Now this is not the main reason for this article, but I want to explain a little history.

I had dreams of making an income from advertisements on the site. I soon found out, this is a difficult way to make an income online. Most readers of blogs come to read and do not even notice the ads. I then put the “Donate” button on the sidebar and then on the bottom of each post. Some readers have been kind and I do receive a donation at times, but this is not enough to support myself, my family or really cover the time and costs of this site.

I have mentioned my architectural experiences in articles and had a few who have inquired about me doing design, full construction documents for permitting and even managing construction. I have done a few designs and then never went further. I have wondered if my free designs were giving to someone else or not, I never made any money for my time.

I started this site mainly to journal my life as an American living in Davao, hence the name American in Davao.  At first, many of my articles and photos were about my family and my life. Over time, I have developed to write more about how life is here for a Foreigner in third world country.  I try to tell the truth and not “sugar coating” what observations or advice.  There are many wonderful parts to living here, but there are difficulties too. I have tried to assist people to understand how to conduct themselves here and how to be careful in different situations. Many times my wife Elena has assisted too.

Over time, I have had many comments or direct emails asking for advice, information or even assistance. I have helped visitors find accommodations, helped locate restaurants, doctors and shopping. I have had many emails from future Expats-to-be or from men with online girlfriends who were planning to move here and I have offered any assistance I can give.

Last month I was surprised when I received an email from an International Relocation Service. They had a client company sending a representative here to Davao to open a branch office. I was offered the position as a consultant to assist this person find acceptable accommodations such as a furnished house or apartment, obtaining a bank account, services and a list of restaurants, entertainment, attractions and activities.  I would be paid for expenses, mileage and an hourly rate for a preset number of hours.  The hourly rate was good even if I was in the states.

I accepted the offer and then started trying to locate high-end furnished rentals. This was no easy task. It is not like in the states with magazines and classifieds listing all the apartments and houses for rent. There are some websites that individual real estate agents have, but sometimes they do not have decent descriptions, places shown are already rented or the furnishings are not what would be desired. I felt it was my responsibility to visit as many as I could before this man arrived. I did not want to embarrass myself by bringing him to a location and discovering there was problems.

In addition, many real estate agents do not want to show a property to someone in my position with the fear I would steal the business and they would lose their commission. I did locate a few on my own and found some to be below the standard needed and one that was great. I also planned to show him a place that would be good for a temporary   residence until we could find something better.  To make this long story shorter, we found a place he liked and with my wife’s help, we negotiated a good price.

During this process, I received an email from a man planning to come here in the near future and asked, from reading my site, if I offer any services.  I told him I could offer myself and car for transportation around town, help him find accommodations and local attractions he might enjoy. I told him I would not help him find women or clubs where he can find women.

This man replied he was coming to meet his online girlfriend and offered to pay me to drive them to different attractions in the city. He stated he did not want to ride Jeepneys or has to worry about hiring drivers and/or taxis where language could present a problem.

Today I met a person who is somewhat new to the city. While we were talking about these services, he told me, if he had known about me before he moved here, he would have liked to have someone who could have assisted him finding an apartment, finding and purchasing furnishings and even getting services such as cable and internet. He said he would have had no problem paying me for my time assisting him.

Another friend I have made is planning to come visit his girlfriend he met online. Her birthday is soon and asked if my wife would assist him in buying her a present. He sent us the funds for the purchase. Elena was happy to assist. For this, he offered to take us to dinner once here and to bring both of us certain items we would like from the States.

Some people I have met through this site have offered remuneration, bringing me items from the states I might need, or just a nice dinner with my wife. All of these offers have been nice.  Even though I would like to earn a steady income, being able to assist fellow foreigners with needs, information or advice is something I am enjoying and will continue to do so. If there is a way to assist and earn, I am not against that either. From these few earnings and from the donations I have received it makes me feel it was the right thing to keep this site going and continue the time to write articles and answer comments.

It is also all my visitors to my site that shows me this site has a need and a worth.  Even though it is difficult to find items to write the three articles I try to publish every week, I will do so as long as I am able.

Thank you all for showing me my effort and work is appreciated.

At some of the better restaurants, I would try a burger and they were ok but not great. Either the meat was too dry, the bun too big or stale or there was so much stuff on it, it tasted good but did not have the grilled burger you look for in a better quality hamburger.

