Other Areas

[Questor55]

I stayed there for several days about 4 years ago. Definitely a BYOB destination. Most of Santiago Bay Resort is a two story, very basic, multi-room complex. However, a much more pleasant duplex cottage area is found in the upper garden area. This is definitely not the 'New' resort, rumored to be in the Camotes. Like much of the accommodation off the beaten track, it is okay, but not great. Next time, I'd like to hire a seaworthy banca for a day tour around the four islands.

[Pip Jaeger]

I found a online reference to a new high-end resort in Camotes with a 2014 opening date. Further research showed that the "soft opening" will be in early 2016. That's what we call "Philippine's time".

Any idea of the name? I visited the Santiago Bay Garden & Resort in late Feb and it looked fairly new / recently renovated. They were full, so I didn't stay. But will book in advance the next time I visit.

http://www.ilink.ph/santiago-bay-resort

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...s_Visayas.html

Also found news that Ocean Jet would offer fast craft service to Camotes starting in Nov. 2015. Hey, that's good news! At the OceanJet webpage, there was no information available. Later when I was at Pier 1, Oceanjet ticket office, there was a sign repeating the information about a new service to Camotes. The sign advised going to the Ocean Jet website for more information, but as I said, there was no info.

Unless anyone can confirm otherwise, I suspect there is no Ocean Jet service to Camotes. But maybe soon.

As far as I know the way to Camotes is by boat from Danao.

Ocean Jet does offer service; if I recall correctly twice per day in each direction. Used them to return to Cebu in late Feb. Trip was about 2 hours from the port in Poro to Pier 1 in Cebu. Going there I took the Banka boat from Danao. The Banka boat is one of those larger double deck types; travel time was just under 2 hours to San Francisco (Pacijan Island on google maps); open air type, but reasonably comfortable; it runs twice per day in each direction. Sorry, but I don't recall exactly how much I paid, but think it was around 150-200 p each way. At Danao there is also a Ro-Ro that runs a few times a day as well, travel time to Poro port is about 3. 5 hours. BTW, there is now a an ATM machine at the port in Poro, but I wouldn't bet on it always being in service or it having cash; so make sure you bring enough cash.

Side note about Camotes, I won't go into too much detail as this is a mongering board and not a travel guide, but the islands are beautiful and the people are quite friendly. It is certainly a BYOG destination. Don't count on having internet, even at the resorts. Both on my phone, my pocket WiFi and GF#1's phone (Smart and Globe) the best I could get was 2 G service (and that's not a typo), mostly it was 1 x if I got any service at all.

X. this is probably one of the beaches you seen. Although the sand is white and soft, bring surf shoes as once in the water it gets quite rocky (and knowing you, you're a bit "rocky" on your feet most of the time anyhow, LOL).

[BrainDrain]

Siargao is pretty remote (and back-woods-ish).

Exactly.

If I wanted to drop off the radar, then Siargao would be a consideration.

[WestCoast1]

Does anyone have any experience on Siargao island or know what it has to offer?

Absolutely nothing in the way of picking up local girls for fun on the island. Bring a girl in from elsewhere (Surigao city is an option, as BD explained). There are several small (and I mean small) resorts on the island, the Cloud 9 area and Cherinicole come to mind. The biggest city is General Luna, which is not much to speak of. Nearby islands and caves to explore. Siargao is pretty remote (and back-woods-ish).

[BrainDrain]

Does anyone have any experience on Siargao island or know what it has to offer?

I would suggest taking a girl with you and enjoying your time.

You can use any of the dating sites and find a girl located in Surigao. Most will be interested to join you for the ferry ride and a paid holiday in paradise. Depending on your flight schedule you might have an overnight stay in Surigao anyway, you could use that day to interview your shortlist and make a decision. The good thing about taking a girl from Surigao, she wil also know the ferries etc.

If you are flying from Cebu directly to Siargao, then byo from Cebu.

It's also very practical to bring a girl from Manila on the flight. It's just so much nicer to have the girl part taken care of, if you are at all concerned,

Some of the girls in Surigao come from Siargao so might have family there. I'm not sure that would be the girl to take.

If you are planning to be in Surigao City a couple of days, then there is also usually available talent in the city or via WeChat.

