Other Areas

Confirmed! In Davao I tried to get some space by telling a gal that I was out on a boat cruise with friends. Late afternoon she tells me someone saw me in town.

On my next Davao trip I was invited to some local areas of Samal and met the family. Papa sliced open a coconut for me with him big bolo. Next day, I run into papa right there in downtown Davao."hello sir"

[QUOTE=Stroker Ace88; 1387605]If you want to keep your GF, do not monger or hit on filipinas in her town. This does not apply to bigger cities like Manila or Cebu but to smaller provincial cities. If she has alot of friends and extended family there will be many eyes on you and often she will get txt from friends telling her you were spotted at the mall, then later waiting for a jeep or taxi. All her friends will know who you are and that you are her property. This has happened to me in even medium sized cities like Bacolod and Davao.

News travels fast on the bamboo vine and for that reason many expats living in quieter cities prefer to monger and have fun in other cities and places in the Philippines. Don't say you were not warned.[/QUOTE]

Can anyone tell me how is action in Puerto Princesa and El Nido? Do these cities have goog bars?

Here is my review of the Mermaid Resort based on my stay there last week.

[url]http://www.mermaidresort.com/[/url]

Checked in for a 4 night stay at the Penthouse suite. Had paid in advance via Agoda. They asked for no additional deposit. Quick pros / cons review below with pics.

Pros:
----------------

Close to the nightlife, but not so close that you get any noise (about 3-4 blocks away).

Reasonably priced. Their website shows $90/night for the penthouse suite. You can get it slightly cheaper on Agoda, just be sure to click "Book it" and check the price after taxes and fees have been added because the initial per room rate on that site is not the true price.

Really nice tub in the bathroom. Could easily fit 1 westerner + 2 pinays. Use this instead of the jacuzzi (see below under cons).

Fast, secure wifi. At first I thought there was no wifi for hotel guests because I was not picking up any open hot spots, but when I checked with the lobby they said it is secure wifi with it's own SSID / password. Once I got that sorted out it worked great. They also have wired ethernet in the rooms. Internet access came free with the Penthouse suite, but I think they might charge extra for it if you get one of the standard rooms.

Universal adapter plugs for all electrical outlets. Don't worry about bringing special adapters to the Mermaid, they use those universal travel adapters as their wall outlets. Nice touch. However, they don't do voltage conversion, so your devices still need to support 220V AC.

Good bar with knowledgeable staff. They even make a decent margarita (I've had some in PI that are better used as paint thinner). I especially liked their "Nilo Spaceship", which is a bit like a mudslide but packs a serious punch that kicks in after a few minutes.

Decent fridge/mini-bar. I like to get my own drinks and food, so I just asked housekeeping to remove all the mini-bar stuff from the fridge after I checked in. Later that day, fridge was empty and all mine. Even so, if I had used their mini-bar, the prices were not bad; about midway between the price of a beer at the bar and a beer at the store.

They do provide shampoo and laundry bags. You might not think this is a big plus until you stay at many of the hotels in PI that don't bother with these details.

Decent dive packages. This was my first time diving, so their cheap "Discover Scuba Diving" package plus a follow-up dive was perfect for me. Total cost $100 for 2 dives plus instruction and equipment.

Cons:
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Bed is so/so. Not all that comfortable, but not the worse I have had in PI. Just your typical foam mattress on a wood slab with a headboard bolted onto it.

Not much of a view. Mermaid is not on the beach, so mostly you get to see the hills (not bad) and the rest of Sabang (not good).

No ironing board or iron. PG is not Makati so not a big deal, but I do like my shirts to look decent before I go out. Instead I resorted to the old college trick. Turn the shower as hot as you can get it, then hang my shirts in the bathroom with the door closed to steam the wrinkles out.

A bit of a bait and switch on the jacuzzi. Hotel pics show a beautifully tiled outdoor jacuzzi but there seems to be only one penthouse suite with that style, the rest have your regular old plastic jacuzzi. Also, the one with the beautiful tiled jacuzzi is fully exposed to the two penthouse suites above it, so if you do get that one don't even think about using it unless you want your exploits on youtube.

