finally going over

[outwest77]

Hi all , i been gone for a while from the board but i still lurk

MAKING  my first trip to the phils in january,

1)what do i need to bring with me

2)What do i need to know about shots, wat not to eat, etc,
i know not to drink the water supposedly

3)how to handle the money situation how much to bring in cash,
credit cards, etc, money belt is that a good idea.

Any advice is appreciated

[SteveG]

... in response to finally going over, posted by outwest77 on Dec 28, 2002

Outwest,

 Glad to hear you are finally making a trip.  I hope it goes well for you.  

  What to bring?  My advice is travel light - as light as possible.  Of course this is more applicable if you are going to a remote area where you will be changing from bus to Jeepny to tricycle and so forth many times.  A lot of luggage is a major headache in that situation.  You can wear the same pair of pants for several days, which saves lots of space in your luggage....thin short sleeve shirts are the only way to go for comfort and space saving too.  OF course if you are going to a major city and stay in a tourist area this doesn't apply.  I've never done that so my travel priorities tend to sway towards compact and light weight.

 Shots and Food?  I got Hepatitis shots the first time and I think something else too.   I never got any shots on the other trips.  You can do whatever you want on this one.  It seems like most people tend to ignore the shots after going several times.   One reminder about drinking the water - Just remember that no matter what form water is in when it gets into your mouth, you are still eating water.  I got tricked by drinking something with ice in it once.  Even eating a salad that has been washed with water can do the same.  It's hard to be absolutely safe on this part.  You might as well just go ahead and get crawling on the ground sick and get it over with!  LOL   Oh yeah, again I will recommend Imodium.  No matter what anybody says, take some!

 Money.  I like to have two different money belts just in case the worst happens.  The chances of being robbed are slim no matter where you are but if it happens to you, it's no longer a statistic - you have lost everything and you are in a foreign country where it ain't gonna be much fun!  This is why I use two money belts along with some in my wallet.  Always have enough in the wallet so that you never have to use the money belts in public or then everybody knows you've got it and where it is.  I always exchange $100 at the Manila airport as soon as I get there to have money for taxis, food etc. until I can get somewhere to get a better exchange rate.  Depending on when you arrive and where you are going, you might want to exchange more or less.   For instance, on my first trip we went to a resort and I ran out of pesos.  They didn't take credit cards either so we finally negotiated to pay in $$$'s at the rate on my receipt from the Airport exchange.  Don't count on Credit cards being accepted anywhere too.  Another thing that is nice to know in case you run out of money(I did once)is that you can go to some of the major banks in major cities and get cash advances. OF course I hear you can use ATMs in the major cities too.   I've just never spent much time in these areas as Melly is from such a rural area. Kevin's thoughts on getting rid of anything in your wallet that you don't have to have is a good one.    

                        SteveG

[Humabdos]

... in response to finally going over, posted by outwest77 on Dec 28, 2002

Hey outwest I'll be leaving for PI Jan 15th when will you be there? Did you ever get that Lonely travel book for Philippinnes?  I was just at the book store and Lonely Plannet is still bet best info I have found . Humabdos

[outwest77]

... in response to Re: finally going over, posted by Humabdos on Dec 28, 2002

Hey hum, no i did not order it, i checked today on Amazon
says it wont ship for 3wks that sucks, i need it like tomorrow lol
im going the 11th or the 16th to manila
i may go to puerto galera, mindoro, for divving
send me email if you like,
outwest7177@nospam.com

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: Re: finally going over, posted by outwest77 on Dec 28, 2002

You might be able to find it at the Robinson Mall or national book store in Manila but seems like you could get it sooner than three weeks. How far out west do you live?
Get it if you can. Lots of good info! I will be in Manila on the 16th also and leave the next day to Davao.  
 Humabdos

[cc]

... in response to finally going over, posted by outwest77 on Dec 28, 2002

1. pack lightly, mainly T-shirts and a pair of jeans
2. no shots needed (you may want to refresh your tetanus)
  water: only bottled, fruits: remove the outsides
3. couple of 100 dollars in cash, most places take VISA. In the major shopping centers you can withdraw cash from your US checking account using ATM. No need for money belt in my opinion.
HAPPY JOURNEY

[kevin]

... in response to finally going over, posted by outwest77 on Dec 28, 2002

About money, I'd be "lean" with the wallet (I was).  Empty it of all nonessential contents, including minor credit cards (like dept. store credit cards), courtesy cards, spare keys, etc.  I'd only keep the crucial contents in your wallet including one major credit card.  I don't even think I took my driver's license with me.  Your wallet will be amazingly thinner, easier to carry, and it won't stick out like a sore thumb.

For medicine, this is what I remember.  I took anti-malaria pills, which I started before the trip and continued during my stay.  I also was given oral hepatitis-B and typhoid fever vaccine before I left.  I think I was given a tetanus booster shot when I saw the doctor to discuss overseas travel.  Now I remember him talking about cholera, but cholera vaccine was necessary only if you would be travelling in a cholera infested environment.  Otherwise cholera vaccine had unpleasant side effects including nausea and vomiting.

- Kevin

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: finally going over, posted by kevin on Dec 28, 2002

Skip all the shot and pill crap you wont need it it's just a waste of money. Unless your going to palawan there 's no need for malaria pills I'll be there a month and am not taking anything and never have in my last seven trips. The first trip I took all that stuff then I found out from kanos living there it not nessesary. Of course your doctor want to make some money off you and be on the ultra safe side. Than Anti malaria meds almost killed  me on my first trip! Don't take fansadar! (  SP)  Hum