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kungfuman · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 2:12 am Post subject: My vacation to the Philippines

Was pretty good! Despite 2 storms and floods I enjoyed going there and will go again next chance I have for vacation.

Stayed in manila and did some shopping at some of the malls. Mall of Asia being the favorite and the Sm in Markti and mall next to it.

Went scuba diving in Puerto Galera and exploring there.

I would recommend the Philippines to anyone needing a quick get-a-way from China or other places.

Flew from Shanghai Hongqiao to Manila via HK on Cathay Pacific.

I look forward to doing it again.

7969 · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:33 am Post subject:

I was going to go to the Phillipines earlier this month but there seemed to be too much rain, so ended up in Thailand instead. I am planning on the Phillipines for part of the winter holiday though. Researching that now.

tttompatz · Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 5:59 am Post subject:

Cathay Through HK to Cebu is probably a better choice than Manila.

Cebu, Or pretty much anywhere else in the Visayas region is below the typhoon belt so big storms, flooding, mudslides, etc are more rare and much less severe.

Cebu is also a much nicer gateway airport than NAIA 1, 2 or 3 in Manila.

You can also easily catch flights to just about everywhere else in the country, including popular tourist destinations like Boracay) as it is well served by all of the domestic airlines and about a dozen large ferry companies (along with many more smaller pumpboat/banka services for island hopping.

.

kungfuman · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:45 pm Post subject:

Manila Airport terminal one reminded me of something from a 1970's made for tv movie about an airport hijacking or something. I was expecting to see Starsky and Hutch pop out or a Black Panther.

I actually wanted to stay in Manila to see an Aussie friend and do some shopping. The malls there are much nicer than in China.

Jolie_V · Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 38

[quote="kungfuman"]Manila Airport terminal one reminded me of something from a 1970's made for tv movie about an airport hijacking or something. I was expecting to see Starsky and Hutch pop out or a Black Panther."

Laughing

loved your description...so true

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 181

How much was the flight with Cathay Pacific?

kungfuman · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:46 am Post subject:

roundtrip from Shanghai hongqiao was 2100 rmb. Went via HK to Manila. Look on the Dragon Air WWW site.

Captain_Fil · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:04 am Post subject:

I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation. The Philippines can be a great destination with its affordable pleasures and spectacular places.

I, too, vacationed in the Philippines recently.

Last April and May, I flew to Manila on Cathay Pacific. The flight was long but fun. Even in economy class, the food was good and the entertainment system was great (with hundreds of movies to choose from).

I stayed in Manila and Tarlac. I went to Baguio City for the first time. And I explored a cave in Cagayan. But I did not go to Mall of Asia. (It is too big and too far.)

It was so HOT there, I almost fainted. A cold shower never felt so GOOD.

On my flight back to California, I had a ten-hour layover in Hong Kong. I rode a double-decker bus through downtown and went up to Victoria Peak. It was awesome. It was my first time there.

I will never forget my vacation!

Mr. Green

kungfuman · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:08 am Post subject:

I have 2 weeks at Christmas and am considering going back - this time taking my Chinese girlfriend with me as she just got a passport.

rioux · Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 181

December and January are good months to go (cooler then).

I think I will probably head back there in early January.

Captain_Fil · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:12 pm Post subject:

For any traveler to the Philippines, I would advise avoiding the hot months - March, April, May. (That is, unless you like to sweat.)

December and January are fun months. The weather is cool and there's Christmas and New Year's. Smile

But that's a high travel season. Airline tickets will be more expensive. Sad