TRANSPORT
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MANILA
MANILA – TAXI BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL AIRPORT – US$ 8 / CAR FOR 4
THE BEST IS TO FIXED THE PRICE WITH DRIVER AT THE BEGINNING OF TRAVEL AND HAVE SMALL CHANGE, BECAUSE LOCAL TAXI DRIVERS AREN’T WASTING THEIR TIME FOR SEARCHING FOR THE CHANGE.
TAXIS STANDING ON THE RIGHT OF THE MAIN EXIT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BUT EARLIER WE ARE ALREADY ATTACKED BY DRIVERS TO GET US TO THEIR CARS. TRANSFER TO THE DOMESTIC AIRPORT TAKES ABOUT 10 MIN. CAUTION! – EVEN ABOUT 5:00 AM THE TRAFFIC ON ROADS IS CRAZY AND THIS 10 min. DRIVE CAN STRETCH AS RUBBER …
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PLANE OF THE SEAIR AIRLINE: MANILA – TAYTAY – (PALAWAN) – ok. US$ 200 + /os.
SEAIR OFFICE (AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO DOMESTIC AIRPORT FACING THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING). PAYMENT IN CASH ONLY.
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ATTENTION 1: APART OF THE TICKET, YOU WILL PAY ALSO LUGGAGE WEIGHT FEE AND THE PASSENGER WEIGHT FEE. EXCEEDING THIS LIMITS IS CONNECTED WITH A CONSIDERABLE EXTRA CHARGE IN US$. THEY ARE WEIGHING THE HAND LUGGAGE AND THE PASSENGER.
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ATTENTION 2: EVERYTHING WHAT YOU CAN, PUT INTO YOUR POCKETS. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE CAMERAS. BIG CAMERA WITH LARGE LENS HANG ON THE NECK IN ORDER TO LIKE LEAST VISIBLE – THIS WILL SAVE YOUR POCKET FROM THE WIDE STREAM OF CASH OUTFLOW.
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ATTENTION 3: PAYS OFF USING THE ATM. CLOSEST ONE IS 100 m FROM THE SEAIR OFFICE ACROSS THE STREET… THE ATM OF COURSE HAS A LIMIT (AS FAR AS I REMEBER UP TO 10 000 P), SO BETTER IS TO HAVE A FEW MORE CARDS WITH YOU… THERE IS ALSO A MACHINE ON AIRPORT, BUT ACCESSIBLE ONLY FOR PASSENGERS IN THE WAITING ROOM – AFTER PASSING CLEARANCE. BEST IS TO EXCHANGE A LOT „CABBAGE” IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE OFFICE AT THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. GOOD RATES AND THEN NO WORRIES !…
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– BIG CARRIER, GOOD PRICES; CARDS OK
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THE LUGGAGE CHECK IS RIGHT AFTER ENTRY TO THE BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT. IS GOING SUPER EFFICIENTLY.
AIRPORT TAX 100 P (ATTENTION: ONLY IN PESOS OR US$).
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6 PASSENGER MINIBUS WITH DRIVER FOR A PERIOD OF 3 DAYS – 8000 P + FUEL / day
MANILA – BANAUE 7 h. DRIVING AT NIGHT (about. 390 km)
SAGADA – BAGUIO 5 h. (about 90 km)
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OUR PLAN IS SO … RENTING A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. USING THE HIGHWAY TO GO BANAUE. THERE WATCHING FAMOUS RICE TERRACES AND STAYING OVERNIGHT. NEXT WE ARE MOVING TO BONTOK WHERE ARE ALSO RICE TERRACES. AFTER VISITING WE WILL HEAD FOR SAGADA TO SEE HANGING ON ROCKS COFFINS… AND RETURNS THROUGH BAGUIO.
CAR RENTING
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TERMINAL 3. THERE ARE A FEW COMPANIES RENTING CARS HERE. RENTING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE’D BETTER BOOK EARLY USING INTERNET. THE BEST WITH THE DRIVER, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE IN A HURRY. (ATTENTION: IN THE DISTANCE OF 20 m FROM THE CAR RENTAL SERVICES, CLOSED TO MAIN EXIT. STILL AT THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 3, YOU WILL FIND IN ONE OF CHEAP RESTAURANTS FREE WI-FI – IT CAN HELP TO FIND THE CAR FOR THE LEASE).
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DON’T FORGET ABOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH FULL INSURANCE; UNDERLINED YOUR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOU, THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER; THE COST OF THE HIRE WITH EMPHASIZING THAT THE PRICE IS ALSO REGARDING THE WORK OF THE DRIVER AND ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT (ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, etc.).
