Skinmode Tattoo Shop Davao

Saw this tattoo signage in front of Ateneo de Davao University some time ago and since then I've been eyeing to drop by and inquire. Initially, I just wanted to ask for their price range but I ended up getting inked. Well, I've been wanting to get a new one anyway and must say it was all worth it.

The shop has a mini "shop" on its first floor that sells tattoo shiz and other useful accessories like earrings, colourful shoe laces, piercings stuff, rasta inspired bracelets and so on. They have a vast collection of skulls and war figures which was really cool and the place was neat and really artsy. My dad was with me when I went there and he really had fun browsing through what they were selling. They're also selling imitation athlete brand bags :D

I already had the design in mind before I went in that night. Luckily the artist turned it into reality. He's second generation of artist in his family. His father is the main artist of the shop but he and his younger brother has started practicing as well. He's only 18 and had been tattooing for three years and I must say he really has gentle hands. No trace of blood on my new ink. All clean and it's already healed by now. Prolly be going back when I'm in town.

PS Self shots were taken after I got ink when I got home. See how neatly it was done. No trace of blood or scarring or messy ink trace. Really awesome kid. Offered to give me a free full back tattoo - I would but I won't :) It would probably hurt like nuts.

For more infos, kindly check the photo below. Look for Bruno aka Jun (pronounced as John) if you want to get an ink :)

Waterfront Davao

At the heart of Davao city lies The Waterfront Insular Hotel that is adjacent to the famous Samal Island. It was my first time to visit the place and check out the food. Here are a few photos.

Since it is a resort, the lobby area and the restaurant are open air spaces.

The food on the menu that we tried out. Prices ranged from 200php to 1000php. If you noticed, it's mostly pizza because the restaurant was an Italian and pizza and pastas were their specialities. Taste was so so, very traditional when it comes to ingredients but I love the pizza crusts that were thinly created. Must be proud, their chefs were Filipinos.

The famous Mango Shake, to which the Philippines is known for.

The area is surrounded by coconut trees which should be because it is fronting the sea, the name Waterfront literally applies to this hotel. It is very different from their branch in Cebu. Waterfront Cebu is more elegant and the restaurants are far more creative when it comes to services and food presentations. 

If you're curious as to how The Waterfront Cebu looks like, check this: 

http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/waterfront/waterfront-cebu-city-hotels-casino/

Banana Beach

At the heart of Tagum City in Davao Del Norte, lies a beach within an old banana plantation thus the name "Banana Beach" came to life.

First to experience a different twist on the usual white sand beaches that people world wide are used to - less chaos and uber relaxing area. Not to mention, they have their own mini forest where you can tour around and experience a little bit of the jungle with the monkeys and wild boars. Walk on their hanging bridges or simply feed on pieces or just relax and unwind on their mini lakes or by the shore. Almost everything is there.

Entrance and lobby area. The place is too huge that you need to have your own ride or ride their cart to go to the pool - beach and restaurant bar area. Room rate is quite expensive. Starts at around 100usd (good for two people) and add on person is at 15usd. We didn't do an overnight because it wasn't wise enough.

Ceiling fan on the cottage that we rented. Sorry forgot to take a photo of our rent but it was really nice. It had foamed chairs and a table and some pillows. Kinda like a Japanese inspired thing but more on western - european - mediterranean thing.

It was low tide when we came so there wasn't much sea to catch or indulge on. The sands aren't your typical white, it's semi black almost like the ones near my home in Cebu :)

Essentials :)

My Dad

The famous Durian - Davao's National Fruit :)

The food were OK but it takes forever for them to be delivered on our table. Prolly an hour or so. So you have to make sure to order everything you need. Price ranged from around 100php to 650php.

Photo with my dear cousin Christian who had his hair bleached and stuff for summer. :D

A great experience but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. I want to check out their rooms one day and join the tour around their mini jungle - it costs around 7usd per person. We didn't have much time when we went there, maybe next time. :)

It is an hour and half ride from Davao City. Depends on the mode of traffic. I think the advantage of this place from the other resorts in Davao is that - it's very quite - solemn and uncrowded. 

PS Entrance is consumable, meaning you can order food and drinks with it but have to pay for excesses on the bill ;)

Manila China Town

I've been into seven countries and in each of them even though three of which were dominated by Chinese - they still have China Town. And the Philippines is of no exception. 

I wrote an entry about the Kalesa tour I had with my father while I was in Manila and part of the tour was an intoxicating and fascinating tour around Manila's China Town. And I have to admit, it blew me off my feet because it literally felt like I was not in my own country but in China. Damn.

The famous strip of Manila Bay :) It's such a wonderful feel to be watching the sun set from this area.

Statue of Dr. Jose Rizal. Luneta Park/ Rizal Park

Statue of the late Action King Fernando Poe Jr.

Entering Intramuros, traffic started it's course already. If there's one thing that I so hate about Manila - it's the crazy traffic during peak hours which starts around 4p 'til 9p. Depends solely on the area though. Edsa is the deadliest during these times :D

Oldies branch of Max Fried Chicken. I've dined in here with my good friend Eunice some time ago when I went with her for her Cruise work processing. Pretty cool to think that it still stands up to now - Spanish era meen :D Define ANCIENT again :D

Old ruins and foreigner offices still stands and are preserved according to how they exactly looked in the past. And yes! some of the security personnels still wears the traditional "guwardiya sibil" outfit. Wish I had the chance to take a photo with them but time was gold when it comes to business with the Kalesa thing.

The Manila Cathedral. Would you believe, that I haven't step foot inside this church yet? Yes! I've been coming back and forth in Manila but never had I went inside the oldest church that still stand today. Probably one day when I'm with that special someone, I will.

To make it easier, each important building and sight in this area comes with a brief historical background about that era that came to be.

Pasig River. Best known for being a dirty river in the past but look at it now. All cleaned and serene. Thank you to all the good citizens and environmentalist people who voiced out their concerns and helped restore the river. There's also a river tour but I haven't tried it yet, maybe next time :)

Welcome to China Town! As you can see, it's like you're not in the Philippines. I mean with all the Chinese signage going around and stores and lanterns - it was like China but with an overflowing amount of cars and stuff. China Town is one of the oldest trading center in my country. People who live here are mixed. Pure Chinese, Filipino-Chinese, Filipino and some other foreign nationalities. 

What amazes me is the simple fact that, I am forever awed by Chinese businessmen. They are so keen and are so into their ventures and investment that you see the owners themselves talking to customers and shiz. Anyhow, I had fun during our 2 hour Kalesa Ride/Tour but next time, I'd love to just walk around the area and check out the stores. 

BTW, if you noticed, within China Town, there's a Catholic church that's also old. Filipino-Chinese in the Philippines are mostly Buddhist but some of them are pure Catholics as well. The Philippines is basically the only Catholic country in Asia. I mean, there are other religions in the archipelago but, it's mostly consists of Catholics.