Korean Job Discussion Forums

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

My wife and I are thinkin' about the phlips. for a short part of the winter vacation.
We're planning on spending the majority of the time lazying on the beach (white sand and clear water BIG plusses).
We aren't really keen on being in an OVERLY busy place and we don't need a huge life just so that we ain't the only two folks wondering around.
Ideally there may be a few sights around (waterfalls or temples or whatever).

7083 islands!? Gotta be at least one good one.
So, based on that where should we go? You got any links as well?

thanks folks

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I'm going to recommend Camiguin Island.

Take a look for it in the Lonely Planet guide. Basically its a pear-shaped volcanic island with waterfalls and small enough to be very island-oriented but big enough it would take a couple days to see it all.

Its tourist-oriented.. but very low-key at the same time.

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Other than that.. I'd say PALAWAN. That is what everyone says though. But it really has it all.. and best yet.. very few tourists make the trip - as its still not that easy with transportation getting there and otherwise.

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Another great place is BOHOL. Stay at Panglou Island's ALONA BEACH.. and you can rent a driver to take you all around Bohol and see the tarsier.. see the Chocolate Hills.. see some caves.. and you'll be right at this gorgeous white-sand beach with very clear watever whenever you aren't doing the tourist things.

b_canadian_eh · Joined: 21 Jul 2006

Yeah, gonna have to second Palawan. Boracay is nice but tons of people especially in December. Also maybe check out Busuanga, small but things to do.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

Tiger Beer knows how I feel about Palawan. I loved it. So did my girlfriend. Very beautiful, pristine area.

But as mentioned, not as easy to get to which accounts for so few tourists in the El Nido area. The islands off of El Nido are amazing. Hire a boat and take a snorkelling trip. Lots of fish and coral, unlike most of the beach areas in Thailand where the coral has been damaged. Downside to Palawan - particularly El Nido - was that it was hard to find internet access. No internet access in El Nido, actually. A few bars and not a good selection of restaurants. But the beauty of the place kind of made up for it.

My girlfriend liked Boracay. The beach is long and pretty. But there's not much to see there after a few days. It's a small island. Good restaurants are there - Italian, Thai, western food. It's easier to get to also.

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

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Can I go too? You got enough room in your luggage?

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

I liked the Philippines very much. It's not as touristy as Thailand and transportation is rough, but the people are nicer and the costs are lower-- Thailand can be a little pricey sometimes in high season. It's worth seeing. I would go to Bali or Thailand to party, and the Philippines to rest. Even Boracay is comparatively quiet in comparison.

Depending on how much time you have, you might try staying in Boracay a while and then getting a feel for where you would like to go next. It's not expensive to fly to different islands, or you can take a boat if you have time to burn and less money. I haven't been to Palawan but it has a very good reputation. Puerto Galera's nice too but it's not as beachy; it's more for scuba diving.

Ken:>

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

I just bought tickets to the Philippines for the middle of January. Flying into Cebu. I would like to do a scuba course and also just relax on the beach and chill while maybe doing some hikes or something. Only going for 11 days though, so I can't really travel a lot. I see most of the places you guys have suggested are closer to Cebu, so that's good news. What do you suggest?

Alona beach looks nice and with that can also go see the Chocolate Hills.

Camiguin looks nice.

What else is good down there?

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

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

You rock Ttompatz!

Usually I blow a lot of money on vacations because I don't want to regret not doing stuff. This time is the same, but I don't think we need to stay in a posh resort this time around. This whole saving for the future thing is nuts, and the flight is a little pricey anyways. Bohol seems like the best choice right now. Very close to Cebu and seems like there is a lot to do.

I was just looking at my flight again and we have 8 full days there (thought we had more). I don't really need to stay in Cebu other than for maybe a day. I wish we could stay longer but my girlfriend can't get the time off of work (maybe I will stay longer by myself, haha).

The only thing I have to do while I am there is the scuba course. If I don't do that, I am going to kick myself in the you know what.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

For you Philippiners out there, when you are talking about beaches, what are the best there? Obviously Boracay, but what about the other top beaches, from your experience. Which ones are good to swim at? I don't always like the ones where you walk about 50 metres and suddenly it is a sea of sea urchents.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Good news for me. I am now going for a full 2 weeks, so I will actually have 14 days on the ground now. That changes a lot of things. Anyways, I have been looking at going to Sipalay and going to Sugar Beach. Everything I hear about it is exactly what I like. Anybody been there? Tiger Beer? Ttompatz?