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DO NOT AGREE TO ALL ADVANCE PAYMENT. 50% IS THE BEST OPTION. ESTABLISH ALSO A WAY OF FUELING UP. FORCE THE DRIVER TO PULLED UP FOR THE NEAREST STATION AND REFUELED. IT IS NORMAL PRACTICE WHEN RENTING CARS. 'OH WELL, IF YOU WON’T DO IT, YOU WILL PAY ALSO FOR FUEL CONSUMED FROM THE LAST FUELING UP OF THE CAR …
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BANAUE
THE TOUR AROUND RICE TERRACES – FOLLOWING NEGOTIATIONS, THE PRICE DROPPED FROM 3300 P ON 2800 P. PERHAPS WE COULD CUT MORE … – BUT CONSIDERING WE LEFT ABOUT 7:00 AM AND CAME BACK AT 6:00 PM I CONSIDER THIS PRICE OK
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EL NIDO
AIR TICKETS AND OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORT, e.g. BOATS IT IS POSSIBLE TO PURCHASE PERSONALLY OR VIRTUALLY IN THE CAFÉ IN EL NIDO – I HIGHLY RECOMMEND – THEY ARE ANSWERING IN A FLASH.
JEEPNEY LOTNISKO W TAYTAY – EL NIDO (ok. 42 km.) – GERRY +639218332368 🙂
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BOATS – LOOK
NEGOTIABLE PRICES WITH EACH BOAT OWNER. IN THIS SMALL TOWN IS MUCH POSSIBILITIES OF THE BOAT LEASE. EXAMPLES: +63 915 602 2837, THE ROYJEN.
WE PROMISED 14 000 P FOR TWO FULL DAYS AND ONE NIGHT ON THE WATER – JOURNEY FROM EL NIDO TO SABANG (c 180 km.); 3 MEALS A DAY CONSISTING OF FISH, SEAFOOD AND WELL-SEASONED SALADS, SOFT DRINKS, ICE; SLEEPING ON THE BOAT FOR 4 PERSONS. APART FROM THAT STOPPING IN FEW MORE INTERESTING LOCAL PLACES WHERE WE COULD SWIM AND DIVE WITH THE PIPE…
NOTE: NOT ALL CARRIERS ARE HONEST.. SOME ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE IDIOT FROM THE TOURIST, SAYING AT THE END OF TRIP, THAT MISUNDERSTOOD YOU, OR YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THEM. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TROUBLE OF THIS TYPE ALWAYS WRITE SOME FORM OF THE AGREEMENT, OR WHAT MAY BE EASIER, WRITE SHORT TEXT MESSAGE WITH THE PRICE ON YOUR MOBILE, SEND TO THE GUY AND ASK HIM TO ANSWER YOU WITH CONFIRMATION (JUST OKAY). IT WILL SAVE YOU FROM SKIVERS OF DIFFERENT KIND…
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SABANG
SABANG – PUERTO PRINCESA – JEEPNEY TO THE AIRPORT
3000 P. (YOU NEED TO BARGAIN). WE USED THE TRANSPORT FROM OUR VERDE GREEN RESORT, PAYING 2500 P:)
TRANSFER TIME c 2.5 hr
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ACCOMMODATION
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(ALL PRICES PER DOUBLE ROOM WITH BATHROOM OR EN SUITE)
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EL NIDO
TANDIKAN BEACH COTTAGES 🙂 CLEAN ATTENTION: IF YOU RENT ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT PAY EXTRA 100 P (PER ROOM).
