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Hi Guys, I'll be passing through the Philippines again next month and have two days landing in Friday in Manila about 6 AM and leaving Manila Sunday 3 PM. Thought of catching a flight to Puerto Princessa spending Friday and Saturday exploring. I think that may not be enough time to see the caves and maybe even meet some FL in town. Stil working on BYOC. I'm worried I'm trying to do too much with not enough time.

The alternative is 2 nights in AC where girls and fun are guaranteed, but been there so many times it is getting old.

Been to PG and considering as another alternative, also thinking of Subic. Any suggestions?

Coron. Places and rates.

Here is a quick update of Coron on the island of Busuanga. I had 3 days to kill here and this is what I found.

Went to a little bar near the the center of town just kitty corner from the open square in front of the tourism center. The bars name of Cathy's. Place had about 20 women all just sitting around texting and combing their hair. I was the only customer in there at about 9pm on a Tuesday night (the town pretty much closes up at 10PM). There was a fat "Kathoey" and I use that term loosey, named Robbi who was also working there. Sat down and had a drink. No one approached me and I had a bit of a hard time making eye contact with some of the girls. Finally got one and motioned for her to come over. After a bit of chit chat, she told me the rate was p2000 for short time and that was for 3 hours. If you wanted long time, then it was just a multiple of that. P4000 for 6 hours, p6000 for 9 hours. Rate was not negotiatable. Or at least they were not negotiating with me. I was also told that every girl had her own rate. The lowest girls were p1500 for 3 hours plus tip or p2000 for 3 hours no tip. I finished my coke and left.

Next I tried Hard Rock Disco. It's not hard to find. Pretty close to the center of town and all the tricycle drivers know it. Was quoted a rate here of p2000 for long time. I know it's a bit high but I was wanting some action in this little one horse town. They agreed but I was short on cash so I went to the atm. When I got back the rate had jumped to p3000 for longtime. Why? I told them I was staying at the diving resort across the bay. It's about a 10 minute boatride from the pier. Boat transfers back and forth are free because the resort runs the shuttle back and forth. The boat stops running at 10pm. The reason I got was that it was "Management's policy" WTF? This resort is not that far way not p1000 far away. The nice thing about this is that it prevents the girl from pulling a runner. I don't know what the real reason was. Is there a scam that they run here most of the time and it requires the girl being able to leave? Was everyone really scared of being seperated from town? I don't know. It sounded like a lot of bullshit so I just left.

I did not see any Street walkers or freelancers. If anyone has any additional info on Coron, please let me know. I still have another day here.

[QUOTE=Asia Smiles; 1123867]Hi Guys, I'll be passing through the Philippines again next month and have two days landing in Friday in Manila about 6 AM and leaving Manila Sunday 3 PM. Thought of catching a flight to Puerto Princessa spending Friday and Saturday exploring. I think that may not be enough time to see the caves and maybe even meet some FL in town. Stil working on BYOC. I'm worried I'm trying to do too much with not enough time.

The alternative is 2 nights in AC where girls and fun are guaranteed, but been there so many times it is getting old.

Been to PG and considering as another alternative, also thinking of Subic. Any suggestions? [/QUOTE]If AC is getting old, then I would recommend Sabang, Puerto Galera. Subic is also good. Sabang has the better beaches / islands; Subic has more girlie bars, but 7 girlie bars in Sabang is enough, IMO.

If you get into Manila at 6 AM, you can catch the Si-Kat shuttle at 8:45 AM? from the City State Tower hotel in Manila. On the way back, the Si-Kat shuttle will return between 12:30 - 1:00 PM; you might cut it too close. For more comfort and a more reliable time, you can get a private car for the transportation between Batanagas pier and Manila airport.

[QUOTE=GreenBud; 1124001]If AC is getting old, then I would recommend Sabang, Puerto Galera. Subic is also good. Sabang has the better beaches / islands; Subic has more girlie bars, but 7 girlie bars in Sabang is enough, IMO.

