Philippines Dive Trip 2016

[Myka]

I'm all over it.

[GoFish]

Originally Posted by Myka

Anyone been to the area? Any tips (dive related or not)? I've never been to Asia before.

So I've officially been to the area now. Spent two full days plus an afternoon there. Reallllly wanted to dive but the weather....
Went snorkelling though near coral gardens resort. I'll post some pics when I get back.

Getting to Galera was pretty easy, we took an ALPS bus from Cubao station in Manila to Batangas Pier. 164 pesos for trip, the ALPS busses are he biggest and nicest on average and have A/C and WIFI. When you get off the bus (last stop) you'll be approached by some locals. Wanting to carry your bags, or tell you the last boat has left. I just say no thank you or better yet bring a Filipino with you like I did they're much more effective we still got led to the ticket booths by 2 guys after saying no we don't need your help.
Anyhow just exit the bus loop cross the street and head to pier 3, it's on the far left. We had 2 options on boats to take, just choose which ticket window. Either MSL (Minolo shipping lines) (275p+30p port fee), or FSL (father and son lines) (270p+30p port fee. We took MSL there and FSL back. I would recommend the FSL. Bigger boats on average which should mean a more comfortable 1hr 15min trip. You'll be going direct to Sabang I'm assuming. The trip back on FSL was 230p, no port fee.

Once there you might wanna tour around the island a bit if you have time. Sabang is a bit of red light district at night. As is White Beach where we stayed. You may wanna check out the one or 2 water falls further down island or the lookout at Pandora at sunset between Puerto Galera town proper and White Beach. (Take a left just before the Fil Oil station) you can see all of Galera from up there. The locals recommended this as the waterfalls are cold, haha they don't know what cold is.

Getting around is easy but can be expensive if you plan on touring around much. Tricycles are the most common method of transport, they can take up to 20 people... Kidding, 2 adults in the side car, but the locals really load these things up, it's quite funny. It'll cost you about 100 peso to go to Galera town one way, or 250-300 one way to white beach. If you or the hubby is confident on a motorcycle I would recommend just renting a scooter or dirt bike while you're there. The road especially between Sabang and Galera is a bit dangerous (unmarked hairpins and broken concrete) but it will save you a fair bit of cash and time in the long run if you plan on cruising around. Just remember to stay to the right and watch for oncoming trucks and other motorcycles! Scooters run about 400p per day and 2100 per week and dirt bikes are more but didn't ask about the price. If someone tells you a price for anything just bargain with them

Don't drink the tap water in Galera, which is the case with anywhere in the Philippines. The water there comes from underground and has a bit of an off smell. And when using toilets if you use toilet paper put it in the trash bin or use the spray nozzle to clean up (I find this to be quite awkward) I think their sanitary system uses septic tanks

For food I would recommend El Galleon anytime of day, great menu and quality. We had a pork chop special for dinner before we left that was amazing. About $12cad... Also there's a pizza/Italian place near the Muelle port (Robbie's pizzeria). And while you're in the Philippines you have to try one of these... Balot (partially developed duck egg), chicken or pork Isaw (intestines on a skewer), Sisig (fried pigs ear dish)

I'll try to post some pics when I get back home on the 7th. We're catching a direct flight to El Nido today for 5 days, will hopefully get to do some diving there

[Myka]

Hey thanks for the detailed response!!!! How long is the trip from Manila airport to Batangas? I read reviews on Trip Advisor that said the Sabang area has plenty of hookers at night. Just what I was looking for!

Thanks for the info on the scooters too. I was thinking I might like to rent one. I'm not sure I'll be doing a whole lot of exploring because hubby is actually staying at home and I'm traveling with a bunch of people that I don't know very well, so I may end up being a bit of a chicken. I would love to see some of the waterfalls and other sights I've heard about though.

I love to try new foods, but there's no way I'm eating weird meats. That's where I draw the line!

[GoFish]

Originally Posted by Myka

Hey thanks for the detailed response!!!! How long is the trip from Manila airport to Batangas? I read reviews on Trip Advisor that said the Sabang area has plenty of hookers at night. Just what I was looking for!

