Back from Manila

[Jimbojac]

Great write up Dave and reminds me a lot of my first trip many moons back to Manila. Just a few notes: Please take time out to travel and visit the country, provinces and beaches, the bus rides can be uncomfortable but its a great way to see the " REAL" Philippines. Most people that comment on the Phils and certainly me amongst them can't really stand Manila and after 2-3 days i can't wait to split!
Mindanao is a stunning place overall and yes the Foreign office has advisory notices warning Westerners not to venture there but so many places are incredibly safe {much safer than any part of Manila will ever be including Makati and Malate} and certainly safer than Divisoria. The main threat is in the SW where a few Muslim extremists are amongst the general population around the region of Zamboanga del Sur apart from that i and many other Westerners are made welcome and i have felt safe for all the years travelled there.
Congrats on your engagement, Filipina girls/ the best in the World!

[andy222]

Great write up Dave and reminds me a lot of my first trip many moons back to Manila. Just a few notes: Please take time out to travel and visit the country, provinces and beaches, the bus rides can be uncomfortable but its a great way to see the " REAL" Philippines. Most people that comment on the Phils and certainly me amongst them can't really stand Manila and after 2-3 days i can't wait to split!
Mindanao is a stunning place overall and yes the Foreign office has advisory notices warning Westerners not to venture there but so many places are incredibly safe {much safer than any part of Manila will ever be including Makati and Malate} and certainly safer than Divisoria. The main threat is in the SW where a few Muslim extremists are amongst the general population around the region of Zamboanga del Sur apart from that i and many other Westerners are made welcome and i have felt safe for all the years travelled there.
Congrats on your engagement, Filipina girls/ the best in the World!

I agree with what you say jimbojac you have to see a few places. I just use manila as a stopover.