Brown-outs. Had at least one per day during my stay. Most lasted less than 5 mins, but it is something to be aware of.

Conclusion.
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For a short 3-4 day trip this place is just about right, and I would stay here again. However, I am thinking of spending a full week in Sabang in a few months, so I might look for someplace closer to the beach and with more comforts of home like a kitchen, etc. Anybody got recommendations for something like that?

[QUOTE=Jack4765;1366212]Does any one have info on a bar named Cheap Charlies in Sabang? I was shown some pictures and the girls I saw were pretty nice. Can you BF? How much? Ladies drinks? ST, LT?[/QUOTE]Late reply, but I just got back from Sabang last week. I did go in to Cheap Charlies, it is a few steps up the hill and across the street from Mermaid, right past the Gigix spa. I didn't ask about BD / LD prices, frankly because the bar looked and felt more like a local watering hole than a place for barfining girls. Only saw 4-5 girls in there and they all looked like they were with their regular boyfriends, not with customers. For instance, the girls were in normal clothes not bar attire, and I saw one of the girls pay for some drinks. Maybe it was an off night (it was a Thursday around 9pm). Anyway, I just had one SML and left for greener pastures down the hill.

Already planning my next trip to Sabang for both kinds of diving (open water and muff). I liked the Mermaid, but wanted a place with a kitchen as next time I will be there for a full week. Anybody ever stay at the Sabang Oasis Resort?

[url]http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/puerto_galera/sabang_oasis_resort.html[/url]

Looks decent and some Agoda reviews seem to imply that this place is nightlife oriented, but would like to hear from forum members. If no one has been there yet, then I will likely take one for the team and give it a shot.

[QUOTE=Irony Monger; 1392377]Already planning my next trip to Sabang for both kinds of diving (open water and muff). I liked the Mermaid, but wanted a place with a kitchen as next time I will be there for a full week. Anybody ever stay at the Sabang Oasis Resort?

[url]http://www.agoda.com/asia/philippines/puerto_galera/sabang_oasis_resort.html[/url]

Looks decent and some Agoda reviews seem to imply that this place is nightlife oriented, but would like to hear from forum members. If no one has been there yet, then I will likely take one for the team and give it a shot.[/QUOTE]You might check out Portofino at Small Laguna Beach. It's a 10 minute hike into Sabang, but the place is right next door to Action Divers. AD is a quality outfit and they have hotel / diving packages. All of the rooms at Portofino have kitchens. I stayed in a premium studio, which was very large and clean. They have a bar that overlooks the beach and the food is pretty good. Cute, friendly girls manning the bar. They have one bedroom units with an upstairs balcony that overlooks the water. Those are fantastic.

I been in The Visayas for a month now, for my first time in the country. I haven't had a chance to put up any posts because I have simultaneously been trying to find a place I would like to live, see the nice places, bang hot girls, and maybe even find a top shelf girlfriend.

That's a mistake because it's left me not hanging out anywhere long enough to enjoy the nice place, not staying anywhere long enough to fall in with the top shelf stuff, and most importantly not banging enough hot girls, which is the whole point.

I'll post some details soon, but from what I've seen there's always ST available but on the surface not the quality allot of us like. Except possibly in Cebu City.

Anyhow, to the point and what brought me to Siquijoir alone. This may get a laugh out of a senior member that's heard it before, if not, warn a newbie what not to do.

I was in Siquijoir town by the pier early in the day on a motorbike and a PHP waved me over. He was standing around with probably 10 tricycle guys joking, smoking, watching foreigners. The usual. Asked for my drivers licence. It was about the helmet. All my paperwork was in order and I told him I didn't think helmets were required in this town. So he gave me back my stuff and told me next time wear a helmet. Never before or after that was there a check throughout my stay incidentally.

Well, he then took an immediate interest in my marital status. I smiled and I told him I'm still available. (mistake #1). This gets all the guys hooting. So he asks me where I'm staying and I guess I made the next mistake and told him the truth, that it was right up the street. He tells me his name and asks me mine again. I told him because he already knew anyway.

