Korean Job Discussion Forums

[betchay]

unspoiled beach in the island of Luzon...

http://www.ironwulf.net/2007/05/01/anawangin-cove-and-capones-island-lighthouse/

[big_blue_21]

you can't go wrong with batam and bintan. The nicest hotel in Batam will be $35 dollars night (350,000 rupiah--that's October 2007 prices) while in Bintan you can get either cheaper if you stay on the Eastern beach, Trikora, or much more expensive (say 100+ Singapore dollars a night depending on the restort) if you stay on the Northern beach, which is know either as Bintan Resorts or by the nearby city name, Lagoi. Wikitravel can give you the basics. Also, pm me if you end up doing Indonesia as there's a nationwide "hotel agent" that can get you usually 20% off on 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star places in most of Indonesia. Sorry, can't think of the name off the top of my head. Very helpful, though. Have branches in Batan, Sumatra, Jakarta--most major cities in the coutry.

Also, the mountain resort town in the province of West Sumatra called Bukittinggi has a good name among Indonesians, though I didn't make it there. Woul avoid the rest of Sumatra except for North Sumatra and Acheh (the first known for Medan and orang-u-tangs, the second for surfing), as not much of interest there.

[big_blue_21]

If you'd rather do the Sunda Islands (Java, Bali, et al.) get a little out of the way and go for Lombok and Sumbawa and Flores. It will be a lot less expensive, a lot less crowded, and a lot less touristy than Bali. Of course, you can hit Bali too if you want, as international flights will only go into Jakarta or Bali. If you keep going you can see the Komodo dragons on the fifth island in the chain (it goes Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores) called Komodo--yep, they're not Japanese, but Indonesian. Even more outrageous, it's a former penal colony where about 2,000 descendents of convicts live--and no one else!

[Tiger Beer]

Just as an update to this thread. This particular Philippines trip I went to:

General Santos
Davao
Cagayan De Oro
Camiguin Island
Cebu
Bantayan Island
Bocolod
Iloilo
Boracay
Manila

---------------------

Had a good time, I'll definetely go to Boracay again next time as well. Everywhere was interesting, but next time I'd like to hit even more islands and such that I've never been. Coron and more of Palawan comes to mind in particular. I'd defintely go back to Mindanao again as well. I'm pretty much Visayas-d out for awhile, as I've been hitting those islands the last few times in the Philippines every time.

[creeper1]

This is a very interesting discusssion about Davao. I would like to add that although most of the Philippines (and other places in SE Asia) is hit by typhoons and rain at this time of year, Davao lies below the typhoon belt and receives a uniform amount of rainfall alll year round.

This is a big plus. Anyone heading to the Philippines this vacation should make a point of going there.

[Zulethe]

Yeah, I'm going there for the whole month of August. I made the huge mistake of going to Pattaya last winter vacation and this time I'd like less sleaze factor and more natural beauty.

[Yaya]

[Taiwantroll]

I think you are forgetting about Dumaguete. Dumaguete is the most beautiful, clean, friendly and scenic cities in the Philippines. It is also one of the biggest growth markets for new housing developments. From Dumaguete you have easy access to the lovely island of Siquijor, 3 national parks, lakes, and mountains. There is a growing expat community there and one of the most reputable colleges in the Visayas.

I think Dumaguete is the best city to live in in the PI.

[Tiger Beer]

[Yaya]

I might find my way to Davao after my last visit to Cebu was so-so at best. Prices are rising in Cebu and well, there isn't much to do.

[I-am-me]

If you go to Davao, check out the many small resorts on Samal Island. BLue Waters was my favorite. Pearl Farm is really nice, but expensive. I recommend Davao over Cebu for things to do.

[questionmark]

Everybody's comments have been so favorable, I started to read more about the community and thought about paying a visit.

I did find a troubling news story, though, and wonderded if anyone is familiar with the other side of Davao.

De Lima urged to probe vigilante killings in Davao City

- 1,000 vigilante killings in Davao City since 1998
- human rights abuses
- UN and human rights groups

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/197805/de-lima-urged-to-probe-vigilante-killings-in-davao-city

[ttompatz]

[I-am-me]

As long as you are not involved in drugs, you will be okay in Davao. I wouldnt hang out downtown late at night unless you are with a group of people though. The mayor handed the reigns down to his daughter so its still pretty safe.

[Yaya]

DEPARTMENT of Tourism-Southern Mindanao Director Sonia Garcia remains confident that the Koreans flocking to Davao City will not be affected by the negative publicity about Korean nationals here.

After one Korean was deported for failing to follow the anti-smoking ordinance of the city and showing aggressive behavior to authorities, Garcia said Koreans still continue to arrive in the city.

Koreans took center stage as some caught the ire of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for deliberately disobeying the ban on smoking, especially inside the Korean-managed casino at Apo View Hotel.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2007/09/25/news/dot.to.koreans.just.obey.the.law.html