I have written previous posts about Surigao which you can search.

When I visited Siargao in June, I brought girl from Manila with me
When I next go,I will take a girl selected from a Surigao shortlist.


BTW, would be interested to know your travel plans to get there.



BD.

[Aloofer]

Does anyone have any experience on Siargao island or know what it has to offer?

Just back from a week in Siargao for some surfing. Before and after I had some good fun dating in Surigao. This is what I learned.

As has been reported previously, the provincial girls are a shy bunch. They would prefer to meet directly at a hotel room rather than be seen by their freinds dating a foreigner, until established I guess. Using a combination of a dating site and Wechat I arrived with a short list of 14 names, 4 I had already marked as being too shy to meet.

Of the 10 to meet, meet 4, bedded 3 and made a good future plan for No 4.


BD.

[BrainDrain]

This is very true. The most important thing is that they are so far from home that they have zero risk of being seen by anyone they know. I accomplish the same thing by taking them to a resort in or near thier province, close enough that its not a pain for me but far enough so that they know they are going to be anonymous.

I think I will adopt this strategy next time. On my last trip I felt bad about the girls that wanted to travel 3-4 hours or a ferry or two just to meet me in Surigao. Now I understand why that is a good option for them.

Another point that has been discussed often is one of bringing a friend. I'm OK with this now, provided they are female and are friends not aunty or mum.

I had one night in Cebu where the girl brought her gay cousin, both had great legs and super high heels. The girl appreciated the night and the respect for her cousin. She returned the next night and was awesome.

Opposite thing happened in DIA meetup in AC, pretty obvious none of us clicked, I finished my beer and excused myself to go do some work in my room. Didn't hear from that girl again though and didn't mind.

Other times, have ended up with both girls in the room, and in Philippines sex happens. .

BD.

[Sam 14]

Ormoc has a bayside park that is a hangout for families and young people.

The bayside park in front of the hotel was nice and the fresh breeze from the ocean was very welcome after a week in polluted Cebu City.

I picked up some freelancers in and around the park back then and I found a karaoke bar with some available girls not far from the hotel.

Ya, it's no Pattaya boardwalk, but that area apparently serves as a freelancer place going way back. That's where I met one that was "waiting on a friend" and I miraculously compelled her to join me for a bite. When we got to my room, the first thing she said was her brother was smashed up in the hospital and she needed money. Not much of an afrodesiac, but I went through with it anyway.

According to an old timer I met, it used to be really happening around there. But since Yolanda, many left and never returned. Also there's boatloads with lots of foreigners coming across every day from Cebu, so seeing a gringo is nothing new to anyone.

[X Man]

I agree that Ormoc itself is only worth a few days, but it's a good starting point for exploring the rest of Leyte / Samar / Biliran.

My first trip around 2008 I stayed mostly in Ormoc with a day trip up into the mountains of Leyte. My second trip was Ormoc and then Tacloban. And of course my third trip was Ormoc and Biliran Province.

A few more pictures attached. You can see the water at Almeria, Biliran is very shallow. The pic is at low tide, BTW. You can see the island in the distance. The picture of the coral reef is at the island. THe island had a nice beach, but lots of rocks and crushed coral and shell. It's a small beach, but very quiet the day I was there.

The other pictures are of Ormoc Villa hotel and hotel grounds. There is also a picture of a decent restaurant next to Don Felipe.

SNIP Ormoc was a nice place for a couple of days but not really worth to come back to.

[Mogwai]

The pier at Ormoc is adjacent to the bus / van terminal. And the nearest building to all this, probably the tallest in Ormoc, is the Don Felipe Hotel (see pics). The street-front rooms have nice views of the ocean but could be a bit noisy.

Your post brought back memories. I was there in 2006. Stayed at Don Felipe, which was OK back then although the beds were not good. It gets only average reviews now on Tripadvisor.
The bayside park in front of the hotel was nice and the fresh breeze from the ocean was very welcome after a week in polluted Cebu City.

I picked up some freelancers in and around the park back then and I found a karaoke bar with some available girls not far from the hotel. I didn't make notes so I don't know exactly where it was anymore. Ormoc was a nice place for a couple of days but not really worth to come back to.

