Unsure......

[gm47]

Hi Keith and Pete, thought I would post as you always ask for visitors to do so.
I have 2 weeks holiday at Easter and have been thinking of visiting the Philippines for some time.
I read all of the reports and they are all so informative, helpful and interesting. Mostly they are from a viewpoint of visiting a filipina there, I just want to have a holiday and have a look around indepentantly, I keep umming and ahhing about going, I have traveled around Asia with no major problems quite a bit. After reading Goverment warnings ( I realise that they are always very cautious ) and some of your reports, doubts get in my mind and when I think of taking anti malaria tabs (dealt with in previous post ) I think no it's simply not worth it.

Possible kidnappings, bombings, malaria, is it worth it or should I just go somewhere simpler or even just have a fortnight at home of horseracing ?

Really enjoy the site and visit it most days.

Thanks
Gerry

[Admin]

Start with a 3 day stopover in Singapore, that gives you a well earned travel break. Don't take any clothes, you can buy them all in Asia. I got 6 Fila t-shirts for £3 each.

When shopping in Asia, always take a notepad and price everything up in every shop you can visit, and you can argue over the price in smaller outlets.

Then move onto the Philippines. Maybe 5 days in Cebu, and then 5 up North around Manilla. You may as well cover the full culture.

Stay away from Mindanao though, unlikely anyhting will happen their, but best to be safe.

SIA are doing flights to the Philippines, you can have a stopover, for around £509, usually £700 for that time of year, but you can get around £400 on cheaper airlines, but have to change flights.

If you do use SIA make sure it is a 777, not the 747.

Pete can give you the buzz on the North, I haven't been yet.

[ginapeterb]

Hello Gerry,thanks for coming on the forum and making a post, its good that you did, keep em coming, Kieth and I like people to post when they can.

In answer to your post, hmmmm if you want to go out to the Philippines, please do so, its just as safe as any country with a terrorism problem, if you are travelling alone, I did tell you before, its not much fun, the Republic of Philippines, is a large collection of over 7000 islands, your chances of running into trouble are not very high, so dont worry, like Keith says, Mindanao is the place really to avoid, although I know of others who go there regularly and they report no trouble whatsoever.

The Visaysa region which is the central group of Islands of Cebu,Negros,Bohol, Mindoro, Pinay, are nice and freindly areas, the people will receive you very nicely, but if you are notwith a companioin, I'm not sure if you will enjoy the Philippines,the tourist areas, are mainly the Islands of Cebu and Boracay, (read my report on Boracay, and Cebu), yes there are kidnappings, there are also, bombings, and crime is rife, but to be honest, I myself have seen little of it.

Its like any holiday you go on,just be streetwise about your surroundings, and try not to look like Money Bags Joe...and you will do fine in the Philippines.

Hope that helps

[Admin]

Here is a useful site http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_safety.asp

It's like crime anywhere, walk down inner Newcastle on a Saturday night on your own, you are much more at risk than walking down the road in a medium Welsh town at the same time.

You wouldn't walk through the Bronx holding a video camera, but you would in Florida, just depends on the area.

I always try to avoid cities, as that is were crime congregates anywhere in the World, except Singapore.