Long weekend in the Philippines

Hal, do you have any idea where you would like to go in the Philippines?  Do you have a budget? Boracay is the most international of holiday destinations but it is expensive and jolly commerical - on the other hand it is jaw droppingly beautiful, I live just 10 mins from Boracay. 

Avoiding kids is not easy as they you find them everywhere here, indeed you need to watch where you step!

My advice is stay in a really quiet little place On Panay and then go to Boracay (10 mins by boat) for the sights and arguably the best beach in the world. That way you get the best of both worlds. 

Alternatively Palawan is the least developed, least populated place with the most wildlife. Avoid Manila like the plague. 

Isn’t it amazing to find a fellow forum member in the Philippines who is helpful? Thanks a lot Sniper! Well no actually, it will be my first time. I am stationed in Hong Kong and think the Philippines is a great spot for swimming and diving, especially considering the short distance flight. People I talked to here also mentioned Cebu and Boracay but no specifics.

I have not set a budget for the trip but I don’t have a lot to burn. As per your advice I’ll start checking resort hotels firstly on Panay. Manila will not be on itinerary unless I cannot find a suitable direct flight from here to Panay. Thanks again.

Hal   

There is at least one other forumite who lives here ( a fellow Brit) albeit at the other end of the Philippines. You could have stayed with us free, gratis and for nothing but we are in the process of moving. It is off season here and because of the wind direction you should find a decent place on a beach for not much money here on Panay but you might find it deathly quiet.  You could just go to Boracay (fly to Boracay-Caticlan airport via Cebu or Manila - there are no direct flights yet and then take the boat to Boracay) and walk up and down the beach until you found somewhere to you liking - ask if they have a 'promo' price and they might drop the price - rooms vary from approx. p2,500 per night to p30,000 plus per night. There are scores of diving schools and restaurants and bars of every persuasion. White Beach is breathtaking and the sunsets some kind of religious experience. The atmosphere is amazing and the nightlife electric but don't expect anything quite as obvious as Pattaya. If I have the time I'm happy to meet up and help you out. 

Thanks, that’s very kind and thoughtful of you. Really appreciated.

As for one who frequently hops from country to country I am quite familiar how house moves can be unsettling and real PITA. Best of luck. I hope you will get proper assistance from movers or friends.

So, I’d better looking for places on Boracay as well then. Though walk in sounds exciting to check the options on the ground and snatch some good deals if ever but I’d feel more comfortable that I book a room in advance. I was burnt a couple of times like that and now thrice shy. Beaches look like god’s own solarium! I can imagine that there are a few good restaurants and bars on the island. It would be really cool if we’d ever meet up. I'd be happy to buy you a drink or two. I will try to share info on my travel dates and the place I’ll hole up, when they are available.

By the way I figured out that I replied to your post on DAC V1-Nap100-KEF LS50 system. Have you put off getting them due to pending move?

Cheers,

Hi Hal,

My wife and I have been looking at places on Boracay almost every day for the last week and of course we have often found websites giving false impressions.  Only an hour ago we found an astonishing place with lovely rooms but there was so much noise from nearby building sites and tree felling (chain saws) that we beat a hasty retreat. There are real saving to be had from walking in and asking for discounts and its a buyers market right now. There are a bunch of people who greet arrivals at Caticlan airport and escort them to a hotel (they get a commission from the hotel) and generally they do a good job (they are licensed and trained and they wear uniforms). We know one of them and she is a very nice lady. You can check out several places like this. 

Things to remember: You Pay much more on White Beach (for everything). The nearer you are to White beach the more you pay. White Beach is heaving with life but Puka beach is almost deserted by comparison. Bulabog beach is kite surfing paradise but it is out of season now. Bulabog beach is cheaper (but it is still a spectacular beach) and because the kiters have left there should be some bargains in that area. It only takes 10 -15 mins to walk from Bulabog to white beach. There are more shops, restaurants and bars than you can shake a stick at. I'm more than happy to show you around and yes, have a beer or two. 

We don't know where we will be living. Our landlord gave us a weeks notice having promised us we could rent for 5 years. He wants to build some apartments so he just turned up and cut down every tree, bush, shrub and plant that my wife and I have nurtured for 3 years. All the work we have done to develop the house and improve it has been ignored and gone un-thanked. As the house is a corner stone of my business we are left with nowhere to live and very much reduced income and prospects. Two weeks prior to this we had unforeseen medical bills so, yes the Naim gears and KEFs ave been shelved, so to speak. Certainly a PITA but we are robust. It is a step backward but we will go 2 steps forward again. 

The weather is due to change soon. After 6 months with so little rain and constant hot weather  we were forced to truck in several thousand litres just to keep the swimming pool in order. Any day now the wind will change, the clouds will come and it will rain. Often it only rains for half an hour or so and often only at night but we have known rain that has lasted for several hours during the day. Hopefully you will have 3 or 4 days just like today - hot, sunny, cloudless and a gentle breeze. 

Hi Sniper,

Due to unforeseen circumstances involving troublesome business, invasion by family visitors and some health issues I could not make it. I regret this as it will not be good any time soon to be there speaking weather wise. At any rate I’m thankful for your kindness and appreciate all those advices.

Living in HK I am pretty much aware and experienced of blood-sucking attitude of some landlords. I do not want to badmouth every landlord in this city as it would be an unfounded generalization but they have the propensity to be a real PITA. I sincerely hope that you have been already able to find a good place for you and your family or in the process of clinching it. And I am sure that prospects will start looking up soon. For last couple of weeks I have  found myself  repeating “C’mon man things can only get better” too. Shite happens as always.. Stay safe out there as typhoon season draws near!

All the best,

Hi Sniper -

Totally missed your post from last month -- what a frustrating situation!

I admire your attitude, and hope that you and your lovely family have landed in a better spot.

And to your ex-landlord, I hope he learns that Kharma is real, and that what goes around, come around!  

Hook

Hi Hal, 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The weather turned about 10 days ago and since then we have had a mix of scorching hot sunny days followed by rain, rain and more rain. We are not in the typhoon area although last years mega typhoon swept right through here but that was an exceedingly rare event. If you came now you could have 4 wonderful days of sunshine or 4 days of rain. Most likely you would get a mix. 

I had felt like punching my landlord on the nose but it turns out he did us a favour and we found a better place (it has brand new guest apartments too). 

Here is my view now: 

Hi Hook, 

Thank you for your kind words. As you can see we seemed to have landed on our feet. Our new house is smaller than our last place but the garden is way bigger and more lovely. We can't believe our luck. As for the landlord (an astonishingly stupid man) he is due to go to court against the previous owner who had duped him into buying a property she did not fully own relying on my wife and I to be principle witnesses - he will be totally out of his depth in court and he stands to lose $150,000. I hardly feel like helping him out now. Instant karma is gonna get him. 

I really can't complain. This is the view from the sea wall at the bottom of the garden. 

Stunning views!  Congrats on your new home Sniper!

Hook