Thanks for the info on the scooters too. I was thinking I might like to rent one. I'm not sure I'll be doing a whole lot of exploring because hubby is actually staying at home and I'm traveling with a bunch of people that I don't know very well, so I may end up being a bit of a chicken. I would love to see some of the waterfalls and other sights I've heard about though.

I love to try new foods, but there's no way I'm eating weird meats. That's where I draw the line!

Not sure if you can catch a bus from the airport to Batangas, you may have to go to Cubao station like we did? Uber has worked really well for us in Manila, better than taxis. The bus ride is about 2 1/2 hours from Cubao to the port.

Well if you like hookers...and men...than Sabang is where it's at, many of them are playing dress up

Filipino food is all about salt and meat and strange cuts of meat, those are just a few that are a little more out there. I draw the line at feet and noses and blood. The intestines was pretty weird but I actually enjoyed the texture and taste of that compared to the other 2 mentioned. You could cheat with the Balot like I did, leave the chick and just try the yolk part

I can send you the name and address of our scooter guy, he's right near the heart of Sabang

[Apo Reefer]

Originally Posted by GoFish

Not sure if you can catch a bus from the airport to Batangas, you may have to go to Cubao station like we did? Uber has worked really well for us in Manila, better than taxis. The bus ride is about 2 1/2 hours from Cubao to the port.

There is no Bus Line from Airport to Batangas. You need to take a cab to Pasay Bus Terminal which is closer than going to Cubao. From there, there are lots of bus lines that goes to Batangas Pier... I always take Jam Liner.

Originally Posted by GoFish

Well if you like hookers...and men...than Sabang is where it's at, many of them are playing dress up

+1

[GoFish]

1. When you get off the bus at Batangas just say "no thank you" to these guys. Or..."No hindi po". They just wanna tell you the boats arent running any more or take you to pier 3 for a tip, no point really in listening to them
2. You're looking for one of these boats but need to go to the ticket window first
3. Just go to this building to pay for a boat to Sabang, its on the left. Either take MSL or FSL, FSL is better IMO
4. Welcome to Sabang pier
5. Call Andy or pay him a visit if you need a bike. Going rate is 400 php/day. i paid 1000 for 2 days but had the scooter delivered while we drank coffee 15mins away so was worth the extra few bucks. Sorry no address but his shop is on the way out of town. When you get to the security checkpoint where the guy might be sleeping just trun left and walk up that street for 100-150 metres and he's on the left. Or just show someone this pic and ask where he is.



And meet Kuya Austin... He can be your private boat captain if you need one. May be handy if you wanna snorkel in the sheltered waters if the weather kicks up or you wanna check out the giant clams. Paid him 600 php for an hour instead of 1500 from the tour companies. He wont take you to beaches unless you hire a separate little boat to come along as he doesnt wanna damage the corals with his anchor, love this about him. His number is 09367156782


And be sure to have a meal or 2 at El Galleon, try the Americana pizza at the rodaside pizzeria by Muelle pier or take a tour on the scooter up to Pandora when have time. And if you have room bring a box of doggy treats to give to the stray dogs. Leaving soon eh?

[Myka]

Yes please send me name and address of scooter guy.

Our dive group has a bus of some sort booked for us already. I was just wondering how long it would take as we seemed to have varying estimates from 2-4 hours.

I don't eat North American chicken yolks because I don't like the taste, so I don't think I'll be trying balut! I was a vegetarian for well over a decade when I was young and meats are still something that can gross me out easily. Oh and I'm a puker. Textures, smells, puke. I puked in the movie theatre when I watched Jackass guy drink the horse stuff....

[Myka]

The diving is UNREAL here! The biodiversity is staggering! I did 4 dives yesterday including a dusk / night dive to watch the Mandarins spawning. Saw octopus, cuttlefish, Scorpion fish...all sorts of cool stuff. During the day the shoals of Anthias are beautiful.

It's chilly though...70-72 F water temp. I'm wearing 5mm full suit and 5 mm hooded jill. Some men are just wearing shorties. ...crazy men !

We're doing a day trip to Verde Island tomorrow. I checked about Apo Reef but our dive master said it's about 8-10 hours away.

[Treebeard]

Sounds great, but brrrr, those water temperatures are cold! The temps in Cozumel were 81!

[hillegom]

Cold all right!
Good thing you brought your suit Mindy.
Any under water pics?