If you get into Manila at 6 AM, you can catch the Si-Kat shuttle at 8:45 AM? From the City State Tower hotel in Manila. On the way back, the Si-Kat shuttle will return between 12:30. 1:00 PM; you might cut it too close. For more comfort and a more reliable time, you can get a private car for the transportation between Batanagas pier and Manila airport. [/QUOTE]Thanks GreenBud. Sabang might be my best bet for two days because of the flexibility. Subic is nice but the diving in Sabang was awesome about 3 years ago.

I think I'm just cutting it too close to go to the caves in Palawan.

Went into town again last night. Found two more places. A video Karioke bar called Sea Front. About 12-15 girls here to choose from. Again quoted the same rates p1500 for 3 hours. No one did long time. Went to another place called D's Music box. Only 5 women here to choose from. Rates again p1500 for 3 hours. Long time rate was quoted at p4000. Tricle driver seemed to confirm what I was told the other night at the Hard Rock Disco. Double for all night. I probably could have chewed that p4000 down to p3000. So the rate seems to be p1500 for 3 hours, p3000 for all night. Most girls don't do all night. Looks like they make plenty of money doing just short time. Also they did not seem that eager to make a sale or negotiate the price. This seemed to be a common theme here actually. Not much negotiating. The prices are more or less straight forward on a lot of things. Tricyle anywhere in town is p10 although they will ask for p20. Round trip ride to the hotspring and back is p300. No one seemed willing to negotiate on that. Negotiate your rates with your dive shop and hotel before you get here. I found out one of the guests at the resort I was at ended up paying about $20 per dive where I ended up paying about $30. They told him gear rental and park fees were included in the price they gave him while they tacked those onto my bill. Will not dive with Dive Cal again. Owner, is a westerner, but apparently he's been here long enough to have been "localized".

Anybody stay at this hotel in Boracay?

Le Soleil De Boracay. [url]http://www.lesoleil.com.ph/[/url]

It looks nice and reasonably priced, but would like some first hand opinions (or alternative suggestions). Don't want to spend more than $100 / night (Le Soleil is less than that on hotels. Com) , and want to be either on the beach or a stone's throw away.

I am assuming any hotel there will be girl-friendly, not that it matters as I am bringing my own, but she mentioned that she might want to do a threesome, so keeping my fingers crossed.

[QUOTE=Irony Monger; 1131921]Anybody stay at this hotel in Boracay?

Le Soleil De Boracay.

[url]http://www.lesoleil.com.ph/[/url]

It looks nice and reasonably priced, but would like some first hand opinions (or alternative suggestions). Don't want to spend more than $100 / night (Le Soleil is less than that on hotels. Com) , and want to be either on the beach or a stone's throw away.

I am assuming any hotel there will be girl-friendly, not that it matters as I am bringing my own, but she mentioned that she might want to do a threesome, so keeping my fingers crossed. [/QUOTE]You may want to try Red Coconut hotel as a possible alternative. Booked through Agoda. I have stayed there twice. Right on the beach at Station 2.

[QUOTE=Python75;1131963]You may want to try Red Coconut hotel as a possible alternative. Booked through Agoda. I have stayed there twice. Right on the beach at Station 2.[/QUOTE]

I stayed at Le Soleil last year with my manila gf. It is very well located, right in the center of White Beach, and the rooms are comfortable, especially if you have one overlooking the pool area. The food is adequate, with an acceptable, but not fantastic breakfast buffet. The only downside I noticed is that the resort does seem to host quite a few large-ish tour groups / families from Taiwan / China (at least when I was there) which can make the dining room a tad busy / noisy in the morning. Other than that, a very reasonable place to stay.

Manta Ray

[QUOTE=Manta Ray; 1131978]I stayed at Le Soleil last year with my manila gf. It is very well located, right in the center of White Beach, and the rooms are comfortable, especially if you have one overlooking the pool area. The food is adequate, with an acceptable, but not fantastic breakfast buffet. The only downside I noticed is that the resort does seem to host quite a few large-ish tour groups / families from Taiwan / China (at least when I was there) which can make the dining room a tad busy / noisy in the morning. Other than that, a very reasonable place to stay.

