Phillipines

[Prawn_86]

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. It comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean.

The Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country, with a population of about 90 million people. Its national economy is the 45th largest in the world, with an estimated 2008 gross domestic product (GDP) of over US$168.6 billion (nominal). There are more than 11 million overseas Filipinos worldwide, estimate about 11% of the population.

[nathanblack]

Philippines really seems to be an underestimated destination for australians. i just love the place. its cheap like a thailand, has beaches and climate like a bali, and the advantage that high school is taught in english. certainly makes communicting easier.

from my many travels there, i wouldnt recommend staying in manila more than you need to Ninoy airport is there, so you will probablly arrive in manila although some airlines can fly direct to clark.

manila is over crowded, polluted by cars, traffic i couldnt drive in without crashing. add this to the oppressive heat and unfamiliar surrounds, you will not enjoy it.

try going to boracay for the great beaches, a bit of a tourist spot but still pleasant and theres safety in numbers. beachfront hotels rang from about $20-$100 a night depending on style, size and location.

if you prefer a less tourist populated beach try palawan or peurta princesa, much cheaper too. or even la union. the beaches are almost untouched and pue beauty. many beaches have beach boxes available for rent and street vendors selling food, bbq and you can rent a videoake machine to sing.

even nights are hot in philippines, id say low 20deg overnight moving to high of mid 30s at day, this is all year round but during wet season it gets humid(not cooler). if thats to warm for you, try baguio. its much cooler there especially overnight.

hotels will have back up generators, otherwise you may find yourself without electricity. they have regular "brown-outs".

travelling is easy, atms abundant, many places to convert AU$ or US$ to peso too. things are cheap as you expect in most asian countries. they have mcdonalds, kfc and the local jollibee. a bigmac meal that would cost $8 here is about 60Peso(under $2) beer about 20c a bottle (san miguel branded).

transport is trike(a motorbike with wagon behind), jeepney(old USA jeeps converted to seat about 10 like a mini bus), ferry for inter island travel and domestic plane flights. you can ride about 20minute for $1 trike.

food is great, chinese/malay/spanish influence with western food available. fruits are cheap and comon. mango, banana, pineapple and watermelon.

despite what some people think, safety is not a concern. terrorism exists but only on a seperate muslim controlled island to the south(just dont go there). there are precautions to prevent crime everywhere. example you drive to a mall, you get given a parking ticket on entry. the car cant leave the mall without presenting the ticket(chance of car theft 0%). you enter the mall and walk through security gaurd who use metal detector to check for weapons(low chance of violent crime). houses have metal bars to prevent intruders. there are police and army bearing weapons on many street corners. it looks confronting but its effective.

if you are after nightlife, clubing/dance or girls(not that i am) then angeles city is for you.

enjoy your travels

[nhowelson]

Philippines is a nice place to travel to. It has a rich history and so many attractive places. Philippines, since it's am island have a lot of beautiful beaches. Boracay is the most common tourist attraction for beach love and Palawan is next in line. Historian would love to travel across the Philippines because there traces of history across the country.

Filipinos are known for their hospitality that will make your stay in Philippines fun and enjoyable. You will not feel that you are away from your home when get along and make a lot of friends from Philippines and you will keep coming back for more.

[nathanblack]

yes, agree, filipino are great people. i love the foods and the spanish reign has left some beautiful old curches. the nature like active volcano, beaches, philippines has it all in one place.

[buddinghealth]

While i was living in Thailand i met a few lovely fillipino travellers/english teachers - they were all lovely people and were proud of their heritage - they've given me a taste of the Phillipines and i'd be really keen to visit soon - there are just so many places in the world to get to!

[Prawn_86]

The Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement that 900 people had been rescued after the Superferry 9 vessel listed and then sank six nautical miles off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula on southern Mindanao island.
But it said the bodies of five people on board had been found, while 63 remained unaccounted for.


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26034044-401,00.html

[Prawn_86]

RESCUE workers pulled out more bodies from a small mountain village buried under mud in the northern Philippines today, as the death toll from landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains rose to 153, disaster officials said.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26191133-23109,00.html

The weather has been extremely savage in the Phillipines lately with over 500 people dying in the last couple of months due to flooding and landslides.

I guess that as with any low lying country in the tropics there is always going to be these types of risks. And throw in a large population density and tragedies happen unfortunately.

Thoughts go out to all those affected.

[nhowelson]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26191133-23109,00.html

The weather has been extremely savage in the Phillipines lately with over 500 people dying in the last couple of months due to flooding and landslides.

I guess that as with any low lying country in the tropics there is always going to be these types of risks. And throw in a large population density and tragedies happen unfortunately.

Thoughts go out to all those affected.

this was very bad.. you can see in the news how the country suffer from the typhoon... it nice to know that Philippines is now recovering from this calamity :)

[Prawn_86]

this was very bad.. you can see in the news how the country suffer from the typhoon... it nice to know that Philippines is now recovering from this calamity :)

Have you been to any of the affected areas previously? Do you have any first-hand info about it?

[squidoo17]

Philippines is a nice place to travel to. It has a rich history and so many attractive places. Philippines, since it's am island have a lot of beautiful beaches. Boracay is the most common tourist attraction for beach love and Palawan is next in line. Historian would love to travel across the Philippines because there traces of history across the country.


