don't have a Lonely Planet travel book on Philippines I would highly recommend getting one. I'll be spending alot of time over on Samal Island snorkeling and diving. .  Paradise Island resort has inexpensive nipa huts. Also Talikud sounds like a nice little island.
I want to see Eagle Camp and the Philippine Eagle this will be as far as I travel out side of Davao. Sence you will be leaving as I am ariving maybe you can fill me in on the places you liked. Humabdos

Hope we can meet up at the airport I'll be there at 6:30 pm on the 17th of Jan. Just look for the tall kano! Humabdos

[Kreeger]

... in response to Re: Travel tips for Davao..., posted by Humabdos on Dec 23, 2002

...I plan to visit Rgg in the Gaisano Mall. Also, I plan to go to Samal, but I don't know for sure if it will just be a day trip or if I will stay there for a few days. I am booked at the Marbella Mansion Pensionne in Davao for at least a few days. I am just gonna play it by ear as far as what attractions I will see. The main attraction will be my girl!

I'll try to give you a head's up in the airport.

Joe