Apo View Hotel

Apo View Hotel is a premier landmark in Davao City. Built in 1948, at a time when Dabawenyos were still recovering from the horrors and ravages of World War II, it opened its doors to welcome Filipinos in search of new homes and business opportunities in the City. Thus, Apo View Hotel became the very first hotel ever erected in Davao City, and the second oldest hotel in the Philippines. After more than 60 years of service in the hotel industry, the Hotel continues to serve domestic and foreign travelers. It remains one of the most sought after premiere business hotels in Davao City, as it  provides busy travelers with comfortable accommodations, world class facilities and amenities for business and social events, and the Hotel's distinct hospitable service. The Hotel is situated within the busy business district of Davao City, and is close to restaurants, shopping malls, schools, churches, and other commercial establishments.

Grand Regal Hotel

Built in 1998, the  Grand Regal Hotel is a premier hotel situated in the heart of Davao City. It is close to many business establishments, commercial centers, shopping malls and entertainment areas. The Hotel's exquisite interior is a balanced mixture of past and traditional Filipino design with modern facilities and amenities standard to a first class hotel. It has 217 elegantly designed rooms and plush suites including Presidential Suites that are luxuriously furnished to provide maximum comfort to the busy business travelers. 

Davao Medical Center

Davao Medical Center is one of those many places in Davao City that I am familiar with and very sentimental about it. And I cannot think of Davao without associating DMC with the city. This (of all places!) is where I actually conveyed my love and proposed to my wife, Grace, immediately after she was pronounced out of danger and on her way to complete recovery by the attending doctors after fighting for her life following a massive loss of blood in May 1999. DMC is also where my lovely daughter, Jamie, now 11 years old, was born a year later in July 2000 for a sum of 1,500 pesos or so only! Have I kept a personal diary, DMC would have contained and occupied a great number of pages.

Davao Medical Center, now called the Southern Philippines Medical Center is the biggest government, tertiary hospital not only in Davao City but in the entire Region XI, or perhaps in the whole of Mindanao. DMC may be a provincial hospital but its medical technology, facilities, and services are at par with the country's bests and more expensive hospitals the likes of Makati Medical Center, St. Lukes, or Medical City. In fact, medical cases where other private hospitals in Davao City cannot handle, patients are brought to DMC for treatment.

Magsaysay Park

Magsaysay Park in Davao City is a beautifully landscaped public park that sits on a huge sprawling expanse that faces the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Davao with the Samal Island in the backdrop. While there are many parks in Davao City, this park remains the favorite of the locals and is frequented by foreign tourists, families and friends alike for an afternoon of leisurely stroll, or simply hanging-out. This city landmark was built in honor of the most-loved and revered president of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay who, in March 17, 1957, died in a plane crash in Mount Manunggal on Cebu Island while en route to Manila. He was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Millennium Park

In Davao City, Freedom Park consists of two parks: the Millennium Park and the Clifford Park. The Millennium Park is located in the center island along the stretch of Roxas Avenue across Ateneo de Davao University, while  Clifford Park is the wide and spacious intersection of Claro M. Recto Street (old Claveria Street) and Roxas Avenue, fronting Ateneo de Davao and Marco Polo Hotel. Clifford Park was named in honor of a United States Army commander who was killed in action during the liberation of Davao in World War II.

Mergrande Ocean Resort

Mergrande is a combination of French and Spanish words, "mer" which means "sea" in French, and "grande" for "big" in Spanish.It has been over a decade since I was here last in 1999 with a client-turned-friend, Allan Gabucan of Davao City, who brought me to the Resort along with a couple of young waitresses whom we met at the now defunct Camarine Grille in Victoria Plaza Mall, downtown Davao City which Allan and I used to frequent practically almost every night back then usually at a little before closing office hours to the wee hours of the morning. The occasion was actually not the first time I came to Villa Victoria as it was called then. It was I recall Raymund, a visiting regional manager of a multi-national pharmaceutical company based in Manila, whom I met at D' Counter Executive Hotel & Dormitory also in downtown Davao where he was staying, who first introduced the Resort. The third and definitely wont be the last time I have visited the Resort was with my wife and some friends. 

