Other Areas

[Jesi James]

Excellent post sir, I am running strictly solo and your response confirms my thoughts on Zambo. Risk vs Reward. I am going to pass. Thank you.

[GoodEnough]

Jesi asked about Zamboanga and, as I go there fairly often, I thought I would respond.

I like Zambo, but it's not nearly as attractive a city as CDO nor is it as safe. The city is more or less a "jump-off" point for Basilan, just a short boat ride away, and for Sulu and Tawi-Tawi as well. Basilan and Sulu have been historically and remain today the loci of many conflicts: between the MILF and the AFP, the Abu Saayaff, and sometimes the NPA. Though there have been no recent problems in Zamboanga itself, there are reputedly elements of these groups, many of which practice kidnap-for-ransom, hanging around the city and it's been reliably reported that representatives of at least some of these groups track the movements of obvious foreigners. You do not have to be paranoid when you go to Zambo, but it does pay to be prudent. Therefore, do not walk the streets by yourself after dark, and if you go out at night, do not go alone.

Zambo lacks any good restaurants, but of the choices available, the Japanese place at the Garden Orchid Hotel and the smaller restaurants in the Alejandra complex are probably the best. There are a couple of Chinese seafood restaurants that aren't bad, but I forget the names.

There are only two hotels in which foreigners should stay: the Garden Orchid, which is about a five minute walk from the airport and the Lentaca. The Lentaca is right on the edge of the sea, and is an old, colonial-style place which needs some money spent on its maintenance. It's somewhat charming in a shabby genteel kind of way, but it's not girl-friendly and if you're bringing someone you had better arrive with her. Garden Orchid, which is where I always stay, is more secure though lacks the colonial charm of the Lentaca. However, it's got free wifi in the enormous lobby/dining area, is totally agreeable to allowing you to do whatever you want, has a nice lobby bar, decent service and nice people. Aside from the Japanese restaurant however, the food is strictly mass-produced Filipino style and to me, not appealing.

The city has the usual array of P4P bars: Love Disco, Kiss Me and Blue Diamond being but three and probably the best known. As I recall, they're slightly shabby, but safe and you're likely to be the only foreigner in any of these places. It's been a long time since I visited them though and things may have changed since my last visit.

There are no taxis in Zamboanga, so public transportation is limited to trikes and Jeepneys, and foreigners will therefore be immediately noticeable when taking them as Zambo does not attract nearly the number of foreigners as does CDO. This is still another reason to avoid traveling about by yourself during the evening hours.

One final word of caution: do not even think of going anywhere outside the immediate urban area by yourself. It's not safe and there's nothing to see or do in any case.

GE

[Spooks]

Spooks,

Apologies if my report seemed a little negative I just reported what I found on the night. On the positive side I did find that the club was friendly and relaxed, floor show was excellent and prices not too bad. Think you should rethink your policy on insisting on drinks every 30 minutes at weekends. I perfectly understand that you do not want voyeurs taking up valuable seating space and sipping one beer all night, that is neither good for business or for the girls, but I am personally not a big drinker and would be happy to pay a cover charge if necessary. I did ask if you were in the bar on the night I went as I understand you are a fellow countryman, but I think you were busy at the time of my visit

No problem, even if all the ladies were available it may still not have impressed, thats life.

The 30 minute rule is only enforced on busy nights like Friday and Saturday and then only when we know they are the single bottle drinkers. Pinoy despite their inherent lack of discipline, do respect the presence of what they call house rules. So moving them on after their one and only drink is easy to enforce. A case of local custom and practice, hope this helps.

[Jesi James]

Greetings all, This is my take on Cagayan de Oro after spending a week here. Came in on the boat from Cebu City. Left at like 8:00 pm, if you take this journey, pay extra for the tourist class and not the economy. The price difference is like 200 pesos or less, but the value is much more. I slept fine on the sleeper bunk with curtain, cost of 955 pesos. Landed in CDO at 715 without incident, nice little break

As you leave the port area, find a jeepney or moto going to your hotel area or street. Balls up and ask for help because there is no welcoming information booth. Have a smile and ask, please can you help me find transport to my hotel. Someone will help. If you don’t want to do this, then as you walk out of the pier area, there are several taxis that will laugh at you (as they did me) when you ask them to use the meter. Now the price into the city was quoted as 100 pesos. Not a lot, but I hate the rip off and like to travel reasonably No worries, found someone that helped me onto a jeepney (6 pesos) dropped me off within a block of the hotel that I wanted to see.

