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aloysha
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
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 Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:40 am Post subject: Philippines and PADI |
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| I am heading to Philippines in Feb. and the girl and I want to take a PADI course. We will go to Cebu, Camiguin and then end our trip in El Nido. Anyone recommend a reputable PADI course/business? We are thinking somewhere around Cebu. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Philippines and PADI |
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| aloysha wrote: |
| I am heading to Philippines in Feb. and the girl and I want to take a PADI course. We will go to Cebu, Camiguin and then end our trip in El Nido. Anyone recommend a reputable PADI course/business? We are thinking somewhere around Cebu. |
There are LOTS. Every resort in and around Cebu has a PADI certified dive shop/instructors on site and can do a basic open water certification.
Cost is about $250-300 (depending on the fluctuation of the dollar).
I prefer the dive shops over on Bohol (a 2 hour ferry ride from Cebu).
Alona tropical out on Alona beach is highly recommended (both for an affordable and nice resort as well as the dive operation. There are about 10 others on the beach that are also very reputable and high quality.
Bohol tropics resort in Tagbilaran is also nice and has a great dive shop for your certification.
You can do your certification in any of the 3 destinations that you mentioned. The dive operations on Camiguin are also highly recommended.
I can't tell you about the dive operations in El Nido (haven't used them).
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aloysha
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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I will check out the places that you mentioned ttompatz. Is there any particular reason you prefer Bohol? The girlfriend wants to stay away from resorts (expensive and/or crowded), low key (romantic) is the theme for us.
Another Q on my mind is whether or not to pre-book accommodations for El Nido and Camiguin. I am not worried about Cebu too much. I think hitting the sand and looking around, with a few places in mind, will suffice for El Nido. Is this a recipe for disaster ?
It is so much easier when I travel alone. The girlfriend seems to think I should plan every detail, while I like to wing it. I think she is hoping that I arrange some elaborate declaration of love.  |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:55 am Post subject: |
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| aloysha wrote: |
I will check out the places that you mentioned ttompatz. Is there any particular reason you prefer Bohol? The girlfriend wants to stay away from resorts (expensive and/or crowded), low key (romantic) is the theme for us.
Another Q on my mind is whether or not to pre-book accommodations for El Nido and Camiguin. I am not worried about Cebu too much. I think hitting the sand and looking around, with a few places in mind, will suffice for El Nido. Is this a recipe for disaster ?
It is so much easier when I travel alone. The girlfriend seems to think I should plan every detail, while I like to wing it. I think she is hoping that I arrange some elaborate declaration of love. |
IMHO Better beaches and diving around Bohol without the hussle of the big city.
Alona beach is a bit like a little boracay but if you want peaceful you can find lots of places off the main beach that are really cosy. You can find places around Alona starting from 800p per night and running up to full 5* service and 10,000p per night.
There is no problem winging it at anytime except Christmas or Easter week.
You may want to prebook your hotel for your 1st night in Cebu because your flight from Korea will arrive here in the wee hours of the morning and it is much easier if your hotel is picking you up rather than trying to find something at 2am. |
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aloysha
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks ttompatz.
We will do our PADI on Alona. I liked Boracay, but it was too 'busy'. Alona tropical resort does look good.I think it is going to be that or between Alona kew and Isis bungalows.
On Camaguin the Ardent hot spring resort looks enticing, but the few reviews I read were either not revealing or talked up a storm about killer
mosquitos. Been there ?
Thank you for taking the time ttompatz, much appreciated. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:17 am Post subject: |
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| aloysha wrote: |
Thanks ttompatz.
We will do our PADI on Alona. I liked Boracay, but it was too 'busy'. Alona tropical resort does look good.I think it is going to be that or between Alona kew and Isis bungalows.
On Camaguin the Ardent hot spring resort looks enticing, but the few reviews I read were either not revealing or talked up a storm about killer
mosquitos. Been there ?
Thank you for taking the time ttompatz, much appreciated. |
The Ardent hotsprings and resort is nice to go to during the day/early evening for the hotsprings but I prefered the places on the beach that were south of the airport. They were'nt extra fancy (1.5* - 3*) but they were clean, friendly and not too expensive $20-$30 per day or less. Most include breakfast for 2 as well.
I was at the Alona tropical yesterday and the upgrades are impressive. It really is a nice, affordable resort with all the ammenities as well.
I didn't go into the Isis bungalows but it is also new and looks OK. Lost Horizon is also down at that end of the beach and they have some nice upgrades too and are still affordable.
You can also add Genesis divers to the list. There are too many to continue to list here.
Just catch a cab down to the beach from the ferry terminal (300 pesos (1.5 times the meter rate for a taxi out there - it is offically an out-of-town trip) ) and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Walk down the beach and choose one or call ahead and make a reservation. A credit card is not needed to make your reservation.
The list of htoels on the beach (and phone numbers) is available at:
http://www.bohol.ph .
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aloysha
Joined: 18 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:54 am Post subject: |
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Oh hell, I thought you were just on soju fuelled recollection of some
past time you were in the Philippines  But your feet are in the sand as we speak. Ignore my scribblings and enjoy your holiday. Excellent advice
so far.
The girlfriend shrieked when she saw the prices for Alona tropical . lol
She is thrifty and more of a miser than me. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| aloysha wrote: |
Oh hell, I thought you were just on soju fuelled recollection of some
past time you were in the Philippines But your feet are in the sand as we speak. Ignore my scribblings and enjoy your holiday. Excellent advice
so far.
The girlfriend shrieked when she saw the prices for Alona tropical . lol
She is thrifty and more of a miser than me. |
Just be aware that most of the prices you see on the net are for a 2 or 3 day inclusive package.
You can get fan rooms on the beach (I prefer bungalo #2) from $25 and aircon from $30 per night.
Don't confuse alona tropical with alona palm (right next door and 5X more expensive (also 5*+ service and amenities).
There are places down behind alona kew for as little as p600 per night and meals can run from p350 at Oops bar to p60 at the beach place next to the lost horizon.
There is something for every budget. Do your souviener shopping in town at the BQ mall or marcella mall (where the average pinoy shops) and not out at the new Island mall. |
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mairt
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject: Maolboal |
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Hi! I'm planning on going to Moalboal for diving - a friend of mine highly recommended the place to me. It's a three hour bus journey from Cebu City apparently. Check out http://www.neptunediving.com/neptune/index.jsp and
http://www.action-philippines.com/
I'll be flying into Cebu late at night at start of Feb - could you recommend a hotel that is reasonable and good for pick up from airport? I will be catching a bus in the city next morning to go to Moalboal.
Cheers |
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ultra
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Location: Book Han Gook Land Of Opportunity
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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The Days Inn is close to the airport and they pick up.
There is usually a shuttle van waiting at arrivals.
It is near a major super market so you can get supplies. |
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thatwhitegirl
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Location: ROK
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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We're flying into Cebu at 3am at the end of January. I found a hotel online that will pick us up (for a fee). The hotel is called 'Richmond Plaza Hotel'. It costs about P1,000 a night. Can't recommend it yet, but it is a lot cheaper than the airport hotels.
Or check out: www.asiarooms.com |
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