Karimunjawa fast boat from Jepara - Just 2 hours to Paradise http://www.sandspice.com/karimunjawa-fast-boat/ #Boat #Karimunjawa #Jepara

Karimunjawa fast boat from Jepara - Just 2 hours to Paradise
http://www.sandspice.com/karimunjawa-fast-boat/
#Boat #Karimunjawa #Jepara

%%title%% from Jepara - But only twice per week http://www.sandspice.com/karimunjawa-fast-boat/ #Boat #Karimunjawa #Jepara

%%title%% from Jepara - But only twice per week
http://www.sandspice.com/karimunjawa-fast-boat/
#Boat #Karimunjawa #Jepara

Our Sri Lanka Travel Plan - A rollicking rollercoaster ride to the World’s End and beyond. http://www.sandspice.com/sri-lanka-travel-plan/ #SriLanka #Budget #Itinerary

Our Sri Lanka Travel Plan - A rollicking rollercoaster ride to the World’s End and beyond.
http://www.sandspice.com/sri-lanka-travel-plan/
#SriLanka #Budget #Itinerary

Maldives Under the Reef - An Abundance of Vibrant Tropical Fish http://www.sandspice.com/maldives-under-the-reef/ #Maldives #Reef #Snorkel

Maldives Under the Reef - An Abundance of Vibrant Tropical Fish http://www.sandspice.com/maldives-under-the-reef/
#Maldives #Reef #Snorkel

Sandbank Affaire - Dinner on your Private Island http://www.sandspice.com/sandbank-affaire-makunudu-maldives/ #Makunudu #Maldives #Travel

Sandbank Affaire - Dinner on your Private Island
http://www.sandspice.com/sandbank-affaire-makunudu-maldives/
#Makunudu #Maldives #Travel

Makunudu Island - A Miniature Island Paradise http://www.sandspice.com/makunudu-island/ #Makunudu #Maldives

Makunudu Island - A Miniature Island Paradise
http://www.sandspice.com/makunudu-island/
#Makunudu #Maldives

In a Zombie Apocalypse, the Dubai Mall is where I'd be holed up. http://www.sandspice.com/dubai-mall/ #Dubai #Mall

In a Zombie Apocalypse, the Dubai Mall is where I'd be holed up. http://www.sandspice.com/dubai-mall/
#Dubai #Mall

Unless you're Tom Cruise, you won't get to sit on the very top. http://www.sandspice.com/burj-khalifa-dubai/ #BurjKhalifa #MissionImpossible

Unless you're Tom Cruise, you won't get to sit on the very top.
http://www.sandspice.com/burj-khalifa-dubai/ #BurjKhalifa #MissionImpossible

Dubai Desert Safari Without needing any subtle hints, our driver put the pedal to the metal http://www.sandspice.com/dubai-desert-safari/ #dubai #dunebashing #desertsafari

Dubai Desert Safari
Without needing any subtle hints, our driver put the pedal to the metal
http://www.sandspice.com/dubai-desert-safari/
#dubai #dunebashing #desertsafari

Hotel Samudra Jepara Port You'll need a hotel before heading off to Karimunjawa. http://www.sandspice.com/hotel-samudra-jepara-port/ #Karimunjawa #Jepara #Boat

Hotel Samudra Jepara Port
You'll need a hotel before heading off to Karimunjawa.
http://www.sandspice.com/hotel-samudra-jepara-port/
#Karimunjawa #Jepara #Boat

Dubai Stopover

Dubai Stopover

Kuala Lumpur Chinatown Everywhere... the delicious aroma of food... http://www.sandspice.com/kuala-lumpur-chinatown/ #KualaLumpur #Chinatown #Streetfood

Kuala Lumpur Chinatown
Everywhere... the delicious aroma of food...
http://www.sandspice.com/kuala-lumpur-chinatown/
#KualaLumpur #Chinatown #Streetfood

Borneo Rainforest Discovery Centre & a tree-top canopy walkway through the jungle http://www.sandspice.com/borneo-rainforest-discovery-centre/ #Borneo #Jungle #Rainforest

