Philippines in pictures

buksida · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:11 am Post subject: Philippines in pictures

I'll post a few images from my recent trip to the Phils on this thread starting with these. Most are around Puerto Galera, underwater ones will follow.

Marching band ... Filipino style!

A jeepney struggling up the hill in Sabang.

Fishing from the world's smallest boat.

Sabang waterfront.

Sabang sunset.

This marvelous concept is a floating bar ... we need some of these here!

The secluded Coco Beach.

Kids larking around.

These were all taken with a small point and shoot Sony W80, more to follow ...
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STEVE G · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

I like that floating bar, just as long as you don’t have to get it in the worlds smallest boat!

Ellinas2008 · Amateur Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 31

Nice photos, thank you. I must arrange a trip to the Philippines one of those days

buksida · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

Yeah I spent most of my time on those floating bars when I wasn't diving. There is a little taxi boat that ferries people in and out, a novel concept I thought and wondered why nobody here has thought of it!
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pfotoguy369 · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject:

sandman67 · Guru Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 614 Location: Hua Hin

cool pics mate

post some more - love the marching band! thumbs up

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migrant · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Nice pics! Thanks!! thumbs up

I assume good diving, looking forward to the pictures.

How was the prices?

buksida · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

Will post a few more tomorrow, the diving ones are coming also - takes time to wade through them all and sort out the best ones.

Cost wise if found it cheaper than here generally, accommodation is about the same, stayed in a family a/c room, resort had a good restaurant and pool and was on what beach there is at Sabang - cost around 1,100 baht per night.

Diving is far cheaper than Thailand at 750 baht per dive, I've never found anywhere that cheap here. I guess mainly due to the long distances involved in getting to dive sites in Thailand. From Sabang all dive sites are a ten minute ride away so all dives are done direct from the resort.

Beer is so cheap its hard to stay sober, happy hour (most of the day) prices in some places had a bottle of SMP (San Miguel Pils) at 35 pesos which is 26 baht. An expensive beer in Manila would be 110 pesos or just over 80 baht (regular price in HH).

Food costs around the same also as I mostly ate western stuff, travel and transport is slightly cheaper also.
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Super Joe · Guru Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 575

buksida, got any pics of diving at the umbrella site ?
.

buksida · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

Didn't notice an "umbrella site" unless I've missed the joke ... dive sites I did see are some of these:

http://www.asiadivesite.com/philippines-dive-sites/puerto-galera/

http://www.divebigapple.com/dive_sites.shtml
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buksida · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:52 am Post subject:

Ok, here is the next batch again mostly in Sabang but a few of downtown Manila.

Since I spent most of my time here its the floating bar again!

Probably the best sunset in the world.

Gearing up at the dive resort.

So ... erm ... are you busy friday night?

I wonder where the other three tyres are.

New arrivals.

Dive time!

Swanky hotel downtown, Manila.

The bar at Amazonia, Ermita, Manila.

Downtown Manila.

Catching the Jeepney to work.

Stuck in traffic, Manila.

The trip was a blur ... but someone was with me ... apparently!

Dive shots to follow.
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Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

STEVE G · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

I’m still impressed by the idea of floating bars. On the one in the picture above, is that woven structure perched on the roof the toilet? If it is I wouldn’t want to use it in high winds.

buksida · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject:

It is but it was far more fun to launch oneself off the top deck and pee in the ocean.

The floating bars only operate for a few months a year when the weather is good. During wet season they close them down.
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bradders · Specialist Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 114 Location: Dubai

Many thanks buksida for taking the time to share these great photos
with us!

The quality is superb - right down to the grains of sand!!

As you say - the 'sunset' must be rated as one of the best in the world!! thumbs up

Keep up the good work and thanks again!!

Cheers

bradders
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nevets · Professional Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 363

Buksi, very good pic,s . Can you tell me how to post picture,s please.