Last night, Chattee and I went on an impromptu walking and jeepney-riding tour of downtown Davao. I wanted to maximize my temporary possession of a Nikon D80 (equipped with a Sigma 18-200mm lens), and the weather was really nice.
We met up at the Matina Town Square. I’d hoped we could chance upon good shots at the park, but it was raining a few hours before, so no luck.
Then we hied off to Arman’s of Tagum, which is an export of Tagum City. It’s well-known among bus travelers going north of Davao, because Arman’s has an eatery along the route. We had a heavy meal, because we ordered more than we could finish!
From there, we took a jeep towards Magsaysay Park, where we got off in front of the Piapi Public Market. This particular wet market is open at night, but at that time we were there (around 8pm), there wasn’t much fish left. However, I got to finally find out what galunggong is called locally: moro-moro.
Next stop: the durian vendors of Magsaysay Park. Chattee and I got a quick run-through of the various varieties of the King of Fruits. The really good ones, in my opinion, are the Arancillo, Puyat, and some of those with numbers in their names. But my favorite is still the Davao native durian, which has a lovely bitter taste wrapped in a buttery romance.
Too bad, though, we didn’t get to the park on time — it closes at 7pm. So we walked the length of Magsaysay Avenue and took photos of street hawkers. The common sight anywhere in the Philippines: barbecue vendors on the streets at night.
Then, we took a jeep to the heart of the city, got off at the corner of the Monteverde Public School, and walked towards People’s Park. More vendors and peddlers. This part of the city is more awash with bright lights, and populated with students milling about after classes, street children, and after-office workers on their way home.
We ended up at a bar called Someplace Else for much-needed San Mig Light and pulutan. Here are the photos, which might tell a better story of our unusual tour.
sarap sana sumama…..
@hunee — Medyo spur of the moment eh..
Wow kakamiss ang Davao. My fondest memory on the streets of Davao was when we bought pineapple from one vendor and he removed the peeling without destroying it a bit! He handed us the peeled pineapple, minus the eyes na, without any mess or his hands all over it! =)
I miss davao already! I’ll be there by December
@Meikah — That has always fascinated me too.
@Paul — Sige bai, kita tayo!
I had fun last night, Blogs! ’til our next anything-goes trip…
@chattee: na puslan imong pag ka night owl hehehhehe ayos ang mga shots
Hi Blogs – Wow looks good huh… Did you guys sample all of those food? I might join up with you guys next time to sample those fruits.
Take care!
awesome shots blog!
@feyma — We didn’t just sample, we partook healthily!
Sige ba, sama ka next time!
@jerson — Thanks!! Lucky shots, I guess…
Davao city is a wonderful place to live in
hi…i’m kinda new here in davao and i’ve taken a liking in photography…pwede ba sumama pag mag shoot kayo? wala ako masyado alam puntahan…i’ve taken shots sa MTS, people’s park and yung floral parade nung kadayawan
@maimai — Hi there! Pls try to contact Chattee, she’s part of a photography club here in Davao.
wow.. it looks fun!! =)
@tina — It sure was!
teka.. saan yang someplace else? hihi.
@tina — Someplace Else is in Habana Compound, behind Claude’s and Salutti. Rizal street.
blogie.. di mo natry dyan sa may claveria? dyan sa harap ng old theater na lawaan.. masarap din dun.. hehe
@deejames — Hmmm… may pangalan yun eh, di ko lang maalala na. Pero I don’t think it’s still there. I think lumipat na sila sa ibang lugar. You’re talking about these makeshift barbecues, right?
Basta ako, happy na ako sa Durian lang. Iba talaga ang Davao native. Dito sa Seattle, WA, frozen ang Durian galing Thailand. Can’t wait for my next trip to Davao in 2010. Nice photos Blogie. I miss Davao already.
@Bon — Thanks! Before 2010, keep reading my blog na lang for the meantime.
wow..gnda ng tripping nyo sir… hmm at nag punta pa kau sa piapi..andun bahay namin.. harap mismo ng piapi public market..hehehe sana maka sabay din ako sa inyo sumday..hehehe i really LOVE DAVAO.. iba tlga.. sa mga lugar ko na puntahan d2 sa mindanao.. nothing beats DAVAO..home sweet home.. ^_^
@Ryan — Máo!
kita kiz nlng tyo sa april vacation ko,
miss ko na jud ang davao…..