[X Man]

I found a online reference to a new high-end resort in Camotes with a 2014 opening date. Further research showed that the "soft opening" will be in early 2016. That's what we call "Philippine's time".

Also found news that Ocean Jet would offer fast craft service to Camotes starting in Nov. 2015. Hey, that's good news! At the OceanJet webpage, there was no information available. Later when I was at Pier 1, Oceanjet ticket office, there was a sign repeating the information about a new service to Camotes. The sign advised going to the Ocean Jet website for more information, but as I said, there was no info.

Unless anyone can confirm otherwise, I suspect there is no Ocean Jet service to Camotes. But maybe soon.

As far as I know the way to Camotes is by boat from Danao.

[X Man]

Disclaimer: I had a companion on this trip so have nothing to report about girl hunting. My advice would be to get some contacts online in advance and also use charm with the people you meet face-to-face.

I've been to Leyte twice before. This time I wanted to do something different so I decided to head up to Biliran, which is the Philippines newest and possibly the smallest province.

I used OceanJet (Cebu, Pier One) to Ormoc. As you approach Leyte you pass islands which seem to have some nice beaches. Those are the Camotes Islands, which have been on my bucket list for some time.

The pier at Ormoc is adjacent to the bus / van terminal. And the nearest building to all this, probably the tallest in Ormoc, is the Don Felipe Hotel (see pics). The street-front rooms have nice views of the ocean but could be a bit noisy. A nice hotel with a garden and pool is the Ormoc Villa H. The rooms are nice. The pool is good for play, but not something you can do laps in. Although I was willing to pay a bit more to avoid the potential noise around Don Felipe, I eventually regretted it. There was a party at Ormoc Villa and made a lot of noise until at least midnight. It was quiet in the morning, but the garden was still full of litter and empty beer bottles. Sad. Internet only in the lobby.

I walked past a cozy looking hotel with restobar that looked very new. It is called Cristobal's Inn. The Exec. Suite is the most expensive room at P1,980. They have a FB page.

Ormoc has a bayside park that is a hangout for families and young people. At the far south is a barbeque area, which is also where the lighthouse is. In fact it used to be called "Parola" which means lighthouse, but was also synonymous with the party area. My memory of this place was that there were foreigners about and if you hinted at looking for a girl, you might get an introduction. Well, the layout and vibe has changed. Also it was mostly open-air in the old days which meant the party ended with a bit of rain. They've completely redone the place. There are simple roofs and numerous concrete barbeque pits which I guess are rented out to venders. It's still a good place for food and drink, but is popular with families and other large group parties. Go early if you want a waterside seat.

The east coast of Biliran was a disappointment. I ended up in a place called Almeria which was recommended on the Internet. Duh. I don't mind that the accommodations are simple, but I don't need the karaoke. A little island offshore had a nice beach, nice views, and some decent snorkeling. But the boatman abandoned us without even saying anything. With more time you might find some interesting things at Biliran.

[Pantot]

From AC forum.

I have been there and done that. My advice in summary.

1. Had few virgins and others from provinces. None of them have been with foreigners according to them. Mindanao seems to be ripe. I chat them up on skype or yahoo messenger and get to know each other very well including how long she will stay with me, if there are any money demands etc. I am honest upfront saying I have no intention of marrying and settling down in Philippines.

Very good advice all around Mindanao is the best place for unspoiled un westernized Pinays as even thought the island is huge with a large population, it has by proportion the smallest representation in the bars of Manila Metro and AC.

2. I never went to their provinces preferring to fly them in to Manila or Cebu. None bailed out so far.

I flew one in once but after that I always traveled to the provinces. I have almost always had good luck. I love visiting a new place and the adventure of the whole process.

Never send money for them to buy air ticket. You can book online for them and send them the ticket. I still send small amount of money for them to travel plus expenses like buying a suitcase and food. If they ask for money for clothes I tell them I will buy when she is with me.

Sound process.

Never agree for them to bring friend, Aunt, uncle etc. Of course they will be scared but once you treat them nice they like you and will be a good friend.

Yes but if they want to bring a cousin of same age, not one they call ate, it could get interesting but definitely a risk.

Never be under the delusion that they are in it for love. Compensate them well including gifts. Most of the girls who are willing to meet you are living in a dorm somewhere or with friends working some small job. Those who live at home need a friend to cover up for her.

