Davao City Series: Shrine Hills

Shrine Hills (Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague) is a serene destination in Davao City. It is ideal for religious people and those seeking a little quiet time to meditate or contemplate.

The shrine is located at a hilly part of Davao City so visitors get a good view of the city. Lush trees and manicured grass add to the charm of the place and ensure a steady supply of fresh air.

Davao City Series: People's Park

People's Park is one of the most popular destinations in Davao City for tourists and visitors alike.

The entrance has a dome with spikes, inspired by Davao's famous fruit: durian.

Davao City Series: Walk n' Water Ball Park

Walk n' Water Ball Park, like Zorv Park, is located in the Crocodile Park compound in Davao City. Here, you are also inside a giant ball, but instead of rolling downhill, you play in a pond.

First, you are asked to remove your shoes then get inside a deflated translucent ball through a big zipper. Air is then pumped to inflate the ball.

Davao City Series: Tumbling Inside a Giant Ball at Davao Zorv Park

Crocodile Park is one of the popular tourist destinations in Davao City. However, we were a bit short on time and the place sounded similar to Zoobic Safari in Subic so we decided to just skip the zoo and head straight to two other attractions located in the Crocodile Park compound: Davao Zorv Park and Walk n' Water Ball Park.

Zorbing (also called sphereing, orbing or globe riding) involves being strapped inside a giant ball which is then rolled down a gentle slope.

Davao City Series: Davao Baywalk and Park

Davao Baywalk and Park is known by several names: Baywalk, Seawalk, Seawall (or Sea Wall), David's Edge or Queensland Park. We went on a Saturday morning and were glad to see that only a handful of people were there.

In the park is an enclosure that houses several ostriches. There are also several interesting statues, the most prominent of which is the huge golden replica of the famous sculpture David by Michelangelo.

Davao City Series: Partoza Durian Farms

After zorbing and trying (and failing) to walk on water, we proceeded to the Partoza Durian Farms. Agro-tourism, yeah! The farm is a 45min drive from the Crocodile Park compound.

One important thing if you're planning to visit the Partoza Durian Farms: appointment is a must. Contact them at least two days before your visit. Because lunch and snacks were available, I initially thought that we could just waltz right in, just like in most restaurants and parks. Good thing we bothered to ask two days before if a reservation was required.

Davao City Series: D’ Bone Collector Museum is an Exotic and Educational Place

D'Bone Collector Museum is a relatively new educational wildlife museum in Davao City. In a way, it is like a zoo, since it showcases animals, but the twist is that the featured animals are all dead: bones, shells, teeth. There are some preserved animals and animal replicas as well.

The ground floor houses a few displays, some framed information about the museum, and a small souvenir shop. The bulk of the displays are on the upper floors.

There are skulls and skeletons of birds and land animals such as horses, dogs, and goats.

Davao City Series: Lon Wa Buddhist Temple

Lon Wa Temple (aka Long Hua Temple) is a beautiful Buddhist temple in Davao City. It is one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the Philippines and is the biggest one in Mindanao. It is located along J.P. Cabaguio Avenue in Agdao District.

  

Davao City Series: Mamma Maria's Pizzeria

Mamma Maria's Pizzeria is one of the restaurants on the ground floor of the Courtview Inn building, along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City.

This pizza place serves pasta and more than 20 kinds of pizza. The pizzas come in five sizes: single (8"), regular (11", good for 2-3 people), family (15", good for 4-6 people), XL family (21", good for 8-10 people), and XXL party (30", good for 12-14 people). So no matter what your preferred toppings are or how big (or small) your group is, there is something here for you.

Davao City Series: Courtview Inn

Courtview Inn is a relatively new (built in July 2012) two-star hotel in Davao City.

First Impressions

I found out about Court View Inn through Agoda. It got into my shortlist because it fitted our budget and because its retrofuturistic-looking lobby appealed to me (yeah, priorities).