Of course, the Resort looks totally different now than it was a decade ago. Much improvement and renovation over time was obviously meticulously undertaken by the Resort to give it, I should say, a more modern look in touch with the times. It goes without saying that I will surely recommend Mergrande to my visiting friends and relatives from Manila when they are in town.

Rizal Park

The Rizal Park is close to the City Hall of Davao City, Quezon Park, about 15 meters west of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng  Dabaw, San Pedro Cathedral, and Osmeña Park (formerly Plaza de Oyanguren). It has been the center stage where every significant event in the history and life of Davao City and the Davaoeños unfold, such as informal meetings of government staffs about different city concerns, political rallies and religious fellowships are held, government-sponsored  events, free concerts, and street food fiestas are celebrated. The Park is among the chief venues of all major festivals and celebrations in the city, where every Davaoeño has, at one time or another, paraded along the street of San Pedro for the Araw ng Dabaw and danced the "Indak-indak" during Kadayawan Festival. It is located at the seat of religious and  political power where the legislative and executive branches of local government form a right triangle with the Archdiocese of Davao at the center. After all, the area where the Rizal Park is situated is Davao City’s Kilometer Zero.

Victoria Plaza

Victoria Plaza Mall was built in the 1990's and is one of the earlier malls in Davao City. It is located along J. P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City. It has a gross land area of 81,000 sqm. The two-story mall has a supermarket, a department store, a hardware store, and a cinema. The mall may be old and a bit dilapidated, here and there, but it still remains today a favorite hang-out of locals, and will always have a very special place in my heart.

Shrine Hills

Shrine Hills has a chapel, and is also a seminary and meditation center for Catholics in Davao. People go there to hear Holy Mass, to pray, meditate, and offer petitions, or simply have quality bonding moments with families, friends or colleagues. It is also a favorite playground for kids.
Dabawenyos enjoy a relaxing time with families and friends at the Shrine, and spend a "picnic-like" moment where everyone shares food, good conversation and laughter after a strenuous steep climb to the Shrine to offer prayers and petitions during Holy Week.
Shrine Hills or "Shrine", as it is fondly called by the locals, will always remain one of my family's favorite spots in Davao City closest to our hearts. Many fond memories transpired in the very cloister of this Holy Ground, and my family and I will always come back and visit the Shrine whenever an opportunity brings us to Davao City.

Davao Butterfly House

A wildlife sanctuary, the Davao Butterfly House is a safe shelter and haven for butterflies, flowers, plants, and other exotic animals such as fishes, crickets, tarantulas and scorpions. It is one of the many butterfly conservation facilities in the Philippines. Notable ones are the Boracay Butterfly Farm, Bohol Butterfly Conservation Center, and Jumalon Butterfly House in Cebu. 

The best time to observe butterflies in flight is in the morning with a good sunshine as many species undertake hatching, courtship and mating. During the heat of the day, butterflies take shelter under the leaves and this presents a good chance to observe them closely and take photographs. However, during cloudy days, or late in the afternoon, they usually hide. 

Mount Hamiguitan

The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, with a total surface area of 6,834 hectares (68.34 square kilometers), was declared a national park and wildlife sanctuary in 2003. In 2009, the provincial officials of Davao Oriental submitted the park for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Philippine Eagle Center

The Philippine Eagle Center is home to the Philippine Eagles, which are held captive, cared for, and bred. It also houses other species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The Center is tasked to protect and provide sanctuary to Philippine Eagles. While it is primarily a conservation breeding facility of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, it is open to the public for educational purposes. Simulating a tropical rain forest environment, the Center offers visitors a glimpse into the Philippines’s forest ecosystem. The facility is also considered a major tourist attraction in Davao City with its lush gardens and scenery.