Earlier in the week, Bob Martin wrote in his site, Live in the Philippines, about a new restaurant in Davao, Brothers Burger, which is a high-end burger with a high-end price to match. They have burgers with the expensive types of beef such as a Wagyu Beef. Wagyu Beef is better known as Kobe Beef. The Wagyu Burger sells for 350 pesos ($7.50 USD). They also have a Black Angus Burger for 250 pesos ($5.40 USD).

Now, if you do not live in the Philippines, you might think this is a decent price for a high-class burger but for 350 pesos, Elena and I can have a decent lunch at many of our regular lunch spots.

There is another Burger Restaurant here in Davao, Space Burger. When I first moved here, my nephew mentioned Space Burger to me as a better burger. Since this nephew lives on a Filipino diet, I did not know if what he felt was a better burger, if it would be up to my American palate. There are a few locations here in Davao and even up at the food court at Gaisano Mall, but for some reason I never tired it. Then at a house party one of our friends who after talking about hamburgers mentioned Space Burger to me. This friend loves hamburgers and American food in general; I thought I would try it.

Monday Elena and I were at Gaisano Mall, we were talking about where to have lunch, and I thought about Space Burger so we headed up to the fourth floor. They offer 100% beef burgers in different combinations, from a plain burger, cheeseburger then with combinations with bacon, grilled onions and/or mushrooms. I decided on their Ultimate Burger, which has everything.  It is a ¼-pound burger and with all the toppings is only 105 pesos ($2.25 USD). They use an open flame grill to cook the burger. Except for the cheese, which is a cheese sauce instead of sliced cheese the taste was great. The grilled onions are what did it for me.

The smell and taste of the onions reminded me of a pre-fast food restaurant my family would frequent when I was a kid. It name was Dave Shores and you would go up to different areas for the types of foods. I remember looking at, smelling the onions on the grill as they cooked, and caramelized.

Maybe someday, if I feel rich or someone offers to buy me lunch at Brothers Burgers I think I will fulfill any burger urges at Space Burger in the future. Even though they were out of French Fries, just the Burger and beverage left me comfortably full with a happy tummy.

If you live in, or plan to visit Davao, and in the need of a good burger, take my advice and try Space Burger.

A few weeks ago, I was told about a little restaurant here in Davao and not too far from my house, it is called Boyd’s Pizza House/The Garlic Bread House. It is a hole in the wall, nondescript place that if you did not know where to look, you might miss it.

What I was told was their pizza was the best in town. Well as you might know, I am originally from New York where their pizza is famous. So one Saturday Elena and I decided to give it a try. I was told it was on Palma Gil Extension just off of J.P. Laurel. We past it twice before Elena noticed it. We parked and entered the restaurant and I was a little concerned. The interior has very little in decorations and the basic wood tables and plastic chairs did not do much to help the décor. The main area has tiled floor but the side sections are just painted concrete.

We sat down and looked over the menus. They have a regular menu and a monthly special menu that I do not think ever changes. I decided to try their pizza and picked a traditional type with Italian sausage. Elena ordered their pork loin plate which comes with a mushroom gravy, seasoned rice and vegetables.

Elena’s meal was delivered first and as I waited for my pizza, I tasted her pork. I was shocked, after eating so much tough pork in many small restaurants in Davao, it was moist and tender and as good as you would get in most American restaurants. The restaurant was crowded and since they only have one pizza oven, I had to wait a long time for my pizza. To make up for the wait, they brought me some of their famous garlic bread. Finally my pizza arrived and it was delicious. It is similar to the modern pizza with slices of mozzarella. It was nicely topped with a generous amount of sausage and had sliced onions too. With beverages it was under 400 pesos which was amazing for such quality food.

I have been back many times since, two to three times a week. On one of my visits I met the owner and chef. He is originally from Kidapawan and was trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and then worked at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. With such training, I do not know why he returned to the Philippines, but I would guess all of his customers, me included, are glad he did. He originally opened his first restaurant in Kidapawan but eventually closed it and relocated it in Davao.