So he says he's got some chicks for me. I politely thank him and said I'm not really looking. And furthermore that I'm definitely not interested in any type of prostitution, anything illegal, or any fix ups for that matter. He insists that he's got a nice chick and he would pick me up at 8:00 so we would go to San Juan and party. I thanked him again for the offer and said I don't drink, I'm really not worried about meeting anyone, and I'm just here sight seeing. I then thanked him again for the no-ticket, shook his hand and split.

I'm just thinking to myself, chances are he's a nice guy just trying to be cool and cares about my well being. Just like all the other security guys that do the same thing. But he wasn't one of those friendly, smiley types. He looked rather serious. Plus he had a badge and a jail. So is he setting me up to get me alone somewhere with a 16 year old? What was that helmet ticket really going to cost me? What if he gets it in his mind that I crossed hm up somehow? What if I pissed off his "chick"?

Who the hell knows, but I didn't intend to find out.

So after circling the island checking in on the girls working the resorts, it's about 8:30 pm. I was a few blocks over just cruising this dead ass town, and I passed a parked big police motorcycle. Maybe it was the station. When I got up the street I heard a shout. I don't know if it was the same guy or not but I didn't go back to find out.

I figured I'd have a better chance of getting good pussy by going to the room and getting on the net, or doing something useful like going to sleep.

I get there, and here's some kid on a motorbike waiting outside the gate. He only knows one word of English."Chicks". I have no idea who this guy is, and he's trying to get my phone number.

I hope they are all just nice guys, trying to please a horny foreigner. Or trying to get their couple hundred commission. But I don't dig pimps I don't know coming to my place. And police pimps freak me out.

So I was out the next day on the afternoon ferry.

Beautiful island and I think there's some potential with the province girls if you want a GF, but too small for me for any monkey business.

[QUOTE=Pimpin Sam; 1393369]<SNIP

I hope they are all just nice guys, trying to please a horny foreigner. Or trying to get their couple hundred commission. But I don't dig pimps I don't know coming to my place. And police pimps freak me out.

So I was out the next day on the afternoon ferry.

Beautiful island and I think there's some potential with the province girls if you want a GF, but too small for me for any monkey business.[/QUOTE]Great story, and there is a lesson there for all guys who are planning to travel to out-of-the-way places to meet girls. These communities are very small, and everyone knows everybody else's business, so it is not easy to monger off the beaten track.

BTW, Siquijor is famous for having "supernatural apparitions" (white ladies, aswangs etc). My staff on a recent project absolutely refused to stay overnight in Siquijor on ANY visit. It was a case of arrive early, get the business done and then get out on the afternoon / evening ferry.

I had no problem staying there overnight but my Filipino staff all thought I was crazy.

Hi has any one been to Mati? And knows any places to go for a beer or meet up for some action.

Ron

[QUOTE=Red Kilt; 1393512]Great story, and there is a lesson there for all guys who are planning to travel to out-of-the-way places to meet girls. These communities are very small, and everyone knows everybody else's business, so it is not easy to monger off the beaten track.

BTW, Siquijor is famous for having "supernatural apparitions" (white ladies, aswangs etc). My staff on a recent project absolutely refused to stay overnight in Siquijor on ANY visit. It was a case of arrive early, get the business done and then get out on the afternoon / evening ferry.

I had no problem staying there overnight but my Filipino staff all thought I was crazy.[/QUOTE]Some good info posted by RK. I would like to add that the new helmet law (went into effect in early Jan 2013) is a real law and not a scam to try and get a payoff. Riders must wear a DTI approved helmet. Most of the older helmets need to have a DTI 'approved' sticker on it by Jan 2013, but I have heard about riders getting a DTI sticker after the dealine without alot of hassle.

First offence 1500php, second 3000pho, third 5000php. The fourth time you are caught it's a 10000php fine and it will cost you your PI license.

