Philippines, where to go (or go there at all)?

Boracay is the biggest destination for the international holiday maker. It is a stunnigly beautiful island with endless blindingly white beaches but it is a bit commercial

Boracay

Much of Mindanao is perfectly ok to travel to but dont go to the island of Basilan.

Palawan is a beautiful province with some breathtakingly beautiful islands for island hopping. You can have a real Robinson Crusoe experience here.

Palawan

There are hundreds of beach resorts in this area offering diving and snorkeling.

There is spectacular wreck diving (Japanese ww2 wrecks)in Palawan.

There is not alot to see in Manila. Find yourself a good travel agent and get out of town as quick as you can - the provinces are stunning and the beaches amongst the very best in the world.

Don't forget you Lonely Planet guide!

Personally I like the little island of Siquijor - Filipinos (the most supersticious people in the world) wont go there as they think the island is full of witches. Hire yourselves some bikes and cycle around the island on the tarmac coast road the goes right round the island stopping off at beach resorts for diving and staying the night then move on. Its very inexpensive there, quiet and restful.

Siquijor


If you want bright lights and night life - Boracay is the place.

My favourite resort (the whole island)is at Club Paradise on Dimakya Island - Palawan

Club Paradise

BTW - have your wits about you in Manila - common sense stuff like dont get into a taxi (licensed bandit)if there are two in the car (the driver and his 'cousin') - or you could be in trouble. The provinces are safe and you will meet the friendliest people everywhere.

Do you have a hotel in Manila organised?

Another useful website

If you want to go shopping in Manila you must visit Mega Mall (its the size of several football pitches)or the more up-market Shangri-la Mall which is next door. Any taxi driver will take you to 'Mega Mall, Edsa'.

Good post Acad,

Is it my eyes or is there flies on the Siquijor page ?

Beano

Flies?



Lots of fireflies on Siquijor

Little white things darting about on the screen.

quote:

Originally posted by Beano:
Little white things darting about on the screen.

I dont see any Beano.

There are few weird things on Siquijor

Now, these seem like my kind of demons. Slightly unruly, yes, but actually rather civilised when it comes down to it old chap:

Agta, Bawa, and Ungo

The Agta look like tall huge black men and are practically naked. It’s magical character varies depending on the tree or building it inhabits. This is usually Santol or Balete trees or in Mangroves. The Agta is active during dark hours (from 8pm to 4am) and his activities include wandering alone in the night, walking towards humans, standing still and alone, and ordering fishermen not to fish. The Agta will push trees down to stop men and will punish when offended. The Agta also likes to steal clothes and firewood. When not active, the Agta will smoke a large pipe or cigar while sitting on a tree.

Thanks Acad! Very reassuring to read your post.

Will go to Palawan for sure. Maybe we'll go to Boracay as well just for a few days, mostly just to have been there since it's the place most people think of when they hear of the Philippines(Swedes at least).

Are there any good deals to be made in Manila/Philippines? Electronics?

Regards,
Jacob

quote:

Originally posted by acad tsunami:
Do you have a hotel in Manila organised?

Oh, I didn't notice this first. Yes, hotel in Manila is the only thing we have booked in advance. Thought it would be nice since we arrive pretty late in the night.

Regards,
Jacob

quote:

Originally posted by thejejk:
Thanks Acad! Very reassuring to read your post.

Will go to Palawan for sure. Maybe we'll go to Boracay as well just for a few days, mostly just to have been there since it's the place most people think of when they hear of the Philippines(Swedes at least).

Are there any good deals to be made in Manila/Philippines? Electronics?

Regards,
Jacob

You can't go wrong in Palawan and Boracay offers a wide range of accomodation from cheap to horribly expensive and you are sure to find something reasonable but you are coming at the most expensive time of the year so you may not be able to haggle for a bargain but its all cheap compared to Sweden.

Flying from Province to province is ridiculous cheap and flights are frequent. Internal flights are fun.

The Naim emporium is in Cebu but I doubt you will get anything cheaper there. You will probably be able to find Chinese electronics in Mega mall and elsewhere.

See if you can arrange for someone from your hotel to meet you at the airport - it wont be any cheaper than using any of the licensed bandits but at least it will save you having to deal with them!

Thanks again Acad. It's things like these that makes me so impressed by the Naim forum and the people that frequent it.

We have a good starting position with the accomodation possibilities since both us think its ok with cheap and rough places but also can afford the more expensive places (well maybe not the most expensive - I prefer to 'waste' my money on audio eqp instead).

Will call the hotel a few days in advance to book a ride!

Regards,
Jacob

Some of the more rustic places are the best in my view - a little native hut on a quiet beach with white sand, turquoise sea, palm trees and sunsets is hard to beat.

Let me know if you need any more recommendations - I have travelled extensively within the islands - and dont forget to post some photos!

Dive Philippines

Recommendations for activities (other than diving) and places in Palawan would be highly appreciated!

Secret Beach

Secret beach in Matinloc island cant be seen from the sea. When I went there the tide was high and I had to snorkel to get there.

El

Nido

There are several beautiful islands in the El Nido area (including Matinloc island)- one island not listed in the previous link is Malapacao The Malapacao Island Resort is worth a visit if you want some serious pampering in the resorts spa.

In fact the whole of Bacuit Bay is a paradise.

This kind of resort is typical for the area But there are many much cheaper than this and you can expect to pay $10-20 or less per night.

Dolarog beach resort

Amanpulo

Amanpulo is easily the most expensive in the area - actually I think its probably the most expensive in the entire country.

Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is in North palawan near Club paradise and the best wreck diving.

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Now, these seem like my kind of demons. Slightly unruly, yes, but actually rather civilised when it comes down to it old chap:

Agta, Bawa, and Ungo

Yes Mark, there are demons to suit all tastes here and the list is by no means comprehensive! If you were tell a filipino you were going to Siquijor you would the see the colour quickly drain from their face and you would be told NOT to go there for fear of your life but in fact it is a gem of an island full of the friendliest people. There are a number of healers deep in the woods who brew strange concoctions from herbs and roots but they are very benign. I am sure the bad press comes from the Catholic church!

Jacob, personally I would find somehere cheap and cheerful to stay and use my money to hire boats and go island hopping and snorkelling/diving. There are literally hundreds of islands in Bacuit bay many of which are uninhabited and contain caves which are unexplored. Who knows maybe you will find Yamashita's Gold! Some say it would be worth approx. $50 billion!

More about El Nido

I'm really getting excited about this trip now. Better bring a shovel as well and start digging for treasures!

Thanks again Acad!

Beware of old men offering you Japanese maps made during the war to record the places where the treasure was buried. I was offered three in one morning!

I'm amazed how many short films there are about palawan on youtube Here most of them are crap!

Underground River - Sabang, Palawan

Oops nearly forget this

My wife grew up in the Philipines and she highly recommends Vegas. No malaria, Taliban and you can still get those 99 cent shrimp coctails. You don't know what you're missin' bro. If you ain't got 'dis, you jus ain't funky boie.. Live with it mon. You a blood clot.

looney alert!