Philippines - Manila 10 days
Discussion
Hi all,
We have the opportunity to fly to Manila and return for just £70 each, so £140 for the both of us.
That's just the cost of the flight and air tax, nothing else.
January 16 to January 27.
So we would need a cheap hotel room, or even stay in 2 different places.
I have heard of Cebu, and Borocay, but that's the extent of all my Philippines information.
As we are "Beachy" sort of persons, where do any one suggest?
Activity and quiet beaches, scuba diving etc.
We have never been to Philippines before, but have traveled widely in SE Asia, Vietnam, China etc.
How far out of Manila would we need to travel to get away from the hum ding hustle and bustle.
Vette
We have the opportunity to fly to Manila and return for just £70 each, so £140 for the both of us.
That's just the cost of the flight and air tax, nothing else.
January 16 to January 27.
So we would need a cheap hotel room, or even stay in 2 different places.
I have heard of Cebu, and Borocay, but that's the extent of all my Philippines information.
As we are "Beachy" sort of persons, where do any one suggest?
Activity and quiet beaches, scuba diving etc.
We have never been to Philippines before, but have traveled widely in SE Asia, Vietnam, China etc.
How far out of Manila would we need to travel to get away from the hum ding hustle and bustle.
Vette
Cebu and borracay are not exactly close to Manilla! (we do a Manilla - borracay yacht race that takes24- 30 hours )
Not sure that Manilla itself has much by way of beach holiday stuff, it's a huge city, but Subic Bay is supposed to have interesting scuba diving.
There are a few locals that post here, sure they will come out of the woodwork shortly!
Not sure that Manilla itself has much by way of beach holiday stuff, it's a huge city, but Subic Bay is supposed to have interesting scuba diving.
There are a few locals that post here, sure they will come out of the woodwork shortly!
Fly mostly, Cebu pacific is the local budget carrier but air Asia may also do it.
There adequate a few islands in thewayso surface travel will involve lots of buses / ferries and TBH, the inter island ferries do not have the greatest of safety records!
Yea sure that KH and others will be along.
My origional suggestion which was going to be "get pissed at the Fire Station" may not be the best option for you
There adequate a few islands in thewayso surface travel will involve lots of buses / ferries and TBH, the inter island ferries do not have the greatest of safety records!
Yea sure that KH and others will be along.
My origional suggestion which was going to be "get pissed at the Fire Station" may not be the best option for you
Hi John,
Puerto Galera is looking quite favorable at the moment.
The beaches look good.
May rent one of the scooters to travel around on.
The riding/driving there can't be any busier than here in China, or Hanoi or Saigon where we recently rode through.
I am hoping KH pops up soon, and if he's home from that far off job of his, when we plan to arr. then we may see if a few bottles of local plonk can be downed together.
vette
Puerto Galera is looking quite favorable at the moment.
The beaches look good.
May rent one of the scooters to travel around on.
The riding/driving there can't be any busier than here in China, or Hanoi or Saigon where we recently rode through.
I am hoping KH pops up soon, and if he's home from that far off job of his, when we plan to arr. then we may see if a few bottles of local plonk can be downed together.
vette
Hi all,
Thanks for the recent replies.
We are looking to stay at Puerto Galera, on Mindoro Island, which is the northern tip of the Island just south of Manila.
However I have heard that the very southern Islands of Mindanao, is not a safe place to go, quite dangerous.
The distance between Mindoro and Mindanao is about 1000 km.
So do you think The island close to Manilla, Mindora, is safe?
vette
Thanks for the recent replies.
We are looking to stay at Puerto Galera, on Mindoro Island, which is the northern tip of the Island just south of Manila.
However I have heard that the very southern Islands of Mindanao, is not a safe place to go, quite dangerous.
The distance between Mindoro and Mindanao is about 1000 km.
So do you think The island close to Manilla, Mindora, is safe?
vette
Puerto Galera is perfectly safe (apart form the robbing Philipinos - their national sport is ripping off the tourist, not meant in a nasty way it is just like a tradition with them they are so poor in general). It is however about a 1 1/2 hrs drive south of Manila (about 2000php/£25 in a taxi), to the port of Batangas, then a 3/4hr boat trip in a banka/outrigger boat to the island and another half hour taxi/moped thingy ride to Galera. Galera is very nice if you like that kind of thing, personally I stay at a place called 'Elizabeths Hideaway' on Boquette Island, it is quiet! You can get a moed taxi to more lively places if that takes your fancy. http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/puerto_galer...
