Buzz
Among ten fond memories, Davao, the southernmost island of the Philippines, holds a special place in my heart. Here, locals proudly proclaim, “Life is here,”
Even amidst a thousand memories, Davao, a land in the Philippines, stands out like no other place in this archipelago of over 7,000 islands. How can the sea be so blue here, bluer than any dye a craftsman uses to color a fresh roll of fabric? Sitting on the prow, leaning against each other, gazing into the depths, for the sea is not only blue but also crystal clear. Do you still recall such serene moments that deeply touched the soul?
If I were to cherish a thousand memories, Davao in the Philippines would outweigh any other place on this land of over 7,000 islands. How could the sea here be so astonishingly azure, surpassing even the hues of freshly dyed fabrics? From aboard a boat, sitting side by side, gazing down below, for the sea is not merely blue but also pristine. Do you still remember such tranquil moments that truly touched the heart?
Even amidst a hundred memories, I will surely remember Davao, more precisely the quaint island named Samal. Perhaps nowhere else in the land of dozens of storms each year is the sea as beautiful and serene as it is here. A coral reef spanning hundreds of hectares would leave anyone spellbound. Try it, put on your diving goggles, and you'll utter countless exclamations of awe that still fail to fully describe the majestic underwater scenery.
Among ten cherished memories, Davao, the southernmost island of the Philippines, remains prominent. Here, the locals proudly declare, “Life is here,” because for them, living and enjoying what nature and life bestow upon them truly happens here. I will forever remember the people, the words, or the way the people of Davao welcome tourists. Gentle yet heartfelt, sophisticated, and full of emotions, not noisy but very hospitable.
If only one memory remains, I will certainly remember Davao. I will remember the captivating smile of the dancer in the fire dance, the offshore dance of the young men on Samal Island, the powerful beat of drums, the myriad of tropical delicacies, the sound of waves lapping against the boat, and the evenings on the beach with just you and me at the resort paradise named Pearl Farm Beach Resort…
It was a twilight reunion, more accurately, before the sunset could turn golden, it was seized by the invading darkness. You and I, on the small balcony of one of the most beautiful bungalows at Pearl Farm, didn't converse, didn't exchange any words, just looked and listened. I saw everything, saw the tranquility evident in every breath, on every boat drifting far out at sea. I saw the deep blue sea, naturally, the deep blue sea stretching endlessly, somewhere on that infinite expanse of greenish-blue dye, a few pure white boats ferrying passengers back and forth, the rhythmic rowing of fishermen, and farther, farther away, the vastness of your eyes as they leaned on my shoulder. And I heard two hearts beating in unison, heard the gentle chirping of crickets as if singing, heard the coconut leaves rustling in the wind, and I heard, heard even the things that couldn't be said. Some memories can be named, to be told to you, but there are also memories that cannot be written into words, and it seems that it's those memories that always make me yearn for Davao.
Embarking on a rather arduous journey from Hanoi or Saigon with a layover in Manila makes the total travel time of over 10 hours, but what awaits there will make you reluctant to leave. It could be a bit dreamy to see the largest eagle in the world with a wingspan of over 2 meters, wishing you could soar freely like a bird in the sky. Or perhaps it's a fascinating curiosity when conversing with the colorful jeepney drivers or the elderly sitting on the porch in the late afternoon. It could also be the longing for the taste of the famous chocolate at Malagos Garden Resort or the moments of savoring the sweet fragrance of the unique jackfruit of this land.
Davao, peaceful and beautiful, you might be surprised because the Philippines is known as the land of storms. Every year, it faces dozens of furious acts of nature, but miraculously, Davao remains unscathed.
It is the towering Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, that gracefully curves and provides special protection for this southern land from countless dreadful winds, allowing the deep blue sea to stretch monotonously and the banana plantations to extend as far as the eye can see, yielding the freshest fruits. Moreover, if you're a durian enthusiast, I advise against going to Davao, because once you're here, you might not want to leave. Durian in Davao is the best in the Philippines and surprisingly affordable, during the season, it's only about 25 pesos, which is around 11,000 VND (0.5 USD) per kilogram. Don't eat durian here, you'll get addicted, like I did, abandoning dozens of other dishes after devouring two durians.
Until when will the boats stop setting sail? Until when will the feet of travelers halt? When the years of life have imprinted footprints on many new lands, meeting countless people, enjoying the golden sunshine, swimming in the vast blue sea, looking up, feeling nostalgic. Nostalgic for the moments that seemed immortal but turned ephemeral. Leaning against the mountain, on the calm blue sea, the small bungalow is like a self-written poem that makes everyone who comes here fall in love. I let my soul lead the way for the body, until the night falls, the golden lights cast down onto the calm sea, everything around is eerily quiet. It seems, this is the most wonderful moment of everyone's life when the unanswered questions like 'until when, the burdens of life will stop weighing on these shoulders?' All the fatigue, the worries, the hustle and bustle, the honking horns, the hurried footsteps to the office, all have been left behind, on the flights back and forth between the islands of the Philippines.