Over my many visits, I have either ordered or tasted some of their items. They are all delicious and well made. At first I was always ordering their pork loin but then tried their pasta with roast chicken and mushrooms. It is penne pasta in a garlic and oil sauce with chicken, mushrooms and vegetables. It was so good; I saved part of the garlic bread to wipe the plate clean to get every drop of sauce.

Another favorite for me is there Pizza #3 which is a white pizza with roasted chicken and mushrooms. Their pizzas come in three sizes, single, double and family.

They have a Hungarian Rice Entree which is not for the meek and you need to enjoy spicy food for that one. There is also Hungarian dumplings which is a fried wonton wrapper stuffed with the Hungarian sausage meat.

They have for order or takeout Garlic bread which is not the usual sweet Filipino bread and more like an Italian type of loaf with a swirl of garlic throughout.

They serve Pepsi products and also have other light beverages and also beer is available. The Wait staff is very courteous and continues to monitor your needs throughout your stay.

They are open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinners. If you visit there for lunch, there is a good chance you will see me there, I am the Kano with a satisfied look on his face.

Below is their menus, I apologize for the quality of the photos.

I have spent many hours at different times on this philosophy. In America I have lived well at times and there have been times I have lived in a much cheaper life. At 39, while attending night classes for my drafting degree, I lost my job to downsizing. As my savings decreased and my only income was unemployment insurance, I had to share a small apartment with one of my classmates. I remember times, after paying rent and bills counting my money and trying to figure out how to eat that month.

Now, I know there are people in America and many other first world nations that lived better than me and many who need less to be comfortable in their needs.

For me, to retire and live comfortable in America would be having a decent home or condo, a car and enough money to have the basic needs with some advantages. These would include being able to go to a restaurant a few times a week, see a movie of one of the small theater plays. Of course this would also include cable TV, high speed internet and air conditioning for warm weather.

I do understand the cost of living in America has been increasing and if your retirement is in investments, the rate of return has gone down to the point you are not building your savings but hopefully you have a balance where you can live on the interest and not decrease the principle.

Now I will discuss retiring here in Davao or somewhere else in the Philippines. It is true; many things are much cheaper in the Philippines than in America or other countries. At the high end, I know someone who had built a large 3 story house with 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a powder room, in a high end sub-division with a great view of the ocean for about $400,000 USD. There are many other nice high end homes in good sub-divisions for much less.

There are foreigners here that enjoy all aspects of living here and some that have become acclimated to life here. I can only talk for myself and my thoughts.

To me, someone saying luxury I think of a larger house with as many of the amenities he is used to in America. Large bedrooms with closets, CR’s with hot and cold water, tubs and showers. Nice kitchens with large ranges, laundry facilities with modern washer and dryer and probably cable TV, internet and either central air conditioning or at least a unit in most rooms. It will be in a higher end gated sub-division with a nice clubhouse with pool and restaurant and maybe even an exercise facility. This person will probably have maids and cooks on staff. He will probably buy a large SUV vehicle and belong to one of the golf courses here too.
That is wonderful and I know his home life will be as comfortable as or more so than in the States. But, there are times he will have to or want to go out. He will need groceries, clothes, items from a hardware store and many other items. There will be times; some item he is used to buying at a certain store for months will be out of stock. When he asks when it will be back in stock get the usual answer, “I do not know” or “Maybe next month.” He also needs to realize he is in a country where many people he will come across will not understand English or only part of what he is asking.

He is probably used to nice smooth paved roads and here will find potholes, paved roads that end and becomes a bumpy dirt road that gets flooded. He is used to drivers that are courteous and considerate and see here drivers cutting you off and not letting you into their lanes. He will see drivers changing lanes without even looking to see if there is a car coming.

If money is no object, sure he can eat in the expensive restaurants that cater to foreigners but there are times your hungry and you are not near one of these places. If he is going to eat at home, is he going to spend the high cost to buy imported meats and the other products he is used to that is not regular available here from the US?

As I had in an article a while ago, there are many foreigners that come here to visit, stay in the better hotels, eat in their restaurants and use a taxi or a driver to take them around. After they go back to their home country tell others and feel that life here is so comfortable and cheaper then back home. Many things are cheaper, but things like imported items, gasoline and electricity are more expensive.