Cagayan is a nice little walkable, jeepney or moto town. Friendly people everywhere, “hey joe”, “hello sir”, etc. Lots of students smiling and making eye contact and waving. Once I was on a jeepney and 5 store clerk ladies where all fussing at me, smiling, waving and at the next corner I got off the jeepney and bought a pound of those small fruits for them and walked back to the store. When I came around the pillar, you could not believe the ‘deer in the headlights’ look. Anyways they were all to shocked to talk to me or give me their number or anything useful and they just sort of clammed up or disappeared. This turned out to be fairly normal. Very friendly and approachable and willing to give phone number, but more dates seemed difficult.

Walking around the Divisoria park area. It is about a 10 block small park with cars going both directions. One end is the University and the other is an ampitheater. Lots of smiles and eye contact, but when approached with a smile and maybe a candy, it was like good to see you but.

Just down from the park, I encountered a couple ladies obviously working and was quoted prices that started with 1000 and ended with 500 as I said I had a date. Right across from red palm inn, was a lady in a doorway plying her trade and took me upstairs to introduce me to the other two girls. 1000-1500 pesos. I graciously thanked her and left. I know every ones opinions are different, but I walked this area between 1000 am and 1000 pm. The daytime, no SW, later about 6 or 7 pm in a 10 block area, maybe 3 SW. I did this for a week.

Gaisano Mall, my first day there around noon, I encountered a young 20 ish lass that was looking for company and was comfortable with a tip of 600 pesos for short time. Went back many times and did not find anyone else looking for work.

Letkemkai Mall, my first day there at about noon, meet a lass giving me the look at the entrance, stopped to talk to her and yes she would be glad to keep me company for a little while for 600 pesos. Turned around and took taxi back to my hotel. Nice little lass, no issues. Again went back and walked this mall 5 or 6 times and did not encounter any other action.

DIA girls. I had probably 20 proclaiming their undying love and commitment for me if I came to their city to see them. One 19 yr old lass whose pic is 20 pounds lighter agreed to meet me and we had a good time, several times as her skills improved with each lesson and she was content with a 500 peso tip every time and called me for more. The others were, let me bring my family or just conveniently did not return text.

I am leaving for Davao tomorrow and we will see what happens.

Loving the LBFM’s

Men, what are your thoughts on Zamboanga?

[Brymor]

Hi guys sorry it has taken so long to respond.

Mortman sorry that our selection of available girls did not meet your expectations. We have 40 plus entertainers some are absent for various reasons. Many are already busy with Karaoke duty in the VIP rooms upstairs, fair to say they will be the pick of the bunch.

Spooks
Apologies if my report seemed a little negative I just reported what I found on the night. On the positive side I did find that the club was friendly and relaxed, floor show was excellent and prices not too bad. Think you should rethink your policy on insisting on drinks every 30 minutes at weekends. I perfectly understand that you do not want voyeurs taking up valuable seating space and sipping one beer all night, that is neither good for business or for the girls, but I am personally not a big drinker and would be happy to pay a cover charge if necessary. I did ask if you were in the bar on the night I went as I understand you are a fellow countryman, but I think you were busy at the time of my visit

[Jesi James]

Philtown Hotels
A. Velez-Macahambus sts.
tel 723089
http://www.philtownhotel.com
1000-1400 pesos

Hotel Ramon
By the river (they do not have an address on the flyer) old hotel, all motos know it
Tel 088 8574804
5550-750 pesos

Demiren Hotel
Tiano-Kalambaguhan strs
Tel 0822 727391
600-900 pesos

The VIP Hotel
In the heart of the city (again no address on the flyer)
Tel 0822 726080
1860-3840 pesos

Natures pension (there is two) .
T. Chaves str.
Tel 72 3718
680-1380 pesos
This one is kinda worn but is right next to Grand hotel. Lost the flyer for the grand. Rates start there at 1000 pesos. Wi fi access at the grand.

Park View Hotel
T. Neri st.
Tel 0822 726656
325-1100 pesos (extra foam 100 pesos)

Natures Pensionne-Velez (newest)
Macahambus-Velez str.
Tel 72 1776
780-1380 pesos

Map and pic courtesy of Spooks.

