Philippine Excursion Ideas

[babyandherboy 0]

While we are all concentrated on the stressful situation of trying to get our love back home with us, my baby and I took a little stress off and made a reasonably inexpensive trip of a lifetime for us both.

Hong Kong does not have any visa restrictions for Filipinos, and it’s so close – we spent less than $300 for both of our tickets from Cebu to Hong Kong. I took my baby there for her birthday and spent 4 days for less than one ticket from LAX to Manila. Plus we have the airplane tickets, seated next to each other – extra proof for the I-129F “meeting in person” requirement

Honorable mention – 3 days in Malapascue (the Boracay of Cebu) we spent less than $200 for an air conditioned cabin right on the beach including travel, food, snorkeling and souvenirs.

Anyone have any other excursion ideas?

[dj1206 0]

While we are all concentrated on the stressful situation of trying to get our love back home with us, my baby and I took a little stress off and made a reasonably inexpensive trip of a lifetime for us both.

Hong Kong does not have any visa restrictions for Filipinos, and it’s so close – we spent less than $300 for both of our tickets from Cebu to Hong Kong. I took my baby there for her birthday and spent 4 days for less than one ticket from LAX to Manila. Plus we have the airplane tickets, seated next to each other – extra proof for the I-129F “meeting in person” requirement

Honorable mention – 3 days in Malapascue (the Boracay of Cebu) we spent less than $200 for an air conditioned cabin right on the beach including travel, food, snorkeling and souvenirs.

Anyone have any other excursion ideas?

During my first trip there to the Philippines, we went to several locations that a young couple newly in love would enjoy. My personal favorites of the places we went were the following:

Kota Beach Resort (Bantayan Island) - north and west of island of Cebu, take ferry across. Nice beach location with sandbar and a small mini-pool enclosed by sandbar and main beach at low tide. Beach huts are quite nice, and as I recall, I think they were airconditioned.

Eden Nature Park - this is a nature park on top of a mountain near Davao City. We stayed in a very romantic, private cabin here, and though it was only for one night, I could have spent a week there with Jacki had we had time. Very nice pool area, and I'm sure there was a nice hiking/walking area as well...just didn't have the time to fully check out this place!

Paradise Island Resort (Samal Island, just off Davao City) - a short ferry ride across. Lots of things to see here, including bat caves, an absolutely gorgeous waterfall, and a small resort park. Only bad thing was the beach part...once in the water, it was very rocky. But the waterfall all by itself is worth the trip to this small island.

Palawan - all I've seen of this are pictures, but if we could have gone in the time we had together there in the Phils, we would have gone. Maybe one day (second honeymoon???) we can go there.

Jacki went with her family to Camiguin island shortly before we met in person. The beach looked nearly pristine from the pictures she sent me, and it didn't look crowded at all. Don't know if there are any beach shacks/cabins to stay in, but I'd imagine there were a few hotels here and there.

I'm sure there are many other very nice places to see/stay/visit in the Philippines, but that's just a list of my favorites so far. But in the end, it's not about the places that we go to, it's about who you're with. I couldn't have gone to those places without my baby Jacki.

David

[Jasman0717 9]

Hong Kong is an amazing place. I really enjoyed Dumaguete and Camiguin. I would consider living in Dumaguete, that was just a wonderful city.

[wioombeen 0]

There are so many great places to visit in the Philippines.

Someone mentioned Camiguin Island. Very beautiful place. Don't miss the hot springs and the white beach. They also have a Unique resort built into a tree I would recommend. Make sure you bring enough cash as there is no ATMS there when I was there. Maybe that has changed. If you goto Camiguin make sure you spend a day or two in Iligan City and visit some of the waterfalls. Mainly Maria Christina and my all time favorite Tinago falls(A MUST SEE!!)

Siquijor is also another fantastic place to go and visit. Huge Balite tree, amazing beaches, fantastic caves adventures.

Cebu - I see you where there but didn't mention the Taoist temple. It's a fantastic day trip.

Bohol - The Chocolate hills are an amazing site to see, and make sure you goto the Tarsier sanctuary as well. There is also another cave you can visit around there somewhere in which you can swim.

