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khyber
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Compunction Junction
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 Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject: The Philippines (hoping to get answers this time) |
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My wife and I are thinkin' about the phlips. for a short part of the winter vacation.
We're planning on spending the majority of the time lazying on the beach (white sand and clear water BIG plusses).
We aren't really keen on being in an OVERLY busy place and we don't need a huge life just so that we ain't the only two folks wondering around.
Ideally there may be a few sights around (waterfalls or temples or whatever).
7083 islands!? Gotta be at least one good one.
So, based on that where should we go? You got any links as well?
thanks folks |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: |
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I'm going to recommend Camiguin Island.
Take a look for it in the Lonely Planet guide. Basically its a pear-shaped volcanic island with waterfalls and small enough to be very island-oriented but big enough it would take a couple days to see it all.
Its tourist-oriented.. but very low-key at the same time.
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Other than that.. I'd say PALAWAN. That is what everyone says though. But it really has it all.. and best yet.. very few tourists make the trip - as its still not that easy with transportation getting there and otherwise.
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Another great place is BOHOL. Stay at Panglou Island's ALONA BEACH.. and you can rent a driver to take you all around Bohol and see the tarsier.. see the Chocolate Hills.. see some caves.. and you'll be right at this gorgeous white-sand beach with very clear watever whenever you aren't doing the tourist things. |
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b_canadian_eh
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:16 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, gonna have to second Palawan. Boracay is nice but tons of people especially in December. Also maybe check out Busuanga, small but things to do. |
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TECO
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:44 am Post subject: |
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Tiger Beer knows how I feel about Palawan. I loved it. So did my girlfriend. Very beautiful, pristine area.
But as mentioned, not as easy to get to which accounts for so few tourists in the El Nido area. The islands off of El Nido are amazing. Hire a boat and take a snorkelling trip. Lots of fish and coral, unlike most of the beach areas in Thailand where the coral has been damaged. Downside to Palawan - particularly El Nido - was that it was hard to find internet access. No internet access in El Nido, actually. A few bars and not a good selection of restaurants. But the beauty of the place kind of made up for it.
My girlfriend liked Boracay. The beach is long and pretty. But there's not much to see there after a few days. It's a small island. Good restaurants are there - Italian, Thai, western food. It's easier to get to also. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:33 am Post subject: Re: The Philippines (hoping to get answers this time) |
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| khyber wrote: |
My wife and I are thinkin' about the phlips. for a short part of the winter vacation.
We're planning on spending the majority of the time lazying on the beach (white sand and clear water BIG plusses).
We aren't really keen on being in an OVERLY busy place and we don't need a huge life just so that we ain't the only two folks wondering around.
Ideally there may be a few sights around (waterfalls or temples or whatever).
7083 islands!? Gotta be at least one good one.
So, based on that where should we go? You got any links as well?
thanks folks |
This is the first time you asked about the philippines (this time?)
Palawan is Great but isolated. Camiguin is pretty good. We loved the hot and cold springs as well as the volcano hikes but it gets pretty tired after a few days. There is little or NO transportation after dark.
Boracay is pretty good (we have been many times) but is busy in the winter with lots of European tourists and touts selling everything under the sun.
May I suggest Bohol ( http://www.bohol.ph ). Go to Alona Beach. You get the best of Boracay
(white sand, blue water) and the best of Palawan (quiet) must miss the isolation and have the convenience of Tagbilarn city close by for shopping, banking, transportation. There are island tours, water sports, culture, old architecture, modern conveniences (broad band internet), modern resorts.
We personally like Alona Tropical ( Alona Tropical Resort, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9024, Fax: +63 38 411 2244 ) for a beach side resort. Basic cottage on the beach with American style breakfast for 2 from $24 per night. They also have a nice pool, great dive shop, nice restaurant, and easy transportation.
 
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Last edited by ttompatz on Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:32 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:17 am Post subject: |
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| Can I go too? You got enough room in your luggage? |
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khyber
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Compunction Junction
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:14 am Post subject: |
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This is the first time you asked about the philippines (this time?)
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I renamed the thread from "The sheetapines"....didn't exactly work out though.
Thanks for the info. I'm waffling between thailand and philipines for late jan/feb vacation. It seems like Thailand is an exceptionally popular place and, all things considered, I think i'd rather go to the philipines..
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| Can I go too? You got enough room in your luggage? |
ARe you collapsable? Better yet, start with the yoga. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| khyber wrote: |
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This is the first time you asked about the philippines (this time?)
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I renamed the thread from "The sheetapines"....didn't exactly work out though. |
Ah.. so thats why.
I was also confused how a post about the Philippines asking for answers could have been so far down at the bottom of the 1st page of Travel Forum.
Now it all makes sense! |
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Moldy Rutabaga
Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:38 am Post subject: |
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I liked the Philippines very much. It's not as touristy as Thailand and transportation is rough, but the people are nicer and the costs are lower-- Thailand can be a little pricey sometimes in high season. It's worth seeing. I would go to Bali or Thailand to party, and the Philippines to rest. Even Boracay is comparatively quiet in comparison.
Depending on how much time you have, you might try staying in Boracay a while and then getting a feel for where you would like to go next. It's not expensive to fly to different islands, or you can take a boat if you have time to burn and less money. I haven't been to Palawan but it has a very good reputation. Puerto Galera's nice too but it's not as beachy; it's more for scuba diving.
Ken:> |
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ajgeddes
Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Location: Yongsan
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| Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I just bought tickets to the Philippines for the middle of January. Flying into Cebu. I would like to do a scuba course and also just relax on the beach and chill while maybe doing some hikes or something. Only going for 11 days though, so I can't really travel a lot. I see most of the places you guys have suggested are closer to Cebu, so that's good news. What do you suggest?
Alona beach looks nice and with that can also go see the Chocolate Hills.
Camiguin looks nice.
What else is good down there? |
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