Manta Ray[/QUOTE]My fave was and is Boracay Beach Club [url]www.boracaybeachclub.com[/url]. They do complete service, from Kalibo or Caticlan, plus their restaurant is good. And it didn't help the next door was "Obama Grill" (change you want, change you get.)

They add in complimentary massage and a sail boat trip + a visit to their sort of private island. Not crowded, nice pool and since they own the beachfront across the hotel. Was very private.

Twice in a row, I felt happy. And the prices were good. .

Thanks Econo Tech, Manta Ray, and Python 75. Since I have heard no horror stories about Le Soleil, I think I'll stay there. Will post my report in May when I return. I'll also do a walk by the other recommendations and scout them out for future possible stays.

With a country of thousands of islands and beaches, I know there must be a special gem out there that for obvious reason is being kept secret.

A place that has NICE beach, nice decent hotels, a small girl scene, or close to a place to take out girls, a few restaurants?

Not Boracy, Sabang, PG, Subic, Mac Tan?

Please pm with some info, or post.

Thanks,

VD

It is on the north east end of CEBU. 4 hours by bus then a boat hop, I love the Busrides personally. I was there 2 years ago. Cheap beautiful, take awlak around the island and see real villagers I took many pictures. Not sure of any pro or pro am action perhaps best to bring one.

Cheap and there is a fantastic little resturant int he middle of this small island that makes the best food at the cheapest prices.

And Shark island is close and has good diving I hear.

Great place.

Hi all. I am going ot be spending alot of time in the illagan region and have developing some lands and a neat business there.

Don't know much about these places, any counsel is approeciatted, I know of the dangers and I am covered there.

I am well travelled in Manila Cebu, Davao, although I can't ever seem to get laid in Davoa.

Been to much of the rest of the Phils. Feel free to ask.

PP

Never been there but had an Iligan girl come to CDO for a week. She "hates" the Muslims there and considers them "thugs" as in gangs. A forigner got shot and killed on a jeepney by a Muslim.

Late year. Watch your back.

Guys, don't "flame" the messenger.

[QUOTE=Pinaypounder; 1146222]Hi all. I am going ot be spending alot of time in the illagan region and have developing some lands and a neat business there.

Don't know much about these places, any counsel is approeciatted, I know of the dangers and I am covered there.

I am well travelled in Manila Cebu, Davao, although I can't ever seem to get laid in Davoa.

Been to much of the rest of the Phils. Feel free to ask.

PP[/QUOTE]

The Visayas is like a necklace of gems all strung together in a wedge separating Luzon from Mindanao. Both Luzon (far North and Far Southeast) and Mindanao (All along the East coast) have some excellent beaches too, but the real gems are in Visayas (Palawan too but I know it much less well).

IMHO Malapascua is WAY overrated, small and crowded with parked boats blocking most of the beach, smoky from fires, and with shit diving no better than the rubble of Mactan). It has nice White sand and deep blue water, however. Try Bantayan Island, about an hour South of Malapascua, instead. Or Bohol and Camgiuin just Southeast of Cebu. Or the Camotes islands to the Northeast. Or Romblon to the Northwest. Or Negros to the West which has its most epic beach (Sipalay) on the West coast. 3 hours from an airport or port, but has many others of quality, no doubt as I saw many on the coast, both from Bacolod in the North to Dumaguette in the South-we did an open jaw. Even the small islands just North of Boracay like Carabao Island offer escapes from the hordes.

Sabang beach in Puerto Galera is shit. Compared to Subic or Malate, its ok I guess, but no need to swim there when about 30 minutes trike ride West, just past White beach, lies the real World class beach of Northern Mindoro Aninuan. No pics of Sabang to compare but Aninuan is sublime. White Beach is 10 times better than Sabang, but it is quite developed and crowded; but hike 15 minutes further West over the rocks, or 5 minutes along the road by trike. First pics are White beach from the restaurant on the hill on the way to Aninuan, then Aninuan itself. GREAT restaurants, best outside Makati, around PG.