Need help-can't decide?

[Crewboat]

Hello. This is my first post on this site. I have searched this forum, but I can not make up my mind. So I was hoping for alittle input from you folks. I have bought my ticket to Manilla, and have 12 days to dive.Which two of the following three would you recommend? Panagsama Beach-Alona Beach or Southern Leyte? I will be there Feb 2007. One note Leyte from what I have read about is good,but I had one concern in that I would only have two places to chose from to eat. I swore to myself after two weeks of bad food in Fiji, I would not get in that position again. So has anyone eaten at either of the two dive resorts there? Thanks

 

[pakman]

Crew, welcome. First off, I can't image the food being that bad... But I know how you feel. I had a new years live aboard in the Similans where the food was barely edible... thank god they couldn't screw up toast... But I don't recall reading any bad reports about the resort food at the two resorts in Southern Leyte...

Well I don't know Panagsama (Moalboal right?) so can't comment there other than what I have heard second hand which is to skip Moalboal and Mactan. Personally I would split the time between Alona and Southern Leyte. And when you're in Alona, maybe see if you can do a daytrip to Apo Island.

If can wait til after new year's, we'll tell how the food is in Sogod first hand...

edit: if you can add a third in, throw in Malapascua!!!

 

[Twomixdiver]

If you had 12 days diving here I would suggest going to Bohol (alona beach). If you get tired of the place in a weeks time, you can easilly access other great diving destinations like Balicasag, Mactan, Dumaguete, and Apo Island; all accessible in less than half a days travel.

To access these same places from Southern Leyte may take you a couple days of travel. (S. Leyte to Tacloban. Tacloban to Ormoc. Ormoc to Cebu. Cebu to Tagbilaran)

 

[pyrodiver]

Welcome to PPD! I haven't been to the resorts in So. Leyte but have been to the town, Sogod many times. It's a very basic place. I wouldn't say bad food. Just don't expect to western type food... Worry not, in Asia the Philippines has a big western influence. We're not spicy nor are we leaned towards curry... Actually, more sweet stuff. Even the breads are sweet. Rice is the staple food. Breakfast is a choice between rice and bread... Yes, we eat rice for breakfast!

In the provinces, you can buy canned food from little stores and have it cooked in a mini resto. Just pay for the cooking...

But I think food from the resort will be good enough. It's owned by a foreigner so western food will be available.

 

[ishbaby]

Go for panglao, the diving is great and there are quite a lot of restaurants along alona beach that serve really good food. Try Coco vida for instance, or Bohol Divers Resort restaurant.

 

[Mampsa]

I agree, you'll have no problem with the food here. Burgers and fries. BBQ's are everywhere.

Maybe the only problem you'll have is not having enough time to dive here.

 

[Crewboat]

Thanks for the info. Booked Alona Beach for the first week. Then the second at Leyte, let me know how the food was when you get back please. I do see a small problem getting from Alona to Leyte. The ferry gets to Cebu 10 minutes after the one leaves for Leyte. Bummer...

 

[pyrodiver]

then you will have time to fancy the famous lechon (roasted pig) of cebu!! One of the best in the Philippines...

 

[jbb]

then you will have time to fancy the famous lechon (roasted pig) of cebu!! One of the best in the Philippines...QUOTE]


Do you have any restaurants to can recommend for this delicacy? I'll be passing thru Cebu a few times on my next trip. Thanks.

 

[pyrodiver]

Do you have any restaurants to can recommend for this delicacy? I'll be passing thru Cebu a few times on my next trip. Thanks.

From down town Cebu to the airport, you will see them on the side of the road... They're really yummy!!! One whole piggy is $50 so little slabs should cost from $3 up...

When you try the ones from Cebu, you won't even like the ones from Manila... Enjoy!!!