Luzon - Where do I begin here haha. Go see the Taal valcano. Stay at the Taal vista resort on Sunday and receive half off. If they still do that ever Sunday. Now I can't remember the name of the cities they are in so if any one knows please post them here, but in southern luzon by Batangas there are two resorts worth mentioning. Fist is Lago De Oro. They have an amazing contraption that allows you to go water skiing or wake boarding without a boat. Plus they have lambs wondering the grounds which they use for there famous lamb dishes LAMI KAAYO. The second place is The Eagle Point Resort which is somwhere at the most southern tip of Luzon. Great snorkling, private beaches and the grounds themselves are so unusual. On your way back north to Manila stay at the Hidden Valley Resort. It's a bit pricey but worth every penny. They have nature walks, hot springs, free breakfast lunch and dinner. After that make one more stop at Pagsanjan Falls(another must see). You will have two men row you in a canoe all the way up the same river that was featured in Apocalypse Now. This little journey is worth every bit as the falls themselves are not as good as say Tinago Falls, but you will not regret the trip. Warning though, be careful for the boatman as they will try to make you pay for there fair as well. This is not required. Make sure you have Phone numbers on hand to the tourism enforcement bureau let them know you know the rules. Make sure you bring some extra money for a tip though. They will earn it.

The last I will recommend is one I have not done yet, but I hear it is another MUST SEE for the Philippines and that is the Banaue Rice Terraces in Northern Luzon.

Side note. If you get a chance go eat at the Zamboanga resteraunt in Manila. It is a fun time. As well as white water rafting in Cagayan De Oro.

If anyone has any questions about any of this don't hesitate to send me a note.

:):):):)

Wioombeen

[Jasman0717 9]

There are so many great places to visit in the Philippines.

Someone mentioned Camiguin Island. Very beautiful place. Don't miss the hot springs and the white beach. They also have a Unique resort built into a tree I would recommend. Make sure you bring enough cash as there is no ATMS there when I was there. Maybe that has changed. If you goto Camiguin make sure you spend a day or two in Iligan City and visit some of the waterfalls. Mainly Maria Christina and my all time favorite Tinago falls(A MUST SEE!!)

Siquijor is also another fantastic place to go and visit. Huge Balite tree, amazing beaches, fantastic caves adventures.

Cebu - I see you where there but didn't mention the Taoist temple. It's a fantastic day trip.

Bohol - The Chocolate hills are an amazing site to see, and make sure you goto the Tarsier sanctuary as well. There is also another cave you can visit around there somewhere in which you can swim.

Luzon - Where do I begin here haha. Go see the Taal valcano. Stay at the Taal vista resort on Sunday and receive half off. If they still do that ever Sunday. Now I can't remember the name of the cities they are in so if any one knows please post them here, but in southern luzon by Batangas there are two resorts worth mentioning. Fist is Lago De Oro. They have an amazing contraption that allows you to go water skiing or wake boarding without a boat. Plus they have lambs wondering the grounds which they use for there famous lamb dishes LAMI KAAYO. The second place is The Eagle Point Resort which is somwhere at the most southern tip of Luzon. Great snorkling, private beaches and the grounds themselves are so unusual. On your way back north to Manila stay at the Hidden Valley Resort. It's a bit pricey but worth every penny. They have nature walks, hot springs, free breakfast lunch and dinner. After that make one more stop at Pagsanjan Falls(another must see). You will have two men row you in a canoe all the way up the same river that was featured in Apocalypse Now. This little journey is worth every bit as the falls themselves are not as good as say Tinago Falls, but you will not regret the trip. Warning though, be careful for the boatman as they will try to make you pay for there fair as well. This is not required. Make sure you have Phone numbers on hand to the tourism enforcement bureau let them know you know the rules. Make sure you bring some extra money for a tip though. They will earn it.

The last I will recommend is one I have not done yet, but I hear it is another MUST SEE for the Philippines and that is the Banaue Rice Terraces in Northern Luzon.

Side note. If you get a chance go eat at the Zamboanga resteraunt in Manila. It is a fun time. As well as white water rafting in Cagayan De Oro.

If anyone has any questions about any of this don't hesitate to send me a note.

