Davao City: Humidity, Halo-Halo, and Honestly, Just Trying to Chill
okay, so davao city. it’s…a lot. i landed a few days ago, and honestly, i’m still peeling myself off the pavement. not literally, though the humidity feels like it’s trying. i just checked and it's like being wrapped in a warm, damp towel right now, hope you're into that sort of thing. the air is thick enough to chew, seriously.
I’m a freelance photographer, and usually, I’m all about chasing the golden hour, but here? Golden hour is just…more warm. Everything is more warm. I’ve been mostly sticking to street photography, trying to capture the energy, which is…intense. People are moving. And they’re all carrying something - mangoes, chickens, enormous bags of rice. It’s a visual feast, honestly.
I’ve been staying near *People’s Park, which is…fine. It’s a park. It has a giant durian sculpture. Look, I’m not judging the durian, but it’s a statement. I overheard someone at a carinderia (those little local eateries - seriously, find one, the food is incredible) saying the durian sculpture is a curse. Apparently, a local artist refused to build it, and now his business is failing. Take that with a grain of salt, it was a pretty heated conversation fueled by a lot of rice and something that smelled suspiciously like tuba. You can find more about local attractions on TripAdvisor.
Speaking of food, halo-halo is my new obsession. It’s like a shaved ice party in your mouth. Sweet beans, fruit, leche flan…it’s glorious. I found a place near SM City Davao that makes it with ube ice cream. Ube everything, honestly. It’s a purple yam, and it’s taking over my life. I’m not mad about it. Check out Yelp for the best halo-halo spots.
My camera gear is getting a workout, but honestly, the humidity is a menace. I’m constantly wiping down the lenses. Pro-tip: bring silica gel packets. Like, a lot of them. Also, a good rain cover. It rains here. A lot. I’ve been using my Sony a7iii with a 35mm and a 50mm mostly, trying to keep things light. I also packed a drone, but I haven’t dared to fly it yet. The air feels too…sticky for drones. You can find some great camera gear at Henry's.
Someone told me that the traffic around Bajada is a nightmare during rush hour. Apparently, it’s a free-for-all. I haven’t ventured there yet, but I’m bracing myself. I heard that the best way to get around is by jeepney, but you need to be assertive. Like, really assertive. I’m still working up the courage.
If you get bored, Samal Island* is just a short ferry ride away. I haven’t been yet, but I’ve seen pictures of the beaches, and they look incredible. Apparently, there are some amazing dive spots there too. I’m thinking of checking it out next week. You can find more information about Samal Island on Philippine Travel Hub.
Oh, and the neighbors? They’re…loud. In a good way. There’s always karaoke going on somewhere. And roosters. So many roosters. It’s a constant soundtrack of life. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and it’s completely captivating. I’m exhausted, I’m sweaty, and I’m already planning my next halo-halo run. This place is growing on me, slowly but surely. I'm also checking out Davao Forums to see what's happening locally.
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