Borneo Rainforest Discovery Centre
& a tree-top canopy walkway through the jungle
http://www.sandspice.com/borneo-rainforest-discovery-centre/
#Borneo #Jungle #Rainforest

Orangutans are curious at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center http://www.sandspice.com/sepilok-orangutan-rehabilitation-center/ #Orangutan #Borneo #Sepilok

Orangutans are curious at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
http://www.sandspice.com/sepilok-orangutan-rehabilitation-center/
#Orangutan #Borneo #Sepilok

Hotel Quest Semarang Up-market hotel with all mod-cons, pool, & excellent TV reception. http://www.sandspice.com/hotel-quest-semarang/ #Semarang #Hotels #Quest

Hotel Quest Semarang
Up-market hotel with all mod-cons, pool, & excellent TV reception.
http://www.sandspice.com/hotel-quest-semarang/
#Semarang #Hotels #Quest

Sepilok in Borneo - Where to Stay Close to the Orangutans... http://www.sandspice.com/sepilok-borneo/ #Orangutan #Sepilok #Borneo

Sepilok in Borneo - Where to Stay
Close to the Orangutans...
http://www.sandspice.com/sepilok-borneo/
#Orangutan #Sepilok #Borneo

Borneo Wavehunters "The Washing Machine” rapids... http://www.sandspice.com/borneo-wavehunters/ #Borneo #Rafting #Padas

Borneo Wavehunters "The Washing Machine” rapids...
http://www.sandspice.com/borneo-wavehunters/
#Borneo #Rafting #Padas

Kuantan to Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

Kuantan to Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

Backtracking to Semarang With no credit cards and insufficient cash, we were headed up the creek without a paddle. http://www.sandspice.com/backtracking-semarang/ #Travel #Semarang #ATM

Backtracking to Semarang
With no credit cards and insufficient cash, we were headed up the creek without a paddle.
http://www.sandspice.com/backtracking-semarang/
#Travel #Semarang #ATM

Kuantan by Taxi A one-car garage, Tioman-style http://www.sandspice.com/travelling-tioman-kuantan/ #Travel #Malaysia #Tioman

Kuantan by Taxi
A one-car garage, Tioman-style
http://www.sandspice.com/travelling-tioman-kuantan/
#Travel #Malaysia #Tioman

Pulau Tioman: Into the Rainforest Our chance to cross the river Indiana Jones style! http://www.sandspice.com/pulau-tioman-rainforest/ #Tioman #Rainforest #RiverCrossing

Pulau Tioman: Into the Rainforest
Our chance to cross the river Indiana Jones style!
http://www.sandspice.com/pulau-tioman-rainforest/
#Tioman #Rainforest #RiverCrossing

Lying in a gutter in Jepara, with blood oozing from my arm marked the low-point of my trip to Indonesia http://www.sandspice.com/jepara-atm-woes/ #Travel #Jepara #Indonesia #ATM

Lying in a gutter in Jepara, with blood oozing from my arm marked the low-point of my trip to Indonesia
http://www.sandspice.com/jepara-atm-woes/
#Travel #Jepara #Indonesia #ATM

Juara Beach, Tioman Island Great banana juices, spicy curry, noodles & sambal fish. http://www.sandspice.com/tioman-juara-beach/ #Tioman #Juara #Malaysia

Juara Beach, Tioman Island
Great banana juices, spicy curry, noodles & sambal fish.
http://www.sandspice.com/tioman-juara-beach/
#Tioman #Juara #Malaysia

Take a Ferry to Tioman Island, Malaysia http://www.sandspice.com/mersing-tioman-island/ #Malaysia #Ferry #Tioman

Take a Ferry to Tioman Island, Malaysia
http://www.sandspice.com/mersing-tioman-island/
#Malaysia #Ferry #Tioman

Hotel Elim & Minibus to Jepara Although not close to Jepara port, Elim is inexpensive, clean and comfortable. http://www.sandspice.com/hotel-elim-minibus-jepara/ #Travel #Indonesia #Jep

Hotel Elim & Minibus to Jepara Although not close to Jepara port, Elim is inexpensive, clean and comfortable. http://www.sandspice.com/hotel-elim-minibus-jepara/ #Travel #Indonesia #Jep