Wioombeen

I loved Camiguin. We took a drive around the entire island and we did hit the hot springs. I looked like a lobster after spending about four hours on White Island. If you go there and enjoy diving check out Johnny's dive Shop. The rooms are very reasonable the the food is most excellent.

My friend Lived in Iligan for a while and I visited him there. It is a nice city but he decided to move to CDO when we started our chicken farm near there. Maria Christina Falls near Iligan is just beautiful. The falls seems to seep right out of the rocks.

I liked Cebu too but it had more polution than the cities on Negros or Mindanao.

There is a large Expats group in CDO that tries the white water rafting stuff a couple of times a year. they always get together at Over the Top on Wednesdays and usually hit a dance place and the beach at monthly get-togethers.

I love the Philippines

[wioombeen 0]

I loved Camiguin. We took a drive around the entire island and we did hit the hot springs. I looked like a lobster after spending about four hours on White Island. If you go there and enjoy diving check out Johnny's dive Shop. The rooms are very reasonable the the food is most excellent.

My friend Lived in Iligan for a while and I visited him there. It is a nice city but he decided to move to CDO when we started our chicken farm near there. Maria Christina Falls near Iligan is just beautiful. The falls seems to seep right out of the rocks.

I liked Cebu too but it had more polution than the cities on Negros or Mindanao.

There is a large Expats group in CDO that tries the white water rafting stuff a couple of times a year. they always get together at Over the Top on Wednesdays and usually hit a dance place and the beach at monthly get-togethers.

I love the Philippines

I do love the Philippines as well.

I lived in CDO this past winter with my fiance for 6 months. Loved it there. We live in Kauswagan actually. I am sad I had to leave. It was a bit odd coming home and to the states and feeling homesick. :)

I did love Camiguin. We stayed at the Paris Beach Resort, but by chance stopped at the Enigmata Tree House. I wish we had booked our stay there it is absolutly amazing.

Maria Christina Falls is indeed beautiful but Tinago Falls in Iligan is my favorite place in all the Philippines. If you haven't made the trek there yet I highly recommend it.

Here are a few photos I took of some of these places if you want to take a look.

Click on the small image when you get there to see a larger version.

Maria Christina Falls

Siquijor sunset

Taoist Temple - Cebu

Tarsier

Chocolate Hills - Bohol

White Island - Camiguin

And last but not least Tinago Falls - Iligan

Wioombeen

Edited July 15, 2007 by wioombeen

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I treated my baby to a trip of a lifetime last night and God willing almost every night for the rest of our natural lives... Hehehehe!!!

[SqdnGuns 21]

This suggestion isn't really for a romantic excursion but you can turn it into one. Take the overnight trip to Corregidor and take all of the tours. I spent 2 days and 1 night there and really enjoyed it.

This is one that always gets overlooked..............

http://www.travelmart.net/philippines/corr...nd-package.html

Edited July 15, 2007 by SqdnGuns

[JelloShotGirl 0]

We took a 14 hour road trip from Marikina to ILocos, and we went to Vigan. Wow thats some mind blowing history and architecture there. We visited Marco's summer house there too. It was nice to see all the land on the way up there, driving past volcanos and stuff and seing rice paddies (patties??)

etc etc etc

we travelled south to Tagaytay and Batangas , lots of good Buko Pie on the way to tagaytay. Did the BOracay thing......

[wioombeen 0]

I treated my baby to a trip of a lifetime last night and God willing almost every night for the rest of our natural lives... Hehehehe!!!

Since the original poster was asking about possible excursion ideas they he can go on with his loved one I would be very careful about what you suggest haha. :jest:

:D:D:D:D

Wioombeen

[babyandherboy 0]

I treated my baby to a trip of a lifetime last night and God willing almost every night for the rest of our natural lives... Hehehehe!!!

