Travel planning, why Philippines?

The Philippines has a bad reputation caused by political developments as travel country in the media. Warnings of the foreign embassy usually refer to the island Mindanao, that constantly century old conflict between Muslim and Christians (that is rather a economic conflict ) caused by deep poverty in wide provinces. This provides always negative headlines (“Abu Sayaf”).
However, one should make clear to oneself on that occasion that the conflicts (as far as on Abu Sayaf) never had something to do with tourists and are restricted locally. 
The Philippines represent themselves as very agreeable travel country for several reasons:
The Filipinos are open to foreigners, friendliness, until curiosity. The classic “Asian smile” and the Philippine pleasantry is balsam for the stressed soul.
As well as everyone speaks English  here, there is no language barrier here.
The individual, the friendliness, the little language problems, the personal treatment of guest, are the main reasons to come again and again to the Philippines comparing to Thailand or Indonesia.
Please check in the internet the visa requirments, most non Asean tourists get a 30 day extendable visa. No visa needed for Asean member states

Money

TATM’s in Moalboal are only for credit cards, max. 10,000 Peso per withdrawal!
Cash in US. dollars or  Euro are trouble-free. You need undamaged, clean bills.  Single currencies like Swiss Franconians, Yen only in the cities. Cash you get the highest rate at  money changers. Traveler's cheques are not  accepted in all places in Moalboal. Some resorts and dive shops charge up to ten percent  surcharge on credit cards. Others give on the standard rate discount if  you pay cash.. Main reason usually is close calculation for profit margin and the withholding tax  of the state on credit card sales, that beside the commission on the credit card company and the bank. The demanded minimum sale for a more lesser commission of the credit card company usually are too high for medium and small enterprises here.
Small enterprises often don't match the demanded gross sales and can therefore not accept any credit cards.
However, the credit card is a favorable solution to get cash at a good rate in cities and always should be included for emergencies (hospital).
Money changing is best in the big cities, the farther the location from the city, the more the rate drops. You may notice how different the exchange rates are among the resorts

Dress

There are no Sheraton or nightclubs here, for which one would have to make himself fashionable, casual clothing (T-shirt and shorts) is the standard for the breakfast up to the sundowner. By industrious vendors are offered favorable T-shirt, therefore expect some luggage increase for the way back.
Super scarce bikinis or similar tiny cotton parts, hot pants gives the wrong signals here. Even if the Filipina usually quite sexy dressed, when swimming, the seduction signal stops. Even Overseas married Filipinas are sighted with T-shirt and shorts when swimming. Please consider, that you give not only the wrong signal, also person's respect gets into the unsteadiness. Topless sunbathing of also not appropriate. Should you go to the immigration for extensions, appropriate clothing is expected, with plastic slippers, the aged darling T - Shirt and the ancient travel pants you will leave without served. In shopping centers to wander around with swimming-similar dress, is not advisable too, the people will smile about you.

Hints for your luggage

Plastic slipper especially to the reef walking should be in the luggage, maybe whoever doesn't have  diver Booties on that occasion anyway should bring plastic to bath shoe in order to get the swimming or snorkels to the reef edge in low tide.
A small torch is never wrong at trips, street lamps are unknown here, usually only the way before restaurants, Resorts etc. is illuminated.
In our bungalows outlets fits Euro plugs, for other accommodations they usually require an adapter unit for the Philippine sockets.
Important hint for our female guests: Tampons are in the Philippines are not preferred by Filipinas , possibly the moist warm climate  also not so appropriate, therefore they are isolated available usually only in cities. Bandages from mini to big are easily available. A  travel pharmacy, sees health, should not be missing.
In our  bungalows you will find of course towels in different sizes, no need to bring your own.

Handy's  / Cellular

Bring your own and the money spent for roaming is horrible. Alternative:
If you got an open line phone buy a sim pack from a local phone company (Smart or Globe, about 4 $) and buy prepaid cards (starting at 6 $), Overseas call start at 55 Cents

Without an open line phone and for a long stay you might buy an open line phone here (starts at 12 US$ in the malls in Cebu) and use it at home as second phone with Prepaid Packs.

Health

If you should travel to the neighboring islands of Cebu, you inquire about commendable precaution. On some islands, there is malaria.
The island Cebu is free from malaria, but there a mosquitoes according to weather situation (rain time) more or few.
Little one wounds  should not be taken for granted. Caused by the tropical climate, they infect very fast and deeply and then, antibiotics are required as last means.
Depending on the season and current-conditionally tiny, hardly visible jellyfishes sometimes show up. Harmless however nevertheless itchy. With the right cream, the matter is settled after 10 minutes, if necessary, also vinegar helps.
Everyone has his personal first aid kit. We only mention here, what one empirically needs.
Any spray for wound disinfection
Salve with iodine for first treatment, another salve to cure,
Adhesive tape strips
Wound cleaning sheet.
Any salve or antihistamine based salve against the itch of mosquitoes or jellyfishes.

If it doesn't go differently:
Cebu city has two big private hospitals (Cebu Doctors Hospital and Chong Hua Hospital) with international standards and prices (better to bring credit card!), Tooth treatments are critical in the province ( extracting = treatment ) also with other illnesses, the country doctors are fast with an antibiotics from brother-in-law or own pharmacy, to hand.
With serious or unclear illnesses, one should always make the effort for oneself to go into bigger cities.

Security

One sometimes wonder how frivolously people handle your valuables. There enormous sums or important records are taken at the beach as well and one goes to then snorkel... if men organize themselves an one night butterfly and put handy beside the bed his money .... people want to get into big deals per prepayment.... stupidity is punished everywhere.
If you use a handbag, don't put it just down, keep in body contact (restaurants and shopping centers in cities). Only so much money for the evening stroll like one takes needs, especially one is a good drinker.
Each serious resort offers a storage of valuables, you pack all, which you don't require on the spot directly, into the deposit. We have a day safe in the reception and you got your own safe in the room.

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