Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sallymonster]

geldedgoat,

I'm going to warn you right now: if you think Boracay was bad, you really won't like Thailand, especially not Phuket. The touts there, and particularly the tuk-tuk drivers, are far more aggressive than anyone selling stuff on Boracay. In fact, I think you should just stick to developed countries on your travels for the most hassle-free experiences possible (I imagine in Mexico you were probably in Cabo San Lucas or someplace similarly developed and Westernized).

Here's a word of advice for you and anyone else considering travel to the less-than-first-world parts of Asia: do not make eye contact with touts/vendors! If you happen to notice a tout or salesperson coming your way, immediately look away, don't say a word to them and ignore them. If you're lying on the beach, pretend you're trying to sleep.

I was on Boracay just last week and the vendors just walked on by me because they could see I wasn't going to pay them any attention, while the tourists who said, "no" to the vendors got hassled all the time.

[BoholDiver]

Great advice. I don't even give them the time of day if I am not interested.

You think you're being polite saying no, but they are persistent. They think it gets them more sales. Don't bother trying to persuade them otherwise.

As far as 'porters', just hold onto your bag and keep walking. When they realize you are coming down the street with a head of steam, they'll jump out of your way.

[Tiger Beer]

[Yaya]

Yep, after the guy said he's heard Bali is bad (even though it's been voted one of the top 10 beach destinations in the world), I figure there's no point in responding to his posts.

[southernman]

I'm just back from vacation in the Philippines, had a short stay on Boracay, again. I always stay down past station 3 its much more relaxed. Its actually where a lot of the ex-pats hang out as well. So you can still get some good deals there.

I had no troubles whatever. Never got hassled by the touts at all. A trick I learned from the touts in Egypt during my stay there many years ago.

They target tourists who are walking to fast or tourists who are gazing wide eyed at everything. The other tourists who are just cruzing along, they leave alone. It makes perfect sense when you think about it.

I agree with everyone else as well, the touts on Boracay are pretty low key in the World scheme of things. Comparing Hawaii to the Philippines is kinda funny, really

On a slightly different tack, actually talking to touts about their life and life history can be very interesting when you're just kicking back relaxing

[geldedgoat]

[Kurtz]

Hey geldedgoat,

OK I see where you're coming from now. I've been thinking along the same lines these days; places that promote themselves as a holiday destination in a developing country, yet the holiday turns out to be priced not much lower than a similar vacation in a developed country and without all the BS. Might just be a sign of getting older and wanting to be left alone. I remember in my early 20's I didn't mind being hassled by touts, now it pisses me right off.

I really do recommend doing as much research as possible before you hit a place. Do google searches or hit the forums like Lonely Planet's TT or Trip Advisor; folks really know what they are on about and it is possible to get away from the tourist traps and locals trying to make a buck off tourists.

As far as beaches go, I holiday at home as I know where to go, what to expect, what it's going to cost me and it's going to be dead clean with no one wanting a piece of me. I couln't imagine going anywhere else for a beach holiday but I still hit up the Indian subcontinent for hiking adventures.

[Tiger Beer]

[BoholDiver]

I agree with that, that's why when I go to Philippines I stay in places less than $40 a night. In Boracay we stayed ina 4 star place for $72 a night. It would have been over $150 in a developed country.

I also avoid things that are the same price as Korea or Canada. If these countries are expensive, it defeats half the purpose of going there. If I wanted a beach surrounded by overpriced restaurants and hotels, I'd go to Jeju.

Yeah sure, in Bohol or somewhere, 250 peso for a meal is a ripoff by Philippines standards, but it's only $7.00 or so. Over $10, I won't pay.

[noobteacher]

OP here, and after seeing where this thread has gone, I thought I would post about my trip. (Long post ahead, sorry)

So after hemming and hawing I decided to just stick with Palawan (El Nido and Puerto Princesa). Overall, the trip was great and I mostly accomplished what I set out to do which was enjoy the beaches and scenery and have a nice relaxing vacation. My biggest regret was not staying longer in El Nido and expecting there to be more interesting things to do in Puerto (but really I think that was just a lack of research on my part). Really, all one needs is about 2 days maybe 3 to see and do all the interesting things in Puerto (island hopping, underground river, etc.), especially because Puerto does not have the easy access to amazing beaches that El Nido has.

The poverty was a bit of a sad sight, but I used to live near Mexico so it wasn't as much of a shock for me. I also spent quite a bit more money than I had intended which makes me understand the point that one poster was trying to make about why not expect to spend a little extra and go somewhere more "clean" and developed and with more interesting cultural sites, but I don't agree with the message that nobody should ever go to the Philippines. The food is great (especially the fruit shakes, man I love those fruit shakes), the beach/jungle scenery is amazing, and the kindness of the people is quite heart warming. Not to mention the fact that EVERYBODY speaks at least some English. Yes, there are definitely some hassles (i.e. sellers, dealing with airport/airline ridiculousness) but those are definitely not real reasons to stay away from the Philippines.

Anyway, thank you again to the people who gave suggestions and helped me figure out where to go. I had a great trip and I definitely plan on going back!

[BoholDiver]

I am glad you got to see El Nido, a place I so badly want to see but probably never will.

I hope I helped persuade you in that direction.

[Yaya]

[noobteacher]

[Tiger Beer]

[BoholDiver]

Why not? I am going back to Canada in May or maybe April. I doubt I will ever go to Philippines again, when Cuba, Mexico, and Dominican are so near by.