Just wondered thinking back to your first trips to the Philippines if you have any handy advice for someone doing their first trip?!

I've already met Viva when she came here last month and last April + her mum, and sister, aunt and cousin briefly.

I'm thinking of going around May 17-19th and coming back Jun 5th-7th as flying back on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday is £120 more expensive! I'll be going to Manila. Has anyone travelled around that time? I realise that it's going from summer to the start of the wet season. I've been in temps up to 41C, but it's been a dry heat and the only time I've been in humid places has been in Butterfly greenhouses etc! What kind of things did you wear? Did you find t-shirts or short sleeve shirts better? What about footwear?

Any tips on getting over the time difference or jetlag more quickly? Did you try to get as much sleep on the plane as possible or try to have a few early nights before the flight? How long did it take you to get over the time difference & any jetlag once you got there and how long when you got back to the UK?

Also what about spending money? I've seen the amounts that some people have said, but I'm kinda on a budget and also Viva is better off than me, so I guess we'll be sharing costs and taking turns etc, so it won't be me paying for everything all the time. I'll also probably be eating at their place some days and maybe at their place in Tagaytay where we'll visit, so I won't be paying for meals out all the time.

I'm thinking of renting a condo on short-term rent, so I can maybe cook the odd simple thing there, you can hang-out there a bit and they are also cheaper than staying at most hotels. I don't really have £50+ a night to spend on a hotel! Viva said Swire Elan suits in Greenhills is good and in a good area near various things and place to go. Found some for 20k-30k a month or so for a studio or 1bed condo, but not all do short term rent or say if they do or not, so need to check them out. Found a decent looking 2 bed condo by Edsa/Kamuning in Quezon city for 20k a month, but she said it's a little further out from places to go etc.

Might even go to Boracay for 3 days. Anyone been there in May/June?

Anyway, I should be booking the flight in the next week and then sorting the condo shortly.

Thanks for any help!