I almost missed my flight to Davao. I was so excited the night before, I could hardly sleep and woke up late. Though I was going on business, it would be the first time I would ride a plane since my last trip back in Grade 6, more than a dozen years ago.

          So instead of sleeping through the hour-and-a-half plane ride, I started taking pictures of clouds.

          When we landed, I checked into the hotel and quickly headed out to do business. I had time left over to buy a few kilos of pomelo and durian for my mom. I had to leave them all outside the hotel because it was forbidden to bring the smelly fruit inside.

Cheap, tasty, fresh

          For dinner, we decided to hit Afhat near Victoria Mall for the cheapest, freshest and tastiest seafood in Davao. OMG! Talk about forgetting one’s diet. The food was delightful. Then, it was off to Jack’s Ridge for a few beers with out Sales Team. It is quite similar to Antipolo’s Cloud 9.

          The next day, I was due back home but it was such a shame to leave Davao for the chokehold of work back in Manila that I decided to do something for myself.

          Luckily, I had time to kill so I managed to squeeze in three hours to check out the beach my colleagues had told me about and the animal park that TV Patrol featured a few months back.

Forget the iPod

          I took a cab to Sasa where the ferry to Paradise Island was docked. Of course, I wanted to visit Pearl Farm but I didn’t have enough time. But I was happy to spend just a few bucks to get to less upscale but admirable Paradise Island. Big frightening waves said hello to me as I took the 10-minute ferry ride to the island.

          The entrance fee was P90 per person on a day trip. I could’ve argued getting in for free since I planned to stay for just an hour but what the heck. I sat near the shore to take some pictures. It was just what I needed – a bit of serenity made more soothing by the sound of the waves. I even forgot to plug myself into my iPod. I left after an hour so I would have enough time to pack my bag.

          With an extra hour to kill, I decided to take the seven-kilometre ride from the hotel to Davao Crocodile Park. It is an isolated park located near the River Front Hotel. Tourists and locals need a vehicle to reach the place. The entrance fee for kids and adults are P50 and P100 respectively.

Birds in a crocodile farm

          It was as marvelous as my memory of the TV feature. Colorful birds – macaws, parrots, lovebirds and even eagles – were greeted me at the entrance. Some were in cages, some were tied to birdhouses. Some fretted wildly for being locked in cages while some went about their courtship rituals. The ostrich was isolated in its own barnyard however and did not want people taking its photo up close.

          As I walked toward the middle of the park, the number of crocodile pens startled me. So did the variety. They came in all sizes. And they stared at guests, making me imagine what those razor sharp teeth could do.

          But my timing was perfect because it was feeding time. The crocodile keeper, their Steve Irwin if you will, explained to me that the crocs are fed twice a week in amounts that equal 5% of the crocodile’s body mass. This morning, the crocs had masses of chopped hogs on their menu.

Feeding frenzy

          The bigger crocodiles live in an enclosed pond and garden area. The feeders tossed the pig over the fence and a chunky 18-foot croc with massive teeth jumped out of the water to catch its meal. This agitated the other crocs in the pen as they swarmed around the carcass and fought for their share. It was a shocking sight. But I was just as curious about the rest who remained glued to where they were, unmindful of the chaos nearby.

          A feeder went into the cage of the smaller crocs to personally hand out their food. I was a little unnerved myself and thought that even smaller crocs have jaws of steel. But it turned out to be a show for visitors.

          The rest of my stroll around the farm got me re-acquainted with the thrill of grade school field trips. I saw peacocks, turkeys, hornbills and even boas and cobras that both amazed and freaked me out.

          Not bad for a three-hour breather, I thought and began planning my next trip to Davao where trips to the Pearl Farm and Butterfly Farm would be in my agenda. As well as gaining five more pounds by eating my fill of durian and seafood.

          Short and sweet got me back on my feet and did wonders in loosening the chokehold of work.