LOOK: Tiktoker Shares Why She Doesn’t Need to Go Again to the Philippines
What’s it wish to be a international solo traveler within the Philippines?
by Ina Louise Manto | December 14, 2022
Pre-pandemic, the Philippines welcomes tens of millions of vacationers wanting to discover its many islands and world-class vacationer locations. In actual fact, there have been over eight million international vacationer arrivals in 2019. Now that journey has returned to regular within the nation, extra foreigners are again for his or her revenge journey, however the much-awaited vacation isn’t at all times going to be rainbows and butterflies – similar to what this Tiktoker skilled when she visited as a feminine solo traveler. Right here’s why the Tiktoker received’t return to the Philippines, as she shared in her video:
The airport expertise
It’s most likely widespread data now that the Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport (NAIA) isn’t one of the best. It even ranked because the worst airport for business-class vacationers, so the bars are already set low. Sofia had her justifiable share of airport inconvenience too, which each international and native vacationers can not escape.
“You should depart the worldwide airport to catch home flights,” Sofia shared. There are 4 terminals within the metro they aren’t related and never walkable. You must hail a taxi to switch from one airport to a different, which is one other daunting process. It’s troublesome to hail a taxi and even guide one via apps like Seize; you’re additionally extra prone to pay increased fares.
Don’t take the bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido
Earlier than direct business flights to El Nido had been accessible, you both needed to take the six-hour drive from Puerto Princesa or take a direct flight through a non-public airplane owned by an unique resort you’re staying at. Throughout her solo journey in El Nido, Sofia opted for a bus journey, which was an outdated odd bus (sans aircon) from the Nineteen Eighties. Should you simply get movement illness, this will not be one of the simplest ways to go. She suggests taking a direct flight from Manila now that business flights can be found.
Air-conditioned vans are additionally now accessible if you happen to’re driving from Puerto Princesa.
When in El Nido
Recognized for its towering karst cliffs, white seashores, and vibrant marine life, El Nido stays among the best seashore locations in Asia and on this planet. Sofia did take pleasure in her go to to El Nido however it additionally got here with adversities. There wasn’t a lot to do throughout island hopping excursions and she or he noticed that cattle appeared severely uncared for and starved. “Very very skinny cattle. I noticed rib cages, their sunken skulls, their backbone caught out.” In response to locals, the farmers couldn’t afford to feed them, as shared within the video.
“El Nido doesn’t have a correct sewage system and typically dump their waste into the seashore water,” Sofia shared. She additionally, sadly, bought an ear an infection from swimming on one of many seashores and was despatched to the emergency room thrice. Locals additionally warned her that swimming is typically prohibited as a consequence of soiled seashore water.
Notes from Boracay
One other world-class seashore vacation spot within the nation, Boracay nonetheless retains attracting vacationers for its powdery white-sand seashore. However in line with Sofia, “It was actually, actually costly, like USA costs.”
Very strict COVID guidelines
After the president signed Government Order No. 7, which lifts the obligatory masks mandate, carrying masks is now voluntary all through the nation. Nevertheless, strict COVID guidelines nonetheless stay, which Sofia skilled throughout her Boracay escapade.
“You must put on your masks open air, within the warmth, and within the seashore.” She additionally shared a cop approached and threatened to superb her for not carrying her masks whereas she was on the shoreline.
The Manila experiences
Filipinos know the city jungle that Manila (or Metro Manila) is that we’ve tailored to security measures akin to hugging our luggage whereas strolling or whereas in transit. And foreigners can’t escape its inconveniences too. “Keep away from Manila if you happen to care about your security,” Boracay tour guides warned Sofia. In response to her, Manila isn’t protected for solo vacationers.
She stayed in Makati, town she thought was protected for vacationers because it’s a central enterprise district. However to her dismay, she encountered giant crowds of males on the streets who made her really feel unsafe. “It made it very uncomfortable to discover town on foot,” Sofia shared. She was escorted by her resort safety in the course of the instances she went exterior.
“I don’t suppose I’ll be going again to the Philippines, at the least not as a feminine solo traveler,” the Tiktoker concluded.
@andreaboldbodytravels Replying to @sofia_b83 This was MY expertise as a feminine solo traveler #philippinestravel #philippines ♬ unique sound – Andrea BoldBody
What are your ideas concerning the traveler’s expertise? Do you share the identical sentiments? Pontificate within the feedback under!
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