By now you must be thinking, Bruce must hate it there. No, I enjoy it here. Yes I get frustrated at times and there are things I miss from my life in the US but I look at the job market and the economy and realize my life would be so much worse if I did not move here. I enjoy going out and meeting people. I enjoy learning about the culture here and the differences. Even with the differences I love my family and how we relate to each other. I have learned to eat well and enjoy most of the foods here. I also enjoy being able to write my feelings, thoughts and views on this site. I get many comments from people that disagree with me and many that do agree. One thing I find interesting, most agreements are from Filipinos and most disagreements are from foreigners.

As always, I am giving this disclaimer; what I write is thoughts, observations and experiences. Not everyone will feel as I do, live as I do or think as I do. I am just relating how I think about things from my view.

If you agree or disagree, your comments are welcome. I just do not want a long heated debate or accusations.

Elena checked her email to see if they were having one of the cuisine specials this month and they did. This month they are having “Wild Wild West” American Buffet at the Café Marco.

We also have a couple we are friends with and the husband only likes to eat American style foods, so we invited them to join us. So we met them at the hotel that evening.

Both we Kanos (Americans) eyes lit up when we saw the buffet table. There was a huge Prime Rib of beef, a large turkey and a leg of lamb.

Since I love the soups they have there, I started with a small bowl of sweet corn and salmon soup, which was delicious as their soups usually are.

After the soup I headed to the meat table. I got a slice of rare Prime Rib, a few slices of turkey breast and some leg of lamb. They even had mint jelly to compliment the lamb. I then got some roasted potatoes to compliment my plate.

All the meats were cooked and seasoned perfectly and if you did not know better you would think you were at one of the fine dining in America.

If you follow this site and hear me talk about foods and eating here, I am a big proponent of having fresh vegetables with my dinner, but that night was different. I ignored everything else. I skipped the vegetables, sushi, sashimi, rice and all the other wonderful items and just thought about the beef, turkey and lamb.

After I finished my first servings, I got up for round 2. Again I got Prime Rib, Turkey and Leg of Lamb with more mint jelly. I did get a few more potatoes but less this trip. By the buffet table was one of the Chefs supervising and I had to compliment him for his food and told him he could compete with some of the better chefs in American restaurants.

Both our American friend and I were in heaven. The taste was just like back home. I decided, even though I try to eat until no longer hunger and not until full was being put away for this evening and after my second helping, I got up for my third. I did cut back, I skipped the turkey this trip.

After finishing the third plate I went out on the balcony to relax a bit and settle my stomach with a cigarette. After this I went to the dessert table and took a selection of their delicious desserts. They have little parfait type desserts in shot glasses and there was also cream Brule, chocolate soufflé, napoleons and other treats. After I enjoyed my small plate, and being the glutton I was that night, I went back for some of the others I missed on the first trip.

As we were relaxing and chatting over a coffee and dessert, I was still thinking of going back for more beef, but I kept myself in control. Control, ok, maybe that is the wrong word for this evening.

Even though eating at the Café Marco at the Marco Polo is expensive, even with one meal free, it is always an experience. The foods, the staff, the ambiance is always wonderful. If you live or plan to visit Davao, and have the time and budget for an evening of good foods, do not forget the Marco Polo. If you have a larger budget, I hope you will invite me and Elena to join you.

I enjoy the usual pasta and parmesan dishes but I also enjoy unique type dishes made in the Italian styles.

Growing up we would go to a family style Italian Restaurant Borelli’s. I remember as a smaller child, I always wanted lasagna but my mom would only let me have ravioli because she knew I could not finish a heavier meal.

In Florida there is a chain, Macaroni Grill which served more unique dishes that I enjoyed.
Since I lived in California for the longest part of my adult life, I was able to experience more restaurants from the small pizza shop to the larger and fancier restaurants. Some had a nice setting, some had great food and some had both.

I enjoy when a restaurant has a feeling of being in the country where their cuisine is based. A steak house with a western or country feel, a French restaurant with staff wearing berets and French style outfits. Italian restaurants with grapevines along trellis when you arrive, relaxing Italian or opera music. Maybe outdoor seating like you’re in a grotto.

