The Philippines is an Asian country, it is an island country with Manila as it's Capital. It is divided in three island groups Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. We speak different languages with Tagalog as our national language. As a tourist, you will not have any difficulty at all because most of the people in my country can speak English very well. We were taught early in school. We were colonized by the Spaniards in the 1520's so our culture is mostly related to the Hispanic culture. We have three seasons in the Philippines, Summer (March to May), Rainy (June to November) and Cold (December to Febuary). The average temperature yearly is around 26.5 C (79.7 F).
This is the place where I was born so my information is first hand. Siargao Island is the surfingcapital of the Philippines also known as Cloud 9. This is very famous among Westerners from August to November when the wind is offshore. The breaking waves is where the annual Siargao Cup is being held. This is a tropical Island, so if you enjoy the sun, take a hop to the Adventure Island.
This Island is shaped as a teardrop. The best resort to stay is the Pansukian Resort owned by a frenchman who left France to turn his dream into reality. Nicolas Rambeau. I had the chance to stay here with my partner, it feels like you are in a luxurios resort but experience the essence of being at home. The resort also offers diving and snorkeling coral reefs and shell expeditions. Delight yourself with Island hopping around Siargao where you can easily rent a boat and find a local to guide you with the tour. Enjoy the white sand at it's best, coral reefs and mangroverivers. Experience tranquility when you spend your morning watching the sunset facing the beach in the shade of a palm tree.
The food is extremely delicious and very affordable. When I say affordable, I really mean affordable. Eat all the seafood you like, crabs, lobster, sea shells, squid, fish and anything that lives underwater, you name it. You can go fishing in one of their fishing spots like Digim, situated in Dapa. Fish it yourself and cook it yourself. You can find locals who can guide you or do things for you easily.
The best way to get to Siargao is to go on a ship from Cebu City, Philippines and go on a boat from Surigao Del Norte where Siargao is located. This is also the cheapest way to go.
PRICE MATRIX:
Fare Price from Cebu to Siargao on ship and boat - $25 - $30 Pansukian Resort per night - $200 - $250 Other Local Resorts per night - $20 - $50 Island Tour on boat with a tour guide - $15 - $25 Crabs per kilo - $4 - $6 Lobster per kilo - $4 - $6 First Class Fish - $3 - $4 First Class Mango Fruit - $1.20 CoCo Fruit and Juice - $0.25 or free Local Beer - $0.30
LOCAL SMILES IS ***ABSOLUTELY FREE***
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Hello and welocme to Ciao. I enjoyed your review. I would have liked more detail about the Philippines and about Mindanao but it is a very good first review.
torr 09.11.2008 12:47
Welcome to Ciao. Indeed a well-presented first review. If I may make a suggestion or two, however, you might like to consider saying a little more about the Philippines in general by way of background (most of the readers on this site will not know much about it) and a bit more detail of local prices (you say they are inexpensive but give no figures that would help people gauge how inexpensive. I hope you enjoy the site.
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