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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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 Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 9:16 pm Post subject: Things to do on Mindanao |
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Hi
Am heading to Butuan city on Mindanao and was wandering what else there is to see on this island.
I know the parts I should go to, but what about the rest of the island?
There isn't much to see in Butuan.
ilovebdt |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: Things to do on Mindanao |
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| ilovebdt wrote: |
Hi
Am heading to Butuan city on Mindanao and was wandering what else there is to see on this island.
I know the parts I should go to, but what about the rest of the island?
There isn't much to see in Butuan.
ilovebdt |
Are you talking about the little provincial town that is south of General Santos city? It must be to meet a friend. Spend some time down on the farm. Relax and enjoy the simple life.
From there maybe you would like to travel to Gen. San. or Davao or to the top of the island at Siargao. There is NOT a lot of touristy stuff way down there. On the good side, you should get some good surf if you are into that. That is on the windward side of the island.
Feel free to PM... I can relate. |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Things to do on Mindanao |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| ilovebdt wrote: |
Hi
Am heading to Butuan city on Mindanao and was wandering what else there is to see on this island.
I know the parts I should go to, but what about the rest of the island?
There isn't much to see in Butuan.
ilovebdt |
Are you talking about the little provincial town that is south of General Santos city? It must be to meet a friend. Spend some time down on the farm. Relax and enjoy the simple life.
From there maybe you would like to travel to Gen. San. or Davao or to the top of the island at Siargao. There is NOT a lot of touristy stuff way down there. On the good side, you should get some good surf if you are into that. That is on the windward side of the island.
Feel free to PM... I can relate. |
Umm, I am not sure if you are insinuating that I might be a guy going to meet my filipina girlfriend, but I am actually a girl  .
Unfortunately, I can't surf. Any other suggestions?
ilovebdt |
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keninseoul
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:21 am Post subject: Mindanao |
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any good travel book/website has lots of suggestions - all depends on what you like.................
Lake Sebu is cool - hang aound the T'Boli tribes for a while, and see the way the country life is - there is a Catholic mission in the area that can arrange a guide for a donation. Some v nice weaving.... |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Things to do on Mindanao |
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| ilovebdt wrote: |
Umm, I am not sure if you are insinuating that I might be a guy going to meet my filipina girlfriend, but I am actually a girl .
Unfortunately, I can't surf. Any other suggestions?
ilovebdt |
No, I meant travelling to meet a friend (or family). When I travel to someplace I always try to have someone who is local to give some assistance. Makes a world of difference.
Also, down there is not exactly the height of tourist country... and it will be difficult without a friend on the ground. English is NOT widely spoken out in the province. You didn't indicate that you spoke Visayan or even Tagalog.
If you are looking for a nipa hut on the beach or under a palm tree on the hill, then you are headed for the right place. Creature comforts are few and far between but there is LOTS of quiet to be had.
There are a few comforts in Gen San and Davao is only a few hours away by V-hire. It will be too early for surfing season so accomodations up on Siargao Island will be easy to get and cheap.
If you had a friend then s/he can point you to the historical spots and keep you from places that you don't want to be. They can also get you to some of the MANY festivals and fiestas that occur.
Have a fun and safe trip. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:08 am Post subject: |
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Butuan? What is going on there? Never heard of it.
I've spent time in Davao and General Santos. I quite like Mindinao.. can't wait to return again - particularly the northern part where all the islands are at.
Surigao and Camigium come to mind.. Cagayan de Oro as well.
Things to do in Mindinao... surfing in Surigao as well as Island (tourism) in Camiguin - thats what I want do to next time there!
Davao is a really cool city - comfortable, safe, beaches, and just.. well.. comfortable in Philippines city standards.
Good luck.. what is the attraction to Butuan though? And whats there? I'm curious - maybe I have to add it on my list. |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:33 pm Post subject: Re: Things to do on Mindanao |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
| ilovebdt wrote: |
Umm, I am not sure if you are insinuating that I might be a guy going to meet my filipina girlfriend, but I am actually a girl .
Unfortunately, I can't surf. Any other suggestions?
ilovebdt |
No, I meant travelling to meet a friend (or family). When I travel to someplace I always try to have someone who is local to give some assistance. Makes a world of difference.
Also, down there is not exactly the height of tourist country... and it will be difficult without a friend on the ground. English is NOT widely spoken out in the province. You didn't indicate that you spoke Visayan or even Tagalog.
If you are looking for a nipa hut on the beach or under a palm tree on the hill, then you are headed for the right place. Creature comforts are few and far between but there is LOTS of quiet to be had.
There are a few comforts in Gen San and Davao is only a few hours away by V-hire. It will be too early for surfing season so accomodations up on Siargao Island will be easy to get and cheap.
If you had a friend then s/he can point you to the historical spots and keep you from places that you don't want to be. They can also get you to some of the MANY festivals and fiestas that occur.
Have a fun and safe trip. |
Sorry ttompatz 
I have a friend who lives in Butaun who I can sure recommend a few places, but wanted to know if anyone else had been there before.
My firend said they do get the odd whitey there.
I'll definately check out Davao and General Santos.
Cheers
ilovebdt |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Mindanao |
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| keninseoul wrote: |
any good travel book/website has lots of suggestions - all depends on what you like.................
