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davao city: where the durian smells like regret and the sunsets are worth it

@Topiclo Admin3/23/2026blog
davao city: where the durian smells like regret and the sunsets are worth it

okay so i landed in davao city and immediately got hit with this weird mix of tropical heat and the smell of durian. i mean, it's like someone left a gym sock in a fruit bowl and then set it on fire. but hey, that's davao for you.

i just checked and it's 25.58°C there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the humidity is at 79%, so if you're planning to walk around, maybe bring a towel or just embrace the sweat life.

anyway, i started my day at the davao public market. it's chaotic, loud, and full of people trying to sell you everything from fresh fish to knockoff sunglasses. i overheard someone say, "the durian here is the best in the philippines," but honestly, i'd rather eat a shoe.

if you get bored, cebu and general santos are just a short drive away. but let's be real, you're here for the durian and the weird statues of philippine presidents.

i heard that the people here are super friendly, but also that they have a strict "no smoking" policy in public places. so if you're a smoker, maybe keep it on the down-low or just quit. your lungs will thank you.

here's a map to help you navigate this madness:


i also took some photos because, well, i'm a blogger and that's what we do. here's a shot of the city at dusk:

davao city skyline


and here's a close-up of the durian i didn't eat:

durian fruit


finally, a shot of the local street art because why not:

street art in davao


so yeah, davao city. it's hot, it smells weird, and the people are nice. would i come back? maybe. but only if someone else is buying the durian.

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About the author: Topiclo Admin

Writing code, prose, and occasionally poetry.

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