Trattoria Acquais is my favorites is in La Jolla, San Diego, California.  A place where the atmosphere, food and total ambiance is like you’re sitting in Italy. You can dress casually and just enjoy your meal.  They have many unique items you normally would not think of seeing in an Italian restaurant. From their fish, meat and poultry dishes you know there is a chef creating such delicacies.
Whenever I was able to be in the La Jolla area, I would always plan to have my lunch or dinner there. So best fine dining in San Diego this is a place to visit.

One restaurant I have never experienced a problem is Bigby’s Restaurant on F. Torres.

Bigby’s restaurants started in Cagayan de Oro City but now have 9 locations. Two in Cagayan de Oro, two in Cebu, two in Bacolod, two in Davao and now one in Manila.

The two I am familiar with is the location in SM mall in Ecoland and their relatively newer location just off F. Torres on Jacinto just behind Bo’s Coffee.

When I first visited Davao in 2006 Elena and I were in SM Mall and stopped in Bigby’s for an afternoon snack. The ambience was attractive and the servers were friendly. We had Mango Shakes and a Mango crepe. While there I looked at the menu and noticed many interesting food items. There fare goes from Filipino items to some international tastes.

On that trip and on my next visit we would go there to eat since I enjoyed their food and the friendliness of the staff. One waiter even remembered me from my previous trip six months before.

Unfortunately we do not go to SM Mall often so a few months back we were happily surprised to see their new location. We went one day for lunch and found the design following their international theme and their redesigned menu had even more items I looked forward to try. They also have a nice, covered and comfortable outside seating plus a rear room that can be closed off for private functions.

I am a friendly type of person and enjoy talking to Filipinos and with this, became friendly with the staff there. One waiter, Ryan is a friendly and funny person that enjoys talking to us while we wait for our food. I am not taking anything away from the other server staff, they are all friendly, and I hear a chorus of “Hello Sir Bruce” as we enter, but at times I think when we walk in, Ryan takes our table.

One of their items I love to have there is their Tiki Waki Chicken Salad. It is a green salad with a scoop of chicken salad, pieces of mango, grape half’s, walnuts with a nice light salad dressing. Since both Elena and I enjoy this salad, we have gotten into the habit of ordering the salad and another item to share. One day as we ordered we mentioned we were going to share both items and when Ryan delivered the entrée, he had requested the cook to divide it into two plates for our ease. This type of initiative was unlike what you find here in the Philippines where most do their job as told without any change.

They have so many delicious items, it is hard to remember, so visit their site at http://bigbyscafe.net/ for menu and locations.

Last evening we went there for dinner and met Sonjie Ang, the General Operations Manager from CDO and Carlo, the restaurant manager. We sat and talked for a while about the quality of their restaurants, foods and staff. As custom in the Philippines, Sonjie and Carlo were humble and attributed it all as a team environment and would not take credit. I said, they had to learn it somewhere and they had the winning skills to train their staff.

It turned out Carlo started 5 years ago as staff supervisor and moved up the ranks to manage the Torres location. I am sure there are bigger and better things to come for him in his future.

I do have to say, if Sonjie, Carlo, or any others of the Bigby’s staff see this article,Thank you again for always taking such good care of us and sharing your honest friendships.

For the rest of the readers, if you’re in Davao, and looking for a good meal at reasonable prices, Bigby’s is a must. Maybe I will see you there.

There are many buffet restaurants here in Davao from the expensive in hotels like Marco Polo to very inexpensive.

We have tried many and we keep end up going back to Palace Buffet. The one we go to is in the Victoria Plaza parking compound. It is clean and we serviced, there is plenty of parking and are open 7 days a week. There is a second location on MacArthur Hwy at the corner of Tulip in Matina.

The other afternoon when at the mall we ran into some friends and discussed going to dinner and we agreed to go back to Palace Buffet again.

As soon as you’re seated, we get up and grab our plates. There is soup, plain and fried rice, pancit Canton which is a thin noodle with vegetables and a sauce. They always have a pork, beef, chicken, fish item. Some fried, some in gravy. The other night we were there and they had crabs too. There was sweet and sour pork that was delicious, and pork asado. The chicken was buttered chicken which is actually fried chicken.

They also have a area with sushi/california rolls, kinilaw which is raw tuna and small dried fish.  There is wasabi available to compliment your tastes.They have salad area and a desert area with little slices of cakes such as carrot cake, a chocolate peanut butter brownie.