If you are riding in the province it's common for locals to go without a helmet. If you are on the road and you pass alot of bikes parked on the side of the road with the riders still on or around the bikes and not much seems to be going on. It means there's a check-point up ahead and they do not have proper helmets, paperwork or they are have a gun under the seat. Election season is in full swing and comelec check points are everywhere.

Good post Sam.

[quote=stroker ace88; 1394292]some good info posted by rk. i would like to add that the new helmet law (went into effect in early jan 2013) is a real law and not a scam to try and get a payoff. riders must wear a dti approved helmet. most of the older helmets need to have a dti 'approved' sticker on it by jan 2013, but i have heard about riders getting a dti sticker after the dealine without alot of hassle.

first offence 1500php, second 3000pho, third 5000php. the fourth time you are caught it's a 10000php fine and it will cost you your pi license.

if you are riding in the province it's common for locals to go without a helmet. if you are on the road and you pass alot of bikes parked on the side of the road with the riders still on or around the bikes and not much seems to be going on. it means there's a check-point up ahead and they do not have proper helmets, paperwork or they are have a gun under the seat. election season is in full swing and comelec check points are everywhere.

good post sam.[/quote]and its a decent law too. we have all seen some guys riding around in plastic toysrus baseball type helmets and the like. wouldn't do much in a slow speed accident thats for sure

I've never been there, but thought about going a few times. If you've done any Internet research, you can see that the place seems to have some nice scenery and beaches. Apparently, it is several hours by bus from Davao. I was at the Davao port on my way to Talicud and there was a boat that apparently went to Mati port. I couldn't find out anything and the boat didn't seem to be going anywear on that day.

Maybe I've become to cynical, but someone relatively unknown writes a vague request for "places. For some action" and a few red flags go up. It might be best if you tell us a little bit about your situation (nothing personal of course) and maybe what you've already learned about the place. X.

[QUOTE=Paulr1950; 1394253]Hi has any one been to mati? And knows any places to go for a beer or meet up for soem action.

Ron[/QUOTE]

I'll be doing a short trip to Iloilo for my first time Fri. 8 March for around 4-5 nights. I'll be on sort of an exploritory mission. Look around, see what this college vibe is about, maybe get a little trim hopefully, and check it out for a possible place to live. Sounds kind of nice, with good restaurants and Guimaras near by. Big enough city, must quite a few young ladies.

If anyone wants to hook up or has any tips, or even a lead on a semi furnished place it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll be sure to add a report.

Thanks

Hardly any one from IloIlo is on DIA. So, get the picture.

[QUOTE=Pimpin Sam; 1395267]I'll be doing a short trip to Iloilo for my first time Fri. 8 March for around 4-5 nights. I'll be on sort of an exploritory mission. Look around, see what this college vibe is about, maybe get a little trim hopefully, and check it out for a possible place to live. Sounds kind of nice, with good restaurants and Guimaras near by. Big enough city, must quite a few young ladies.

If anyone wants to hook up or has any tips, or even a lead on a semi furnished place it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll be sure to add a report.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Pimpin Sam; 1395267]I'll be doing a short trip to Iloilo for my first time Fri. 8 March for around 4-5 nights. I'll be on sort of an exploritory mission. Look around, see what this college vibe is about, maybe get a little trim hopefully, and check it out for a possible place to live. Sounds kind of nice, with good restaurants and Guimaras near by. Big enough city, must quite a few young ladies.

If anyone wants to hook up or has any tips, or even a lead on a semi furnished place it would be greatly appreciated.

I'll be sure to add a report.

Thanks[/QUOTE]If you're going there mainly for the trim you may be disappointed. Ilongga girls tend to live in closely knit family networks. Think "six degrees of separation" because a relative is always six steps or fewer away from the bamboo telegraph. The girls know this and will act accordingly when it comes to a horny poriner with a lust for trim. You wouldn't see too many other foreigners there. The local politicians tend to keep the towns on the conservative side. Some have gone so far as to keep establishments like Jollibee and Sogo out of their areas due to fears that they will corrupt the very college students that you're seeking to seed.