Thinking of going to General Santos City. Any ideas?
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Thinking of going to General Santos City. Any ideas?
[QUOTE=Skip Kost]I've done RTFF for 4 1/2 years of forum and found nothing about getting around on Leyte. In a few months I expect to fly into Tacloban and then travel to Southern Leyte around San Juan and St. Bernard. St. Bernard is where the village of 1200 people got buried in a landslide in 2006, but that's coincidental to why I'm going there. What I'm wondering about is bus routes on Leyte Island from Tacloban going south. I think Philtranco and Ceres may travel the national highway through Southern Luzon to Samar, Leyte and Mindanao, but of course they don't have websites with any firm information. So does anybody who's traveled some there know about any of the bus routes and where in Tacloban to find them? X-Man, Amavida, you guys have reported about being there; any suggestions? Do bus routes go down the scenic east coast, or do they go down the middle of the island through Sogod? Thanks for whatever help anybody can offer.[/QUOTE]
Man, don't worry about that. Buses are the main means of transportation in the Philippines and they go about everywhere. Smaller parts of the country are reached by jeepneys and even smaller parts by tricycle. Just ask a tricycle to bring you to the bus station and there ask for where you want to go. Buses travel both West and East part of Leyte. I've done the East part and a friend of mine has done the West part. There is never a problem to go anywhere by bus in the Philippines, and it costs peanuts. There are also ferry routes to cross islands. Try to get the front seats for scenic views and break down your travels to no more than five hours at a time. Happy travel and happy hunting.
Oh, and by the way they have a new bus station in Tacloban and it is a little bit out of town (the old station near the market is now a good hunting place for girls at night (non pro and somewhat dangerous)). It may cost a little bit more to reach it but max 100 pesos.
This is reassuring and it makes sense. I had heard that Philtranco uses the new terminal out of town but that some of the local bus lines may still use the old one in town, which isn't much more than a parking lot, I think.
Is there any sign of rental car companies at the airport in Tacloban? I've never wanted to drive in Metro Manila but might consider it in the lighter traffic of Leyte. Internet sources about rental cars in the Phils seem to point only to Manila.
I need the assistance of those that have traveled the Philippines much more than I have.
I have met a girl through DIA that wants to meet me and spend a night or 2 with me. However, she says she can't go far from her home right now, as she has a baby that she is breastfeeding. She lives in Molave, which is situated between Pagadian City to the south, and Dipolog to the North (as shown on Google Maps). As I understand it, this is not a foreigner friendly area to go into. Although she has told me they are far from any rebel activities (which I'm sure any poor Filipina would say to get a potential supporter to visit her.) She claims she will meet me if I stay somewhere close to her home. Any ideas on where I could stay that would be safe, and would not require a long travel time for her?
Thanks!
HW
[QUOTE=Hairy Wonder] I have met a girl through DIA that wants to meet me and spend a night or 2 with me. However, she says she can't go far from her home right now, as she has a baby that she is breastfeeding. She lives in Molave, which is situated between Pagadian City to the south, and Dipolog to the North (as shown on Google Maps). As I understand it, this is not a foreigner friendly area to go into. Although she has told me they are far from any rebel activities (which I'm sure any poor Filipina would say to get a potential supporter to visit her.) She claims she will meet me if I stay somewhere close to her home. Any ideas on where I could stay that would be safe, and would not require a long travel time for her? HW[/QUOTE]
HW, I don't have first hand knowledge of the area in question, but I have three suggestions. First, post your question also in Dragon Slayer's Forum so as to attract the attention of GoodEnough. He seems to be the most reliable source of information about Mindanao, since he lives in Davao and seems to have traveled to many of its cities and provinces.
Second suggestion: Tell her she can bring the baby with her, and then select a meeting place just a little further north, such as Ozamis City, Dipolog, or Dapitan City. These cities have commercial airports, as does Pagadian City. Ozamis is not much further from Molave than Pagadian City, but do run the question of its safety past GE. The baby will tie up some of her time, and of course all babies cry, but it's likely the attention she'll have to give the baby is not any more -- and maybe less -- than the time she would have spent traveling between you and the baby to feed it periodically. If you actually want to get to know her, it seems like seeing her with the baby is a more realistic picture than if the baby is always hidden away from you.
Third suggestion: offer to pay for baby formula that a babysitter or relative can feed to the baby. Of course she will still have to pump breast milk occasionally in order to avoid the painful effect when the breasts become overly full. You can offer to assist. Just joking. Breast milk is kinda watery and sweet, and not a good substitute for other beverages that you may prefer.
Even if you work something out, you might want to consider whether her story is really about wanting to be safe, so she can make an exit toward home if you turn out to be an ogre. I've read lots of stories of young women showing up to meet Western men but having brought a cousin or sister, since there's safety in numbers. In other words, you may not have received all the chapters of the story yet.
[QUOTE=Cuba Tourist]Thinking of going to General Santos City. Any ideas?[/QUOTE]
Unless you are an experienced visitor to Mindanao, probably not recommended. Not a whole lot there except tuna.
The good news, for those who posed questions regarding these areas, is that they're safe enough. The bad news is that there's not a hell of a lot going on. Pagadian is a quiet and reasonably peaceful place but the question is what you'll do during the day when you're not seeing your friend. There are no real Western-type restaurants, and little to do.
General Santos has one semi-decent hotel, East Asia, that served awful food, and is located in the rear of a U-shaped complex with bars, small restaurants, and I think a pool hall and a disco on the sides. It will take you about 2.5 hours to get there from Davao assuming you have a car, and a little longer by bus. Aside from visiting the port however, there's not much to do.
