Planning 2 weeks in Puerto Galera and maybe nearby locations

[hdtran]

I don't care what it is called. If it interferes with travel, I want to know when it will be over.

Yes, I suspect Feb.6 or later should be relatively good. I don't know what local school holidays are (US-based Spring Breaks are typically from second week of March into early April, depending on school district etc.)

Check holiday-dates-in-Philippines for a list (not necessarily complete or correct--it is from the internet, after all) of holidays that you might want to avoid...

 

[hdtran]

They are wrong.
My Singaporean brother-in-law also call it Lunar New Year.

To call it "chinese new year" has political tune nowadays.

tết

 

[bvbellomo]

Yes, I suspect Feb.6 or later should be relatively good. I don't know what local school holidays are (US-based Spring Breaks are typically from second week of March into early April, depending on school district etc.)

Check holiday-dates-in-Philippines for a list (not necessarily complete or correct--it is from the internet, after all) of holidays that you might want to avoid...

Useful, but it doesn't tell me how long 'tết' lasts. Also unsure if I should avoid "People Power" day.

 

[YYCLuke]

I was in Moalboal during LNY 2019 and it gets crazy busy. Pre book a dive shop!

 

[Centrals]

tết

Tet Offensive - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Centrals]

Philippines, China Again Clash at Two Disputed South China Sea Shoals

The confrontations at Scarborough and Sabina shoals indicate that Beijing has no intention of easing off on its pressure campaign in disputed waters.

thediplomat.com

 

[hdtran]

Useful, but it doesn't tell me how long 'tết' lasts. Also unsure if I should avoid "People Power" day.

Avoid Easter (easy if you're going in February!). People Power is just one day; if you follow the link, it claims that schools may be out, but businesses stay open, so you might get a one day surge of tourists.

What I did: I looked at my work and personal calendar (including a very late last minute mandatory family trip at the end of April). I then reached out to a resort (you can do more than one) and ask for a no-obligation proposal for hotel room, diving, and meals. Finally, I looked up flight costs, and committed the bookings. For me, it will be 10 days of diving in May. (7 is too short, 14 will put too much wear and tear on me, and I don't like packing, moving, unpacking, and diving again).

El Galleon hotel and Asia Divers gets good reviews from SB members. There are a several other resorts with good reviews; I've heard positive reviews of La Laguna Beach & Dive Center, and there are SB member reviews of Scandi Divers (where I wound up booking).

To misquote a popular commercial, just do it.

Hope to see a great trip report (with lots of photos) from you before I leave on my own trip!

 

[bvbellomo]

deleted

 

[chillyinCanada]

They are wrong.
My Singaporean brother-in-law also call it Lunar New Year.

To call it "chinese new year" has political tune nowadays.

OK, be sure and tell the world. I'll mention it to my relatives with the Chinese bloodline and see what they're calling it these days.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Philippines, China Again Clash at Two Disputed South China Sea Shoals

The confrontations at Scarborough and Sabina shoals indicate that Beijing has no intention of easing off on its pressure campaign in disputed waters.

thediplomat.com

No surprise there