The Visitor's Lounge (above photo) of the Philippine Eagle Center was constructed to provide a favorable impression on visitors, and to help the Philippine Eagle Foundation promote its conservation efforts. The opening of the Visitor's Lounged on June 4, 2008 was headed by then Department of Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, and Philippine Eagle Foundation President Lt. Gen. William K. Hotchkiss III (Ret.). The event was also attended by Department of Tourism-XI Regional Director Sonia Garcia, Congressman Vincent Garcia of Davao City 2nd District, Department of Tourism Under Secretary Eduardo Jarque Jr., and Executive Director Dennis Salvador of the Philippine Eagle Foundation. An average of 100,000 people visit the Philippine Eagle Center annually.

Mansaka

Mansaka

The Mansaka is the most prominent tribe that lives in dispersed settlements in the fertile valleys and hills of Compostella Valley Province whose economic and political life is largely guided by tribal elders known as Matikadong. The Baylan, or the village shamans perform rituals for the tribe, while the Bagani or tribal warriors protect the the rights and lives of the people.

Their traditional house, called the Uyaanan, is typically is a single-room structure built on top of a tree, elevated some twelve feet above ground supported by sturdy timber posts. The house is usually made of bamboo, while the roof is made of sasal or bamboo shingles. A single log carved with notches or foothold serves as ladder to the house.

Traditionally, the front of the house called, papaudan faces the morning sun. The house consists of the pilapil or their resting place, the tambi or the sleeping area, thepangabwanan where food is prepared and cooked, and the talaga where the kitchen utensils are stored.

The Uyaanan are usually clustered in kinship-based neighborhood within sight of each other and may contain up to three family units. The selection of the site and construction of the house are directed by the Mansaka elders. 

Rafflesia - World's Largest Flower

Rafflesia - World's Largest Flower

Davao is no stranger to superlatives: Davao City being the largest city in the world, and is home to the largest eagle in the world, and the list goes on. . . And, I would not be surprised that, again, the largest flower in the world called Rafflesia should find its home in the foothill village of New Albay   mountain ranges in Maragusan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte.

Dahican Beach

Dahican Beach is a stunning seven-kilometer stretch of crescent-shaped white sand coastline and towering coconut trees along the sparkling turquoise waters of Mayo Bay facing the Pacific Ocean. It is situated 10 kilometers of downtown city proper of Mati in Davao Oriental, and is a widely popular beach destination for skimboarding and other watersports in Davao Region. About a hectare of the bay is a declared marine sanctuary because of its rich marine life, and where dolphins, sea cows, and sea turtles inhabit the waters of Dahican. It is also home to the famous Amihan Boys of Dahican - a group of young homegrown skimboarders and surfers.

Davao Zorb Park

Zorbing or Globe Riding is becoming one of the most popular outdoor activities in Davao City. It involves rolling down a gentle slope hill inside a huge inflatable and transparent globe or ball about 3 meters in diameter usually made of plastic in a safe and controlled environment lasting for a few seconds to a minute or so.

Zorbing actually originated in New Zealand 15 years or so ago and it has since became so popular that the sport went beyond its place of origin and expanded to a global sport sensation. The first zorbing site was established in Rotorua, New Zealand, by Andrew Akers and David Akers.

Davao International Airport

The Davao International Airport, formerly known as Francisco Bangoy International Airport, is Mindanao's international gateway to countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Indonesia; and to the rest of the Philippines: Cebu, Zamboanga, and Manila. It is the busiest airport in Mindanao. 

Seagull Mountain Resort

Seagull Mountain Resort is one of the many popular destinations in Davao City. It is situated along the Bukidnon-Davao (BUDA) Road in Barangay Lorega, Marilog District, Davao City, and is nestled on a mountain about 4,200 feet above sea level. The Resort is widely known for its cool weather all year round, and thick mountain fog, (even in broad daylight!), that quietly crawls the lush greenery amidst tall Pine trees and wild flowers surrounding the entire area, making it a popular getaway for family outing.

Seagull Mountain Resort is one of the three Seagull Resorts owned by the Dureza family of Davao; the other two resorts are: Seagull Beach Resort in Davao City, and the Seagull Inland Resort in Digos, Davao Del Sur.

