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Binch Lover
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
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 Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:17 pm Post subject: Indonesia or Philippines? |
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I've been thinking of what to do for the summer holidays lately and I've pretty much decided on either Indonesia or the Philippines. I have two weeks in August and I'm hoping to spend no more than about 700,000 won on a return ticket. I've been to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, and Malaysia just doesn't grab me for some reason so I guess all that's left in SEA is Indonesia and the Philippines.
For those of you who have been to both, which would you recommend? I like the backpacker style holiday... ie moving around a bit and staying in cheap places where you can meet people. I don't like resorts at all (I hated Chaweng on Koh Samui for example) and a bit of culture or outdoor activities would be nice too. At the moment, I'm veering towards Indonesia because I know an Indonesian guy on Lombok who runs scuba tours so he'd be able to help me out.
Any ideas or suggestions? I'm open to other ideas too (sorta thinking about Mongolia but I'd like to chill on a beach!) |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:28 am Post subject: |
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I'm in Philippines now.
My impression (after only 2 days) is that there are mostly resorts here and backpacker style places are few. Could be wrong.
Also Philipinos are generally poor and really after your money. Walking in the street is asking for harrasment (although its a very polite harrasment). |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 4:53 am Post subject: |
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| nautilus wrote: |
I'm in Philippines now.
My impression (after only 2 days) is that there are mostly resorts here and backpacker style places are few. Could be wrong.
Also Philipinos are generally poor and really after your money. Walking in the street is asking for harrasment (although its a very polite harrasment). |
You must be close to Manila, north/central Luzon or Cebu city to have those problems.
Get away from the cities and it is a whole different world.
Camiguin island, Leyte, Samar, Siargao Island (not to be confused with Siragao on Mindanao), Bohol (get away frrom Tagbilaran city).
A nice pension house is about $5-10 (php 250-500) per night (breakfast included). People are friendly and warm and not particularly out to pick your pockets.
Meals run about php40-60 (less if it is veggie only). small serving of rice (1 person) is p5-10. Instant coffee is p15-25. Meat dish p40. Veggie dish p20-30.
Rent a banka and paddler/guide for p400 per day. Rent a fisherman and his pump boat for p5000 + gas for a week. You'd be surprised where you can go and what you can see.
The real culture is away from the cities and out in the provinces. |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
You must be close to Manila, north/central Luzon or Cebu city to have those problems. |
Yep- Cebu. Its a nice and interesting city but as I say the whole area here is primed for higher end tourism-hotels and resorts. Its been a nice stay and the Filippinos are generally warm and friendly, but next time I think I'll follow your idea. Its been OK for a quick getaway though. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun May 06, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Regarding the backpacker scene discussed by the OP.
Philippines doesn't have a backpacker scene. Indonesia somewhat does, at least more than the Philippines, but not as much as say Thailand.
I'd also agree with someone else about the resorts. Yeah, a lot of resorts in the Philippines. One of the big activities done is yet again diving (generally not a backpacker type activity). The beaches in the Philippines are gorgeous, but seldom see backpackers.
I love the Philippines for many reasons, (one of those reasons is because its way off the backpacker trail). Sounds like Indonesia would fit better for the OP's interests. |
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cosmo
Joined: 09 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 1:43 am Post subject: |
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If you want to sort out the scuba scene anywhere try
www.scubaboard.com |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| tiger beer- Did you manage to score a job in the Philippines ? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 7:13 am Post subject: |
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| nautilus wrote: |
| tiger beer- Did you manage to score a job in the Philippines ? |
Why on earth would anyone want to work in the Phils?
Work here for a year and then spend a year on the beach there.
Why would you work for $10 a day or less.
(Reference point - Pinoys often work for less than $5 per day.) |
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Binch Lover
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the replies. ttompatz made the Philippines sound like a nice place to go.
| Quote: |
I'd also agree with someone else about the resorts. Yeah, a lot of resorts in the Philippines. One of the big activities done is yet again diving (generally not a backpacker type activity). The beaches in the Philippines are gorgeous, but seldom see backpackers.
I love the Philippines for many reasons, (one of those reasons is because its way off the backpacker trail). Sounds like Indonesia would fit better for the OP's interests.
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Actually, I really want to do some diving on this trip. When I said I liked backpacker style holidays, I meant I don't like resorts. I prefer guesthouses or hostels in real towns, not artificial resorts. One of my all time pet peeves is the curse of the jet ski. I'm sure they're fun, but they don't make for a relaxing time at the beach. Still undecided... probably gonna go for Indonesia though. |
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Fofazoju
Joined: 09 May 2006
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| Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 3:42 am Post subject: |
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I HIGHLY recommend Palawan, Philippines. You can start at Sabang, and then hit the "major" cities on the way up to El Nido. It is INSANELY beautiful. I was in Bali this past January and didn't love it. And I covered a lot of it in the 2 weeks I was there.
The people we met in Palawan didn't view you as a walking dollar-sign like I felt in Bali. They were very community based and everyone seemed to really care about your visit and wanted you to see how beautiful their country was and show it off. You CANNOT go wrong with Palawan. Google pics on El Nido and you will see why. There are also several islands just off of Palawan that are supposed to be really good for diving also. TRUST ME! |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 4:12 am Post subject: |
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Philippines has a ton of diving. Entire section in the LP guides devoted to diving alone. Also it's one of the larger attractions there.
There aren't many hostels at all, but there are quite a few pensions. They are kind of like a mix of hotel and hostel, but you get your own private room and shower and such. Puerto Pension in Palawan is my favorite - if you want to search for it online. Usually they'll have a restaurant attached.
Almost all tourist-oriented beaches have cottages as well. Maybe those are to your liking?
Resorts are gorgeous.. here is one in Palawan:
Of course they'd cost significantly more, and better enjoyed with a significant other. Generally the resorts are far off the tourist trails.. most tourists will end up in the cottages and pensions in places like Boracay, etc. |
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