Underwater sports in the Philippines, Puerto Galera

You don't need to scuba dive in order to see some fish in Puerto Galera. Rent a decent snorkeling gears and plunge yourself in the water. Fish are everywhere here. If you don't miss the best snorkeling spot around Puerto Galera, renting a banka. Any boatman will bring you to the best snorkeling spot nearby. Renting snorkeling gears and a banka for two people will cost about 2000 peso, which is about US $50.

I used iPhone4 and a waterproof case when I took this video. Ask your boatman to prepare a piece of bread and feed it to the fish. Once you drop a small piece of bread, a school of fish will follow you almost immediately. Fish-feeding is much more fun than it seems. 

CoCo Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, near Manila tourist spot

Puerto Galera would be the best choice if you don't have much time in Manila. Unlike going to Cebu or Boracay, trip to Puerto Galera is fairly simple. one bus ride from Manila to Batangas pier and another boat ride to Puerto Galera. No need to book your flight or accommodation. White Beach and Sabang Beach are the most popular destinations when it comes to Puerto Galera. These two places are always packed with people doing scuba diving and drinking. If you want to just relax and do nothing, Coco Beach would be your number one consideration. 

Coco Beach Resort is still a part of Puerto Galera but it is a private resort, exclusive for its own customers; no is no one bugging you for the night activities and hopping tours. 

If you are not familiar with bus rides in Manila, you can ask Coco Beach front desk to add shuttle bus service to your budget. The shuttle leaves at Diamond hotel at 6.30 in the morning everyday. Once you arrive at Batangas Pire, you will transfer to a bangca, outrigger canoe, also arranged by Resort. One way ride to CoCo Beach Resort, including shuttle and bangca, is 800 peso per person. 

Consider that the rainy season start from late May and lasts until mid October. Everyone wants to have this sky for the vacation but not everyone checks the weather report.  Finally, it's Coco Beach Resort.

The gigantic size of this private resort is impressive.

 The resort offers 101 activities to its customers; reading activity list took me some time. Some activities are free and others are not.

 The resort has several restaurants and each one has its own specialties. Main restaurant nearby swimming pool serves dinner buffet as well. Surprisingly meals in the restaurants are quite affordable. The price for each meal varies from about 200 to 300 peso.  

If you are into scuba diving, you can book your diving at the diving shop in the resort. Each dive is $35 including everything you need. I personally recommend this resort to anyone who is looking for overnight trip from Manila. Like I say it's always fun to know Philippines.

Coco Beach Resort website-Transportation page link
http://www.cocobeach.com/getting-there.aspx


Coco Beach Resort is just one-click away!

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Making a deal with taxi drivers in the Philippines

Taxi drivers don't have good reputations in any countries. I'm not against them but it's generally accepted ideas among tourists. Having a taxi ride is not a pleasant experience in the Philippines, especially in Metro Manila areas. Here is a tip for you. Ask the driver to use the meter. If he refuses to use meter, just walk away from him. For sure, he'll call you and try to bargain. Additional 50 peso to meter price is reasonable. I had such a bad experience with one taxi driver in Manila. He modified the meter and jacked up the price to 500 peso. The price should have been around 250 for the ride if he didn't cheat on the meter. I hope this won't be the case for you when you travel in the Philippines. 

If you need to reimburse the expenses to your company, you can ask the drivers for the receipt. Most taxies are equipped with the printer. 

If possible, try not to use airport taxies. They do have meters but the rate is much higher than that of regular taxies; I usually pay 200 peso or a bit more for the ride from Manila airport to my place. If I take this airport taxi, the meter goes upto 800 peso. It's easy to spot them because of the color in the airport. A few minute's walk from the airport terminal is worth sweating for saving several hundred peso.  

Cebu Pacific Air, cheapest way of travelling in the Philippines

$8 for a domestic flight ticket any destinations in the Philippines.

Are you looking for a cheap flight ticket in the Philippines? Cebu Pacific would be your answer. Keep visiting the site and you'll find a amazing deal like this. 1 peso ticket for all domestic destinations. Well, there are surcharges such as admin fee and tax but the total amount is less than $10 for one-way ticket. 

Below is the link for Cebu Pacific Air. Have fun in the Philippines!

http://www.cebupacificair.com/Pages/default.aspx

New Year Fireworks in the Philippines; Unique way of enjoying Fireworks

I say this is something you don't want to miss in the Philippines. However, it's not something you want to see every year. It's the event everyone participates in. Literally every household brings their share of fireworks and shoots them in the sky at the same time. Since the whole nation enjoys shooting fireworks the is not control over safety matters. According to Digital Journal, about 450 people were injured during the new year celebration in 2012. I hope you'll enjoy this video and you won't get hurt. 

- Digital Journal Article Link

http://digitaljournal.com/article/317146

Better way of booking hotels in the Philippines, Hotel Brokers

If you are planning to book hotel rooms in the Philippines, it'll be worth searching hotel brokers. Sofitel Manila's superior room rate is $190 per night but if you book it through the broker you can get it for $140 per night. This korean broker offers rooms in Sofitel, EDSA shangri-la, Richmond Ortigas, St. Giles and more.  Contact number is 63.915.2286115, 63.2.374.2490.

This broker offers better deal for some hotels; $130 for Sofitel and $120 for EDSA Shangri-la Hotel. Contact number for this broker is 63.2.521.7181.

Street Food in the Philippines, Kebab and Laman (lean meat)

Kebab stick for 35 peso. Pretty good deal, isn't it? By the way, Laman means lean meat. I prefer Laman to Kebab. One cup of rice is 10 peso. Yeah, it's the country for the hungry soul.