Yeah, that's definitely true, Philippines is one great place to have a family vacation. It has many beautiful place to go like there are many beautiful beaches that you'll surely wants to spend your whole day in the beach.

[aimhigh]

Have you been to any of the affected areas previously? Do you have any first-hand info about it?


We are one of those affected by flood. Well, I came from a province in the Philippines where typhoon is just ordinary because we are facing the pacific ocean and china sea but my experience here in Manila, this flood is really unexplainable. I can't even defined it. I got phobia even with a little rain. LOL. When you are in the situation you will know how it is. Honestly, before when I heard in the news the catastrophe like flood, etc - Yes, I feel pity with the people who are affected but now that I experienced it, I know it better.

Yes, we have so many beautiful tourist spot and destination.

[Prawn_86]

Yes, we have so many beautiful tourist spot and destination.

So as a local, which place would you say that all tourists should visit to get a real insight into your country?

[aimhigh]

One of the places I suggest is El Nido. This is the most beautiful place in Palawan with a mega-diverse ecosystem such as rainforests, white sand beaches, rich marine life, mangroves and their famous coral and limestone reefs. however, If you love diving and fishing the Busuanga Island in Coron is the best place to explore. according to Forbes Travelers Magazine, this is one of the 10 best scuba sites in the world. You can find under the pristine waters the 12 WWII Japanese shipwrecks sunken by the US Navy in 1944. It is about 131 ft. (40M) deep from the surface. or you can visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the world’s longest underground river with a cavernous interior larger than St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park.

[Jack30]

Filipinos are absolutely great! Aside from that there are so many beautiful places in the Philippines that most people are not familiar with. Especially on the Luzon and Visayas part.

[Prawn_86]

Filipinos are absolutely great! Aside from that there are so many beautiful places in the Philippines that most people are not familiar with. Especially on the Luzon and Visayas part.
Welcome Jack :)

Can you tell us a bit more about Luzon? I would love to spend some time in the Phillipines

[Stay24seven]

I believe you wouldn't have any problems with them coz' predominantly they're an english speaking nation. Luzon is the most urbanized part of the country.

[leona788]

Been in and out of the Philippines and I'm loving it everytime I go there. Have been to Manila a couple of times but the city is not for me, too crowded. I prefer Cebu, lots of beaches, restaurants and 2 big shopping malls. Less crowd and you can go around the city and to your destination in minutes unlike Manila.

[leona788]

I believe you wouldn't have any problems with them coz' predominantly they're an english speaking nation. Luzon is the most urbanized part of the country.



I agree. Even the vendors in the streets knows how to speak English.

[kimberly_c]

I have only been to Cebu in the Philippines and it was really an awesome experience! The people are so welcoming and the place itself is culturally rich! :)

[aimhigh]

Bicol province is now one of the tourist destination in Southern Luzon. Beside Leonardo DiCaprio will come to Albay to promote the eco-tourism.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/20697-dicaprio-to-visit-albay-promote-the-environment

[kimberly_c]

Bicol province is now one of the tourist destination in Southern Luzon. Beside Leonardo DiCaprio will come to Albay to promote the eco-tourism.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/20697-dicaprio-to-visit-albay-promote-the-environment

I've heard on an international news that he will be postponing this said visit right?

[jayarr]

Philippines is an exotic tourist destination in Southeast Asia boasts of several fascinating tourist destinations of the world. Sprawling across 300,000 square kilometers, the beautiful archipelago is home to 7,107 enchanting islands. Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao constitute the main island groups in the country. The country is renowned for its beautiful islands, golden beaches, astonishing volcanoes, numerous diving spots and exotic wildlife among other Philippines tourist attractions. Nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, honeymooners and adventure seekers are all lured by the major Philippines tourist attractions.

The famous White Beach on Boracay Island is one of the most beautiful tropical beaches in the world. The famous Alona Beach at Panglao is located in Bohol which is known for its exotic beaches. Cebu is home to major diving spots making it a favorite haunt for adventure lovers. Panglao, Balicasag and Pamilacan in Bohol are also renowned for being home ro some of the popular diving spots. The world-famous Tall Volcano and the beautiful Tall Lake at Tagaytay are sure to hold its visitors spellbound.

Another place where you can go for quietude and privacy, enjoying the unique landscapes and breathtaking seascapes, soaking in the sand, sea and sun is the Bahay-Bakasyunan at Camuguin Island, is for those who want to revitalize their bodies and nurture their souls. This isolated island haven is perfect for getting away from it all.


Thanks,
Jay-arr

[aimhigh]

I've heard on an international news that he will be postponing this said visit right?

I think so. I don't have much time reading or watching news. Having 2 jobs is really tiring that you wouldn't think of anything but to rest.

[jayl.boraisland]

Boracay is just one of the beautiful tourist spot in the Philippines. The country is an archipelago of 7,100 island. Every island has its own unique features. Enjoy.

[rsmith]

Try going to the white beaches of Pagudpod in Ilocos. It's not yet crowded unlike in Boracay.

[AnnabelGroesbeck_87]

Great info guys, I've always been curious about the Philippines as I've met many Filipinos and they seem like such a nice bunch of people. Which one do you think is better Boracay or Palawan?