Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

Well, I still like Cebu.

BUT, DAMN, I'm in Davao now and this is a damn cool city! It was recently ranked as one of the best cities of southeast asia for living, and now I really believe that.

It's about twice as big as Cebu for one, and Davao is an incredibly safe city. If you take taxis from major hotels, the airport, the casino or wherever, someone writes down the numbers on a slip of paper to report the driver if any problem whatsoever. Every driver gives me my exact change back everytime as well.

They also built a park called 'the People's Park' which is definetely one of the cooler urban city parks I've ever seen in quite awhile. Absolutely amazing at nighttime. All lit up, and you go through a couple guards to get into this city park, which basically eliminates all the riff-raff.

Bars and restaurants are all over the place in Davao, of all kinds of different scales. I don't find the in-your-face sex like Manila or Cebu, but Davao like all cities in the Philippines has that too I'm sure, it's just a relief to see a lot of normality everywhere which predominates everything instead.

Best yet for me, they have a Hold'em Poker tournament everyday at 6pm at the Filipino Casino. Nice!

Tomorrow, I'm gonna check out Samal Island and another island that are a short ferry boat ride away from Davao. If those beaches are kinda cool in any sort of way whatsoever, then Davao might be my regular future destination to always visit for a long time to come.

(NOTE: I visited here for one day once about 3 years ago, and had a real good vibe from it then, but exploring a lot more now, and seeing a lot more, and I'm really impressed!)

[I-am-me]

[Tiger Beer]

What's at Eden Gardens?

Today was a hangout in Davao day. Did some much needed errands (visa extension, ship some stuff, gonna see a movie).

Tomorrow might go check out Samal Island. Might check out that other island as well with Isle Reta (spelling?)

How are those beaches? Is there much out there in the evenings? Any live music or restaurants that are open after dark and such? I guess we'll find out soon.

By the way, I-am-me, Davao seems like a good place to get a home! Good feel here. Probably the best overall feeling I've gotten from any city in the Philippines so far - and I've made it to quite a few of them already - Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, Cebu, General Santos. I think Davao seems most liveable of all of them. Although a week ago, I would have said only Cebu seemed liveable. Now though, Davao seems even more liveable.

[I-am-me]

Isla Reta has a small beach area with some simple huts for sleeping. Its very peaceful. Not really a party atmosphere with bars. Eden Gardens has some nature trails. Lot of beautiful scenic views. Its worth a day trip and have dinner there. Damn....I wish I were there!!!!

[Tiger Beer]

If anyone does a search later for this thread, and are looking for a good place to stay...I cannot recommend enough:

BAGOBO HOUSE HOTEL
Gov. Duterte Street
DAVAO CITY

Incredibly centrally located, and it's a brand new hotel, so its clean and everything else. 900 pesos a night. I seldom if ever recommend hotels, because there are so few I actually think I'd return to or worth recommending, but this is one I definetely will.

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Across the street is NULL NETXPRESS INTERNET CAFE. They have 2-300 internet computers each of them in your own private cubicle and it's 24 hours. It's next to 'Space Burger'. (13 pesos/hour or 300 won/hour). Very fast connection, and huge quiet cubicles separating each computer from every other.

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While there are countless restaurants, maybe 40 within a 5 five minute walk from the hotel, and a few bars, there is also the People's Park, very cool at night, and the Giasano Mall with several cinema movies playing 2,000 won equivalent to see a movie here.

In other words, this hotel is a great location, if someone were traveling around the Philippines, and just wanted a huge fill of urban things to do - restaurants, bars, movie theater, etc. This hotel in this city would be a great place to do this at.

[Yaya]

Asian Spirit has direct flights to Davao from Incheon, but it's a bit pricey at 600,000 won. Still, I'm dying to try that city since I'm exploring a way to do biz in the Phils.

[Tiger Beer]

I went to SAMAL ISLAND there (just across the way from Davao). There are a lot of resorts there.

We chose PARADISE. They told us the standard rooms were already occupied, and all that had left was the premium rooms at 2800 pesos. We agreed, and then found out later there were plenty of standard rooms available.

Apparently they give them as an option to Filipinos, but they are doing construction near them, so don't really want anyone staying there. To all the foreigners, it's only the highest priced premium rooms available! The resort was nice, but I wouldn't stay overnight again. There isn't and access to food or water after 10 or 11pm. So if you like to stay up late like me, you'll be bored!

They do have a day pass to the resort at 90 pesos. Plus you can take a 15-minute ferry over from Davao. Much better to just make a day trip out of it, and stay in Davao (unless you are someone who really does go to bed at 10pm and wake up at 6:30am, then it might be ideal).

The plus of the resorts and Davao is that you can go to the beach during the day, and be back in the city at night (if you are like me and like both beaches and cities).

[I-am-me]

Keep it in one thread. More convienient.

[big_blue_21]

[I-am-me]

housing prices have shot up. You can probably find a nice house for about $80,000. Renting one might run about $200 a month. http://www.davaosale.com/main7895157/viewforum.php?f=13

[Tiger Beer]

[Kenny Kimchee]

Any decent scuba diving down there?

[big_blue_21]

[I-am-me]

[Tiger Beer]