Messages: 141,241 - Threads: 22,931
posted
24-Nov-2009 06:16
by:
abdelnaby »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 07:57
by:
tanabata_hikobo... »
1
replies
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47
views
location: Philippines
There has been a horrendous massacre near Ampatuan town, Maguindanao. At least 30 bodies have already been recovered, and the total number of dead may be as high as 50.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/23/09/buluan-vice-mayors-wife-media-men-beheaded
This is very alarming, since the dead included at least a dozen journalists. This was a gruesome massacre - many victims were chopped apart with machetes! The reports also say that the massacre was carried out by a group of 100 armed men. Why is the Philippine government permitting groups of 100 armed men to simply wander around the countryside? Shouldn't the military use its airpower to bomb them into oblivion?
Anyhow, this massacre took place only a few kilometers from Maguindanao's capital of Shariff Aguak. Tourists to Maguindanao should take extreme precautions, since the potential for reprisal violence is v...
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posted
24-Nov-2009 01:17
by:
karlv »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 01:17
by:
karlv »
0
replies
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19
views
location: Philippines
Hi Guys,
I am asking to see if anyone can tell me where " the places to be" for backpackers. Were looking for a place that is the most poplar and best facilities for
Banue
Sagada &
El Nido.
Thanks for your advise and time. Karlos
posted
24-Nov-2009 01:03
by:
NinjaBambi »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 01:03
by:
NinjaBambi »
0
replies
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15
views
location: Philippines
From what I've seen up till now it looks like I'll have to backtrack to Manila or Puerto Princesa to leave Palawan. Is this correct or are there other options? My preference is to go from Coron/Busuanga directly to Mindoro or the Visaya's. Is this possible? If so where can I find schedules and how long in advance should I book. Is it reasonable to just show up and expect to be able to sail/fly? Maybe charter transport, what would be a reasonable price?
Thanks
Wilco
posted
23-Nov-2009 19:06
by:
honk05 »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 08:49
by:
jelean »
2
replies
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75
views
location: Philippines
Hi. Myself and my girlfriend are going to the Philippines in late December for 2weeks. It is our first time going there and want to get as much as we can into the trip. My main question is are we trying to get in too much into a two week holiday?!
We haven't decided in what order we've planned to visit these places yet, but our general plan is as follows. Flying into Manila we want to do some shopping in and around the city- in both malls and cheap markets (markets for knock offs and the likes). We also want to head north to La Union to get some surfing in and see the rice terraces- I surf alot and have recenty been starved for waves so this stop is a must for us.....my girlfriend dosen't surf- are the beaces nice? We also want to go down to Palawan for a few days for adventure and diving (we both dive)- have heard Palawan is a must see!! And the last thing we are trying to pack in i...
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posted
23-Nov-2009 18:14
by:
yumai »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 22:46
by:
tools4fools »
2
replies
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47
views
location: Philippines
Hello,
Does anyone know whether the ATMs at the Manila airport support PLUS cards? Are the ATMs open 24 hours?
Are there ATMs in Puerto Princesa and do they support PLUS cards as well?
Thank you very much for your help!
posted
23-Nov-2009 16:25
by:
ronaldo22 »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 16:25
by:
ronaldo22 »
0
replies
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21
views
location: Philippines
Is it possible to hire a moped or scooter in Banaue for a day or 2. It seems like a good way to get around to see the rice terraces.
posted
23-Nov-2009 16:07
by:
tinkermaj »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 02:02
by:
CDOguide »
5
replies
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54
views
location: Philippines
Does anyone know the bus schedules for CDO-Bukidnon-CDO?
Need to know what's the latest schedule going from Bukidnon to CDO. thanks!
posted
23-Nov-2009 07:44
by:
itchy17 »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 07:44
by:
itchy17 »
0
replies
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48
views
location: Philippines
We'll be in the Philippines for all of December and I am very keen to get the opportunity to see whales sharks.
I've heard that Donsol is the best place for this and that December is the beginning of the season. I'm currently weighing up heading to Donsol early in the trip (possibly less chance of sightings) vs closer to Christmas (slightly later in the season, so perhaps a better chance of seeing whale sharks but also busier and more tourists like us around!)
Can anyone give any info about whether there have been many sightings yet this year and what our chances are like of seeing whale sharks in early December?
Any insights greatly appreciated! Thanks!
posted
23-Nov-2009 07:12
by:
BE082599 »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 05:37
by:
BE082599 »
3
replies
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76
views
location: Philippines
I'm landing Saturday in Manila at 22u40, where can I realistically go?
How can I get to the city safe, what is a good place to stay if I want to get out the next day?