ROOM OVERLOOKING THE BAY AND DESCEND TO THE BEACH – LOOK
PRICE: 1100 P
ROOM WITHOUT THE VIEW
PRICE: 900 P
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A BATHROOM IS A PLACE WITH THE WASHBASIN, A TOILET BOWL AND THE SHOWER. THE TOILET SHELL DOESN’T HAVE A CISTERN. YOU ARE FLUSHING TOILET PICKING UP WATER FROM THE SHOWER USING SMALL BUCKET …
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SABANG
MICHI’S COTTAGE – – SO-SO, THE PRICE DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE OFFER, FAR FROM THE TOWN CENTRE
TARAW LODGE AND RESTAURANT – as above
DALUYON BEACH & MOUNTAIN RESORT – ADEQUATE PRICE FOR WHAT YOU GET (NEED TO BARGAIN)
GREEN VERDE – 🙂 COTTAGES ON STILTS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE BEACH – EACH WITH A BATHROOM – LOOK
PRICE: 800 P
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BANAUE
UYAMI’S GREEN VIEW LODGE – MOTEL HOTEL – LOOK
GREAT LOCATED; CLEAN; HOT WATER IN BATHROOMS AVAILABLE ALL THE TIME; FOOD 🙁
PRICE: 800 P
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HERITAGE MANSION HOTEL – PRICES 🙁
PALADIN HOTEL – 136 Abanaao Extension, Corner Carino Street, Baguio City – FOR ROOM WITH AN EN SUITE BATHROOM PRICED 1725 P WE GOT BONUS: 1 HOUR OF FREE MASSAGE.. – LOOK
HOLIDAY PARK HOTEL – PRICES 🙁
EUROTEL – PRICES AND ROOMS 🙁
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WORTH SEEING
EL NIDO – COOL, SMALL TOWN
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SABANG – UNDERGROUND RIVER – LOOK
FIRST OF ALL TO GET TO THE RIVER ONE HAS TO BUY TICKETS FOR A BOAT TRIP ON „BANKA”, THEN ANOTHER TICKET FOR AN ENTRY TO THE ACTUAL BOAT IN THE CAVE. THE OTHER OPTION IS A 5.2 KM WALK ONE WAY WHICH WOULD SAVE THE COST OF THE BANKA, HOWEVER THEN YOU WOULD HAVE THE CHANCE OF MEETING NEW PALS – THE MONKEYS, AND GETTING TO KNOW THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE RAIN FOREST.
IMPORTANT – PASSENGERS IN THE FIRST ROW HAVE A JOB TO DO. THEY ARE HANDED A SPOT LIGHT CONNECTED TO A GENERATOR AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LIGHTING ALL OBJECTS DESCRIBED BY THE GUIDE, WHO ALSO IS A ROWER AND STEERSMAN… ALL IN ONE. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE SHOTS, THEN THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO SIT WITH YOUR PARTNER WHO WOULD COOPERATE WITH YOU AND HOLD THE LAMP.
WHOLE BOAT TRIP: c 3 hr
PRICE: 400 P (150C+ 250) /p
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AT FIRST WE DROVE AND THAN WALK (15 KM DRIVE PLUS 3 KM ON FOOT). BATAD – OUR GOAL – IS A VILLAGE NESTLED AMONG THE RICE TERRACES, FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD IS A WATERFALL CALLED TAPPYACH (TAPPIA). TO GET THERE WE HAD TO WALK AS THE AREA IS NOT ACCESSIBLE BY CAR. THE WALK WAS LONG AND HARD. WE HAVE HIRED A GUIDE TO TAKE US THERE FOR 800 P (NOTE: IT IS QUITE SAFE TO WALK THERE WITHOUT A GUIDE, THE ONLY PLACE WHERE ONE WOULD NEED HIM WOULD BE BETWEEN THE VILLAGE AND THE WATERFALL. STILL IF YOU SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE GOING DOWN THE PATH – JUST FOLLOW THEM. WHEN YOU REACH THE VILLAGE TURN LEFT TOWARDS A SCHOOL, THEN JUST BEFORE THE SCHOOL TURN RIGHT AND FOLLOW A PATH DOWN THE HILL – BE CAREFUL NOT TO LOOSE IT)
ALL DAY TRIP
ACCORDING TO OUR GUIDE, THE WHOLE WALK WAS TO TAKE ABOUT 2.5 HOURS, BUT IN REALITY IT TOOK US NEARLY 2 HOURS JUST TO GET DOWN. WE HAVE NOT RUSH – WE STOPPED MANY TIMES TO TAKE PHOTOS AND FILMING INTERESTING SPOTS. AND IT WAS DRIZZLING… THE PATH DOWN TO THE VILLAGE WAS NOT VERY INTERESTING (ABOUT 3 KM), BUT THE VIEW FROM THAT PLACE WAS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS
THE NEXT SECTION OF THE ROUTE GOES ACROSS THE RICE TERRACES AND IT REALLY IS WORTH SEEING. YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF THOSE ANCIENT RICE PADDYS. IT TOOK US THREE HOURS TO GET BACK
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HANGING COFFINS – TICKETS AT THE TOWN HALL; COST NOTHING; WITH TICKETS IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET THE GUIDE FOR THE SMALL FEE
ECHO VALLEY – HANGING COFFINS – LOOK
LUMIANG BURIAL CAVE – GRAVEYARD IN THE CAVE, AND AT THE SAME TIME ONE OF STARTING POINTS OF NOT TO EASY TRIP ON SAGADA CAVES… – LOOK
SUMAGING CAVE. – PADDLING IN THE WATER IS NECESSARY IN THIS CAVE (SOMETIMES IT IS QUITE DEEP) – LOOK
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FOOD
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MANILA
CARMELINO’S GRILL – DOMESTIC AIRPORT – POTHOUSE OPENED FOR BUSINESS ONLY 40 METERS AWAY FROM THE SEAIR OFFICE. OPEN 24/7 (?) WE WERE ABLE TO GET IN WITH ALL OUR LUGGAGE AND GET SOMETHING TO EAT VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING. „FILIPINO BREAKFAST” CONSISTED OF A AMERICAN STYLE COFFEE AND A LARGE PLATE WITH FOUR PIECES OF TOAST, POACHED EGG AND TINAPA (PIECES OF SMOKED FISH AND GREEN PEPPER). THIS WAS THE LESS INTERESTING MEAL WE HAVE HAD IN THE PHILIPPINES… I DON’T REMEMBER THE PRICE: HOWEVER VERY CHEAP.
