March 24th 2015 Journey from Davao City to Penaplata, Samal

Here is Samal Island. You can barely see it but it is just to the east of Davao City.

Waiting for the Island City Express bus on Quezon Boulevard right in front of Magsaysay Park. It is the white bus just pulling up.

Waiting for the vehicles to drive off before we board.

There is only one entrance/exit on Philippine boats so we drive on and turn around on the boat.

Going to Punta Del Sol Beach Resorts I was told to get off here at Central Warehouse and grab a tricycle. This guy driving over waving at me would become my driver out of the 5 I had to choose from.

He drove over and agreed to drive me for 40 pesos to the Punta Del Sol Beach resorts and when I asked him where to put my luggage he says "Right here". No problem, lets go!

After a 6 minute ride we arrive at the Punta Del Sol Beach resorts.

In the morning I grabbed a taxi and went to Magsaysay Park and the taxi driver told me where the Samal Bus usually picks people up along Quezon Boulevard right in front of Magsaysay Park. 10 minutes later the white Island City Express bus pulls up and I get in and it takes 20 minutes to get to the ferry terminal. The ferry ride from Davao over to Samal would normally take only 5 minutes but we had to stay out at sea for 10 extra minutes waiting for the other ferry to leave Samal boat terminal. 

From the ferry terminal it was another 30 minute drive to reach the Central Warehouse in Peneplata where I got off at. Lots of motorbike riders wanting my business and the email from the resort the day before had told me it was a 20-25 peso tricycle ride from Central Warehouse to the Punta Del Sol Beach Resort. The first price was 100 pesos then I hear 60 pesos and I have about 5-6 motorcycle drivers huddled around me and I tell them the price I was quoted from the resort for the ride (25 oesos) but said I would pay 40 pesos (because I am a very generous man :)). One tricycle driver shakes his head adamantly indicating there was no way he would drive me for that but a guy on a motorcycle said he would take me and I said "There is no way I can get my luggage on your bike" and he says "Sure there is, just pass it here" and he puts it in front of him with the top of the luggage reaching his chin (See photo) so I laughed and took a picture, as here was a guy who really wanted my business for 40 pesos. The drive was only 6 minutes long as I timed it so I gave the guy 50 pesos but was thinking the other guys are just too lazy. When I got to the Punta Del Sol Beach resort I asked the guy what the going rate was and he said 25 pesos per head but if there is only one person a lot more than that. Apparently I got a good deal haha.