Hotel Elim & Minibus to Jepara

Hotel Elim & Minibus to Jepara

Miserable in Mersing

Miserable in Mersing

Test Post from SandSpice |

Test Post from SandSpice |
http://www.sandspice.com

Honey, the ATM ate my card What do you do when an Indonesian ATM swallows your credit card? http://www.sandspice.com/atm-ate-my-card/ #ATM #CreditCard #Indonesia

Honey, the ATM ate my card
What do you do when an Indonesian ATM swallows your credit card?
http://www.sandspice.com/atm-ate-my-card/
#ATM #CreditCard #Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur - First Impressions Great streetfood in the Pudu area http://www.sandspice.com/kuala-lumpur-first-impressions/ #Travel #Streetfood #KualaLumpur

Kuala Lumpur - First Impressions
Great streetfood in the Pudu area
http://www.sandspice.com/kuala-lumpur-first-impressions/
#Travel #Streetfood #KualaLumpur

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium http://www.sandspice.com/tuesday-mustbe-belgium/ Funnily enough, it was a Tuesday... #Travel #Malaysia #Belgium

If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
http://www.sandspice.com/tuesday-mustbe-belgium/
Funnily enough, it was a Tuesday...
#Travel #Malaysia #Belgium

Planning a Travel Itinerary Around Malaysia http://www.sandspice.com/malaysia-borneo-planning/ #Malaysia #Borneo #TravelPlan

Planning a Travel Itinerary Around Malaysia
http://www.sandspice.com/malaysia-borneo-planning/
#Malaysia #Borneo #TravelPlan

Lion Air Inflight Experience Check out the leg-room - Beats most of the big Airlines by a mile http://www.sandspice.com/lion-air-inflight-experience/ #LionAir #Travel #Indonesia

Lion Air Inflight Experience
Check out the leg-room - Beats most of the big Airlines by a mile
http://www.sandspice.com/lion-air-inflight-experience/
#LionAir #Travel #Indonesia

Our Philippines Impressions? It's not what we expected

Our Philippines impressions were formed gradually over the 3 weeks we spent there. We arrived in the Philippines with open minds, though it’s difficult to erase all the pre-conceptions you have about a place before you visit it.

In our case, we were anticipating white sand beaches, relaxed swimming, fresh fruit & fish and tasty local food. We chose to visit some out-of-the-way places, so hopefully we would find some secluded places to spend our time.

Philippines impressions – Pangangan

For such a short trip – just 19 days in the Philippines – we had to be extremely selective about the places we would visit. We narrowed our choices to a shortlist of 2 islands (Cebu and Bohol) and 5 destinations that could be combined into a viable route (see The Philippines – Planning the Trip).

Beaches

For anyone who enjoys hassle-free swimming, the beaches in some of the more remote locations we stayed were not ideal.

Access to the sea was sometimes difficult over shallow and rocky areas. Fine for snorkeling or diving, but that was about it. There were good sandy beaches in the more touristy areas in Bohol, but we were mainly trying to stay away from the crowds.

Apart from Alona Beach, the public beaches we visited were sometimes heavily littered and not always that clean.

Philippines impressions – Beaches

Our Philippines Impressions – Local Food

The biggest disappointment of the Philippines for us was the local food.

If you really want to pile on the calories, this is the place to come. Sugary, sticky marinades are the order of the day. Whether we chose fish, pork or chicken, it all came out tasting the same: Sweet, bland and filling.

We ate as much fruit as possible, but you can’t live off just that. There was a super-abundance of Western junk food outlets everywhere we went, and many of the locals obviously have a taste for them.

Our Philippines impressions – Bland Food

By far, the best food we had was prepared by Julian (a British expatriate) at the Seaside Boutique Hotel in Panglao. Using locally-sourced ingredients, he produced some delicious 3-course meals for us during our short stay there.

Phone Cards

I picked up a local Globe simcard for 40 pesos, and paid another 50 pesos to add credit. This is the minimum amount, but was plenty for a 2-3 week stay. The only problem was that we couldn’t send sms text messages back to Europe. They appeared to be sent, but no-one received them.