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EL NIDO
NICE FOOD, LOBSTER – 700 P
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SABANG
RESTAURANT IN THE „GREEN VERDE” RESORT 🙂
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THE LONELY PLANET STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RESTAURANTS WORTH RECOMMENDATIONS IN SABANG…
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LOCAL BISTRO*; BAR*; RESTAURANT* (* – CHOOSE THE THE APPROPRIATE OPTION). THE PLACE IS LOCATED STRATEGICALLY BY THE INTERSECTION OF THE MAIN ROAD AND THE SANDY „PROMENADE”. WE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. 🙁 🙁
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BANAUE
UYAMI’S GREEN VIEW LODGE – THE FOOD IS NOT NICE, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT;
WE HAVE FOUND ANOTHER HOSTEL – OR WAS IT A HOTEL? – ON THE SAME STREET ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TOWN SQUARE. THERE ALSO WAS A COMPUTER STORE CLOSE BY. THE SELECTION OF DISHES HERE WAS MUCH MORE INTERESTING. WE HAVE ORDERED SOME CHICKEN-BIRD DISH AND SALADS – SORRY I DON’T REMEMBER WHAT SORT OF SALAD IT WAS.
WE CAN RECOMMEND FOOD IN THIS PLACE WITHOUT ANY RESERVATIONS. BE WARNED THOUGH – THEY CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG FOR CHARGING OF BATTERIES.
BE CAREFUL IN SOME RESTAURANTS – THEY CAN TRY TO MAKE YOU PAY FOR CHARGING YOUR BATTERIES.
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MASFERRÉ – VERY GOOD RESTAURANT. FILIPINO DISHES 🙂 🙂 🙂
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SMALL KOREAN EATERY DIRECTLY OPPOSITE PALADIN HOTEL – POOR SELECTION OF FOOD.
GILLIGAN’S (Legarda Rd, Baguio) – PHILIPPINE NETWORK RESTAURANT SERVING FILIPINO DISHES, MAINLY SEAFOOD. 🙂 🙂
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SAMPLE PRICES
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MANILA – DOMESTIC AIRPORT UNIVERSAL ADAPTOR TO THE THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM – 50 P
EL NIDO
EL NIDO SKYLINE GRILL – LOBSTER – 700 P
COCA-COLA 2 L at a shop – c 50 P
DRINKS FOR 2 DAYS FOR 4 PERSONS WITH ALCOHOL – 2500 P
LUZON – SMALL AND VERY HOT PEPPERS ON THE MARKET – 1,5/kg < US$1
DOHA (QATAR) COSMETICS ARE NICE PRICES
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ADVICES
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IMPORTANT ON THE PHILIPPINES: CHARGE YOUR MOBILE AND CAMERA BATTERIES , WHENEVER POSSIBLE (ALWAYS HAVE ALL BATTERY CHARGERS IN THE HAND LUGGAGE, BECAUSE IN MANY PLACES POWER SUPPLIES IS LIMITED AND YOU SHOULD GET POWER FROM ANY SOURCES
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NOTE: NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE HONEST.. SOME ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE IDIOT FROM THE TOURIST, SAYING AT THE END OF THE SERVICE, THAT MISUNDERSTOOD YOU, OR YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THEM. TO PREVENT PROBLEMS IT IS ADVISABLE TO WRITE SOME KIND OF CONTRACT OR SIMPLY WRITE A SMS INCLUDING A PRICE AND ASK THE OWNER TO CONFIRM THE AGREEMENT IN A RETURN SMS. THIS SIMPLE ARRANGEMENT COULD SAVE YOU FROM THAT KIND OF MISFITS. …
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