Davao Famous Restaurant

This is the Davao Famous Restaurant along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue (formerly Uyanguren Street) in Chinatown, Davao City where my family and I were regular patrons when we used to live in Davao City. It is one of my two favorite restaurants in the area; the other one is the Davao Shanghai Restaurant. Here, countless weekend lunches were spent with my family and we would always dine in the restaurant whenever we find ourselves in Davao. 

The restaurant serves authentic Chinese cuisines at very reasonable prices. Their own recipe of buttered chicken is the BEST! and their crispy pata served with Chopsuey and Chinese fried rice are a blast! The staff are very solicitous and attentive to their customers. Unknown to many, this is where Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee started out.

Japanese Tunnel

Along the Diversion Road in Davao City, there is a Japanese tunnel that dates back during the World War II. The tunnel was carved out of the hilly section of Matina Balusong, west of the city by Davao Prisoners of War in 1942. The tunnel was used by the Japanese as a hide-out, and as a means of transporting their equipment and mobilizing their forces against the American liberating army. It was accidentally discovered by the owners of the land while constructing a hotel. They were excavating the area when they uncovered damp passageways and rooms underneath the land, and soon discovered that those were tunnels used by the Japanese soldiers during the war.

The owners decided then to name the place D' Japanese Tunnel Family Resort, which is now a hotel, a restaurant, and has since become one of the major tourist attractions in Davao City.

Outland Adventure Xcelerator Zipline

Outland Adventure Camp’s Xcelerator Zipline is a kilometer long dual-cable speed zipline about 200 feet above the ground making it the largest ropes course facility and the longest and fastest zipline not only in the Philippines but in Asia as well. The facility uses state-of-the-art standard safety equipments certified and imported from the U.S. It is situated in a 17-hectare private nature sanctuary in the village of Bugac, Diversion Road Ma-a, Davao City. 

Outland Adventure Camp is owned and operated by Project Challenge Foundation, Inc. in Davao City, a foundation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Board members of Project Challenge Foundation, Inc. does not receive financial compensation or fringe benefits from Outland Adventure programs and rely entirely on donations and revenues generated form corporate clients for the daily business operation of the facilities. Their incorporation documents and by-laws are on file for public viewing at the local Davao City Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) office.

Malagos Garden

Malagos Garden Resort and Univet Nutrition and Animal Healthcare Company present…
a weekend of seminars, food tasting, farm games and entertainment! A rare chance to own dairy goats and cows, ostriches, pheasants, birds, chickens, ducks and horses!
The Malagos Farm Fair was conceptualized as an occasion to sell the menagerie of farm animals the Puentespina Family grows. We find great pleasure and fulfillment in raising dairy goats, cows, sheep, cocks, horses, peacocks, pheasants, ostriches, fancy chickens, dogs, and ornamental birds.
And what better way of sharing this bounty of fulfillment than an “open house!” We have decided to open our farms and show interested would-be farmers what it takes to have a cacao farm, a dairy goat and cow operation, the organic fertilizer and vermi-culture project. And to make the day more interesting, we have invited our industry partners to promote and sell their products, give seminars on farming, animal raising, cheese making, industry updates, farm games, adventure race, food tasting, and when the sun sets, relax with wine & cheese or beer pairing.

Philippine Eagle

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.7 to 8.0 kilograms (10 to 18 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length, with the Steller's Sea Eagle and the Harpy Eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk.^[2][3] Among the rarest and most powerful^[quantify] birds in the world, it has been declared the Philippine national bird.^[4] It iscritically endangered, mainly due to massive loss of habitat due to deforestation in most of its range. Killing a Philippine Eagle is punishable under Philippine law by 12 years in jail and heavy fines.^[5]

St. Mary Church

St. Mary Church is located at Cabantian Road, Buhangin Proper, 2nd District - Buhangin, Davao City 8000, Davao del Sur .

San Pedro Church

With the original structure dating back to 1847, the San Pedro Cathedral is among Mindanao’s oldest churches. This splendid old building was erected as a tribute to St Peter and is notable for housing its original altar, which now stands in the right wing. The cathedral is still a working religious facility and serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Davao.