[Jesi James]

Looks like an Olympic size track, a Olympic size swimming lap pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts and a gym with 7 bags and weights and also various point exercise machines. NOT air conditioned and no cardio machines, but with a day rate for the gym of 30 pesos and the pool of 100 pesos, to me great value. Better rates for monthly, semi, annually.

Conveniently located near the tourism office.

[Yella Man]

There is a gym not far from Malberry suites in the north concourse entertainment are.

Bos coffee shop fronts this, so when looking at Bos go down the right side until the corridor appears on your left. the entrance to the gym is second door on the right in the corridor.

I'll check this out when I'm there. I'll also pay homage to your bar and introduce myself. Thanks again!

Yella Man

[Spam Hog]

Need a nice hotel in and around naga city for tomorrow night (sept 10) ASAP. Tried Avenue plaza hotel and villa caceras hotel. Money is not an issue. Can pay upto $400. Is there any better city close to naga city? Any nice resort place in couple of hours of distance? Any help is really appreciated.

Are you talking about Naga city near Cebu? If so PM me.


Spamhog

[X Man]

First thing that comes to mind is Villa Naga, a place I visited in Bali.

Are you referring to Naga in Camarinas Sur?

A better city? I hope someone can help, but it all sound like Greek to me.

BTW, some hotels don't respond well to email messages. I've found that "fully booked" hotels often have a room if you call in or walk up to the reception desk.

X

Need a nice hotel in and around naga city for tomorrow night (sept 10) ASAP. Tried Avenue plaza hotel and villa caceras hotel. Money is not an issue. Can pay upto $400. Is there any better city close to naga city? Any nice resort place in couple of hours of distance? Any help is really appreciated.

[Spooks]

Hi guys sorry it has taken so long to respond.

Not shy just aware that many Forum places do not like advertisements being placed and I would not seek to abuse such a position.

We just had our third anniversary and its been an interesting few weeks all round.

Goodenough thank you for your kind comments on Spooks and I will strive to ensure we continue to earn such appreciation. We are still working on our web page and have tons of pictures to add in and some you tube videos to share.

Mortman sorry that our selection of available girls did not meet your expectations. We have 40 plus entertainers some are absent for various reasons. Many are already busy with Karaoke duty in the VIP rooms upstairs, fair to say they will be the pick of the bunch.

I am not prepared to buy in ladies some who think they should be paid 700 a day for looking pretty! There are some stunners in the lower end bars that is for sure, some relatives of the owners so they tend not to go to other bars, unless they get permission LOL. Many stay at lower end bars because they refuse to accept the discipline of the high end bars, even on basic requirements such as attending hygiene or not being late for work.

Beaches in the CDO city are awful and a health hazard. In saying that head west and go past the new international airport and you come to the Initao area. Don Arc white sands is a very easy laid back white sand beach resort with clear water for safe swimming. This is about one hour from the city proper and half way to Illigan. Closer in is the Appletree resort about 15 minutes out of the city, swimming pool and beach side. Regarded as very expensive by CDO standards.

As for changing handles etc no point in doing that as members name the bars they go to so the owners are automatically highlighted if local NBI wish to do online investigations etc.

Just a plea that any bar owner would probably make, is that the Philippines treats bar fines as [CodeWord908]. This is very very serious and the consequences for bar owners who are identified with such practices can be more serious still.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Spooks]

There is a gym not far from Malberry suites in the north concourse entertainment are.

Bos coffee shop fronts this, so when looking at Bos go down the right side until the corridor appears on your left. the entrance to the gym is second door on the right in the corridor.

[Gringoguy]

Need a nice hotel in and around naga city for tomorrow night (sept 10) ASAP. Tried Avenue plaza hotel and villa caceras hotel. Money is not an issue. Can pay upto $400. Is there any better city close to naga city? Any nice resort place in couple of hours of distance? Any help is really appreciated.

[Yella Man]

I think I'll go with Marco. Hell, I'll be there six days before I meet up with a friend who's flying into Manila on a later date. I can always re-locate if the Marco isn't doing it for me.

Yella Man

[Mr Hawaii]

I need a good gym with free-weights in Cagayan de Oro near Mallberry Suites. I'm torn between staying at the Mallberry (no gym) so I can be cloer to the action, and the Marco in Cugman (nice gym and lap pool) during the second leg of my vacation.

Yella Man

Marco in Cugman has great rooms and amenities. So, maybe you can stay there the first week, get your workout, then transfer to the Mallberry later and ask the Marco staff if you can use the gym facilities, for a small fee, of course. Just an idea.