Philippines?

[Stanley Edwards]

After watching a very nice, romanticised (I'm sure) film the other night I am planning a long holiday in my dreams.

Anyone here spent time in rural areas? What's it like as a place to stay longer than just a holiday? Not really interested in Manila. More interested in rural islands and stuff. Personal experience rather than travel guides.

 

[gosub]

Not been in ten years, and there a couple of times working on a plane deal. Rightly avoid Manila although long flight so probably going to have to do an overnight there first night. In which case book big chain hotel the sort that has a shuttle service, the taxis will rip you off more than the difference for a cheap hotel. As a general rule always check the meter is on but the airport taxis are in a league of their own.
Of the touristy, boracay is a small island but wants to be hk's goa, Puerto galara is main island but more bare able & vgood diving.
Long haul buses good enough way getting around, jeepny worth doing but never real sure where going.
Avoid southern island, Muslim separatists abound.

Fucking lovely people who kept confusing me for some bloke named Joe
Can't be much help as my out of date time there was all work and a couple of touristy long weekends. But good choice of place to go and really good compare and contrast if you've been to Cuba

 

[Firky]

Is this a fall back plan if the fostering idea fails (which it will) ?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Is this a fall back plan if the fostering idea fails (which it will) ?

It's a holiday plan. Everybody needs a holiday. Nothing to do with work plans.

 

[Ming]

Spent a month there last year. Boracay is pretty nice (great beaches but a bit touristy) but i think Palawan is the best bit i went too. If you go north to El Nido there's the Bacuit Archipelago. Alex Garland spent 6 months in El Nido which legend says inspired him to write The Beach. Many beautiful little islands to explore. And a bottle of Tanduay rum is about 3 quid.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

OK. Thanks so far. Beaches and stuff is good.

However, I really want ideas on very 'non touristy' rural locations. Living with locals as a Westerner.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Also, I-m assuming English and Spanish would be good enough on most islands.

 

[Gromit]

I spent a month on Palawan.

It's boring. Unless all you like to do is the beach, fishing and boating. There was diving but I didn't get around to it.

That was 20 odd years ago mind so they may have more than just karaoke bars there now.

The cheap local rum is good. Especially great for flambay. Mmmm tanduay banana fritters yum!

I'm left with an enduring image of a fat American swimming with his two obviously paid for female companions whilst smoking the biggest cigar ever. Smoking whilst swimming!!

Saying all that though it is one of the safer islands and the South China Sea is lovely.

 

[Gromit]

Most of the well off speak American English as a point of snobbish pride.

 

[gosub]

Also, I-m assuming English and Spanish would be good enough on most islands.

Very little Spanish, English widely spoken Talog preferred

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Very little Spanish, English widely spoken Talog preferred

Ah. OK. The programme I watched was subtitled in Castellano from a sort of Spanish dialect. I assumed it was still commonly used.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Very little Spanish, English widely spoken Talog preferred

Is that an abbreviation for Tagalog?

 

[Ming]

Palawan is sometimes called the last frontier by Philippinoes (last unsettled area in the country). Port Barton on the west coast coast is somewhere that might be what your after. Don't know about living with locals (i stayed in low end hostels and boarding houses). I'll reiterate that the south (Mindanao) is potentially hazardous (it has a muslim autonomous zone and there has been kidnapping of Westerners). One of the rebel groups are called The Moro Islamic Liberation Front or The MILF's. Just don't laugh at the name if they cross your path

 

[Ming]

Sorry, last region to be settled.

 

[gosub]

Is that an abbreviation for Tagalog?

In pub, on phone

 

[Kanda]

Are you going to the Phillipines to foster kids now?

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

In pub, on phone

pissed and bleary-eyed

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Are you going to the Phillipines to foster kids now?

God you're tiresome.

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Thanks again for the more valuable input. Could anyone give an estimate of how long €2,000 would last (assuming as I am that income will be impossible as an artist)? I would like to live 'the village life' and work with locals, but primarily it would be a painting holiday. So, if I ended up taking cheapest possible tourist accommodation - how many days do you think €2,000 would last?

I smoke and drink as well as eat.

 

[goldenecitrone]

Sagada in the north for the rice fields and hanging coffins. Accommodation about £5 a night. Cheap food and drink, too.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Booze is cheap as fuck. You'll be fine Stan. Oh, bring yer own weed with ya, almost impossible to score out there, and when you do manage the impossible, you can't get any Veras (perm papers are available at hairdressing supplies shops )

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

God you're tiresome.

-----

Thanks again for the more valuable input. Could anyone give an estimate of how long €2,000 would last (assuming as I am that income will be impossible as an artist)? I would like to live 'the village life' and work with locals, but primarily it would be a painting holiday. So, if I ended up taking cheapest possible tourist accommodation - how many days do you think €2,000 would last?

I smoke and drink as well as eat.

3 months if you eeked it out, what with travel & shit.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Thank you both.