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thatwhitegirl
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Location: ROK
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 Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: Favorite Philippine destinations |
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I was thinking that perhaps we could start a thread or two that specifically outline your favorite locations in the Philippines, and perhaps other countries as well. Could be really helpful for us all when we think about where to go on holiday.
Anyway, my top picks for the Philippines are:
1. Camiguin Island (Mindanao). Good for a few adventures, rather than a beach holiday. There are volcanoes to hike, waterfalls and hot/cold springs, bikes and scooters to rent for trips around the island. Johnny's dive shop also does canyoning and rappelling. Of course, diving is also available, and snorkeling trips too. The beach isn't great, and the sand is black. But it is a fantastic island with the friendliest people in the world. Secret Cove was a good resort, with great food and the best stocked bar. Tom (Canadian owner) arranged duck-pin bowling for us as well. Johnny's dive shop has a branch there too.
2. Cacnipa Island (Palawan). Secluded island 40 minutes from Port Barton or 3 hours from Sabang. Coconut Garden Island Resort is the only resort around. Cottages are fairly cheap and the food is excellent. Beautiful, isolated, romantic, peaceful...a great place to go with someone, or by yourself if you like doing things on your own. Can rent kayaks, snorkels, and go island hopping.
Those are my top picks. |
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indytrucks
Joined: 09 Apr 2003
Location: The Shelf
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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Vigan.
Batad.
Sabang, Palawan.
Malapascua. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Camuiguin also has scooters? Nice. Are the roads decent enough around the island for scooters? (Or are they motorbikes?) |
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thatwhitegirl
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Location: ROK
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| Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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Well, they are motorbikes (Honda Waves), but they look more like scooters.
And the road around the island (63km) is great. All paved now. Fun little trip, with lots of interesting (and rough) side roads into the jungle where there are waterfalls and volcano hikes. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:51 am Post subject: |
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I'll be flying into Manila later this week.
This trip we're going to Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, (then unsure - either Bohol or Dumaguete? - been to both of them before), Cebu, Bantayan Island, Boracay, and then depending on time, might hit those little islands between Boracay up to Luzon.
Should be good! I'll see if I have any additional favorite places because of it!
(Right now I've been most impressed with Boracay and Palawan, but looking to add another place or two to that). |
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I-am-me
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Location: Hermit Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:53 am Post subject: |
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| You might never want to leave camiguin island. Its just beautiful. Samal Island and Isla Reta are also worth seing in Davao. Are you taking a bus around Mindanao? |
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travelnguy
Joined: 27 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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My wife and I adored Siquijor. The beaches weren't great, but the place we stayed, Coral Cay Resort (sorry for the cheap plug) made up for it. The snorkeling was better than in B'cay but not as good as Apo or some island off Panglao.
People were amazing and we just couldn't seem to spend all of our money. San Mig was 500 won from a bar. Why am I back at work? |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Favorite Philippine destinations |
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| thatwhitegirl wrote: |
| 1. Camiguin Island (Mindanao). Good for a few adventures, rather than a beach holiday. There are volcanoes to hike, waterfalls and hot/cold springs, bikes and scooters to rent for trips around the island. Johnny's dive shop also does canyoning and rappelling. Of course, diving is also available, and snorkeling trips too. The beach isn't great, and the sand is black. But it is a fantastic island with the friendliest people in the world. Secret Cove was a good resort, with great food and the best stocked bar. Tom (Canadian owner) arranged duck-pin bowling for us as well. Johnny's dive shop has a branch there too. |
Where did you stay in Camiguin? I'll be there tomorrow! 
Also, are there boats from Camiguin to say Bohol or Dumaguete? I'd like to keep going north from there preferably by boat, rather than taking a plane to Cebu or Manila or wherever that would go.
I suppose I'll find out about that soon enough as well. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:17 am Post subject: Re: Favorite Philippine destinations |
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| Tiger Beer wrote: |
| thatwhitegirl wrote: |
| 1. Camiguin Island (Mindanao). Good for a few adventures, rather than a beach holiday. There are volcanoes to hike, waterfalls and hot/cold springs, bikes and scooters to rent for trips around the island. Johnny's dive shop also does canyoning and rappelling. Of course, diving is also available, and snorkeling trips too. The beach isn't great, and the sand is black. But it is a fantastic island with the friendliest people in the world. Secret Cove was a good resort, with great food and the best stocked bar. Tom (Canadian owner) arranged duck-pin bowling for us as well. Johnny's dive shop has a branch there too. |
Where did you stay in Camiguin? I'll be there tomorrow!
Also, are there boats from Camiguin to say Bohol or Dumaguete? I'd like to keep going north from there preferably by boat, rather than taking a plane to Cebu or Manila or wherever that would go.
I suppose I'll find out about that soon enough as well. |
There are three ports operating in the province of Camiguin. The main port of entry is in Benoni, with minor ports at Balbagon and Guinsiliban. Balbagon Port links Cagayan de Oro and Cebu, Benoni Port links with Balingoan and Cagayan de Oro, and Guinsiliban Port which also has a roro landing facility links with Balingoan and Cagayan de Oro.
At Balingoan, take a ferry bound for Camiguin Island approaching Camiguin by sea. The trip usually takes an hour before you reach Benoni Wharf of Mahinog, which is 17 kilometers from the capital town of Mambajao.
You can also take a three-hour ferry ride from the Cagayan de Oro Ferry Terminal to Guinsiliban, also in Camiguin on board M/V Yuhum. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:24 am Post subject: Re: Favorite Philippine destinations |
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Thanks ttom!
Very timely and good to know! I'll look into that direct from Cagayan de Oro ferry.
A map of Camiguin:
Sweet~! |
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