Other Areas

Fred,

I've been to CDO a few times, I've gone from Davao to CDO on Bus and as GE says it is about six hours, it is a bit of an adventure too, lots of local color. Interesting stops with Lumads (natives) selling crafts, food and a few dressed in native costume in the Bukidnon region. CDO has an overnight Ferry to Cebu, interesting trip. However a word of caution, you should avoid Marawi, it is the home to a very hostile group of the MILF chapter and the venue of a particularly militant Imam who thinks all westerners are American CIA.

As far as CDO, it is a small town and people are very friendly, no problem at all, a few European style resturaunts and a swiss coffee shop that has a number of upscale Filipino Yuppies with a few ladies who might even give you the hot eye. They have a Gaisano mall too, small but servicaible. There are a few small seaside resorts on the North west portion of the city.

Temprature wise its as hot as the rest of the Phils, however, as it is close to the gulf you get some breeze off the water.

They even have a website [url]www.Cagayan-de-oro-city.com[/url]

Goodluck

The Spamhog

What the Spam Hog says about Marawi is true, now that I think about it, and I'm sorry to have given another impression. I was in the company of a Company of Philippine Marines, and so I did not think worry much about security. But it's true that we went through at least three and maybe four military checkpoints between Iligan and Marawi. There is nothing of sufficient interest there to warrant the risks.

GE

SEAir (South East Asian Airlines) has flights between CDO and Davao a couple of days a week. Their most recent timetable on the website says Monday and Wednesday. I've flown these myself a couple of times. They are propeller planes so if you're worried about that it might be better to take the bus. But it does save quite a few hours if you can fly it.

Cagayan is a university town, so at some times of year you'll find girls 'in need.' They'll be looking for ways to get their tuition fees and you, the monger, may be just what they're looking for.

Your best bet will be girls who are from out of town and away from their families. They're a bit easier to separate from their conservatism.

Like most towns of this size in the Philippines I never cared much for the pro scene. Either try to find regular girls or better yet do some chatting on the internet to set something up in advance.

I have a friend who is moving down to Ozamis. I am concerned bout how safe westerners are there. The State department says to avoid Mindanao, but it seems like there is little risk in Northern places like CDO and Butuan or a place like Davao which has a lot of westerners. But Ozamis looks a bit to risky as I view it non the map. My friend says it is safe, but she has never been there either and her new job will not let her out of town for more than a few days to meet me somewhere else.

Any one been there before? Is it safe? Is there fun stuff to see and do durning the day?

TIA

S

I have been up to Illigan City, that is west of CDO up the Peninsula, no problems up there, not much to do, visit the falls and a few "beach resorts" that are nothing more than a collection of huts on the water, CDO City is a little more lively, Butwan is further east, I suggest you take in Camiguin Island if in the CDO region, best place in the PI far as I am concerned, plenty to do, hike a volcano, hot springs, diving fishing, a few resorts run by foreigners with Phils wives, freindliest people in the world.

Avoid going into areas in Misamis like Marawi, Lanao, thjose are Muslim areas and you will be scrutinized by MILF militiamen, in some places if a white guy doesn't have a pass or isn't escorted by regular Phil army, guess what?

you get to talk to the commander & convince him you are not CIA.

Also See my PM reply to yours

Spamhog

I have an opportunity to visit Naga... Anybody with info about local action? Will particularly appreciate any local contact info for a university student that I may be able to help in material way <smile>. Post reply or pm please. I will be willing to give Manila contact in exchange.

there isn't much local action here. you will need to bring a girl with you. if you goto a local karoake bar, bring a filipino with you or they will try to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123][CodeWord123][/url] you with high price drinks and ladies drinks

Anyone ever been to Maluso on Basilan? Safe? Unsafe? I've been to Zamboanga and while I didn't feel threatened, I did feel 'watched'...

We do alot of projects in Basilan, and we often have people there, but I would not advise going there over night. There is still substantial rebel activity on the island, and since the various factions move around alot, they could be anywhere in Basilan at any time.

I will shortly be coming to Manila and staying in the Alabang area. Is there any place nearby, where I can get some action and or sensual massage. Will apreaciate any information.