Jeepneys in Manila

Final Budget – Actual Costs (not bad at all…)

Planning our trip 2 months earlier, we allowed ourselves a budget of €35 per person per day. This was to cover the 18 nights we would spend in the Philippines.

Since we were flying to the Philippines from Rome, we also needed to allow for 2 nights in Rome – one night before our flight out and another after our return flight.

For these extra nights in Rome, we budgeted €50 (per person per day).

The combined cost of all of our flights was €1,434.

This included return flights for 2 to Rome (Air Malta), return flights from Rome to Manila with Emirates, and internal flights in the Philippines from Manila to Cebu, and Bohol back to Manila (Philippines Airlines).

All for 2 people.

Our Philippines impressions – Costs

The total trip duration was 24 days. This included flying and stopover time. We also took out travel insurance for €47 per person.

Our accommodation in both Italy and the Philippines came to €633 for 2 for 20 nights (including breakfast on 7 days). Apart from accommodation and flights, we took a total of €973 from cash machines during the trip.

The final combined cost for the trip was €1,620 per person (€3,241 for 2). This averages at around €67 per person per day, including flights, accommodation, food… and all other costs.

This wasn’t too far off from our planned budget of €3,200.

There is so much to see in the Philippines that you can’t do it justice by visiting one or two of the islands. But you have to start somewhere, right?

Hopefully, our short visit was a precurser to other trips to different parts of the country. In the south Mindanao, with its sizeable Muslim population, could offer quite a different experience. Palawan would also be on our shortlist of islands to visit.

…on our next trip.

 

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The Philippines – See also:

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With a free shuttlebus service, Ibis Budget is ideal for a Jakarta stopover. http://www.sandspice.com/jakarta-stopover/ #Travel #Jakarta #Stopover

With a free shuttlebus service, Ibis Budget is ideal for a Jakarta stopover.
http://www.sandspice.com/jakarta-stopover/
#Travel #Jakarta #Stopover

Test Post from SandSpice |

Test Post from SandSpice | http://www.sandspice.com

The Best Western is a good choice for a one-night stop-gap in Fiumicino http://www.sandspice.com/fiumicino-breakfast/ #Travel #Philippines #Fiumicino

The Best Western is a good choice for a one-night stop-gap in Fiumicino
http://www.sandspice.com/fiumicino-breakfast/
#Travel #Philippines #Fiumicino

Colorful Filipino Currency Checkout the new Philippines banknotes. http://www.sandspice.com/colorful-filipino-currency/ #Travel #Philippines #banknotes

Colorful Filipino Currency
Checkout the new Philippines banknotes.
http://www.sandspice.com/colorful-filipino-currency/
#Travel #Philippines #banknotes

Qatar Airways Inflight Experience Does Qatar Airways live up to the hype? http://www.sandspice.com/qatar-airways/ #Travel #Qatar #Inflight

Qatar Airways Inflight Experience
Does Qatar Airways live up to the hype?
http://www.sandspice.com/qatar-airways/
#Travel #Qatar #Inflight

Bland Filipino Food

Before we started this trip, from our research we gathered that there was no distinctive Filipino cuisine. From our actual experiences in the Philippines, this appears to be true. On the menus everywhere you find pork and chicken, most often barbecued in a bland and sweet marinade. This is usually accompanied by heaps of plain boiled white rice.

Rarely if ever is the food spicy. Fish is available, but is always surprisingly expensive (I can’t get my head round this – the sea is everywhere). The food is often so bland we had to add lashings of hot tabasco sauce (if this was available).

Lechon – with a sticky-sweet marinade

Of course you can eat local versions of foreign food, but why come to the Philippines to do that?

Usually, after a 4-week trip around South East Asia, we could expect to lose 2 or 3 kilos. After this trip around the Philippines, we managed to put on around 3 kilos each, despite the long walks we took each day.

More calories, anyone… ?

As a consolation, we were able to indulge in an abundance of delicious tropical fruit.

By far, the best food we had was prepared by Julian (a Brit) at the Seaside Boutique Hotel in Panglao. Using locally-sourced ingredients, he produced some delicious 3-course meals for us during our stay there.

 

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The Philippines – See also:

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