6. Girls virgin or not are very conservative. Afraid of being seen with a foreigner young or old. Being in the city calms them down somewhat.

This is very true. The most important thing is that they are so far from home that they have zero risk of being seen by anyone they know. I accomplish the same thing by taking them to a resort in or near thier province, close enough that its not a pain for me but far enough so that they know they are going to be anonymous. For example if you are meeting a Cebu girl meet her in Cebu city which she can get to easy then take her to Bohol by an Aircon Fast ferry which is always a nice trip. Or meet a north Mindanao in CDO area and take her to a resort in Camiguin Island one of the nicest places I have ever been to in the Phils.

Not used to lots of sex. Even if they had local boyfriends sex is rare maybe once in every few months. Need to use lube to get them comfortable. They get sore fast so do not plan on keeping them more than 3-4 days.

But the one advantage is giving them orgasms. Those little province boys they may have fucked once a month could care less about pleasing the girls. They always respond well and get loosened up by oral sex which they likely never experienced. Also a province girl pusssy is much more fresh than a AC or MM bargirl, so oral or bareback is very safe by comparison. Sex wise they are quick learners and eager to please.

Joy is simple girl going ga ga over everything.

Yeah for me the simple province girls uncorrupted by the big city / modern westernized / bar scene are the best.

[BrainDrain]

Just back from a week in Siargao for some surfing. Before and after I had some good fun dating in Surigao. This is what I learned.

As has been reported previously, the provincial girls are a shy bunch. They would prefer to meet directly at a hotel room rather than be seen by their freinds dating a foreigner, until established I guess. Using a combination of a dating site and Wechat I arrived with a short list of 14 names, 4 I had already marked as being too shy to meet.

Of the 10 to meet, meet 4, bedded 3 and made a good future plan for No 4.

On one of the meetings, one girl wanted to bring a friend which I entertained. My original date had two kids and a body to match, 23 years old though, and a weird pimple on her mouth, so I decided kissing was off. Her friend was also 23, no kids and incredibly cute. Although we were all in bed together No 1 accepted that I would be preferring her friend. This all went to plan. We watched movies, played games and had some good action. In the end, both girls went home with P1,500 for their efforts over the afternoon.

Another girl was working during the day which provided some good opportunity if needed. But she was also keen to come to the hotel during her lunch breaks. Pretty good arrangement really. She stayed for two days.

Of the other 6, there were various reasons given FR not meeting. We really they didn't live there, they were 3 hours bus away, another had a class etc etc.

At one point I was trying to finesse the situation too much and decided it was better to have one in the bed than two on the phone.

Security and safety. Prior to the trip I did give everyone the name of the hotel where I would stay. I did not stay at this hotel, instead preferring an alternate location. This came to fruition when one of the girls (who had class all day and her room mates were asleep) decided it was safe to come over at 11:30 pm at night. She had turned up announced at the wrong hotel. This was kind of lucky as I had a girl in the room with me.

Another girl came back unannounced at 2:15 am one morning. She was at the right hotel but I really didn't want t a drunk pinay in my room while I was so sleepy. I really don't like surprises like this. Then for the next two days I couldn't catch up with her again. Go figure.

I've had a couple of holidays now in Surigao. Last trip I flew a GF in from Manila. It was just so nice to have the bedroom part of the hotel already taken care of.

For a future trip, I would choose one of the four girls and just spend time with her.

BD.

[Firebird]

Yeah the paranoia over Mindanao is so overblown. Are there parts that might pose a threat to random foriegners? YES but its parts we would never go to to meet a girl, nor would she want to as well it would be a danger for her. I'm sure tiny pockets of trouble not in the main cities. I did the same as you 10 years ago meet a girl in Iligan and had a great time and I was there a few times over the next 7 years. Its a huge city actually. Pretty modern. I always chuckle when people advise us here that its dangerous! Glad to hear its the same. Are motorized tricycles still illegal in Iligan proper? It was a nice feature when I was there and taxis were cheap.

I am happy to read that someone else had no issues in Iligan City. Come to think of it, you are correct!! I do not remember seeing any motorized tricycles. Just the pedal pushers.