Thinking of going to the Philippines

[gtr2M3]

I’ve heard some really good things about the Philippines and want to go sometime in the next year

Anyone been there that could share feedback and advice?

Also, because I have a thing for using public shitters(#2 can be an issue, I’m big and can’t hover for long), how’s the facilities over there?

[Redd]

I would never use public shitters anywhere in Asia, except maybe for Japan (even then, maybe). And I Iive in Asia. If you need to go in public, a hotel restroom is your best bet.

[ASAP]

lol this thread...

[Tommy-G]

I'm sorry, I'm with you on the #2 thing....I mean I am not a big guy but there's not place like home.

[infinitekidM2C]

any shit recommendations? best spots. places to avoid etc.

[RJD851]

If you want to go to a city, instead of Manila check out Cebu City. It's a little smaller, more affordable, less crowded, and the taxi drivers don't try and rip you off. I stayed at a nice upscale-ish hotel called Marco Polo for less than $100/night. Bathrooms are fine, whether you are in the hotel, mall, restaurant, etc.

Then you can take a ferry to Bohol, which has some nice beaches and other landmarks like the Chocolate Hills. There I stayed at the Henann Hotel which is also very nice and affordable.

[gtr2M3]

Originally Posted by ASAP

lol this thread...

I’ve been forever apprehensive since I pooped in a bathroom at a resort and a centipede crawled up my leg.

Also a “tabo” which is a bucket and a ladle is a Philippino thing used for cleaning oneself after setting a log adrift. No toilet paper

I’m having trouble understanding how that works and feel like John Spartan trying to understand the “3 seashells” from Demolition Man

Enough about pooing though, more about the Philippines please!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by gtr2M3

I’ve been forever apprehensive since I pooped in a bathroom at a resort and a centipede crawled up my leg.

Also a “tabo” which is a bucket and a ladle is a Philippino thing used for cleaning oneself after setting a log adrift. No toilet paper

I’m having trouble understanding how that works and feel like John Spartan trying to understand the “3 seashells” from Demolition Man

Enough about pooing though, more about the Philippines please!

First of all, you're not going to find a tabo in a public restroom. You might not even find toilet paper in some places, it all depends on how remote or upscale the place is.

If you're in the city in one of the newer malls, or a tourist area like a resort, no problem, toilets are just as good as they are here in the states. They cater to tourists. However, I would definitely carry flushable wipes and some hand sanitizer to clean the seats. Some people even carry a roll of TP. I never have.

Manila is crowded and there is a lot of traffic. I'd venture out to the resorts, which are beautiful and relatively affordable.

[ezaircon4jc]

Was in Subic Bay when I was in the Navy. Was better than any of my trips to Mexico. But the last time was in 1979.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Was in Subic Bay when I was in the Navy. Was better than any of my trips to Mexico. But the last time was in 1979.

Last time for me was 1983; I was a CPO stationed at Clark and got selected for Limited Duty Officer, which meant I got short-toured and left in mid-1982. Then visited briefly in '83 when I was aboard a cruiser as OIC of a CT detachment.

My first exposure to the Philippines was 1965 and there were still plenty of people living in nipa huts (bamboo and palm fronds) without electricity or water. I did a tour there in 1971-72 and felt like nothing had changed; no economic progress for the average Filipino. In 1981-82 pretty much the same. But I think the standard of living has improved since then; I certainly hope so -- I really like the Philippine people and wish them well. I did see some gorgeous beaches on Luzon when I was there; my parents did some travel to the southern islands in 1965-66 and said they were beautiful.

[2008M36MT]

Originally Posted by gtr2M3

I’ve heard some really good things about the Philippines and want to go sometime in the next year

Anyone been there that could share feedback and advice?

Also, because I have a thing for using public shitters(#2 can be an issue, I’m big and can’t hover for long), how’s the facilities over there?

Care to share some of the really good things you heard and why you want to go there sometime in the next year?

[M-technik-3]

Last time I was there was Cope Thunder in 88 and the time after that I was on find sunshine vacation away from Snowy Misawa AB on Northern Honshu. Went with 4 buddies went rented a Beach Cabanna on some small island and just kicked back and relaxed for basically airfare and and dirt cheap stay and food and booze and nightlife. This was 1993 just after Pinatubo blew up so Greenback was king.

Flew thru in 03 due to a hurricane in Okinawa and again 09 but did not stay it was strictly gas and go and drop off some people and equipment.

[2023G87M2]

Phillipines is nice.

But id skip it and go to Thailand.

Pattaya but prefer Phuket

[Lex500]

How old are you and why are you interested in going there?

I'm planning on retiring there. I've done tons of research on the PH via watching YouTube vloggers since 2016. I've traveled there 11x already, it would have been 19x were it not for the pandemic.

Most of my visits have been to the Manila metro area, but I've taken short excursions to Cebu, Bohol, and provinces on Luzon.

If I can't answer your questions I can probably direct you to a YT vlogger that covers your specific concern.

[2023G87M2]

Originally Posted by Lex500

How old are you and why are you interested in going there?

I'm planning on retiring there. I've done tons of research on the PH via watching YouTube vloggers since 2016. I've traveled there 11x already, it would have been 19x were it not for the pandemic.

Most of my visits have been to the Manila metro area, but I've taken short excursions to Cebu, Bohol, and provinces on Luzon.

If I can't answer your questions I can probably direct you to a YT vlogger that covers your specific concern.

Have you NOT been to Thailand or Vietnam? As nice as Phillipines is, Thailand has it beat. I'd say Malaysia and Indonesia, and Singapore have it beat too. Hong Kong beats it also if you like big cities. Heck Taiwan is nice too. But if we want to compare countries like Phillipines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia are just better.

What makes you like Philippines more?

[Lex500]

I've been to China & HK over 45x. I've been to Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, & Macau too.

The Philippines may not be more than those other places, it's up to preference and lifestyle.

The biggest difference is the Philippines is easier because English is spoken more there, all road signs and government documents are in English as well.

There are a lots of advantages to Thailand when it comes to healthy tasty food and less expensive condo rentals because condos have been overbuilt.

[2023G87M2]

Originally Posted by Lex500

I've been to China & HK over 45x. I've been to Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, & Macau too.

The Philippines may not be more than those other places, it's up to preference and lifestyle.

The biggest difference is the Philippines is easier because English is spoken more there, all road signs and government documents are in English as well.

There are a lots of advantages to Thailand when it comes to healthy tasty food and less expensive condo rentals because condos have been overbuilt.

That's the point lol. Once you've been all over Asia, you realize Thailand is the most chill place to just settle down. But if you don't like Russians, Ukrainians, and prefer the English writing more, then Yea I guess Phillipines. Thailand is like a second colony for Russia lol

[2023G87M2]

Originally Posted by DM5PAV

At least you didn’t say Thailand.

You don't like Thailand I presume?