Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

I don't recall ever seeing any info about this city, but I'm here now, just arrived last night.

It's about a half million people living here. Downtown has a plaza and it leads right to a rather large university - Xavier University.

I just took a 15-minute taxi ride that cost US$1 where I arrived at SM MALL. The trip here went through some lush green foilage and overlooks the city. This city appears very green!

Strangely the SM Mall has a used bookstore of all things. I've never seen any mall in my life that had a used bookstore before. Does that mean that shops are cheap here? I don't know. Also all the other stuff here, that you'd expect.

Just arrived last night, and will probably leave for Camiguin Island tomorrow. But that's my brief impression...

[Tiger Beer]

The other thing to add about this city is I've definetely got the most stares and the most 'hey joe' out of anywhere in the Philippines.

'where you going, hey joe, where you going' is a very very popular phase in this city.

If it wasn't for that major annoyance, the city itself is kinda interesting to me. Plusses would be that it does seem to be a major college town, with tons of young people everywhere, plus very gorgeous mountaineous area. Incredible canyons and scenery around this area of northern Mindanao. If it wasn't for the annoying 'hey joe' stuff everywhere I walk, and the constant staring, I'd probably rank it higher as a place I'd like to explore more.

Anyways, tomorrow morning, I'll move on to Camiguin Island.

[I-am-me]

Are you traveling alone? How much money do you have for a ransom? Lol.

[I-am-me]

Another thread?

[ttompatz]

[Tiger Beer]

I'm with my Filipina-American wife who grew up in Mindanao.

By the way, I also feel incredibly safe here in Mindanao, significantly safer than say Manila or anywhere in Luzon for that matter.

Years ago, I traveled around South America by bus, and there were constant military checks and weird feelings from it, etc. Here in Mindanao, I don't get any of that vibe whatsoever that I got in South America. I'd echo ttompatz with the Zamboanga area, to avoid that area. But over here from General Santos to Davao to Cagayan de Oro, I didn't have any negative vibe whatsoever, and particularly on these nice air-conditioned non-stop buses.

I'd also have to say that the mountains, canyons, all kinds of various fruits and palm trees are quite gorgeous in Mindanao. Maybe some of the most beautiful landscape I've seen in all of Southeast Asia combined by far.

[I-am-me]

Make sure you take the boat out to the white sand bar. Its nice to snorkle out there. I heard you can also rent scooters now. That might be a great way to get around. The road there was really nice. If I get back there I might try to find a cycle shop. No heavy traffic whatsoever. I also liked seeing the old japanese houses.