Newsgroups: rec.travel

(1) don't drink the water unless you want to risk getting sick (then bring some
    Immodium - this is much stronger than PeptoBismol)

(2) it takes FOREVER to get from point a to point b (for example, when we went
    to Cavite, 1/2 mile took 30 minutes)... it is incredibly congested so expect    the worst in travel time...     

(3) try renting a jeepney (that includes the driver and gas) - this should help
    you get to places a lot more conveniently that public xportation... a good
    rule of thumb for prices: if you convert your money to the Peso, the amount
    you pay should be <= a normal car rental in your home country (which, of
    course, does not include the gas and the driver) so, for example, US$30 for
    half a day (approx. 6 hrs.) from, say, Pasig to Antipolo is reasonable...
    and you may want to buy the driver some lunch or something since they are 
    usually accomodating and helpful to tourists...
    a good way to figure out how to rent jeepneys is either ask your hotel
    receptionist or ask the jeepney drivers themselves when they are parked
    (and doing nothing) in some little store which are located in practically
    every sidewalk and street corner...

(4) travelers cheques are practically impossible to cash although there are
    exchange stores in every mall (i think you have to buy something in the
    store because they keep asking for some "purchase agreement" and they
    don't bother explaining what it is (and they speak perfectly good English)..    I tried cashing mine in a bank but it seems you have to know someone who
    has an account there (as if every tourist in the world knows a Filipino
    who has a bank account)...

(5) bring mosquito repellant - literally industrial strength             

(6) at the airport, either have US$1.00 or something like 33Pesos to rent a
    cart for your luggage... when you leave, you need about 250Pesos I think
    to leave the country but check with the Philippine Embassy on this 'coz
    I don't remember exactly how much it is...

(7) bring a wind breaker jacket - it gets quite windy in the mountains

(8) there are a lot of pickpockets there so exercise caution AT ALL TIMES

(9) whenever someone offers help, keep in mind that they will usually expect
    some monetary payment so ASK how much before you accept

(10) food in the Philippines is usually fresh so as long as you have Immodium,
     it is strongly recommended you try the local food especially the
     delicacies                    

(11) the tricycles and horse-driven carriages (in the provinces) are fun to
     ride in

(12) MAKE SURE you confirm all your flights and give yourself enough time to do
     this (i flew on cathay pacific when i left and all i had to do was call
     them but my relatives flew on philippine airlines and they had to go to
     the PAL office on Roxas Blvd., take a number, and waited an hour or so
     just to confirm their departure flight)...

(13) it is not a good idea to be walking around in the streets late at night
     by yourselves - the philippines is a poor country so tourists are really
     fair game so use your best judgement if you do decide to do this...

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= the above are my personal opinions - my employer has nothing to do with them =================================================================================