Asia Expats Forum

sel · Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Location:

Wife and I (late 20's) are going to the the Philipines at the beginning of May landing at Clark

Planning on staying about 7 days (break)

Could somebody give me some ideas on a nice area (route to follow) for 7 days.

Don't have much time and are not really interested in spending time in Manila

Beaches or mountains? Sorry I really don't know much about the philippines. Mid-range budget

Appreciate any responses

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

Really, 7 days is far too short a time to see much of the Philippines, and it makes it doubly hard without knowing your likes / dislikes etc.

If you are landing at Clark (actually, it has a new name, which almost nobody uses), the main local "attraction" is the girly bars, which are in the Balibago district of Angeles.
As you are with your wife, I will assume that isnt your main objective.

Angeles itself, is a medium sized town, with nothing special to commend it to a visitor.

To the north is Baguio, a mountain resort with some beautiful scenery.
(I suggest doing a search on the internet for these place names, and if you can tell us which ones appeal, perhaps we can give you more information).

The nearest beaches to Clark are at Subic, but they have little to commend them.

One option is to fly from Clark to Cebu. That is a smallish city with excellent shops etc, plus loads of beaches within a short distance.
SEAIR fly a couple of times a week, and the flight goes via Borocay, a beach that IS worth visiting, even though it attracts more tourists than I personally like.

Manila itself has some excellent shopping malls, plus horrendous traffic, pollution, crowds etc.
Worth seeing but with such a short time at your disposal, unless you really want to see it, give it a miss.

I would fly to Cebu, travel around that area, then go to Borocay,
and then back to Clark.

sel · Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Location:

Thanks Alan for the insight

Baguio sounds interesting as it may be a lot cooler climate wise.

We're coming from Thailand (40 degrees at the moment) and have enough girlie bars of our own

I know 7 days is nothing but work calls. Would be interested just to get some culture in and maybe walk a mountain [Mount Sto. Tomas?] (we don't have high mountains here, more like hills)

Would transport to Bagio and back to Clark? be difficult if on a 7 day schedule at the beginning of May? Can you fly from clark to Bagio if the buses take ages? Would it be worth stopping at Hundred Islands of Pangasinan?

Thanks

sel · Joined: 30 Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Location:

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport is the new name for Clark right?

Doesn't surprise me that people still call it Clark

climbeverymt · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 3 Location:

Coming from Clark, the first mountain that would come to mind is Mt. Pinatubo. But it can get really, really hot there during summer. You can take the 4x4s halfway up the mountain and climb the rest to the crater.

If you're thinking of a mountain retreat, Sagada is an option. It's quite a long drive but definitely worth the time. The climate is cooler (very much like Baguio). What to see/do? Well, there are the hanging coffins, limestone caves that you can explore, waterfalls. You can go hiking and even do a spot of rock climbing if you and your wife are into those things. The village and the people are amazing and crime rate is practically nil (but always be on your guard just to be safe). On the way to Sagada you'll pass by Banaue and Bontoc which are both nice places to visit.

Pinatubo Crater_________________________________________and____________________________Sagada

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

a see a lot of pine type trees in photos of Philippines. Are those natural or is that part of some reforestry programs?

In Thailand those type of trees are used in many reforestation projects.
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Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

Depending upon your arrival time at Clark (What a mouthful the new name is!!) it would probably be best to stay there overnight and leave the following morning to Baguio or wherever.

Various hotels are at
http://www.balibago.com/where_to_stay.html

All of the Mointain Province area is fascinating to see.

There are several buses, and Clark to Baguio is about 1.5 to 2 hrs.
All the other towns are close so will take similar times.

There are flights to / from Baguio, but not to Clark (as far as I know).

If you can, get hold of a copy of Lonely Planet Philippines. It is a mine of useful information and travel tips.

The pines are common in that area, and have obviously been there many years. Dont know if they are indigenous or imports though.

Sasquatch Pilaf · Cohort Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 220 Location:

Is Clark the main airport for Manila international flights?
I have a sudden week off and am considering the Philippines as well. I'm a single guy though who travels on a backpackers budget. I like to get to the beaches and parks as well as seeing a limited amount of city life. Places to drink are usually welcome destinations.
Any modifications on the suggestions?

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

The main airport for international flights is NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) in Manila.
Clark has a few international flights, including one from Korea.
The Govt is trying to promote Clark due to the congestion at and around NAIA, and the lower landing and other costs there have attracted a few of the budget airlines.

Another International arrival point is Cebu, where immigration, baggage, etc. is far faster than at NAIA. Being in the Visayas (in my view, the most attractive area of the Philippines) it is worth considering if one has the choice of using it as an entry point.

I'll make some comments on what and where, under the other thread you started.

fishead · Cohort Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 321 Location:

The Clark is also closer to the Naughty nightlife scene in Angelis.
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