Manila

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This is VERY do able. Cebu City has everything from sleazy bars on Mango Ave to high end discos and clubs where you can try your Game / luck. It also has what I consider the best online action in all of PI.
Some OKish beaches around town and some very nice places within a couple hours day trip or overnighter. BYO is easiest but again, many are there online. You just need to have a look. Alona, Malapascua, Moalboal are all very nice and girls would jump at the chance of going there for a day or two.
Enjoy. G.

Yes have been looking at this option and it is getting more appealing. Apparently Nalusuan Island has great snorkeling too and an abundance of fish.

NI.

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RK, I'm interested why you used a charter banca vs flying. Last time I was there (admittedly a few years ago now) the Juan Air flight was faster and cheaper than one person hiring a car / charter banca.
If the direct to your door charter bancas have been stopped too, the plane would seem to the the most stress free way to go.
Cheers. G.

The seaplane often cancels flights and is really unreliable re scheduling. Also when I looked at the cost it was way too much compared to getting a fastcraft over.

[Goferring]

Not true ED. Please don't give incorrect information.

The embargo started on July 1.

I was there a few weeks ago in mid-June. Picked up by a pre-ordered banca on a beach in Batangas and straight across to El Galleon pontoon.

Many bancas were still plying the route. It's stopped now though although some resort owners are getting together to buy their own larger fast ferries. Expect them on the water in a few months.

RK, I'm interested why you used a charter banca vs flying. Last time I was there (admittedly a few years ago now) the Juan Air flight was faster and cheaper than one person hiring a car / charter banca.

If the direct to your door charter bancas have been stopped too, the plane would seem to the the most stress free way to go.

Cheers. G.

[Engine Driver]

Not true ED. Please don't give incorrect information.

The embargo started on July 1.

I was there a few weeks ago in mid-June. Picked up by a pre-ordered banca on a beach in Batangas and straight across to El Galleon pontoon.

Many bancas were still plying the route. It's stopped now though although some resort owners are getting together to buy their own larger fast ferries. Expect them on the water in a few months.

Hold your horses RK. We might be talking about different things here. I was talking about the large commercial operations which normal tourists go to. Last November 2018, I got to Batangas and was told that the fast ferry was the only option available. The lady at the counter said that Sabang Pier was permanently closed and that the bancas don't operate anymore. Muelle Pier was now the point of disembarkation. Here below is a picture of the ferry MV Golden Raptor at Batangas which I was about to board. There is also a picture of Muelle Pier. I have also attached a picture of Sabang Beach which shows the shit farm under construction (green canopy). This was where Sabang Pier was previously. When I pulled into Muelle Port, there were 3-4 abandoned Father and Son Lines bancas lined up on the shore. These boats used to take tourists.

Here is also a newspaper article link from August 2018 showing the shit farm under construction, so Sabang Pier was closed before that date.

http://www.puertodegalera.com/dpwh-g...-plants-of-pg/

[Bushes]

At least someone has long term and short term memory intact. NI Guy has been all over the boards. But some of the information given has changed. I still like to fly if have the pesos.

You have been planning this trip for a very long time (nearly a year now). I think we are all looking forward to reading the reports LOL.

[Red Kilt]

This has been the case for over a year now. I was there last year and the large ferries were the only option. The little pier at PG doesn't exist as that's where they are building the much needed shit farm. The disused bancas were all lined up on the shore, obviously with no where to go.

Not true ED. Please don't give incorrect information.

The embargo started on July 1.

I was there a few weeks ago in mid-June. Picked up by a pre-ordered banca on a beach in Batangas and straight across to El Galleon pontoon.

Many bancas were still plying the route. It's stopped now though although some resort owners are getting together to buy their own larger fast ferries. Expect them on the water in a few months.

[Goferring]

Don't beat me up but have been thinking about changing to go to Cebu & then around Mactan & close Islands - better option than a Sabang/ Angeles double?

NI

This is VERY do able. Cebu City has everything from sleazy bars on Mango Ave to high end discos and clubs where you can try your Game / luck. It also has what I consider the best online action in all of PI.

Some OKish beaches around town and some very nice places within a couple hours day trip or overnighter. BYO is easiest but again, many are there online. You just need to have a look. Alona, Malapascua, Moalboal are all very nice and girls would jump at the chance of going there for a day or two.

Enjoy. G.

[Mr Enternational]

Have been to Subic but I would prefer a beach where I could swim or snorkel. Like Pattaya prob would only stick my toe into the water at Subic.

Puerto Galera really is not that beach IMHO. I would not say it is as bad as Subic or Pattaya, but it is no Boracay either. It is definitely a great place for scuba diving though.