Since the original poster was asking about possible excursion ideas they he can go on with his loved one I would be very careful about what you suggest haha. :jest:

:D:D:D:D

Wioombeen

Hahaha - I can only wish that I was with my baby so I could give her that trip I'm back there in September for the 5th time since last June (thanks to Philippine Airlines miles club) I'd ask the Sheriff for pointers on that trip but since this is a family friendly forum I guess I will have to find the accomidations on my own!! hahaha

WOW - thanks for the great ideas . . . and I love those pictures!! I'm going to start researching now. My baby wants to go back to Malapascua again - it was sooo relaxing there, so I'm going to have to work that in for sure I just wish I could stay 6 months there with my baby until we get our visa - but the I-134 might not go well if I quit my job.

[babyandherboy 0]

This suggestion isn't really for a romantic excursion but you can turn it into one. Take the overnight trip to Corregidor and take all of the tours. I spent 2 days and 1 night there and really enjoyed it.

This is one that always gets overlooked..............

http://www.travelmart.net/philippines/corr...nd-package.html

I like that - I'm kind of a WWII history buff - enjoyed Fort Santiago . . . I think I can go 2 more times to Philippines before my baby gets her visa (crossing his fingers and knocking on wood) I'd love to try to fit that island in

Do you have any suggestions?

Dan

[wioombeen 0]

I treated my baby to a trip of a lifetime last night and God willing almost every night for the rest of our natural lives... Hehehehe!!!

Since the original poster was asking about possible excursion ideas they he can go on with his loved one I would be very careful about what you suggest haha. :jest:

:D:D:D:D

Wioombeen

Hahaha - I can only wish that I was with my baby so I could give her that trip I'm back there in September for the 5th time since last June (thanks to Philippine Airlines miles club) I'd ask the Sheriff for pointers on that trip but since this is a family friendly forum I guess I will have to find the accomidations on my own!! hahaha

WOW - thanks for the great ideas . . . and I love those pictures!! I'm going to start researching now. My baby wants to go back to Malapascua again - it was sooo relaxing there, so I'm going to have to work that in for sure I just wish I could stay 6 months there with my baby until we get our visa - but the I-134 might not go well if I quit my job.

Thanks much. Good luck and have fun. There is a lifetime of places to explore in the Philippines. Just make sure you do some research on where your going first to make sure its safe. Don't let The Sate Department Warnings of Mindanao scare you to much. Best ask friends and family of your fiance, they will know better. There are indeed some places there you don't want to go. But for the most part Mindanao is such an amazing place to explore.

Wioombeen

[dj1206 0]

I treated my baby to a trip of a lifetime last night and God willing almost every night for the rest of our natural lives... Hehehehe!!!

Since the original poster was asking about possible excursion ideas they he can go on with his loved one I would be very careful about what you suggest haha. :jest:

:D:D:D:D

Wioombeen

Hahaha - I can only wish that I was with my baby so I could give her that trip I'm back there in September for the 5th time since last June (thanks to Philippine Airlines miles club) I'd ask the Sheriff for pointers on that trip but since this is a family friendly forum I guess I will have to find the accomidations on my own!! hahaha

WOW - thanks for the great ideas . . . and I love those pictures!! I'm going to start researching now. My baby wants to go back to Malapascua again - it was sooo relaxing there, so I'm going to have to work that in for sure I just wish I could stay 6 months there with my baby until we get our visa - but the I-134 might not go well if I quit my job.

Thanks much. Good luck and have fun. There is a lifetime of places to explore in the Philippines. Just make sure you do some research on where your going first to make sure its safe. Don't let The Sate Department Warnings of Mindanao scare you to much. Best ask friends and family of your fiance, they will know better. There are indeed some places there you don't want to go. But for the most part Mindanao is such an amazing place to explore.

Wioombeen

My mother tried to stop me from going (emotionally) twice, the first time and my last time so far, because of the warnings for Mindanao and the Sulu area. I didn't follow Mom's advice, but luckily her mother's intuition was wrong both times. I never once feared for my life, and I've been to Mindanao twice. CDO is very safe and the people there are very friendly. I like the fact that they dress somewhat more conservatively than they dress like say in Manila and such, too. We didn't travel to Iligan area either time, mostly because Jacki said it might not be safe. So I agree that it is best to listen to your loved one who lives in the area over State Dept. warnings. I still would have gone to Iligan with my baby, but I didn't want to push things. I do wish we had had time to go to Camiguin together, as it both sounds and looks very nice. And in response to another poster, we also thought briefly about going to Corregidor, too, but the time in Manila was short this last trip, and since Corregidor is an early morning thing through the overnight only (we couldn't get to Manila in afternoon, for example, and do afternoon and evening/overnight in Corregidor...it's all day or nothing), we couldn't do it this last trip.

