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GENERAL SANTONS |
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| GENERAL SANTOS , southwest of Davao on Sarangani Bay, has the
distinction of being the Philippines' southernmost city, which for many
travellers means it's one bus journey too far. You can reach "Gensan" by
air from Manila and Cebu or by bus on the Davao-Gensan Highway (3hr). It
is possible to continue westwards by bus from General Santos to the
isolated and beautiful Lake Sebu , in an area inhabited by the T'boli
tribe. There is some reasonably good accommodation around Lake Sebu and
it's a great place to see T'Boli culture at first hand. The best place
to stay are the cottages at Lakeside Tourist Lodge (under $5) near the
market. The Bao Ba-ay Village Inn ($10-15), five minutes' walk north
from the marketplace, has marvellous lake views and cottages with
balconies. The weekly Saturday market itself is worth the trip. You can
buy brassware, tribal weavings and other local handicrafts. The annual
Lem-Lunay T'boli Festival is held every year on the second Friday of
November and concludes with traditional horsefights. From Lake Sebu the
road meanders west to Cotabato City , four hours away by Mintranco Bus,
which you can catch from the Lake Sebu marketplace. Cotabato has been
the scene of a number of recent bombings and kidnappings, so check the
security situation with your embassy. Lake Sebu is usually as far as
most tourists go along this road. |
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