New perspective of the Phillippines on Mindanao

During New Year I spend a bit more than a week on the island of Mindanao, in the south of the Philippines. Together with Tes and Papa.
Mindanao is huge, we only saw the small areas around Davao, Malita and Samal Island.

In Malita we met parts of Tes' family, particularly the family of ate Menchie and kuya Mar who were taking care of us very kindly.
Davao City is a relaxed city which does not feel like a big city. There are only about 2 tall buildings, and only a hand-full buildings which are more than 2 storeys tall. The Peoples' Park impressed me with its size, cleanlyness and attractions. It invites to hang out with friends. In one thing Davao City is more advanced than Manila: The public ban of fireworks (particularly during New Year). This reduces the number of injuries, and makes it harder to fire guns as it would be heard and prosecuted immediately (unlike in Manila). It made me sad to read in the local news that two children had been killed by stray bullets in Manila on New Year's eve.

Davao City - seen from my hotel room at Marco Polo Hotel. In the background the island of Samal.

Tes and Mar

Our local transport: The pickup truck of kuya Mar

Our beach in Malita

The host family who maintains our beach. And Papa, Tes and me. I look so tall on this picture... :-p

Tes (right) with two of her sisters: Menchie (left) and Bernadette (center). In the background: Left is our house and right is the house of the host family.

During our little stroll through the back of Lacaron Beach, the terrain was so difficult and steep that everybody was struggling. This is the remembrance I took from that stroll.

The area of Malita seen from the hill side

One of the daughters of the host family.

The Pearl Farm Beach Resort on Samal Island. We just spent the last 2 nights there.