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