Only this moment remains, the moment where life is right here. It's the sea breeze gently caressing the skin, the hint of sweetness of wine akin to a first kiss, it's the recline on the sofa listening to the heartbeat within. Oh Davao, when will the dawn break? The night cannot hold on forever, sleep without dreams still seems insufficient for faraway travelers when visiting Samal. The sea glistens softly as if singing, tall coconut trees drop their sunflowers onto the pool, the sun gradually appears behind the mountains, a few other guests have set off to hike, explore caves, paddle kayaks, or dive. Samal is still often referred to as the Island Garden City of Samal to speak of the island's excellence with dozens of activities catering to every traveler's needs. You can stay in the houses of the islanders or in the luxurious bungalows of the beach resort that make everyone feel like they're wandering in the Maldives. Samal still doesn't have too many foreign tourists, everything here is still pristine, just like the open-heartedness of the islanders. They do tourism from the bottom of their hearts, neither rushing nor noisy, just as slow as the boats drifting outside.
I will also never forget the exceedingly ordinary images of the people here. On the colorful tricycle, the husband drives with sun-kissed skin, beside him is the wife carrying the baby, and behind them is the older brother with a backpack on his back. Both Davao in particular and the Philippines in general, the images couldn't be more genuine about the lives of the not-so-rich people.
You can chat with them very comfortably or try sitting on that special tricycle to feel what it's like to drive. Davao used to be notorious for killings, but now everything has completely changed, hardly anywhere else can the peace be so evident on every street corner, like here, on the ferries.
If you were to explore all of Davao, you'd probably need a few months, but if you only have a few days, then Samal is the top choice. It takes only about half an hour by boat or ferry to reach the beautiful little island nestled in the bay with nature and life blending together like two lovers. Will you dare, Samal? Will you dare to leave behind all the worries and plunge into the emerald waters for a swim, to admire the coral reefs like flower forests under the sea, to lean on my shoulder and watch the sunset slowly fall, to hold hands tightly on the sofa listening to the sea sing softly? Do you have enough courage to overlook the familiar tourist destinations in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore… to explore a new horizon – Davao? I am yearning for that land like each note gently resonating in the candlelight on the beach that year.
It would be impossible to fully articulate the memories, experiences, or emotions about the southernmost land of the Philippines because sometimes words are helpless when standing right there. Like the colors of the sea at dawn, can any camera or artist truly capture that magical moment, like the taste of durian or the sweet taste of freshly made chocolate, can anyone describe it accurately. It will likely be difficult, only when you take steps and open the door of your soul wide, then you can feel the wonders awaiting in Davao. Like me, in a beachfront bungalow, the corner candlelight blends with the scent of essential oils, a few crickets are softly chirping, I sit reading on the balcony chair and inadvertently fall asleep, so when I wake up abruptly, I hastily grab a small notebook to jot down a few lines…Davao…a bit of nostalgia…Samal…
W. INSIGHTS
VISA INFORMATION
The Philippines is one of the countries that allow Vietnamese tourists to enter without a visa. According to the Visa Exemption Agreement between Vietnam and the Philippines, you only need a passport valid for at least 6 months and you will be allowed a maximum stay of 21 days.
WEATHER
Davao has no hurricanes. This city enjoys good weather year-round, with an average temperature of 32°C and an average rainfall of 2,000mm per year.
TRANSPORTATION
>> Traveling to Davao
No direct flights from Vietnam to Davao, Philippines, so you will have to transit in another city before arriving here. Typically, people choose Philippine airlines like Phillipines Airlines, Cebu Pacific for connecting flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to the capital city of Manila in the Philippines, then continue flying to Davao.
>> Getting around in Davao
There are plenty of ways to get around in Davao. The most convenient option is still metered taxis. You can also opt for colorful Jeepneys at a cheaper price, very popular with locals. Besides, Davao also has other modes of transportation such as buses, water taxis, E-tricke electric tricycles, or you can rent self-driving cars to explore Davao on your own with an international driving license.
ACCOMMODATION
In Davao, you can choose to stay in budget guesthouses to luxury hotels and resorts. However, one of the best options in Davao in general and on Samal Island in particular is the Pearl Farm Beach Resort (Brgy Adecor, Kaputian Road – Samal – Kaputian, Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, north of Davao). The resort is nestled along the coastline amidst lush greenery. With excellent service and picturesque scenery, it promises to provide travelers with the most fulfilling Davao and Samal experiences.
CUISINE
Some dishes you should try when visiting Davao include grilled tuna, kinilaw na malasugu – a salad of fresh seafood with vinegar dressing, roasted pork – liempo served with rice, the unique Bola Bolang Pusong Saging banana blossom dish… Additionally, notable desserts include cassava cake and durian topped with cream, as well as various other fruits.
LOCAL DELICACIES
Durian and pomelo (similar to grapefruit) from Davao are incredibly aromatic and delicious, yet reasonably priced. Additionally, candies such as mango and durian candies are also popular choices for travelers to buy as gifts. And if you're a chocolate fan, you definitely can't miss the renowned Malagos chocolate here.
Posted by: Tan Pham
Keywords: Reminiscing Davao, Philippines
