Of the many 'adventures' I've already had in first couple of months in Davao, I'm most proud of the one I had on Friday and involving my very first experiences of riding the Davao Multi-Cab Jeepney.

It happened that my wife was not feeling well enough to leave the house on Friday, but I had a water bill to pay and I wanted to become a member of our local S&R Shopping warehouse (Philippine version of Costco)

It's just a few minutes walk to the main road where all the jeepneys pick up.
A taxi takes around 20 mins at a cost around P100 depending on traffic conditions. The jeepney can take twice as long depending, but the cost is only P8.
So apart from the sheer enjoyment of the ride I get a better chance to discover my new location in detail and a good opportunity to practise my language exercises without wifely prompts. Not forgetting the cost benefits which are significant.

Like buses in the UK Davao Jeepneys follow designated routes. These are generally the main roads, not the side streets
Means you need to know which jeepney and which route goes nearest to where you want to go.
Here route is shown on the side of the Jeepney. Depending how quickly you can read the small print and depending how fast the jeepney goes (if it doesn't actually stop) there very little time to actually read and understand the route.

I admit to being a little apprehensive simply because I just didn't know which jeep to take and wanted to minimise the risk of ending up somewhere I didn't know.
Davao is one of the biggest cities in the world in terms of land area.

Since the place I wanted was on the same main road I, foolishly, thought I could jump onto any of them and it would surely go where I wanted.
I was really in the dark and knew I had a heck of a lot of learning to do. Anyway with a leap of faith I ended up in the jeepney and practised what I learnt by handing the driver my P8 saying “bayad po”
I told him where I wanted to go and he nodded. So far so good.

As we zig-zagged through the traffic picking up even more passengers I realised that no matter how many passengers are already squeezed-in the driver always believes there's room for another one.

I had a self-confidence as I recognised a number of 'my landmarks' on route.
However, the rain came down after about 40 minutes and I had some real trouble recognising my location.
After about an hour I realised we were on a one way street, which means not on the road I wanted. Well lets enjoy the ride stay as dry as possible and see what happens.

I enjoyed my tour of downtown Davao even if it wasn't part of the plan.
I was now feeling half way up that 'looking like a fool' curve and wondering what to do. I wasn't going to jump out and take a taxi, that would defeat the whole object and smell of failure.
It was about this time that a young couple climbed aboard and asked to go the place I first got on. Hmm, then I remembered most of the jeepneys are on a circular route. Once at there ultimate destination they return to their starting position. I felt OK. I could go back and start again.
After a while I actually saw the S&R Shopping warehouse so with a knock on the ceiling and a shout of "para" the jeepney stopped and I jumped out into the rainstorm.

The Davao City Water District was just over the road opposite S&R shopping and around the corner from NCCC Mall.
Perfect.
After 2 1/2 hours touring, meeting lots of people (mostly attractive ladies) and learning jeepney life I had landed on my feet.

I'm looking forward to my next jeepney trip. I'll be sure to do a better job.