How To Get There
Like I said, my mom and I rented a van from the hotel to take us to where we want to go but in case you're doing the tour on your own, here are directions to the Davao Crocodile Park:
From Davao City, take a jeepney taking the Buhangin Route then ask to be dropped off at the corner of Diversion Road. From there, hire a tricycle to the park. Tricycle fare would be approximately from P20-40/$.5-1.
The Park
Since my mom and I spent most of our time in Eden (read my blog posts on Eden Nature Park), the Davao Crocodile Park was almost about to close when we arrived. Fortunately, it wasn't as big as Eden so it didn't take us long to go around and see the crocodiles and other exotic animal species such as snakes, raptors, bearcats, and monkeys.
The Davao Crocodile Park showcases a state-of-the-art crocodile farming system in the Philippines. But, according to their website, all of this simply started from Mr. Philip Dizon's interest in saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.
Since my mom and I spent most of our time in Eden (read my blog posts on Eden Nature Park), the Davao Crocodile Park was almost about to close when we arrived. Fortunately, it wasn't as big as Eden so it didn't take us long to go around and see the crocodiles and other exotic animal species such as snakes, raptors, bearcats, and monkeys.
There are also humongous lizards. Imagine seeing this in your house? Scary.
Truth be told, all I actually wanted to see was 81-year old and 18-feet long Pangil ("Fangs"), the oldest and largest living crocodile in captivity the Philippines.
For obvious reasons, Pangil is kept separate from all the other crocodiles.
Show Schedules
For guidance, here's Davao Crocodile Park's show schedules. But to be sure, please call beforehand. The park's contact number can be found at the bottom of this post.
Monday, 4pm
Crocodile Feeding
Animal Petting
Wednesday, 4pm
Crocodile Feeding
Feeding of Pangil
Animal Petting
Friday
Saturday and Sunday, 4pm
Educational Show
Birdshow
Pangil Encounter
Crocodile Feeding
Crocodile Dancing
Tightrope Walking
Animal petting
Sweet Spot Ice Cream Shop
Nearing the exit of the park, a colorful sign caught my eye. Sweet Spot, it read.
Apparently, it's an ice cream shop that offers exotic flavors. I'm not really into those things but like the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". And so I bravely ordered a scoop of Crocodile Durian ice cream.
I took a bite and while I could feel some bits inside my mouth, a nagging thought crossed my mind. "What part of the crocodile's body was I eating?" I wanted to spit everything out, had I not known the chef who concocted the ice cream. So, I sent Chef Dino Dizon a text message and asked if their crocodile ice cream is really made from crocodile body parts.
After what felt like hours but were actually just a few seconds, he answered.
"Of course not. It's called crocodile ice cream because for the custard, I used crocodile eggs instead of chicken eggs."
PHEW. I felt so relieved that I wasn't eating any of Pangil's full-grown family members. I finally swallowed that spoonful of ice cream that has been lingering in my mouth and continued to dig in for more.
continue to part 4...
Davao
Trip Date: 17-19 July 2012
Davao Crocodile Park
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Glad you tried the Crocodile Durian Ice Cream. It's not that bad, right? :) I hope you tried the Civet Coffee too. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dekaphobe.com/2012/07/delicious-davao-sweet-spot-ice-cream.html
Oooh. Eggs!
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought it was ice cream with crocodile meat chunks. ^_^
Wow, that crocodile Ice cream sure looks interesting. I'm gonna try that one once i visit the park. Hopefully it is available since it is only seasonal. I wonder what crocodile eggs taste like
ReplyDelete