Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

That is all.

I'm in Cebu.. and LOVING it.

The international variety of food and music is incredible in itself. Let alone reading large English newspapers and being able to have fluent conversations with nearly every single person you come across in this entire country just as if you were back at home.

I'm in bizarro-world here.

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

Is just arriving, catching a cab into the city, and finding a place to stay a resonable proposition? Are things all booked up?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

do try to explore the rest of the island!

isn't there a bus from the airport to the city?

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

It's not difficult to find a place at all. I used a website to find a hotel in Makati. I think this is where you want to stay in Manila. It is very safe, clean and lots of shopping/restaurants/malls/theatres, etc. There are pc rooms and it's just a great place to hang out for a couple of days. I wish I could remember how much it should cost you to get there from the airport in a taxi--whatever you do, don't take one of the "official" (ie: RIPOFF) "tourist" taxis. They even have a stand inside the airport saying they're official....whatever. That means they probably paid the airport to have their stand inside.

What you want to do, is exit the airport and realize you're on the bottom level. Turn to your right and look for some stairs leading up to the top level. THis is actually the "drop off" area, and there are always taxis up there dropping people off for their flights. Snag a cab up there (make sure to ask if they'll use their meter first) and you're off! I'm thinking it should be less than 300 pesos to get to Makati from the airport and those "official" guys want to charge 500 or more.

Don't fret about taking a normal taxi. As long as they will turn on a meter, it should be fine. We've been there twice and used tons of cabs and never got ripped off like we did at times in Korea. Oh, and the normal cabs have a/c.

Hang out in Makati for a couple days, chill, go to a 2,000 won movie, get a massage and then head to Cebu or something. You can get a round-trip ticket for around 100,000 won to several great places.

Oh, I think we paid under $30/night for our rooms in Makati. There are some huge expensive hotels, and many many cheaper ones. Look at the reviews on the hotel finder website to make a good choice.
justagirl

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

http://www.asiahotels.com/hl/Metro_Manila-Philippines.asp

We stayed at BSA Tower (DO NOT STAY AT BSA MANSION--it's full of roaches)

zappadelta · Joined: 31 Aug 2004

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I went to a very swanky spa right on the greenbelt and paid $30 for an hour Swedish massage and an hour pedicure/foot massage. It was incredible.

If you stay at the BSA Tower, like I suggest, it is right across the street, headed towards the greenbelt. There are a bunch of shops on this outer edge, then you pass through the park area, then you're at the big outside/inside mall area that has all the fancy, neat shops and Starbucks, etc.

It's called, "The Spa" http://www.thespa.com.ph/about_us.htm
They have packages, or a la carte.

"The Ayala Center is owned by a Spanish-Filipino family empire and is one of the best places to go to in Manila if you want to celebrate the good life! I've been to places in Hongkong and Singapore and definitely, the Ayala Center is comparable. In fact, their new buildings, the Greenbelt 3 & 4 have great architecture, very modern and classy. Greenbelt 4 is more for those who can afford as this is where you will find all the Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo (etc) that you want! Plus a really nice museum and classy museum cafe! I love it!"

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I really enjoyed Palawan in October. My honeymoon.

I agree with Tiger Beer that the Philipines and it's people is really well geared up for foreigners. Especially English-speaking ones. They could teach a few Asian countries who shall not be named how to attract tourists and keep them coming back. I would go back to Philipines in a heartbeat.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'm in BOHOL right now.. and still LOVING it.

Last night arrived in Alona Beach on Panglau Island.. some nice white-sand beaches, etc. Mostly divers and some beach bars and such. I like it though.

Great base for getting up to the Chocolate Hills and to see Tarsier

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Once again I suffer from envy. Sounds nice.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Tiger beer- are those burial mounds/ancient tombs in the second photo?

And for Phillipines vets, I'm condiering a 21-day trip there in line with the free visa, what would you reccomend in that time? I want a bit of beach lazing/drinking partying followed by some adventurous exploration of the wilds.

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

i wanna go to the phillipines! Crying or Very sad

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'm in Davao now.

Speaking of which, Rapier, there is an eagles conservatory not far from Davao. Apparently this region is famous for eagles. Mt.Apo is also hovering over the city - the Philippines highest mountain.

Davao is a lot different than Cebu though. Cebu had A LOT of foreigners everywhere - particularly in the malls. Many had been married with locals and starting families. Many older foreigners along with middle aged locals. Also a lot of foreign owned businesses in Cebu.

Davao seems to have a strange absense of foreigners. Even at the mall, I've yet to see one. In Cebu, I couldn't go 5 minutes without seeing a foreigner and his wife and often times kids.

Strangely though, Davao seems cleaner and safer. Taxi drivers are extremely honest here. There is no tolerance on drugs here - the mayor is famous for having his own son killed with his zero drug tolerance laws. Its kind of like a Singapore in that way.

This city is also very protestant christian moreso than Cebu/Manila which was extremely catholic. I've yet to see the 'pray the rosary' signs and 'saint jude' or whatever else. Its more the protestant evangical kind. In addition to that, its also well-known that Mindinao has a sizeable muslim population. Just saw my first Islamic Bank as well in Davao.

Anyhow.. Davao tonight.. and tomorrow taking a bus to get further into the southern regions of Mindinao.

General Santos next! Thats where 3 consecutive bombs went off killing 15 people a few years back. Should be interesting! I'll spend Christmas there.

All in all, the Philippines is still treating me well!!