I have 5 weeks in country and would like to do a lot in Luzon and then some island hopping.
One of my first destinations is Pinatubo. Can I get there on Sunday? I'd like to travel north to Capas Vigan after that, so don't want a day trip from Manila.
Has anybody done Pinatubo independently? How can this be done?
Are Euros good to bring to the Philippines for cash? LP says it is not accepted.
tnx
posted
23-Nov-2009 05:33
by:
bumblebtoo »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 08:57
by:
jelean »
2
replies
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44
views
location: Philippines
I'm traveling alone on a business and have two days free in Manila. I was thinking of going to Taal / Tagaytay and Pagsanjan. I've googled for day tours to these places but all of them appear to be private tours, meaning I will be by myself with the driver / guide, which makes it not only quite expensive but also maybe a bit boring. Are there any non-private tours (group tours that I can join) to these places?
posted
23-Nov-2009 01:02
by:
etcap »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 09:44
by:
bounty98 »
8
replies
,
137
views
location: Philippines
We are flying to Cebu next month for another 5-week trip to the Philippines, and I thought I'd ask the experts on this board for ideas of places that could meet our requirements.
We are travelling with two very young children, so we are not going to be on the move all the time, and are mostly looking for chilled-out places to base ourselves for a week or two at a time. Two years ago, on a similar trip with our first-born, we spent time in Bohol, Negros, Camiguin and Bantayan and had a great time. We could always go back to the same places, but we thought we might want to try other Visaya islands this time, provided we can find suitable accommodation.
We travel budget and eat in local eateries, but with the two little ones we can't go really for the most basic beach shacks any more. For those of you that know these places, Nuts Huts on Bohol or Kookoo's Nest on Negros worked per...
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posted
22-Nov-2009 23:37
by:
keegancoho »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 20:07
by:
Laszlo »
4
replies
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155
views
location: Philippines
Has anyone used the new Lonely Planet Philippines that came out earlier this year?
The previous edition (2 editions?) received extremely poor reviews - but I did note that the new one has a new coordinating author. Sometimes this can make a huge difference.
If opinion of the new LP is poor, does anyone know if Jens Peters' Philippines Travel Guide is available in Manila or Bangkok, and, if it is, where to find it?
I'm assuming I won't be able to procure a copy of the Rough Guide, since they generally have poor distribution in Asia.
posted
22-Nov-2009 13:13
by:
Dragon22 »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 08:13
by:
tools4fools »
10
replies
,
171
views
location: Philippines
Hi all,
I'll be in Palawan from the 24th of Dec to the 3rd of Jan. Flying into Coron and out of PP. I will skip El Nido to save time I guess, but I will most likely have to take the land route between Coron and PP. Is there a way to get to Sabang and the UG river if coming from the north or will I have to go all the way to PP and then back track?
Can you recommend anywhere really cheap to stay in Coron, Sabang and PP. I don't really care about amenities or beachfront view. My main goal is to spend my money diving so if anyone can recommend a particular dive company or some of the best dive sites in Coron that would be great!
What is the ferry schedule between Coron and El Nido?
Thanks
posted
22-Nov-2009 10:38
by:
TravelingAgain »
last reply
24-Nov-2009 09:08
by:
jelean »
3
replies
,
132
views
location: Philippines
Hi All
We arrive in Manilla Dec 10. We are still trying to figure out where to go first. We can stay in the Philippines for up to 4 months so are not worried about time. Previously, in Thailand (please allow me to compare) we have spent 3-4 weeks each in Koh Chang & Hua Hin and 10 days each in Samui & Koh Phangan & Koh Tao among others. Those places worked for us because it was not too quiet and not too busy either. In each place there was a town to walk thru and restaurants, shops, bars etc to visit. We do not want to feel that we are stuck in our resort wherever we are. We have looked at several places in the Philippines including Dumaguete/Dauin, Bohol/Panglao, Cebu/Moalboal, Boracay, and for later, north to Banaue and Baguio etc. Finally we looked at Palawan, PP & Nido. Those 2 are the toughest because we would like to see both but don't want to do 8-10 hours by van/boat betwe...
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posted
22-Nov-2009 05:54
by:
misspatsy »
last reply
23-Nov-2009 22:43
by:
tools4fools »
2
replies
,
105
views
location: Philippines
hi, we're leaving for the philippines for 6 weeks, on dec 11, which is right around the corner, but am still unsure of our itinerary. We will be starting off in Manila and heading straight to the rice terraces and the surfing in san juan, and then we are planning on spending the rest island hopping in the visayas ans surfing, but what about Palawan, I feel we are missing something if we don't go. Any suggestions.....
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