There is a HaloHalo area where there is lechie, sago which is a type of tapioca, sweet beans, Ube which is a sweet purple yam, sweet corn kernels and Leche Flan.  All this you can put over shaved ice.

I usually just eat enough until not hungry, but the past 2 times there I was actually full when we got up to leave. The personnel are always nice and friendly and service is good and the price is under 300 Php excluding beverages.

Elena decided she would take me there for my birthday. We also decided to invite a few friends to meet us there for dinner to help me celebrate.

So, on the afternoon of November 12th we packed up a few things and headed off to the Marco Polo Hotel accross from Ateneo University downtown Davao.

At our arrival I was impressed with the modern and bright lobby. Then at the registration desk the desk clerk George told us about the advantages of upgrading our room to the “Continental Club” for only 1500 Php. With the upgrade we got a better room on the top floor. It also gave us use of the Continental Club room on the 17th floor.

Elena went through the membership coupons and asked about the free cake. George unfortunately pointed out you need to order it 24 hours in advance. Elena mentioned it was for my birthday. George told us he would take care of it.
(our room was top floor second window from left after the pop out)

We then proceeded to our room. It was on the 18th floor with a beautiful view of Mt. Apo. In the room we read the advantages of the Continental Club. One of these was free tea, coffee and pastries from 3pm to 5pm. They also have complementary cocktails from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evenings and breakfast in the morning. Since we had a busy morning and did not eat any lunch we went there at 3.

It was a nicely furnished room with tables and chairs, couches and easy chairs with tables, a TV area, magazines, books and newspapers. It also had a nice view of Davao Gulf and Samal Island.

As we entered, a pretty attendant, Michele, came to greet us and walked us to the table of our choice and then went to get us cups of coffee. We went to look at the pastries and my “Sweet Tooth” jumped to attention. They had a wonderful variety of small pastries and we put a few on our plates and returned to our table.

A few moments later Michele returned with our coffee and started to chat with us. She was sweet and we got to know her better. When Elena mentioned it was my birthday and our plans to have dinner in the hotel, she asked Elena which restaurant was our choice so she could make us reservations. I told her I was going to wait until our friend arrived and we would decide together.

After we returned to our room the phone rang and when I answered someone asked to speak to Elena. They then conversed in Bisaya so I did not what was going on.

About 6pm we went back to partake in the cocktails. They had different liquors, wines and beers. I am a rye whisky drinker but that is not available anywhere in Davao, so I ordered strong citron absolute vodka with tonic and a weaker one for Elena. We then walked up to the buffet to see cheeses, fruits, sushi, sashimi and California rolls of which included a platter of tuna. There was also chicken on skewers and breads.

I have never been a fan of raw fish but decided to try, so I took a California roll and a few slices of the tuna. I also took some of the blue cheese and a slice of bread. Well after mixing some wasabi in the little plate of soy sauce and dipping in the tuna, yummy. I went back for more and must have eaten about a dozen slices.

It was now about 6:30, the time we had planned to meet our friends in the lobby, so we said goodbye to Michele, who reminded us to call her the moment we decided which restaurant we choose, and took the elevator down to the ground floor.

Once there we met up with our friends Ted and Arnie, Reg and Liz and Faher Tom. We sat and chatted for a little while and had a cocktail. After we preceded to the Café Marco.

As we entered the restaurant we saw a table set up for us 7 with a reserved sign. We all sat and then proceeded to partake in the buffet. There were many different foods including raw meat and fish items that you give to a cook to cook it how you prefer. There was Prime Rib too and a few different types of Paella. I also saw a nice desert section. And yes, my “sweet tooth” was excited seeing bread pudding, mousse and other deserts.

As I was finishing up my last plate of food and thinking of the deserts I noticed the wait staff coming with a birthday cake. They all sang me Happy Birthday and put the cake and a bottle of wine on the table.

As we were enjoying the cake, Michele came in to make sure the cake was delivered and then I found out why the call to our room. Michele and Elena were in a conspiracy to make my birthday a happy one.

After we walked our friends out and into their taxis, we retired to our room where Elena was able to enjoy her Bubble Bath. Most homes here have just showers and it was nice to fill the tub with hot/warm water and use the bath beads and bubble bath to let my loving wife relax for a while.

