What makes the Philippines different from my birth place of the UK to the point I call Cebu City my home? The reasons are many some can be explained some need to be experienced. A lot of other people I know have had the same thoughts as the plane touches down on the tarmac.
The first thing as you approach the islands is the beautiful green lands and sea that you can see below you. Once the plane stops the excitement has already begun to build. You exit the plane and get hit with the warm heat, an almost perfect climate where its not as hot as florida and not as cold as europe in winter. Then your visit begins. Some things may bother you more if your in another part of the world such as the Taxi drivers trying to overcharge on the off chance your just a nieve foreigner who wont grumble at paying double because the prices are so low. But this and the fact that nothing is urgent is part of life here. But its partly why I love it so much. People are generally nice and everywhere you go you will see a smile or here a "hey Joe" (saying left from WWII). Regardless of where you are from you will always be thought to be Kano (American).
The food in the Philippines especially in the cities is abundant and varied. From Japanese Sushi
to Kenny Rogers chicken. Big difference I find though is the price. Expect to be paying around $20 for more than you can eat in a nice restaurant for 2. Me and my wife normally have 2 main courses, Calamari while we wait and drinks, plus leave a tip for less than P1,000
Hotels Expect to be paying around P1,600 depending on what you are looking for and the length of your stay. For example you can source a house rental for P10,000 a month with a bit of hunting around. The hotels vary a lot and advise just booking as you go not because I expect the hotel standards to be low but quite simply allows you to move around and with the prices so low you can get to see more of this beautiful country.
What to see there are the usual things with tropical islands such as the diving, yachting, snorkling, wind surfing etc. but there is also jungle treks. Trips up into the mountain regions which is very beautiful. Visiting Santo Nino (church in cebu). If you are here for a 2 week stretch you will find not enough time in the day. If your here for a few months strongly advise travelling round and most importantly meeting the people of the Philippines who generally are a friendly population that are proud to have you as a visitor to theyre country.
Shopping is fantastic for clothing but many other items are cheap and nasty chinese imports you are better to avoid. Electronics better to get a flight to Hong Kong on the way out the Philippines home to get the best deals or head into other countries which are heavy into electronic production and not heavily taxed on the import of the goods.
Things to avoid the southern Island of Mindanao I have heard good and bad stories for. Especially around Davao. Personally I havent visited the area and with there still ongoing problems with terrorism I would advise to avoid. Manila has been the target for bombings although I believe that its as likely there as it is in London, have visited Manila myself and found it a safe city. Some people say avoid driving but personally I use a scooter to get around because not only does it give you the freedom of being able to come and go as you please, cut through traffic jams and get anywhere quicker than others. But you can take photos when you see things which you couldnt do in a car being driven by someone or by yourself. If you drive a car be aware you are in a country where you may be blamed for whatever happens in an incident quite simply because of your wealth and nationality. Your not wealthy? your in a third world country you will always be seen as wealthy and be expected to pick up the tab for an accident. I would advise a scooter or motorbike for anyone who is confident on the road and can keep your eyes open.
Corruption there is corruption running through anything involving the government and bribes are often expected as a "express fee" but to be honest the amounts are very small and generally speed up things such as having paperwork processed for visa extensions.
My advise visit the Philippines dont be flash with the cash split your money around your body incase of a robbery as it is possible. Dont argue with someone or raise your voice as this can be dangerous due to someone losing face pass the problem to someone local but keep your cool. Dont wear any jewellery you dont need and a cheap watch. Nothing worse than losing something that is personal or expensive and both could happen very easily if its glittering from your arm or neck. You are in a country where people struggle to eat each day. Do enjoy your holiday and keep to areas you know are not black spots such as Colon Street at night.
The first thing as you approach the islands is the beautiful green lands and sea that you can see below you. Once the plane stops the excitement has already begun to build. You exit the plane and get hit with the warm heat, an almost perfect climate where its not as hot as florida and not as cold as europe in winter. Then your visit begins. Some things may bother you more if your in another part of the world such as the Taxi drivers trying to overcharge on the off chance your just a nieve foreigner who wont grumble at paying double because the prices are so low. But this and the fact that nothing is urgent is part of life here. But its partly why I love it so much. People are generally nice and everywhere you go you will see a smile or here a "hey Joe" (saying left from WWII). Regardless of where you are from you will always be thought to be Kano (American).
The food in the Philippines especially in the cities is abundant and varied. From Japanese Sushi
to Kenny Rogers chicken. Big difference I find though is the price. Expect to be paying around $20 for more than you can eat in a nice restaurant for 2. Me and my wife normally have 2 main courses, Calamari while we wait and drinks, plus leave a tip for less than P1,000
Hotels Expect to be paying around P1,600 depending on what you are looking for and the length of your stay. For example you can source a house rental for P10,000 a month with a bit of hunting around. The hotels vary a lot and advise just booking as you go not because I expect the hotel standards to be low but quite simply allows you to move around and with the prices so low you can get to see more of this beautiful country.
What to see there are the usual things with tropical islands such as the diving, yachting, snorkling, wind surfing etc. but there is also jungle treks. Trips up into the mountain regions which is very beautiful. Visiting Santo Nino (church in cebu). If you are here for a 2 week stretch you will find not enough time in the day. If your here for a few months strongly advise travelling round and most importantly meeting the people of the Philippines who generally are a friendly population that are proud to have you as a visitor to theyre country.
Shopping is fantastic for clothing but many other items are cheap and nasty chinese imports you are better to avoid. Electronics better to get a flight to Hong Kong on the way out the Philippines home to get the best deals or head into other countries which are heavy into electronic production and not heavily taxed on the import of the goods.
Things to avoid the southern Island of Mindanao I have heard good and bad stories for. Especially around Davao. Personally I havent visited the area and with there still ongoing problems with terrorism I would advise to avoid. Manila has been the target for bombings although I believe that its as likely there as it is in London, have visited Manila myself and found it a safe city. Some people say avoid driving but personally I use a scooter to get around because not only does it give you the freedom of being able to come and go as you please, cut through traffic jams and get anywhere quicker than others. But you can take photos when you see things which you couldnt do in a car being driven by someone or by yourself. If you drive a car be aware you are in a country where you may be blamed for whatever happens in an incident quite simply because of your wealth and nationality. Your not wealthy? your in a third world country you will always be seen as wealthy and be expected to pick up the tab for an accident. I would advise a scooter or motorbike for anyone who is confident on the road and can keep your eyes open.
Corruption there is corruption running through anything involving the government and bribes are often expected as a "express fee" but to be honest the amounts are very small and generally speed up things such as having paperwork processed for visa extensions.
My advise visit the Philippines dont be flash with the cash split your money around your body incase of a robbery as it is possible. Dont argue with someone or raise your voice as this can be dangerous due to someone losing face pass the problem to someone local but keep your cool. Dont wear any jewellery you dont need and a cheap watch. Nothing worse than losing something that is personal or expensive and both could happen very easily if its glittering from your arm or neck. You are in a country where people struggle to eat each day. Do enjoy your holiday and keep to areas you know are not black spots such as Colon Street at night.
1 comments:
I am an American...recently was in Davao City for 3 months immediately before the time of your post...it is safe in Davao but maybe not in rural areas west of there.
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