YES, THE WORLD IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
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Christine,Oorrs,Tomas Morato
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Before I visited the Philippines on my last summerholiday, I hadn’t heard much about the country. Mainly through the news on TV and those weren’t news which would make you go there on holiday. Luckily my friend’s girlfriend’s sister works in Manila and they were planning to visit her. They asked if I would join them. At first I wasn’t sure the Philippines were the right place to spend a holiday, but as they came up with a really cheap flight (565ˆ return-ticket on Emirates) and I saw some photos, I didn’t hesitate to go and I must say, I didn’t regret it.
After our Arrival in Manila, we spent only one night there. Most of the travel-guides tell you not to plan a too long stay in Manila and I’m glad we didn’t do so, as Manila is a very busy City with too much traffic and too many people. There are things there worth seeing, but the city makes you tired. As our friend lived in Manila we always came back for one or two nights after havig been in the mountains or on some islands, to do some washing, draw money or do some shopping.
Our first trip was to Anilao, near Batangas, for some diving. I twas great and amazingly cheap. For a PADI-Advanced divers-course, two nights and food and six dives (including all equipment) I payed about 8200 Peso (about 120ˆ). The divesites were great, lots of fish and corals, nice and clear water and all the people were really nice.
The second trip went up north to Banaue and Sagada. Although the trip there was quite strenuous, it’s a must-see on the Philippines. The rice Terraces are stunning and the landscape is magnificent. It was a shame we had so little time because we would have loved to do some trekking and climb some of the mountains. On our trip to Sagada we really enjoyed the landscape, following the winding roads in a jeepney. In Sagada we got a guide to take us to Sumaging Cave. And I tell you, that was exciting. I felt a bit like Indiana Jones, climbing through the cave, sometimes breastdeep in water and the only light coming from the petroleum lamp our guide was carrying. And although the safety precautions were very little (no helmets, ropes or spare torches), I felt safe at all times.
Back in Manila we took a flight El Nido/Palawan, a beautiful place. When you have seen the movie the beach and were fascinated by the beaches, this is the place to go. The locals are very nice and helpful and the town is not so comercialized as Boracay or Bohol. We found a really good guide, who owned a boat and was also a divemaster. He took us island-hopping, snorkeling, diving and trekking. You can’t really describe the place in words. Paradise gets quite near to it. You just have to see it with your own eyes.
Via Puerto Princessa, where we visitited the crocodile farm, we flew to Bohol where we stayed at a very nice resort in Alona Beach on Panglao Island. It’s a little more touristy than Palawan and the prices are higher but you shouldn’t miss seeing the Chocolat Hills on Bohol. There are also great divesites around Panglao Island.
Back in Manila we had one more day to spend the rest of our money on the various markets in Manila before we tokk our flight back to Germany.
All in all I can really recommend to visit the Philippines. I will definitely return sometime, as three weeks isn’t enough for such a beautiful country. And don’t worry when you are short on money, it’s the perfect country for budget-travels. Concerning security, I felt safe at anytime and I think it’s always safe as long as you act sensible and stick to the warnings of the embassies and the locals.
Sebastian Kitzinger, Offenbach/ Germany