This is the kind of place you would be better off to bring a girl. The most obvious working women are a bit long of teeth.

Boracay is beautiful, but a bit commercialized. You can't take a bicture of the beach without getting one or two boats in the picture.

Lots of eye candy and many opportunities if you have the time and patience to do things the ...normal way.

Here is a picture I took of regular women out for a swim. I must have been focused on the bikinis. After looking at the picture they don't look nearly as good as I remember. In fact, looking at their mouths....you would guess they are all related in some way or another.

Hello,

While in Boracay I stayed at:

Dave's straw hat. Nice place but the curtains were so thin I don't think you can do the deed with the lights on. Newly built with Internet access. Has air con, but I used the fan.

I also stayed at Melinda's. Wow, this is a real Filipino experience. Bamboo shacks and even a bamboo bed. You should stay here one night just for the experience. I wish I had some pictures of the interior. No air con, but the ceiling fan is all you need. This is where the fish picture was taken.

I think I paid around 2000 pesos for each place. From boat station 3 (the first stop) you would go to the right on the beach. I've attached a picture of the signs.

The ladies in the picture were strolling down the beach. I don't know them and certainly didn't get their bikinis off. Unfortunately.

I rented a moutain bike around boat station 3 and got around that way.

Hi everyone,

Has anyone been there, lately? I would appreciate some hints for my trip. I plan to visit there for 4 to 6 weeks coming November:

- What's the best place to stay, maybe with weekly rates.

- I am also looking for the telephone number of AAA-Apartments. If someone knows it, I would deeply appreciate a notice, maybe PM.

- To find a lady friend for my stay: Is it best to use one of the bar or make an arrangement with a freelancer? If bar girl, do mamasans make special BFs if you take them for more than one day?

- If I would take an appartment with no safety box on premises: Is there - maybe - a central place in Sabang which I could use for depositing my valuables?

- Maybe, is anyone reading this there in November/December, too.

- Any hints on other acitivities on Puerto Galera/Sabang are also welcome.

- I know, I'm kind of a newbe, but would appreciate any info and help.

Wish you all a good day!

I just got back from my second trip to Cagayan de Oro, which is about 320 kms. from Davao. It takes about 5 hours to get there by car. Longer by bus. If you chose to fly, there are no direct flights, but you can connect through Cebu. I think that the last time I wrote about this place, I suggested that while it was okay, there was nothing special about it. I think I may have been wrong.

First of all, it's a city of about 1 million people, and it's got all of the attributes of a reasonably large city. There are loads of clubs, restaurants, stores, malls, and movie theaters. In short, there's plenty to keep you busy. There also appear to be some fairly nice resorts on the edges of town, though I did not visit any of them.

The clubs are fairly routine, but the girls do strip completely, and there are some seriously good looking women. Bar fines are high, and range from PhP3,000-3,500 which includes full service for as long as you like. All of the girls however, I'm told, will make an arrangement to meet you later, so it's apparently pretty easy to avoid the bar fines. Three of the clubs: Bada Bing, On Tic, and Home Court are on the same block, and it's easy to walk from one to the other. There's little or no pressure in the bar to buy drinks or to buy ladies drinks which are PhP250. In short, the atmosphere is pretty relaxed, fairly friendly, and it's easy to have a good time. There are very, very few expats, so you will attract some attention if you go, but no hostility.

Best of all perhaps, CDO is a very safe city. There has been no violence there in years, and you can walk the streets in without fear. Taxis (metered) are abundant, and I did notice a smattering of street walkers. I'm told that the best club is Pyramid, which I did not see. It's somewhat outside of the city. There's another called Cora's which I noticed in passing, and numerous other KTVs around the town.

The best hotel is the Dynasty. Unfortunately, I did not stay there, but in the VIP, which is the oldest hotel in town. It's clean, but it looks its age. You can negotiate a rate of about PhP1,,500 in either place.

For those of you looking for the mildly exotic, away from any press of tourism at all, this could be a good place to check out.

:D

GE

I've been invited up to Baguio City in the north. It sounds great, mountains, pine trees. But what about pussy?