| There are holidays and there are holidays. | | | | shopping centers with their budget prices. |
| Some people are happy to go to the same old | | | | Shopping is so much fun when you can get a |
| place every year because they are comfortable | | | | pair of shoes or a nice shirt for a few |
| there. It is not too dangerous and it can be | | | | dollars. And the best part of course is the |
| fun sometimes. Others want to get away to | | | | local people. Go into a shop there and you |
| every exotic place they can find and do it | | | | are a sir or a maam. Walk the streets and you |
| all and see it all. Trouble is you are | | | | will bombarded with the local smiles, all |
| usually doing it all and seeing it all with | | | | wide and genuine. For a people with very |
| busloads of other tourists with the same | | | | little money and basic comforts of life they |
| interests. That is ok if you like that sort | | | | are always so happy and relaxed and will just |
| of thing but what about getting away on your | | | | love you because you are you and a little bit |
| own and doing and seeing something where | | | | different. School kids will come up to you on |
| there is just you and the locals.Imagine | | | | the street and offer a high five. Truckies |
| being in an interesting place with a | | | | going past will still call out, 'hey Joe' and |
| fascinating culture with no other tourists | | | | wave and make you feel a little special.There |
| about to clutter the landscape. Imagine how | | | | are always the sad things too like the dirty, |
| you could really soak up the atmosphere and | | | | hungry kids begging for a meal and the same |
| enjoy the unspoilt culture. Are there any | | | | in some adults who are caught short of |
| such places still left that are safe to go | | | | something and need a loan. They always make |
| to. Where there are no major terrorist | | | | it a loan and have the intention to repay it |
| attacks or major crime waves. Where there are | | | | but will never be able to. But just to see a |
| comfortable and cheap hotels to stay in while | | | | people so happy in their poverty is a treat |
| enjoying a fascinating culture and all on a | | | | to enjoy. You will marvel at the tall glass |
| shoestring budget.This sounds amazing. Where | | | | high rise with the lean-to shack alongside. |
| are we and why havn't we heard of this | | | | Davao seems to be a modern city built amongst |
| before. Well once I tell you you better get | | | | the poverty of the past with both cultures |
| there quick before everyone else hears about | | | | mingling with each other in a fascinating mix |
| it too. I am talking about Davao City, the | | | | of old and new.Just to cross the street there |
| southern capital of the amazing Philippines. | | | | will have you in stitches as will a taxi ride |
| I only found it because my wife found me and | | | | as there doesn't seem to be any road rules. |
| I went there to get married. Now I can't wait | | | | After three months there I was still |
| to get back there and live permenently as | | | | fascinated by the travel systems. You will |
| lots of other x-pats have done. Don't worry, | | | | ride a jeepnee and tricycle as well as taxis |
| you don't see them about much so they don't | | | | and a mixture of other home made styles of |
| spoil the landscape.Davao is an amazing | | | | transport. You will buy your food fresh from |
| place. It is the largest city in the world in | | | | the street vendor each day. That very day's |
| area with a population of about 1.5 mill. It | | | | catch, fresh and so cheap. You will see |
| is on the coast of the Davao Gulf and very | | | | beaches of white sand and beaches of black |
| sheltered so there is no violent weather | | | | sand. You will come across lots of squatter |
| extremes with the temperature a lovely 30 all | | | | settlements and see people bathing in a tub |
| year round.Davao used to be the most lawless | | | | in the front yard. There will be cocks |
| city in the Philippines but has had an | | | | tethered there ready for the cock fights on |
| amazing turn around with the best police | | | | Saturday. There will be a small pig roasting |
| force in the country and has been constantly | | | | over an open fire in the front yard and lots |
| in the top 10 most livable Asian cities. You | | | | of dogs roaming around. Scores of little kids |
| can even drink the water straight from the | | | | with cheeky grins will come up and take your |
| tap, buy a large bottle of coke for 20 cents | | | | hand and touch it to there forehead, a sign |
| to go with your local bottle of rum, very | | | | of respect. |
| smooth, for $2.00. MacDonalds will cost you | | | | |
| about $1.00 for a meal and the best 5 star | | | | There is just so much to experience. If you |
| restaurant dining only will set you back $10 | | | | want a holiday with a difference and one you |
| 20 for a top meal.Hotels there are not | | | | will remember for a long time, check out |
| expensive and there is heaps to do and see. | | | | Davao City Philippines. Might see you there |
| That is if you can get out of the large | | | | one day.. |