First Phillipines trip

[bfisher]

OK, so I'm planning on going with a group of 10 to the Phillines May 2009. Staying at Sabang Inn and diving with Sabang Divers on Mindoro. Anybody have any experience with this place? Any suggestions on what I might need to take that I can't get there? Any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[Babydamulag]

Great choice! I came up through the ranks as a recreational diver with them. I will PM you.

 

[shugar]

OK, so I'm planning on going with a group of 10 to the Phillines May 2009. Staying at Sabang Inn and diving with Sabang Divers on Mindoro. Anybody have any experience with this place? Any suggestions on what I might need to take that I can't get there? Any other suggestions are welcome.

haven't tried sabang divers but otherwise diving is PG will be pretty great...

i think ATMs are a problem on PG... so best bring a good amount of cash to cover expenses, but i think there are several money changers there who take travelers cheques

other things would be specialized or prescription medications your guests would need - the common stuff (cough, cold meds, upset stomach, multivitamins, rubbers, feminine hygiene things are easy to get... not tampons though, even in manila they're hard to find... it's a napkin country you see... so if you have women who are expecting during your trip best to bring a supply)

hope this helps

Jag

 

[clgsamson]

... not tampons though, even in manila they're hard to find... it's a napkin country you see... so if you have women who are expecting during your trip best to bring a supply)

hope this helps

Jag

first it was about Ron, now tampons and napkins....:shocked2:

 

[shugar]

hey i'm serious... i think in fact this issue came up in the past... :nonono:

ok... fine... just to be true to being PPD...

@bfischer: it's hard to get midget porn dancers in PG... you'll have to get in touch with caloy so he can wrangle up a few...

 

[jigo]

i also stayed in sabang before. the rooms are big and reasonably priced but pretty basic compared to the PPD's favorite which is Out of the Blue Villas. But sabang inn also has its own pool and its own dive shop. gunther is a pretty nice guy and i enjoyed my dives with Xenon or Cenon the Filipino dive instructor.

 

[Tortuga68]

i think ATMs are a problem on PG... so best bring a good amount of cash to cover expenses, but i think there are several money changers there who take travelers cheques

There is an ATM in PG itself, but it seems to be almost permanently offline

The tourist centre in Sabang will do cash advances on your credit/debit card - or you can change $US/travellers cheques or other local currencies at the local money changers, the rates are actually pretty reasonable in my experience

Otherwise the nearest ATM is Calapan, which is a long, uncomfortable jeepney ride away

Plenty of good diving: hole in the wall/canyons/atoll/horse's head/Spanish anchor are nice, and of course the Sabang wrecks just off the beach; or fishbowl/washing machine/verde island if you like going deeper

I dive/stay there regularly with the Chuck Driver & Mark Cox aka the Capt'n Gregg's crew, good times

 

[Evie G]

haven't tried sabang divers but otherwise diving is PG will be pretty great...

i think ATMs are a problem on PG... so best bring a good amount of cash to cover expenses, but i think there are several money changers there who take travelers cheques

other things would be specialized or prescription medications your guests would need - the common stuff (cough, cold meds, upset stomach, multivitamins, rubbers, feminine hygiene things are easy to get... not tampons though, even in manila they're hard to find... it's a napkin country you see... so if you have women who are expecting during your trip best to bring a supply)

hope this helps

Jag

I agree w/ Jag. No tampoons there.
The dive shops accepts credit cards, but not the grocery stores.
Looking for the ATM is a hassle.

Overall, Sabang's a great place. Love the dive sites.
Night life is fun. I always enjoy my drinks at The Point Bar.
& watching d guys play billiards at Hammerhead.
Miss my buddies- Mark Cox honeycow & Black cow Ethei...

 

[bfisher]

WOW!!!! Thanks for the responses guys. I didn't expect so many so quick. Nice to know about the ATM business.Guess I'll take enough moolah to cover my meals. Now how much would that be for 2 weeks?

Tampons? Personally I have no need of them, but we do have a couple women going so I'll try to tactfully let them know. I don't think they are that young, but it's still good info.

Somebody mentioned some wrecks right off the beach. Does that mean there's the possibility of shore diving?

How about bugs? I imagine bug juice is a given, right?

Anything else I should pass on to the others?

 

[jigo]

the dive shops will spoil you and use a boat to get you to all sites even if its just a few meters from shore. this is Philippine diving. you dont even have to carry your own tank.