Korean Job Discussion Forums

[is so delicious]

For my week-long winter vacation? I was thinking China, but I'm an American and with the visa cost, a ticket is almost the same price. And I figure Philly will be a lot more different and exotic.

Can anyone chime in? Pros and cons? I have a good friend living in Shanghai... he can tell me what to get into there. About Philly, though... should I go to Cebu? Manilla? Is there much worth seeing in the latter?

How easy is it to rent a car in Cebu? And how accessible are the beaches? What are prices like??

Etc.

Most people on here seem better traveled than I am... hope to hear some good advice. If paradise in the Philippines is easy to find, that sounds pretty nice to escape to in the middle of a cold Korean winter...

[Chris_Dixon]

Hit the beach man, Shanghai is nothing special really, its a cool city but its nothing special haha. Visa to China is pretty easy to get however, so in a week you could fly in beijing then travel via train down to shanghai....See the terracotta soldiers on the way

[conbon78]

Ok...depends on what you want really...

Shanghai - nice, fun, but just ok weather around xmas and I didn't find the sites that exciting. I was there for 36 hours and I thought that was plenty. I like China, but it was just alright. If you have a friend there, it will be more fun though.

Philippines - I haven't been to Manila, but I hear its not safe - go to Boracay if you want to go to the Philippines, my friends last year had a blast there. You'll meet tons of people. Cebu is a dump - I wouldn't recommend it. And don't bother renting a car - just take cabs. Its cheap.

Both China and the Philippines were cheap. I can't even say which was cheaper.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I haven't been to Shanghai, but I would save it for a summer trip.

The Philippines is fun and the people are nice. I landed in Manila and got straight outta there and down to Puerto Galera / Sabang for a few days. Then I took a combination of vans and ferries down to Boracay. It's not as lively as Kuta in Bali but Boracay's a pleasant place to sit on a beach and drink and shop, and people won't bug you to buy things as much as in Bali. I then went down south to Iloilo for a few days. Good times.

http://keneckert.com/pictures/pictures.html for ideas. If you post again, post on the Travel forum for more responses.

[is so delicious]

Thanks, guys. Think Boracay is the way to go. What's the vibe there? Looking, as always, for access to peace and solitude and maybe some night life here and there. That's why I'm thinking of renting a car. I really love driving around, getting lost... especially when I have some devil's lettuce to ingest. Speaking of which... what's the deal where that's concerned?

What are prices like? Any advice on where to go and what to do in Boracay??

[hellofaniceguy]

Gesh...that's a no brainer! Why leave a cold place for another cold place?!? The P.I. wins hands down! More bang for the buck! Beaches! Night life! Language barrier is not an issue! Warm weather!

[VanIslander]

[Old Gil]

Shanghai no question. It's probably the most dynamic place in the world right now, but I'm biased as I'm sure you know OP.

Phillipines are nice but Boracay gets boring after about 3 days.

[Junior]

Shanghai is nothing special to look at. Hard to get around, communicate and a touch alienating. In its favour.. some hot women and pretty monuments/historical places.

phillipines.. has the beaches, the weather, and friendly english-speaking people.
Manilla strikes me as a dangerous scam central.. Just get out of there and head for the islands. I'm considering Palawan myself.

[Moldy Rutabaga]

Boracay is a place to chill. There is nightlife, but more mellow bars and fewer nightclubs, although I haven't been there in a while. It is a very small island, much too small to justify a car. Rent a scooter.

As far as, uh, devil's lettuce, I would go to Thailand or Bali, where there will be more singles, clubs, surfing, and more, eh, access to such things than in the Philippines, which is a little more conservative.

[VanIslander]

[seonsengnimble]

Ignore all of this trash talking about Manila. Yes, there is a bit of crime, and there are tons of scams, but it's a pretty fun place. Great atmosphere, great nightlife and tons of stuff to see. If you visit Manila, just use common sense and you should be fine. If someone walks up to you and offers to sell you guns, prostitutes or anything else, ignore them.

[soakitincider]

Phillipines, hands down. Especially if you're a male!

[is so delicious]

Thanks, kids. I'm thinking Palawan or Boracay sound about right.

Anyone know where to find a cheap flight?? Should I just fly to Manilla, then take a bus to Palawan (I'm leaning towards that place)? The only thing that sounds a little off-putting about Palawan is how spread out it seems to be. Like thousands of islands or whatever. How does one get around?? Or what should I specifically target (as I type I'm starting to lean towards peace and quiet as opposed to boozing and whoring... hopefully a bit of both).

[VanIslander]