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[Moldy Rutabaga]

Preface: I'm not writing to brag about my vacation (okay, a little), but to tell people what it was like in case anyone's planning a trip there. I've included prices for those who want to know.

Just returned from three weeks in the Philippines on my holidays. Thought I'd share some of my impressions if any of you are planning on going there...

Beginning of trip: we took a cheapie Air China flight with a two day stopover in Taiwan. Personally, I found Taipei boring-- less architecturally interesting than Korea, and dirtier, if either is possible. We stayed in a microscopic hotel room for about 50,000 won. It's an expensive place.

Manila: The airport taxis are a ripoff-- 300 pesos to the bus station. But then, that's only 6000 won, and when you're laden with luggage and don't know what's up or down, it's better to be safe. We took a bus to Batangas, and a boat to Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera: Puerto Galera itself is not on the ocean and is only interesting for a little shopping. We liked White Beach the best; it had the nicest beach and the most laid-back attitude, if not a little sleepy. After a while we migrated to Sabang. Sabang has cleaned up its act somewhat and didn't seem seedy to us, although dumpy German scuba divers walking around with Filipina girls-for-hire half their age were a common sight. The discos where they hang out are not on the beach. There's lots to see in Puerto Galera area, but it's scuba water, not swimming water-- it's rocky and cold. Our hotel was 12,000 won a night, with pool.

We then took a bus and van to Roxas, and a crummy boat to Boracay. Filipino ferries operate like Filipino buses do: they wait forever until every last person can be jammed in. You don't feel safe when they do this with a boat. And then five hours of bad movies screeched at earsplitting levels all over the boat. All for 4,000 won.

Boracay: Boracay can be a little tiring with the hawkers and touristy sites, but it's not as bad as Bali. We stayed in a great little bamboo-hut cottage with a balcony near the beach for 11,000 won a night. Lots of restaurants to choose from. Again, the water is a little cold and weedy for swimming in February, but doable, and the water and sunsets are gorgeous. Half the tourists there were Korean. Lots of Korean restaurants filled with them, because God forbid they might have to try something in their lives other than noodles and kimchi. Would you like a glass of mango juice squeezed five minutes ago-- or Pocari Sweat?

Filipino food is not terribly exciting- it's mostly tamer versions of Spanish or American dishes, with nine times the amount of sugar. Somehow Filipinos can even make toast way too sweet. There's lots of fresh fruit, but it's only pineapple, mango, and papaya-- over and over and over. But a typical dinner is about 6-8000 won, including beer, which is extremely cheap. In a supermarket a bottle of beer is around 25-40 Canadian cents! Later we took another van to Iloilo on the south tip of Panay.

Iloilo: It's a dirty city, but not touristy and cheaper than Boracay. We saw all the old cathedrals and sites in the city, which took less than an afternoon, and then spent a day in Guimaras, a little island next to the city. There's a waterfall which puts out less water than an adult male can urinate, and a monastery run by cellphone-wearing monks where you can buy lime jam, and that's about it for Guimaras.

We flew back to Manila for 40,000 won. Thankfully, planes don't wait until there's people hanging from the wings to take off. The airport taxis tried the same scam, and this time we just ignored the catcalls and walked to the street next to the airport and took a taxi for less than half. In the end, we were careful, but we found Manila safer and the people friendlier than we expected. Some Filipinos we met during our stay were really kind, and not all had a sales pitch. Sometimes I was very surprised to see a local who looked grindingly poor pull out a cellphone and begin chatting with someone.

Back to Seoul. Ironically, the most blatant scam was outside Seoul airport, where a guy hustling for the taxi drivers tries to tell you that your airport bus isn't running anymore or is done for the night. Ignore this jerk.

Ah, back to Korea. I brought back lots of spices and foods and cheap booze, back to a country where you feel like you're a hero if you can find a can of beans. A little convenience store in Sabang has a better selection of international foods than the best supermarkets in Seoul. Back to stupid reality again.

Ken:>

[Gollum]

Glad you had fun. I like the philippines. The people are a lot more friendly than here, in my opinion.

Gotta watch your wallet though!

[Juggertha]

thanks for the info.. i've been thinkin of going this summer.

[indytrucks]

I just came back from 8+ weeks in Phils (my second time there) and it was a blast. Yeah, there are ripoffs, but not as bad as other SE Asian countries I've been to. Also, Phils attracts a different kind of tourist. The "I-travelled-from-A-to-B-on-300-baht" gippos were mercifully absent.

Personally, I made a point to avoid the more popular places (ie. Boracay, Mindoro) and was rewarded with peace and quiet. North Luzon is incredible. Banaue, Batad, Sagada and Vigan have to be seen to be believed. Malapascua, Siquihor and Bohol in the Visayas are laid back with excellent beaches for swimming and diving. Finally, Palawan (Sabang, Port Barton, El Nido) was one of the nicest islands I've ever been to.

PM me if anyone has any questions on travelling around Phils.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[gomurr]

I agree Filipinos are really nice people. I think Urban Myth is talking out of where the sun don't shine. Yeah the Philipines is by and large a poor country but the people are naturally polite it is a large part of their upbringing unlike Korea. You never here some little kid in the Philippines calling their mother stupid like I do in Korea. Also Filipinos respect teachers more.

Great to hear about the experience though. I've been to the Philippines 5 times and even got married down there to my wife. It's a great place to visit. I didn't find the food sweet but rather more salty, tastier with far more variety than Korea has.

[HardyandTiny]

A post about the phillipines six messages deep and not a single mention of sex...wow.

[indytrucks]

[just because]

I think that is because he went with his girlfriend.

[indytrucks]

GF, no GF, who cares?

The fat, balding, Speedo-wearing scum who troll around Phils with a girl half their age are the most vile, reprehensible s h i t e on the face of the planet. They should all be rounded up and shot.

[Mosley]

Hey now... I've never worn Speedos....

[desultude]

I spent the last few weeks in the Philippines, also. Boracay was great, if a little tourist trappish. We stayed in a little nipa hut with fan for $8 per person.



Moldy Rutabaga

[desultude]

indytrucks

[indytrucks]

The weather up north was cold and wet, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Palawan was where the sun was. Here's a sampling (I took all of these):

[desultude]

Palawan is on my next trip to the Philippines. I want to return this summer and do some more scuba diving and get my license.

What a beautiful country.