Eden Nature Park

Right at the foot of Mt. Talomo in Davao City’s Toril District is an 80 hectares of man-made nature park that for years has been providing a cool relief from the city’s busy urban life – the Eden Nature Park and Resort.Shortly called as Eden, the mountain resort offers various attractions, activities, adventures and even food experience. At 2,650 feet above sea level, it also offers the best view of Davao City.

Commune with nature with their vast gardens of organic vegetables, various tropical flora, thousands of pine trees and other plants while enjoying the temperate climate and fresh forest air. For first timers, a tour is a must to see the The Amphitheater, Lola’s Garden, Flower Garden, Plaza Maria, Mayumi’s Well and other spots around.Experience adventure  as you trek down their Mountain Trail, camp in their grounds, try rope gliding in their Indiana Jones, play and move in their grounds or zip to their 200-meters zip line tagged as Sky Rider.Take a peek at the lives and cultures of our Mindanaoan ancestors with the walk to Tinubdan or enjoy their other facilities which include swimming pools, playgrounds, cottages, souvenir shops, function areas and business center equipped with wi-fi.

True to their tagline, “a respite, an adventure, a spiritual retreat, a cultural excursion and a sensuous feast” await everyone at Eden!

Pearl Farm

Only a 45 minute boat ride from the resort’s marina in Davao City, Pearl Farm Beach Resort’s different hues of green and blue beckons you to experience bliss. From the boat, one can see the green lush canopy of trees and shrubs that shelter the traveler from the sun.  And as you gaze above, the blue sky and sea invites you to take a dip and explore the waters.

As you alight from the boat, the Parola Bar welcomes you with a refreshing glass of fresh fruit juice-in-season that quenches your thirst and gives you a taste of what awaits.  As you look down on the water, fishes of different varieties and sizes seem to also welcome you to the resort and invite you to come and swim.

When you reach your rooms, the comfortable bed, large lcd tv, complimentary basket of fruits, and rain shower head in the bath makes you think twice if you should go out or just stay in the room.

If you go out, you have a choice between the clear blue waters over soft white sand beach while swimming with the fish or the infinity pool.  Snorkelling, jet skiing, kayaking, wind surfing, cruising and scuba diving are aqua options you can do.  Just 60 meters away from the resort are two (2) sunken World War II Japanese vessels.  However which way, you’re sure to have a fun wet experience.

Davao Crocodile Park

The Davao Crocodile Park is a major tourist destination located at the Riverfront, Corporate City Diversion Highway, Ma-a, Davao City, and is about 15 to 30 minutes from downtown of the City. 

Not only does the Park provide entertainment to visitors as its share in the City's tourism effort, but also serve as a venue for educational tours, lectures for  public awareness, field laboratory for students in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, as well as for wildlife animal enthusiasts, and conservation of crocodiles and other wildlife animals.

D' Leonor Hotel Inland Resort

D' Leonor Hotel Inland Resort is a sprawling 26 hectare inland resort and adventure park nestled on a mountainous terrain in Cabantian, Davao City. It is regarded as the biggest inland resort and one of the newest attractions to the ever growing number of adventure parks in Davao City. It features a surf rider, a mini zoo, a fish pond, a zipline, a hanging bridge, a cable car, and, of course, their pride - the wavepool and the raging river. It also has tennis and basketball courts, an air conditioned chapel, commercial buildings, restaurants, a picnic area, and a clubhouse. For overnight stay, the resort has a hotel and cottages.

The Resort had its soft opening in May 14, 2011 which was attended by the owner, Leonora Lim, Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, actor Marvin Agustin and several invited guests, including those from the media.

Davao People's Park

People’s park (Camus street) is probably the city’s most popular recreational destination. The City Government- owned and managed facility boasts of playgrounds, gardens, water features, walkways, artworks and art installations that depict the diversity of the city’s culture.It is also a favorite venue for various arts, cultural, social and environmental events of the city. Park Hours: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Admission: Free

Abreeza Mall

Abreeza Mall is a large shopping mall complex located at J.P. Laurel Avenue, in Davao City, Philippines. It is the first Ayala Shopping Centerlocated in Mindanao. It opened on May 12, 2011. It is owned by Accendo Commercial Corporation, a joint venture company of Ayala Land and Anflocor.