EDIT: If you do go to EH take plenty of cash (there is an ATM nearby but last time I was there I had to pay cash, their CCard system was down - quite common over there).
EDIT: If you do go to EH take plenty of cash (there is an ATM nearby but last time I was there I had to pay cash, their CCard system was down - quite common over there).
Edited by floydbax on Thursday 4th October 21:55
Only been there on a few business trips, last time was about 6 years ago. Looking at the FCO site its pretty much the same today, barely acceptable for business trips complete no no for me if it was pleasure.
The far south is a big no go, but you can even get the odd incident in Manila too. Check out the FCO and make your own mind up. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/...
The far south is a big no go, but you can even get the odd incident in Manila too. Check out the FCO and make your own mind up. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/...
floydbax said:
Puerto Galera is perfectly safe (apart form the robbing Philipinos - their national sport is ripping off the tourist, not meant in a nasty way it is just like a tradition with them they are so poor in general). It is however about a 1 1/2 hrs drive south of Manila (about 2000php/£25 in a taxi), to the port of Batangas, then a 3/4hr boat trip in a banka/outrigger boat to the island and another half hour taxi/moped thingy ride to Galera. Galera is very nice if you like that kind of thing, personally I stay at a place called 'Elizabeths Hideaway' on Boquette Island, it is quiet! You can get a moed taxi to more lively places if that takes your fancy. http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/puerto_galer...
EDIT: If you do go to EH take plenty of cash (there is an ATM nearby but last time I was there I had to pay cash, their CCard system was down - quite common over there).
.EDIT: If you do go to EH take plenty of cash (there is an ATM nearby but last time I was there I had to pay cash, their CCard system was down - quite common over there).
Edited by floydbax on Thursday 4th October 21:55
Thanks Floyd, on a few other forums, the very same has been said.
Puerto Galera is perfectly safe, just don't get ripped off by the locals selling junk etc.
Also not to go to any of the more southern Islands, even though Cebu, is on a more southerly Island, I (we) don't plan on going there.
Puerto Galera is perfectly fine for us.
vette
XJSJohn said:
floydbax said:
apart form the robbing Philipinos - their national sport is ripping off the tourist, not meant in a nasty way it is just like a tradition with them
To be fair, that statement covers most of SE Asia Your' quite right John,
However as both you and me know, once you start to live here, (SE Asia) you do become very quick at spotting most things.
Your over in Singapore, and have been there a while, Phumy, down in Saigon some where, Herald in Angels City, when he's home !, these are some the guys who really know what SE Asia is all about, and many things are second nature to us.
I have lived here in China for just over 3 years, with my Chinese wife.
There isn't much we could fall for over here.
vette
XJSJohn said:
Phumy went south, he is now a drunken bum in Jakarta as opposed to the Mekong Delta!
Yes am in the Southern Hemisphere now, so i rotate the other way now, am working in a sh!te hole of a place called Cilegon on the West coast of Java, however I manage to get over to Jakarta on a regular basis to get relieved of my well-earned, but its worth it Building power plants now, they kicked me out of the commissioning lark and promoted me FFS
HarryW said:
Only been there on a few business trips, last time was about 6 years ago. Looking at the FCO site its pretty much the same today, barely acceptable for business trips complete no no for me if it was pleasure.
The far south is a big no go, but you can even get the odd incident in Manila too. Check out the FCO and make your own mind up. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/...
To be honest, business trips are probably the worst thing. The country would be competitive like Japan if they sorted out the corruption and got organised. The people are fantastic and a holiday there is great. Yes avoid the South, but there are plenty of places to go.The far south is a big no go, but you can even get the odd incident in Manila too. Check out the FCO and make your own mind up. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/...
I was there last week, I wasn't robbed and I love it there (maybe helped by my Mrs by a Filipina!).
manila is great, been there a few times for work. i suggest staying in shangri la, you'll want to live there. outside manila is very very tricky if you arent with locals. avoid.
makati is great. greenbelt is great. bars are very loud. and locals generally cant drink at all. drink red horse beer.
makati is great. greenbelt is great. bars are very loud. and locals generally cant drink at all. drink red horse beer.
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