Korean Job Discussion Forums

dbee · Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Location: korea

I'd agree with getting out of manila early, it's a big, dirty and dangerous city. As for banaue, if you are going up that far, then make sure to do the hike up to batad, the hike takes an hour or two but it's definitely worth it.
Try to stay in some of the hotels up their for at least a night or two. As for the bus journey - rather you than me that's all I can say.
We booked our tickets late and ended up travelling back down on one of the broken aisle seats. The driver was an absolute maniac, who turned the air conditioning on full blast. It felt like we were travelling in a meat storage locker the whole way down, also he insisted on showing reruns of .... speed2 .... over and over. Then the bus broke down outside of manila, and in the end I woke up and was crawling with cockroaches ... worst bus journey or my life hands down Laughing

I didn't really like boracay all that much to be honest, apparently the remote islands have amazing beaches that are off the beaten track, so I'd be more inclined to try them if I were you...
anyway, good luck,

PS: try to get a jeepney from just outside the airport if you can manage it.
They are dirt cheap and if you ask a filipino, I'm sure they'd be happy to give you the right jeepney number.

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

SarcasmKills,

I dunno if you've left already, but I would skip Boracay, Mindoro and Banaue and check out these places:

1. Malapascua Island, north of Cebu. Bit of a pain to get to, but worth it. Like Boracay but more laid back.

2. Batad, North Luzon. About a 2 hour hike from Banaue. Much better and secluded with an absolutely stunning setting surrounded by the rice terraces. I personally thought Banaue was a dump.

3. Vigan, North Luzon. Spanish-colonial era villas, cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage taxis. Atmosphere galore.

4. Palawan. I repeat, Palawan. Skip Boracay. Spend the money on a flight to Puerto Princesa and check out the stretch between Sabang and the other little town north (the name escapes me now).

Sagada is well worth the jeepney/bus ride. The scenery on the way back to Baguio is stunning. Baguio itself is worth a night or two to have a look around.

You would do well to consider Siquihor and Bohol in the south as well. Leyte is also quite nice but VERY rural.

I personally think Phils is the best vacation spot in SE Asia. I've been there three times now for long spells, so I know what I'm talking about. PM me if you want more details.

Have fun and safe travel.

sillywilly · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Canada.

On the way to Borocai, we spent a night in Manilla. It changed my outlook of the world. In that respect it was worthwhile. Crowded streets, full of party-people, dirty kids, in rags, missing digits, begging, trannies everywhere. In our hotel, there was this one tranny ( really beautiful I guess but obviously very young) who kept peeking into my room, smiling. The door was open when we were getting ready to go out and we'd had some conversating with the resident trannies so that wasn't such a big deal. I'm a woman and I don't think I was giving off a "looking for buisness/company" vibe. Confused

I still don't know what to make of that.

djbackdoor · Joined: 29 Dec 2004

canadian_in_korea · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Location: South Korea

This thread is a little old but I'm hoping some of you can help me out. My husband's brother is planning to take their parents on a vacation to the philippines...he doesn't want to do the Korean tour because one of the people going will be his grandmother, so they are hoping to just book hotel rooms and do their own thing. I have no clue about the philippines at all. The tour packages are about 750,000 won....I'm assuming that is for hotel/flight/food included.....for those of you who have been there, do you think it would cost about the same, cheaper or more expensive to stay for 4 nights and 5 days..? (750,000 per person of course). He doesn't know what area he wants to visit...i was reading some of the posts to try to get an idea of what might be good for them....keeping in mind his nanny will be going.....does anyone have any suggestions about places to visit or avoid...other than what is posted here all ready..? I'm thinking the tour package might be better...once hotel/food/flight/transportation is all calculated...?

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

Just bumping this thread since I am going to hit the Philippines next Saturday and then head to Boracay the next day to learn scuba..

Any advice for arriving late in the day. (10:30pm)

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Hi Guys

I am hoping to go to the Phillipines in January.
Could you tell me who you booked your flights through? Did you book directly with the airline or through a Korean travel agent?

billinkorea · Joined: 13 Jun 2005

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keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

http://www.tourism.gov.ph/

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/forums/index.php

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_east_asia/philippines/

asking for advice on where to go is like asking what girl to marry - what is your taste, what is important to you, etc

First, what is all this NONSENSE about the Philippines being dangerous - CRAP! I lived there for over 10 years and nary a problem. I walked the mean streets at all hours, and been to places deemed 'dangerous' by the American embassy, et al. Noooooooooooooooooooo problem.

But! dress down - don't flash your Rolex, nor your slinky Sony handi-cam, and keep your money in a belt or neck wallet. Avoid instant offers of friendship - heck, that is true almost anywhere.

[In Miami there was a shoot-out (machine gun fire, thank you very much) around the corner from where I was staying - no, it was an upscale place.
Our car was jacked in LA.
My sisters work-mate was stabbed to death on a down-town street at 4pm in Canada.
My gf's brother had his head bashed in by a druggie in Vancouver.
suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure! america is safer!!!!
]

Yes, there are signs telling people to check in their knives, and weapons - so? Isn't it better knowing the weapons are outside the place? It just is NOT as dangerous as the fear-mongers make out.

Be cool. Be street-smart. have a GREAT time!!

oh, and Angeles - different strokes (bad pun intended) for different folks

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

keninseoul,

where were you most often living during those 10 years in the Philippines?

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

somw info on Boracay

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=21935

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Regarding Manila.

Its NOT bad if you avoid Ermita/Malate - the drop dead cheapest part of the city. Its like going to NYC/LA and deciding to stay in some rat-infested hotel in Bronx/Compton the entire time. Get to the REAL part of the action of the city and stay there.

Go to MAKATI.. its REALLY nice!!