The 3-storey mall lies within a 4-hectare space of the 10-hectare commercial complex. Also in the same complex stands a 4-storey Robinson's Mall. At least three hectares of the entire property will be sold for residential or commercial purposes, including a hotel and residential condominiumprojects Abreeza Residences and Abreeza Place.Davao Technohub is an under construction 8-story information technology (IT) center right beside the existing Abreeza Mall. The proposal cites that the first three floors of the IT center will be dedicated to the retail expansion of the mall within the project. The remaining floors will be the office portion of the building that accommodates the business process outsourcing companies.

Sm Lanang

SM Lanang Premier is a shopping mall in Davao City, Philippines. The mall is owned and managed by SM Prime Holdings. Construction of the mall started in 2011. SM Lanang Premier opened to the public on September 28, 2012.

The mall has a gross floor area of 145,000 m² (1,560,000 sq ft)^[1] and a gross leasable area of 88,499 m² (952,600 sq ft). The mall features the anchors SM Store and SM Supermarket. The mall has 273 leasable units.

The mall opened to the public on September 28, 2012. Motorists and commuters got stuck in heavy traffic along Jose P. Laurel Avenue due to the mall opening.SM Lanang Premier is SM Prime Holdings' fourth mall in Mindanao after SM City Davao, SM City Cagayan de Oro and SM City General Santos. The mall's exterior design is inspired by origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The abstract and asymmetric lines of the origami are introduced in the mall's the north, south and west facades.^[1]

SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, Watsons, Ace Hardware, and other major SM retail affiliates are some of the mall's anchor stores.

Mt. Apo

Mount Apo is a large solfataric, potentially-active stratovolcano in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an altitude of 2,954 metres (9,692 ft), it is the highest mountain in the country and is located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Region XI and Cotabato province in Region XII. The peak overlooks Davao City 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the northeast, Digos City 25 kilometres (16 mi) to the southeast, and Kidapawan City 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the west.

Marco Polo Hotel

The Marco Polo Hotel Davao is literally in a class of its own, as it’s the only luxury hotel in all of Davao City, in the Philippines. From your guide’s impressions on staying there, though, they’ve not rested on their laurels.

Despite (or because of) the lack of competition in its class, the Marco Polo has created a niche for itself as a social gathering place for Davao’s business community, making it a great place for business travelers to come and network with their local contacts, whether with a cocktail at the fourth-floor bar facing the swimming pool, or over dinner at the grand Café Marco.

The City of Davao (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Dabaw, Tagalog: Lungsod ng Dabaw) is a city in Mindanao, Philippines. It is a part of Metro Davao, the third most populous metropolitan area in the country. The city serves as the regional center for the Davao Region.

Davao is also the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area. It has an estimated population of 1,530,365 as of 2011. The City Mayors Foundation ranks Davao City as the 87th fastest growing city in the world, and it has been listed by the FDi magazine as the 10th "Asian City of the Future" together with two other Philippine cities – Quezon City as 7th and Cebu City as 8th.^[1]

The city is located near beaches, mountain resorts, and diving spots. The highest peak in the Philippines, Mount Apo, is located in the city. Davao has been awarded by the Department of Tourism as the "Most Livable City" in the Philippines in 2008

Davao !

Local historians of Davao claim that the word davao came from the phonetic blending of the word of three Bagobo subgroups when referring toDavao River, an essential waterway which empties itself into Davao Gulf near the city. The aboriginal Obos who inhabit the hinterlands of the region called the river, Davoh; the Clatta or Guiangans called it Duhwow, or Davau, and the Tagabawa Bagobos, Dabu. To the Obos, the worddavoh also means a place "beyond the high grounds", alluding to the settlements located at the mouth of Davao River which were surrounded by high rolling hills. When asked where they were going, the usual reply is davoh, while pointing towards the direction of the town. Duhwow also refers to a trading settlement where they barter their forest goods in exchange for salt or other commodities.