Phililipines is very much on our plan of places to go over the next few months - in addition to everything you mentioned I want to go swimming with whale sharks at Bohol island and get some massage treatments at The farm which looks amazing - great trip report and thanks for posting details re agent, will use them for some stuff def...

Hobbes:
If you have questions as you plan your trip to the Philippines - I'll be glad to help where I can.

If you are planning to go to Bohol, don't forget to visit the Chocolate Hills, it is like a large version of what you can find in Cocoa Beach, FL like there are Hills that looks like Chocolates only that it's not on the Beach and you better see it during summer when the Hills aren't green.

WoW Pinas!

Btw, summer means march till may in the Philippines

Thanks Bill for such a comprehensive insight into the Phillipines. Having just returned from a 3 month trip in India (north only - absolutely marvellous (if cold!), I think I deserve a warmer holiday next year. Having never been to the Phillipines (nearest was a small island near Borneo), the account of your trip leads me to think that this could be my next location!!

Do you know what sort of weather I could expect in mid-December, January and beginning of Feb, please. I would like to spend some time in Manila and north of Manila, plus some of the super places you have mentioned (each 2 hrs south of Manila) and then end up on one (or more) of the islands.

I haven't started my 'homework' yet but would like to have some firsthand info about weather. Also, is it possible to hire a car and driver for some or all of this trip, please? If so, I wonder how much it would cost. Also, I wonder if that cost includes the driver's expenses.

Where are you going next??!!

Nice report. The Phillipines is definitely on our list. I'm only afraid it will be too difficult to do on our own but we don't want to join group tours. Everyone, please keep those reports coming!

Thanks for the info re: travel agent. Sounds like a great trip--we will do it during our trip in Jan!

o1pat23:

The weather in December/January should be fine - not much rain and the temps in the high 80's. I will ask my cousin- the travel agent- abou the cost for a driver and associated expenses. Will get back to you on this forum in a few days.

All the relatives want us to come back to the Philippines- and I'm sure we will return. At the moment I'm thinking China- Bejing and Shanghai.

My cousin is working on getting the details for driver/guides for the Philippines. I hope to have that info in a few days.

Thanks Bill - weather sounds "just right" for me. Look forward to info about car/driver - incidentally, I don't normally have a guide - I like to do the research myself!!

Hope you are 'settling down' after that super trip.

01pat23:

I have been communicating with my cousin on this issue. I think this concept of having a driver service- like what Ratt of Bangkok provides may be a bit new to them. Drivers can be had cheaply in the Philippines, but I trying to determine if they have folks that can drive but also advise you as well. I know that you said you do your own research- and thats fine- we did the same with Ratt in bangkok - but she was able to suggest some other things that we did not think of and adjustments to our plan that made sense.
Stay tuned- I'm working on getting you this info!

I really appreciate your efforts and, from experience in several other Asian countries, realise it is not always easy to hire just a car and driver. However, I did eventually manage to hire such in my recent trips to the Yunnan in SW China and Vietnam and India and it was well worth the effort. Most agents recommend a guide but, in my experience, I have not needed a guide as well as a driver - even if I did hear my last driver mutter "where does 'madam' find these places!!" I think that sums it up - I confess I do like to get off the usual tourist routes if there is something special to see or to stay in 'character' accommodation!

I am in no hurry - sadly I cannot get away until early December but need plenty of time to sort out a route "in my spare time".

Many thanks Pat

I'm getting some feedback from my cousin there in manila on the cost of having a driver service. They don't quite have it all nicely packaged up in an hourly rate like what Ratt of Bangkok provides - but I'm working on them to try and get it there. The concept is a bit new to them. Give me another week or so and I should have some numbers to share with all.

Very many thanks, Bill. I know this takes time - that is why I am starting so early!!

However, I like the sound of the temperature and think it is worth me pursuing this type of transport. I do have plenty of time to do detailed planning.

Many thanks for all the trouble you are taking. Pat.

Thanks for your informative report on Manila. I have lived in the Philippines for two years and you gave me some new ideas about where to travel locally. I will definitely check out some of your recommendations. Could you please provide the name of your travel agent/relative in Manila. I have found that a good travel agent is hard to find here, particularly one with good communication skills. Thanks!

Here is the e-mail and address of the agency of our cousin there in Manila who can help arrange day tours such as Corregidor and others and help with getting a driver for you.
Tell her Uncle Bill from Houston referred you.
Myrna Casas. E mail is:
[email protected]
American Express Travel Service Inc./Adventure International Tour Inc.
Tel 8674888 to 93

Note that she is about to go on vacation for a few weeks so if you do not hear back from her that is why. I hope to get some info from here this week about driver costs etc.before she takes off and I will post it on this forum.

I'm topping as there have been a number of people either going to manila or expressed some interest in going to Manila- my trip report will give them some good ideas on what can be done.

Bill,

I like the Trip Report..very informative. I'm making a trip out to Manila in September with my Mom and Aunts. So this sort of gives me an insight through your eyes of course what it's like. Thanks!

Jetstar asia.. is a low cost airline that links singapore and manila (clark)

finally the philapines is connected by a budget airline.