Sychar Garden Hotel Davao

Text and Images by Ronald de Jong<br><br> Davao is often dubbed as the window to the island of Mindanao, an inviting city that will surprise its visitors and raise one's curiosity. The city's name is derived from the word "baba-daba", which originates from rituals that were carried out before a tribal war was started and from the images of fire-breathing mythical figures that were used in these rituals.<br><br>The cultural diversity is more present in ...

... at what other people were doing and looked out the window. <br><br>Then we arrived back in Manila and drove to Richmond Hotel again. We were on the same floor and the first bedroom we stayed when we first arrived in the Philippines. Dad liked that room the best. We went to the Korean restaurant again and had the same thing. Then we went home I was very tired and sunburned.

... with a machine gun at the entrance. It was fancier than Richmond Hotel. We took the elevators to our level 12. Dad told us that there was an outdoor swimming pool. Our room had one queen sized bed and one single bed. There was a TV and a table but no free internet. Dad went to work and I and Michelle watched TV. <br><br>Later we went for lunch at one of the restaurants in the hotel. I and Michelle had a hamburger with chips and ...

... The Filipinos are extremely hospitable fun loving people and my time with John and his family ...

... Iligan to Ozamis City. Day 5 we headed to Dakak. The route was such an adventure. Dakak was likewise beautiful. There were lots of tourists that time but we still enjoyed the beach as it was not that crowded. Day 6 we headed back to Manila. It was hard to leave such wonderful place. I can't wait for my next adventure.

... completely different place and didn't really get to know my cousins who grew up here. But after just a few hours together, I think we recognized that we indeed had much in common... we are YAOs, after all!!! =D The morning of my birthday had me crying... tears of happiness, mind you! Ate Annie, Kuya Louis and Auntie Charito and I were sitting at the table for breakfast and Ate said a prayer asking God to bless our food and the hands of those who ...

... than in it's bigger cousin, Manila. However, the drivers are just as bad. Thought we'd crash a few times on the way from the airport, but somehow I got to my hotel in one piece. There's a few different hotels worthy in Davao, and usually a lot better value than Manila. I'm staying at the Hotel Galleria for a few days... friendly staff, clean rooms ...

... had to be done by hand. We were in the overflowing departure lounge by about 15:15 with a few minutes to spare before boarding. All the flights were being delayed, most multiple times. Ours was no exception. The flight was delayed and then delayed again. We finally left over two hours late, in a driving rain. The flight was very turbulent; we flew though lots of weather on the 90 minute flight to Davao. Marjolaine doesn't like turbulence. At all. We arrived in ...

... Then we had lunch. The food was good. After lunch the girls played at the Vista Park playground while the boys played basketball. All the kids had fun riding the "Indiana Jones" ride. They had a blast. Then we hang out at the pool. Our last days in Davao, we stayed at the Marco Polo Hotel. For some reason, I found the room smaller than we're used to in the US. The place was beautiful. We enjoyed our complimentary breakfast at the Continental Club ...

... a bit of a mission! At the moment I'm just putting in all the pictures I took in the last 6 years and step by step I will add the stories behind it. It might take me a while, but hopefully I will finish it soon. For now I'm in Africa and I'm trying to keep this travel log updated correctly. Hope you all having fun and enjoying your life and your travelling as much as I do! Take care Cyril (Alone)