The next morning we returned to the Continental Club where the buffet was filled with many breakfast items for both American and Filipino tastes. We then meet Maeryl, another pretty, sweet, friendly and courteous lady to assist us. As we sat at our table, she brought us juice, then coffee and then asked if we would like eggs. She recommended the veggie omelet which was delicious. Later we fresh made waffles.

Maeryl also mentioned we could complete our checkout there instead of going to the front desk.

We then went to our room and changed to use the pool which we could see from our window. The pool area was clean and attractive with a “Horizon” lap pool. There are even Cabana Rooms avaliable near pool. We choose a lounge chair and before we could sit a pool attendant brought us towels. Elena went first and then convinced me to join her. The water was perfect. Just cool enough to be refreshing but not so cold it shocks the system. After a while we decided to return to our rooms and get ready to return home.

In the room while Elena was showering the phone rang. It was George from the front desk to tell me he was sending something up. I thought it was a receipt for any charges, but a few minutes later the door bell rang and it was a Bellboy with an envelope and a small box. It was a nice “Happy Birthday” letter from George, the desk staff and the Marco Polo Family and another birthday cake.

We did our checkout as planned on the 17th floor at the Continental Club but then went to the front desk to thank George. As we crossed the lobby, all the staff looked to me and said Happy Birthday Mr. Linder. I was amazed they all knew my name and to give me their good wishes.

I do not know about the other hotels here in Davao since I have not visited them, but with the treatment I received, I had one of the best Birthdays ever. I also am amazed the “Privilege Membership” gave us all this and we only had to pay 1500 pesos for the upgrade and nothing else.

If anyone from the Marco Polo staff sees this, Thank you for such wonderful service. Also please leave a comment so I know you saw this.

I also want to say here “Thank you Honey for giving me such a fantastic and loving Birthday”

Because of watching our spending, we try to stay away from the more expensive restaurants but we still eat out at times and still can find a good meal.

I am from New York and as most have heard, New York has a style of pizza that is famous. I know people from Chicago will say their Deep Dish pizza is the best, and for them it might be.

When I first moved to California I hated the pizza. After my 18 years living there I learned to tolerate it and had to resort to Dominos Pizza for something close to New York style.

Well I feel embarrassed, I have found I enjoy Pizza Hut here in Davao. I tried Greenwich, which I probably will never eat at again and we did go to Piccabello’s in Gaisano South Mall which tasted like New York pizza except their crust was so thin you could use it for an Air Mail letter and not have to worry about an extra weight fee.

I have been told Yellow Taxi pizza is good, but have not had a chance to eat it here in Davao. We did have it in Manila and it was the worse pizza I have ever eaten.

Usually on Sundays before our food shopping we have lunch at the mall. One place we eat at is Mandarin. It is a chain or franchise. They have a good Wonton soup and also have Dim Sum and something here called Rice Toppings. Rice Toppings is a bowk of rice, either plain white rice or fried rice topped with an item of your choice. They have beef brisket, Adobo, Asada, Chicken Curry and many others. They have some good deserts, one we like is Fruit over custard.

There is always McDonald’s, KFC, Kenny Rogers and Jollibee.

I remember Kenny Rogers in America and understood why they closed up, they were not too good there but here they have good roasted chicken and decent lunch meals. Their service us usually very good.

There is a Resturant and Bakery called Euro Bakery. I enjoy their meal plates but have learned to stay away from most restaurant sandwiches. Here a sandwich is one slice of meat, one slice of cheese on a thick roll. I am more used to more meat and cheese and less bread.

Yesterday we had a coupon for a restaurant Gerry’s. We went and enjoyed our meal except I felt that the waitress was rude. Most Filipinos, no matter how good or weak their English is, will try to talk a little to me. Our waitress did not say any English. If I asked a question, she would turn to Elena and answer it in Bisaya. She never needed a translation of what I asked, just would not answer to me.

I understand I am in the Philippines and should learn their language but so far I have not been able to learn, but then again, most speak English to some degree and it would be nice if the waitress would have said something.

I mostly enjoy talking to Filipinos, and will tell more about that in some other article. For now just know you can enjoy meals and not spend a fortune. And can find foods you can enjoy, no matter where you are from.