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There is always Subic (Barrio Barretto). The beach (Baloy Beach) is like Pattaya. Fucked up. But the town has plenty of bars with friendly girls, floating bars, and a sea breeze, plus its very close to AC, so if you get tired of AC or just want a fast, no hassle change of scenery I suggest you go there.

You will most likely receive different opinions on this, but for me it would be a no brainer: I would stay in Manila if I was arriving a 5pm and have a really good time on Burgos St. or at the EDSA Entertainment Complex and then the following day take a leisurely ride up to AC. But that's because I really like Manila bar girls and I think they are the hottest bar girls in the PI. Sure, they cost more; splurge a little. It's only money and it's your 1st night in country! Besides you can always do a little Dollar-Cost Averaging later with your Perimeter Road or Barrio Barretto bar girls. You will thank me for this suggestion later.

As always your suggestions are helpful. Have been to Subic but I would prefer a beach where I could swim or snorkel. Like Pattaya prob would only stick my toe into the water at Subic.

I am leaning to your suggestions re first night in Manila too.

Thanks.

NI.

[Member #4698]

God dam it just want some Filipina pussy and a beach but don't want to BYO. Why isn't there a Phuket or pattaya (not that thats a beach in my eyes ) place in Phils.

There is always Subic (Barrio Barretto). The beach (Baloy Beach) is like Pattaya. Fucked up. But the town has plenty of bars with friendly girls, floating bars, and a sea breeze, plus its very close to AC, so if you get tired of AC or just want a fast, no hassle change of scenery I suggest you go there.

Unfort I arrive at 5 pm on a Tues which gives me the option of a night in Manila or wait till after 9 and get a bus or taxi to Angeles.

You will most likely receive different opinions on this, but for me it would be a no brainer: I would stay in Manila if I was arriving a 5pm and have a really good time on Burgos St. or at the EDSA Entertainment Complex and then the following day take a leisurely ride up to AC. But that's because I really like Manila bar girls and I think they are the hottest bar girls in the PI. Sure, they cost more; splurge a little. It's only money and it's your 1st night in country! Besides you can always do a little Dollar-Cost Averaging later with your Perimeter Road or Barrio Barretto bar girls. You will thank me for this suggestion later.

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I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but I know several residents / frequent repeat visitors that have stopped going to Sabang purely because of the fuck around factor not being worth it to them.
Note I said to them. I wish NI a good break and I'm sure there are people who still enjoy going there. As usual YMMV applies to everyone and everywhere.
Enjoy. G.

Thanks for everyone's patients. Yeah I have been planning a long way ahead.
Have got airfares booked already return to Manila from 3rd to 23 rd Dec.
God dam it just want some Filipina pussy and a beach but don't want to BYO. Why isn't there a Phuket or pattaya (not that thats a beach in my eyes ) place in Phils.
I go stir crazy just sitting in hotel rooms or lazing by the pool in places like Angeles where I could last maybe 9 days at the most.
Don't beat me up but have been thinking about changing to go to Cebu & then around Mactan & close Islands - better option than a Sabang/ Angeles double?

I do give back - if you want a read my JBR from KL are on the Mal KL forum.
NI

[Goferring]

You have been planning this trip for a very long time (nearly a year now). I think we are all looking forward to reading the reports LOL.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but I know several residents / frequent repeat visitors that have stopped going to Sabang purely because of the fuck around factor not being worth it to them.

Note I said to them. I wish NI a good break and I'm sure there are people who still enjoy going there. As usual YMMV applies to everyone and everywhere.

Enjoy. G.

[Engine Driver]

Unfort I arrive at 5 pm on a Tues which gives me the option of a night in Manila or wait till after 9 and get a bus or taxi to Angeles.

I also want to go to Sabang so coming back thru Manila will mean a stop overnight there.

One of the issues is I fly out Mon night late but advice says I should come back a day before which means coming from Sabang on a Sunday which is not advisable.

I have been told the best time to come back to Manila is Sunday night late so maybe I reverse my trip and go Sabang firts and Angeles second? Thoughts.

NI.

You have been planning this trip for a very long time (nearly a year now). I think we are all looking forward to reading the reports LOL.

[Engine Driver]

Note that the Mayor has now stopped all small bancas from travelling from Batangas to PG. Customers have to use the larger ferries now.

Your options are dictated by the schedules now.

This has been the case for over a year now. I was there last year and the large ferries were the only option. The little pier at PG doesn't exist as that's where they are building the much needed shit farm. The disused bancas were all lined up on the shore, obviously with no where to go.

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Note that the Mayor has now stopped all small bancas from travelling from Batangas to PG. Customers have to use the larger ferries now.
Your options are dictated by the schedules now.

Yes maybe he's getting a cut off the trike mafia. Prefer the Sabang express.

NI.