We went to Tagaytay twice and visited Volcano Island at Taal on the first trip there. It was my first ever volcano trek (thanks to half dead mules...hahaha) and hopefully not our last. I tried to talk Jacki into going camping in a camping area on the island in December, but Jacki suggested it wasn't safe so we didn't do it. In December, we did go to the big Crater Lake rim and snap pictures from a few hotels. Then we went down the mountain a bit farther, I'd say on the southwest side, and there was a very beautiful gardens type resort that we looked around and snapped pictures at. I can't remember the name of the place for the life of me.

It is nice to hear from folks familiar with or even hailing from CDO. My fiancee has lived in CDO for most of her life, and her most recent residence there was in the Kauswagan area, too!!! She always makes me laugh whenever I suggested white-water rafting...she always refered to it as brown-water rafting due to the Cagayan River's mud/silt/trash issues. But it didn't look that bad this past May...but we didn't get to try it, in any event Jacki would really like to hear from fellow Cagayonians (sp?) or anyone that speaks Visayan, so if you or your fiancee fits those categories, please let me know and I'll forward you over to her so ya'll can talk perhaps.

Regarding the Sheriff and Deputy Uling's recent "trip," I think I'll just let ya'll gather your hiya that you lost back and hopefully recover from her tampo at discussing matters like that in public forums...haha. Yikes!

[sbragg 0]

Good day everyone. These posts are just what the Doctor ordered for me. We started our K1 last month as my fiancee is from Cebu and I miss her very much. I lived in Cebu for three years and worked in the Economic Zone on Mactan and for some stupid reason waited until I returned in May to contact a Lawyer and start the process. I am now living in Atlanta waiting for my sweethearts processing time.

Both Marnelle and I went to Hong Kong as well. I agree you can do this very cheap and break up your Visa if you are on the 21 day time limit. I just wanted to have Marnelle experience flying and as with others show we traveled together Hong Kong has changed over the years but is still nice and fun. As for the Philippines I recommend Don Batayan Island North of Cebu ( drive 3-4 hours) from Cebu City as well as Manapasqua (spelling??) north east of Cebu (both good diving and snorkeling). Then there is Bohol. A nice 2 hour Superferry ride from Cebu (if never been, the ferry is a very large speed boat-small cruise ship no beds just airline tpye seats but has aircon). Cost for round trip less than 800p (20 bucks) when I went last November. Bohol has beautiful beaches and of course the worlds smallest monkey the Tarsier (spelling again is not my strong point). Seeing the monkey is over rated but cool just to say you have done it. Then there are the chocolate hills in Bohol. I chartered a small banka boat and went to another island. Kind of a rough ride but fun. cost less than 50 bucks for the day.

I went to Boracay as well. I flew in and I swear it is like flying into fantasy island if you are my age and remember that show. Asian Spirit flies there daily. Cost around 150 bucks round trip. I had a blast there. I golfed, jet ski and then rented for 100 usd a sail boat to go snorkeling, island hopping, cave hopping and the price included a pretty good meal as the captain cooked for us including SML beer, soda, water. Meal included beef, chicken, pork, shrimp and of course............ RICE ( LOL). I went with a buddy of mine before I dated Marnelle and had a wonderful weekend.

My other buddy went down towards Mindanao and did white water rafting, then he went to Leyte and went whale watching. I can get info on this if anyone would like.

In closing I hired an Attorney to do our K1. I did this for two reasons. One I knew Marnelle will be nervous at her interview time. My Attorney went through the K1 with his wife and now specializes in Immigration Visas only. He will call Marnelle and talk with her as he knows exactly what Manila will ask. This alone was worth the money. And second is my time is limited as I run for divisions in the SE. If anyone's fiancee is close to Cebu City both Marnelle and I can assist as our time gets closer.

Well I guess I have chatted enough. I miss Cebu and my financee dearly.

Best regards to all and thanks for the posts.