Lake Sebu is cool - hang aound the T'Boli tribes for a while, and see the way the country life is - there is a Catholic mission in the area that can arrange a guide for a donation. Some v nice weaving.... |
Yes, I know there are normally great suggesitons in guide books, but there is nothing better than getting tips from people who have already been there.
The lake and the tribe sound interesting. Which part of the island are they in?
ilovebdt |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Tiger Beer wrote: |
Butuan? What is going on there? Never heard of it.
I've spent time in Davao and General Santos. I quite like Mindinao.. can't wait to return again - particularly the northern part where all the islands are at.
Surigao and Camigium come to mind.. Cagayan de Oro as well.
Things to do in Mindinao... surfing in Surigao as well as Island (tourism) in Camiguin - thats what I want do to next time there!
Davao is a really cool city - comfortable, safe, beaches, and just.. well.. comfortable in Philippines city standards.
Good luck.. what is the attraction to Butuan though? And whats there? I'm curious - maybe I have to add it on my list. |
From searching the net there doesn't seem to be that much of interest in Butuan, I am mainly going to see my friend, but who knows when I get there I might find lots of stuff to do. It looks like General Santos and Davao are th cities to visit though.
Thanks
ilovebdt |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: |
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I spent about 5 days in General Santos - girlfriend's family.
I never went to the beach, but apparently its quite nice there.
The city of General Santos in itself wasn't that great in my opinion. But maybe I missed a lot, as I was with her relatives for the Christmas holidays. Would be more interesting to hear a touristic/traveler perspective on that city, as I didn't do that there like the other cities I went to. I did like Davao though.
As far as Mindinao cities go, I'd check out Cagayan de Oro if you can. Thats the one city I'd want to check out down there. Its probably not a whole lot different than the others in the Philippines, but Mindinao Filipinos seem to like it, and the LP guide even mentions it has some wealth to it, whatever that means exactly.
Islands are the big attraction though. Camiguin Island in particular - suppose to be gorgeous. Plus Surigao for surfing.. my next trip to the Philippines, I want to make a definete Camiguin Island excursion. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:49 am Post subject: |
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We've been to Camiguin. It was quite nice. We spent a few days on the beach and did some hiking on the volcanoes. It is also a nice trip to drive around the island. We had a picnic at the cold springs and spent a day at the hot springs. Went also went up to the falls. It is definitely good for 3 or 4 days without trouble and we could have easily spent another week there.
We have also been to Siargao Island. We stayed at Patrick�s on the Beach ( http://www.patricksonthebeach.com ) resort. It was OK. They have the only internet (satellite connection) on the island BTW. They are also close to the jungle disco (unique but fun-it really is a disco in the jungle). General Luna and Cloud Nine are on the opposite side of the island from the airport and ferry terminals so you will have to pre-arrange ground transport to your beach place.
Not much to see and do in southern Mindano other than attend a few fiestas and/or sit and watch the coconuts grow. CDO is just another town (albeit a bit bigger than most on the island). The same can be said for Gen San and Davao. There is some old Spanish architecture if you are into that. You can also pretend you are an anthropologist or archeologist and have fun digging around. Be careful of the NPA and don't run around out in the province at night. Otherwise, the people are warm and friendly. Be careful for your pockets � use common sense about flashing money and have pesos with you because changing money can be a chore after you leave CDO/DAVAO/Gen San and ATMs are few and far between..
Life in the province is pretty cheap all up. In the cities you will spend lots more. Out in the province you will also have to learn to live without a fridge but the food will always be fresh 
If you want to have an idea for some gifts for your friend�s family to take down with you, have a look or chat in one of the Pinoy stores that are scattered around. It is always nice (and appreciated) when you take some gifts with you. Remember that your friend�s family will be living on less than $1000 per year and if they are farmers it will be about $300 per year. A few bars of bath soap and a liter bottle of shampoo will go a long way.
If you have any other questions you can think of, I will be happy to try to answer them for you. |
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keninseoul
Joined: 09 Mar 2004
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
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keninseoul wrote:
any good travel book/website has lots of suggestions - all depends on what you like.................
Lake Sebu is cool - hang aound the T'Boli tribes for a while, and see the way the country life is - there is a Catholic mission in the area that can arrange a guide for a donation. Some v nice weaving....
Yes, I know there are normally great suggesitons in guide books, but there is nothing better than getting tips from people who have already been there.
The lake and the tribe sound interesting. Which part of the island are they in?
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the point is you didn't indicate what your interests are.........
Lake Sebu is on any map of Mindanao .............
dont be so freakin lazy |
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ilovebdt
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Location: Nr Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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| keninseoul wrote: |
| Quote: |
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keninseoul wrote:
any good travel book/website has lots of suggestions - all depends on what you like.................
Lake Sebu is cool - hang aound the T'Boli tribes for a while, and see the way the country life is - there is a Catholic mission in the area that can arrange a guide for a donation. Some v nice weaving....
Yes, I know there are normally great suggesitons in guide books, but there is nothing better than getting tips from people who have already been there.
The lake and the tribe sound interesting. Which part of the island are they in?
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the point is you didn't indicate what your interests are.........
Lake Sebu is on any map of Mindanao .............
dont be so freakin lazy |
Guide Book = Go to places where lots of tourists go
Asking other who have already been there = Find out about lesser known interesting spots
Not lazy= Forward thinker
ilovebdt |
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