The Safe City Of Davao

Date Log: Oct 12-14

8 am - We proceeded to Butuan City Terminal for our trip to Davao City. We boarded the Bachelor Express and at around 8:50 am, the Bus departed left the terminal heading for the destination. I had a short conversation with the driver prior to departure and was told that the trip would be around 7 hours considering that we will be stopping on some terminals along the area.

As the bus rushed out from the city of Butuan, I could already see the green scenery along the side. I know its gonna be along trip but, the ride is very much comfortable and the view is very much relaxing.

The great thing is there isn't much passengers on the bus so we could freely use any available chairs on the bus.

We arrive at around 4 pm in the afternoon and were greeted by the friendly reception of the Galleria Hotel in the heart of the City. This is the second time that we have stayed in this hotel and are very much familiar with the place already. The hotel has been operating for 13 years already. It has a small swimming pool in the ground floor and a restaurant just beside the pool.

After a very restful evening, we are very much ready for our course.But of course, my day would not start without a cup of coffee.. So I woke up early and ordered brewed coffee from the restaurant. Great to start the day with some information about whats happening all around. Well, this is life, truly a working vacation. On the background is the far end of the pool. Its not that big but it's definitely great to dip in most especially if you want to work out some muscles or just plainly want to relax.

Once again the venue was in Brokenshire College Bahay Alumni Building. The building is located inside the compound of Brokenshire College. As we arrive at the site, a big streamer caught my attention....

On left is the Bahay Alumni Building where our First aid and Health Care Provider CPR course was held. A total of 53 participants joined our training and it was again another successful event so and so that the coordinator informed us that another group is ready for another round of training. Well, it looks like were going back to Davao once again......


But just before leaving the City of Davao, we visited our favorite dining place once again. The "Glamour" (eat all you crab) restaurant. It just a few meters from Galeria Hotel and all we need to do is walk to the area. It was great that there was still some tables and chairs available when we arrive considering that when we first went to the place, we were on the waiting list....

The restaurant does not offer just crab but a variety of different dishes. But of course the star of the table is my favorite dish... Just take a look at the picture below and you will find out why....


Perhaps i should do more exercise... someone told me to be careful with my blood pressure. Well, I guess I need to look for a good place to jog... Anyway, see you all on my next post as we travel to the city of Friendship... Cagayan De Oro City....

Butuan and More....

Date Log: October 7-10, 2010

Oct 7 - 7:30 in the evening my partner and I boarded Cebu Ferries, bound for Nasipit. The boat travels from Cebu to Butuan every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. You can also ride this boat if you would like to go to Surigao considering that it will drop by Surigao City around 2am.

Oct 8 – 8:00am the boat arrive in the port of Nasipit and from their we boarded a tricycle heading for the terminal where we can ride for the city proper of Butuan. (People heading for Davao can also take ride from these terminal since a bus headed for Davao is stationed there and departs every hour).

Upon arrival in Butuan City, we proceeded directly to our training. The course was held at the Caraga Review Center (CPR). A total of 20 participants joined our program and their center is right along the highway. What greet us right away was the streamer hanged on the building where the Review Center in Located....

We were also met by Mr. Anthony Coralde, the training coordinator of the review center. Well we did have an interesting day since the participants were very much in good spirit and all of them enjoyed the lectures. A total of 20 participants joined our training including the training coordinator himself. The first day was devoted to lectures on First aid, Bandaging application and return demonstration. Well it was a tiring day since we have just arrived from Cebu and went directly for the lecture.

After the first day of lecture, we proceeded to our place of stay....We proceeded to our humble abode... "Dotties Hotel". The hotel was just beside the review center and all we need to do is just walk. It is very easy to locate since it is along the highway as you proceed to the heart of the city. This was the first time that we stayed in this hotel. As we went inside, I was awed as to how big the hotel is...

The reception and hallway is big enough that you could probably jog around and play basketball. It makes me think of perhaps doing a short jog to exercise my body. Upon entering my room, well, jogging was already out of my mind. I feel like lying in bed considering that the room is so nice. Wifi is also available in each room. So, there I am, I mean there we are enjoying the comforts of life as if nothing really matters at all.

Out rooms were spacious and the amenities were awesome. But what strike me most was the view from my room. Our room was at the second floor and every time I go out of the room what captivates me was the view from where I stand... I could not help but pause and think... I try to memorize the view so I could remember them when I would want to relax... You want to know why... Just look at it yourself...

This is how the view looks like as I go out from my room…. Amazing.. feels like a vacation already… The next thing on my mind is grab a glass of orange juice and positioned myself on one of the benches near the pool... Well I guess my working vacation has started already....

Day two and Day three ended without any problem. We ended the course with the practical activities on CPR return demonstration and Intubation. A couple of picture taking and a group picture. Truly indeed it was worth the travel....All the participants had fun and much learning as they told us. The CPR review center gave is a Certificate of Appreciation for the training that we have provided and it looks like there will be coming back for another round of training later on, sponsored by the review center....

News Update: My buddy Leo Gonzales, arrested in Butuan City an was imprisoned on a bus...

Hahahaha, just joking. He was just making a funny expression as I was taking pictures in Butuan Terminal. I was told that the travel time would be around 6 to 7 hours by bus as we head to the City of Davao... So stay tuned on my next update for our Davao Experience....

The Working Vacation Log....

My apologies for the long absence. Let’s just say that I was quite busy with life and most often the internet was not on my side. Well, I was busy working. I think most of you by now know that I conduct training and with it, I travel a lot. Well, here I am again. I am posting back to keep you updated. I have also decided to put a little twist on my journal as it seems quite boring just to read the training and see the participants.

I will be adding more on the journal the places, destinations as well as landmarks and tourist attractions on the area hoping to guide other people as they travel. I am also doing this to keep up a promise to “S”…. The very person who made me realize that life is not just about waking up and sleeping, there is more to it, more than what the eyes can see, and more than what the ears can hear... life is actually what you want it to be... to make it worth living... So join me as I take you to my "working vacation"......