Newbie help; basics about good/cheap diving Philippines

[CODMAN]

Chip, Philippine airlines was too expensive. 1150$ from LA. I'd be basically flying from LA
for 950$. I'd get from Montreal to LA with airmiles and 200$ (damn taxes). So total, to Cebu, it would be 1150$ round trip. I'm really close budget on this so saving 200$ is better than nothing!!

Yeah, the cold St-Lawrence is cool for a bit of diving. But DMing in this cold water? No thanks!!! Also, a DM course here would cost me more than in PI, so why not do it paradise, eh?:14:

Your scenario is what I wanted from the start. But My girlfriend only has 1 week of vacation left. Going to Phillippines for 1 week? With the traveling a good 36 hours, it's not worth it. But if she can get an extra week (fat chance) it would be cool! Although I have no idea if my evenings will be free at the end of the internship, or will I be working like a dog?? If I could at least be with her after a days work, it would be cool. She could dive on the boat I'd be on (if the Dive OP would permit it) even if I am busy. But even if they refuse, she could still dive with another boat and have a blast...

The other thing is I could also go on a simple diving trip to utila for 1 week with her ( that would be doable for 1 week). That way I'd get to dive with her. I know... Utila is not the Phillippines...no And for the price of 1 week diving and lodging in Utila, I could get 4-5 weeks of DM training/diving.But then again, a vacation with my girl would be sweet...

Well, I've got to think it over some more.

Thanks all for the help!

Sweet. I graduated from McGill in 2004. J'aime Montreal. !

$900 round trip or one way? If round trip, that's a great price. My ticket is costing me $1200 Toronto - Manila round trip. One way would have cost my $700.

"After all, it won't be all fun and games..." LOL don't kid yourself.... hehehe, yeah I understand. I still think it's a great idea to do it. If you compare the cost in the PI to other places in SEAsia you could do your DMship, the PI is a great choice. And compared to the St. Lawrence river....well it's hard to compare tropical settings vs. cold water settings since I'm a warm water wuss.

Just a suggestion: why don't you go ahead to the PI for 3-4 weeks and get your girlfriend to join you the last week in Malapascua and fly back to Canada together? When she flies into Cebu you can meet her and travel back up to Malapascua together. Then you can be her personal DM/tour guide and show her ropes around the island and the dive sites. Pure romance! :14: She's also more familiar with Dorval Airport than Cebu Airport - so it would be better for her to travel alone in Canada than the Philippines.

edit: thinking about it, if you have to stay over in HK, that might be why it's cheaper....

 

[paolov]

I could get 4-5 weeks of DM training/diving.But then again, a vacation with my girl would be sweet...

think of the option....... divin , DM training , without any need of worry on dives(night dives, entire day, early mornings dive , remember warm waters on shorts no wetsuit)

able to hang out at night till late with new divers and non-divers.....isn't that sweeter?

then when you get back show girlfriend what she missed thru your pictures ....

just don't include your pics diving half naked like Chip does. dives in just shorts and no shirt on , just scuba equipment


(p.s. also dont include pictures of you with somebody else.......being somewhat D.U.I)

 

[CODMAN]

Yeah, I hear ya Paolov... Oh boy, do I hear ya....:14:

Another thing I have been thinking about is money while over there? malapascua, which I am considering is very small and cash seems to be the only option there. Which means bringing cash with me from the mainland (probably Cebu city is the last place I can get cash from ATM machines or travelers checks?). And for a long stay like this, we are talking about a good amount!! The course and room I can take care of by credit card. But everyday expenses, it will be cash only.

What do you guys expect food and a few extras would run me per day while there? Obviously, I won't be doing the super delux diners every night while there. Just basic good meals?

Thanks guys!

 

[pakman]

Codman, there are HSBC and Citibank branches in Cebu City (near Alaya Center) where you can access ATM's that accept int'l cards. Some of the bigger local bank ATM's will as well (but none on Malapascua...).

Check with the resort/ dive shop to confirm if they slap on a credit card charge...

 

[CODMAN]

Pak, I did check and yes they do have a credit charge... which I understand... I don,t know how much it is though... I hope it's not as much as the tax in itself (12% if you use your card).

4-6 weeks worth of cash, at least for meals. That can be quite a bit of $$$ to bring with you (I don't particularly like traveling with lots of cash).

Apparently the rooms don,t have kitchen facilities (normal!), so I don't know if Id be able to get around always eating in restaurants? Any markets/shops where you can get fruit and fresh produce on Malapascua? Bottled water?

Thanks!

 

[clgsamson]

they normally charge 4-6% additional...

 

[pakman]

hmm... where are jbb and Mags... they should be able to tell you about some of the restaurants outside the resorts. There should be plenty of little sari sari shops for bottled waters and basics. I would reckon, if you eat local food, you could get some cheap and filling meals...

 

[rhadamantus]

Codman, there are HSBC and Citibank branches in Cebu City (near Alaya Center) where you can access ATM's that accept int'l cards. Some of the bigger local bank ATM's will as well (but none on Malapascua...).

Check with the resort/ dive shop to confirm if they slap on a credit card charge...

as of September07, they charge 7% more if u pay thru credit card. and oh most of the time, their machines are not working.

 

[Babydamulag]

as of September07, they charge 7% more if u pay thru credit card. and oh most of the time, their machines are not working.

7%?!?!?!?! Is that the new credit fee???

 

[clgsamson]

there shouldn't be....report them to the credit company!