Destinations: Beach getaway

[xtwis7]

Getaway to Boracay!

Man, I'm having a headache from all the choices of accommodation on airbnb. I'm looking to travel to a beach destination during Sept so 2 choices popped up, Boracay or Bali

Between Bali and Boracay, I am more inclined to visit Boracay but the thing that bothers me most is the transfer to get to Boracay. A saving grace for Boracay would be it's less commercialised than Bali at the moment so better visit before becoming a second Bali. Looking at some general pricing for the 2 places and Bali is generally cheaper, probably cause of the direct flight.

One thing's for sure. My past 2 trips to Bangkok and Tokyo were both booked with airbnb and I felt the accommodation offered more value than staying in normal hotels.

Stay tuned for more updates!

 

[xtwis7]

Had a quick chat with my girlfriend and we have decided on... Boracay! Here's a teaser of our apartment from airbnb. There are two type of photos on airbnb, one is airbnb verified (which you see on the top right of the photo) which means the photos were taken by the airbnb photographers. If you don't see a 'verified' text below then it's taken probably by the host themselves.

For those who haven't tried airbnb before, let's say you are satisfied with this apartment and after selecting your check-in/out dates, you will see this red box below the date selection that says 'Request to Book'. What this basically means is that before your booking is confirmed, the host of the apartment will review your booking so it usually helps to include some information like who you're travelling with and what's the purpose of the trip. This also makes the host's job easier I guess. Besides 'Request to Book', there are also two other types of bookings. 'Instant Book' where you see a lightning bolt symbol beside and 'Contact Host'. Instant book basically means your booking will be confirmed once you submit so if you're travelling soon and running out of options, Instant Book might be the better choice.

So far, all my hosts have responded pretty fast within 1 day at most so unless your trip is super urgent like in a few days' time, you should be fine.

Gd night for now!

 

[xtwis7]

Host has confirmed my booking. Flights on tiger also booked.

Fingers crossed that it'll be good weather there. Can't wait to try some of the highly rated cafes and shakes. Anybody visited Boracay recently?

 

[nenazmi]

Went there in February, lovely island, the whole stretch of the beach was crystal clear sea water!

Drinks are cheap, station 2 for the party, station 1 for the candlelight dinner.

 

[genie47]

Man, I'm having a headache from all the choices of accommodation on airbnb. I'm looking to travel to a beach destination during Sept so 2 choices popped up, Boracay or Bali

Between Bali and Boracay, I am more inclined to visit Boracay but the thing that bothers me most is the transfer to get to Boracay. A saving grace for Boracay would be it's less commercialised than Bali at the moment so better visit before becoming a second Bali. Looking at some general pricing for the 2 places and Bali is generally cheaper, probably cause of the direct flight.

One thing's for sure. My past 2 trips to Bangkok and Tokyo were both booked with airbnb and I felt the accommodation offered more value than staying in normal hotels.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Boracay is more of a party beach. Yes, it is. So if your idea of a beach getaway is with bars lining the beach, then Boracay is it. But if you are looking for idyllic beach getaway, Boracay is not.

 

[xtwis7]

Boracay is more of a party beach. Yes, it is. So if your idea of a beach getaway is with bars lining the beach, then Boracay is it. But if you are looking for idyllic beach getaway, Boracay is not.

Oh really? I'm actually not looking forward to partying at the bars. Just want to chill out at the cafes, beaches and immerse in the local atmosphere as much as possible. I thought the bar scene in Bali is more commercialized than Boracay which is why I also picked Boracay.

And it's one of the rare places that accepts their local currency instead of USD right?

 

[xtwis7]

Went there in February, lovely island, the whole stretch of the beach was crystal clear sea water!

Drinks are cheap, station 2 for the party, station 1 for the candlelight dinner.

Yea, the apartment is close to station 1. I hears station 2 can get really rowdy till late so if you're staying near there, you might not be able to enjoy a night of peaceful sleep.

 

[genie47]

Oh really? I'm actually not looking forward to partying at the bars. Just want to chill out at the cafes, beaches and immerse in the local atmosphere as much as possible. I thought the bar scene in Bali is more commercialized than Boracay which is why I also picked Boracay.

And it's one of the rare places that accepts their local currency instead of USD right?

Since you picked it, just check it out. There are better beaches in The Philippines other than Boracay. Palawan will be a better idyllic location but don't expect cafes to chill. It is pure. Just west of the disputed Spratlys.

 

[starbugs]

Airbnb is a hit or miss. Hope you get lucky.

 

[xtwis7]

Since you picked it, just check it out. There are better beaches in The Philippines other than Boracay. Palawan will be a better idyllic location but don't expect cafes to chill. It is pure. Just west of the disputed Spratlys.

Thanks. I know there's actually a few under commercialized beaches in Sabah area but getting there is a bit more troublesome.

Airbnb is a hit or miss. Hope you get lucky.

Well, so far they haven't disappointed me. My personal expectations are quite low actually so as long as my gf enjoys it, it's good for me. You tried any airbnb elsewhere? I know some people will prefer airbnb when they go on travel to big cities for holiday and less so for beach destinations.

 

[xtwis7]

Anybody got spare Pesos? Don't mind changing if someone has them.

Changing money at Boracay probably won't be the best choice.

 

[xtwis7]

2 more days till COMEX~! Anybody who's already set on buying some stuff at COMEX can get $50 airbnb coupon with $100 spending at their booth from Thursday onwards.

 

[dleodleo]

Anybody got spare Pesos? Don't mind changing if someone has them.

Changing money at Boracay probably won't be the best choice.

Singapore money changers can change right?

 

[bunnysutra]

Anybody got spare Pesos? Don't mind changing if someone has them.

Changing money at Boracay probably won't be the best choice.

Money changers at Lucky Plaza offer quite good rates. Go to the ones located further in, their rates are better.

 

[xtwis7]

Singapore money changers can change right?

Can ah, just see if anybody here wants to clear off their spare pesos lor.

Money changers at Lucky Plaza offer quite good rates. Go to the ones located further in, their rates are better.

Thanks for the tip. Is it because the Filipino community is strongest there that's why?

 

[bunnysutra]

Can ah, just see if anybody here wants to clear off their spare pesos lor.



Thanks for the tip. Is it because the Filipino community is strongest there that's why?

Sort of

 

[mousehunt]

Note that you are only allowed P10,000 per person when entering the country. You are also to show your return ticket when checking in in Changi,

 

[xtwis7]

Note that you are only allowed P10,000 per person when entering the country. You are also to show your return ticket when checking in in Changi,

Oh, thanks for the valuable advice. 10k PHP is just under $300 so hopefully it's enough. Didn't know of such policies also till you mentioned it.

 

[kaysee]

Note that you are only allowed P10,000 per person when entering the country. You are also to show your return ticket when checking in in Changi,

did a google on this and realise this is true. never heard of my friends talking about this. are they very strict on this? meaning u guys go to Philippine to change money?

 

[xtwis7]

did a google on this and realise this is true. never heard of my friends talking about this. are they very strict on this? meaning u guys go to Philippine to change money?

10k pesos is close to 300sgd per person. For expenses there should actually be quite sufficient as my friend told me the stuff there is rather affordable.