GE
SK,
Thanks for the tips! I will post something over DS's forum as well. I have seen posts from GE in both areas. And I see, that GE has already given his input while I'm typing this. Thanks GE!
As for the breast feeding of the baby, I was thinking about telling her to bring it with her. I've been around enough babies to not let that spoil our fun. And if she prefers to not do that, I am not against the idea of helping her with the milk flow. Although there are other fluids I'm more interested in!
I do have a few other girls in the Zamboanga area that I have met through Tagged.com or DIA. So I could possibly spend a few days there in Ozamis City, and invite them all to meet me there, travel expenses included, of course.
But I think most of my time on my next trip will be devoted to the Cebu area where most of my DIA contacts are locate.
And I will be happy to post some FR on my experiences!
Thanks again!
HW
[QUOTE=Hairy Wonder]I need the assistance of those that have traveled the Philippines much more than I have.
I have met a girl through DIA that wants to meet me and spend a night or 2 with me. However, she says she can't go far from her home right now, as she has a baby that she is breastfeeding. She lives in Molave, which is situated between Pagadian City to the south, and Dipolog to the North (as shown on Google Maps). As I understand it, this is not a foreigner friendly area to go into. Although she has told me they are far from any rebel activities (which I'm sure any poor Filipina would say to get a potential supporter to visit her.) She claims she will meet me if I stay somewhere close to her home. Any ideas on where I could stay that would be safe, and would not require a long travel time for her?
Thanks!
HW[/QUOTE] Well, HW, this area isn't the boonies, but it isn't easy going, either. I was in Pagadian in April. Nice small town with only a few
Decent places to stay. There are also a few okay restaurants. You will be stared at, as very few foreigners come here. Probably quite safe, althoughan Irish priest was kidnapped in the Fall. I'd say the terrorist threat is dormant, rather than extinguished. So, consider your own comfort level.
Ask her where she would like to meet you. Ozamis is about 3hrs from her town, and is a mediocre destination. Another couple hours to Dipolog or Dapitan.
I'm a big fan of Dapitan. The cleanest, best organized town I've visited in the Philippines. Good access from Cebu by air, or supercat (6hrs).
I stayed at the Dapitan City Resort (2000P). On the beach, swimming pool, restaurant, etc. Great seafood restaurant about half a kilometer
Closer to town, across road from beach.
Dakak Resort is about 30 min. By hubel hubel north of Dapitan. It is Impressive, but fairly expensive (approx. 5000P with meals). Great location and super beach.
If you arrange for her to stay for several days, then this is definitely the best area in the entire region.
Give it a "Go" for sure. This is one of my favourites in P. I.
Pagadian is not really safe. High crime and more guns than usual. Keep your eyes open when you walk around, even more so at night. Anyhow not much to do there.
Dipolog is fine. Small place and you're very visible and all will know your presence. So little privacy. South of Dipolog (west coast and east coast incl. Pagadian and further south) the commercial kidnapping business is ripe aside from Muslim gangs on the djihad.
The area is worse than around Cotabato city.
Anyone have up to date info what is happening in a around the area of Puerto Galera?
It seems from what I've read on this thread that massage with hj or more is not easy to find in Boracay. But just in case anybody has some recent experience, thought I'd check.
I'll be there for a few nights soon, with wife. So, looking for a place, hotel or outside legit-looking, where I can get what I want.
Any suggestions?
AL
Gentlemen,
I am trying to organise ladies from Ozamis and Dipolog to meet me in Cagayan de Oro.
Can anyone give me travel times and fares for these trips?
Thanks in advance,
Gangles.
[QUOTE=Gangles]Gentlemen,
I am trying to organise ladies from Ozamis and Dipolog to meet me in Cagayan de Oro.
Can anyone give me travel times and fares for these trips?
Thanks in advance,
Gangles.[/QUOTE]Allow 4 hours from Ozamis and over 6 hours from Dipolog. I am sorry I have no idea what the bus fares are but suspect no more than 300 pesos from Ozamis and 600 from Dipolog.
You said you will fly into Tacloban, so not sure why you give us the Luzon bus info.
In Tacloban you would just go to the bus terminal. You can ask about times, but often the departure time is when the bus is full.
Since you fly into Tacloban, just ask your taxi driver from the airport about buses. You might also ask him about how much he would charge for the whole trip.
I took a bus from the bus terminal at Ormoc to Tacloban (and return) and it was a rickety old thing with fighting cocks on board (the other definition of cock for those of you with a one track mind). Unpleasant. No air conditioning ( which is a positive in my opinion).
I was once thinking of going down to Maasin, but never made it. Your trip sounds very interesting so I hope you can report on it later. I'm sorry for being of little help.
Last note: investigate ferry (to San Juan?) or private car.
X
[QUOTE=Skip Kost]I've done RTFF for 4 1/2 years of forum and found nothing about getting around on Leyte. In a few months I expect to fly into Tacloban and then travel to Southern Leyte around San Juan and St. Bernard. St. Bernard is where the village of 1200 people got buried in a landslide in 2006, but that's coincidental to why I'm going there. What I'm wondering about is bus routes on Leyte Island from Tacloban going south. I think Philtranco and Ceres may travel the national highway through Southern Luzon to Samar, Leyte and Mindanao, but of course they don't have websites with any firm information. So does anybody who's traveled some there know about any of the bus routes and where in Tacloban to find them? X-Man, Amavida, you guys have reported about being there; any suggestions? Do bus routes go down the scenic east coast, or do they go down the middle of the island through Sogod? Thanks for whatever help anybody can offer.[/QUOTE]