Why I Will not Go Again to the Philippines: Tiktoker’s Video Goes Viral

LOOK: Tiktoker Shares Why She Doesn’t Need to Go Again to the Philippines

What’s it prefer to be a international solo traveler within the Philippines?
by Ina Louise Manto | December 14, 2022

Pre-pandemic, the Philippines welcomes hundreds of thousands 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 all the time 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 gained’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.

“It’s essential to go away the worldwide airport to catch home flights,” Sofia shared. There are 4 terminals within the metro they don’t seem to be linked and never walkable. It’s important to hail a taxi to switch from one airport to a different, which is one other daunting activity. It’s tough to hail a taxi and even guide one by apps like Seize; you’re additionally extra prone to pay larger fares.

Don’t take the bus from Puerto Princesa to El Nido

Earlier than direct industrial flights to El Nido have been accessible, you both needed to take the six-hour drive from Puerto Princesa or take a direct flight by way of a personal aircraft owned by an unique resort you’re staying at. Throughout her solo journey in El Nido, Sofia opted for a bus trip, which was an outdated bizarre bus (sans aircon) from the Eighties. For those who simply get movement illness, this might not be one of the best ways to go. She suggests taking a direct flight from Manila now that industrial flights can be found.

Air-conditioned vans are additionally now accessible should you’re driving from Puerto Princesa.

When in El Nido

Identified for its towering karst cliffs, white seashores, and vibrant marine life, El Nido stays among the finest seaside locations in Asia and on the earth. Sofia did get pleasure from 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 livestock seemed severely uncared for and starved. “Very very skinny livestock. 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 generally dump their waste into the seaside water,” Sofia shared. She additionally, sadly, acquired 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 usually prohibited attributable to soiled seaside water.

Notes from Boracay

One other world-class seaside vacation spot within the nation, Boracay nonetheless retains attracting vacationers for its powdery white-sand seaside. However in response to Sofia, “It was actually, actually costly, like USA costs.”

Very strict COVID guidelines

After the president signed Govt Order No. 7, which lifts the necessary masks mandate, carrying masks is now voluntary all through the nation. Nonetheless, strict COVID guidelines nonetheless stay, which Sofia skilled throughout her Boracay escapade.

“It’s important to put on your masks outside, within the warmth, and within the seaside.” She additionally shared a cop approached and threatened to high-quality 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 corresponding to hugging our luggage whereas strolling or whereas in transit. And foreigners can’t escape its inconveniences too. “Keep away from Manila should you care about your security,” Boracay tour guides warned Sofia. In response to her, Manila isn’t secure for solo vacationers.

She stayed in Makati, the town she thought was secure for vacationers because it’s a central enterprise district. However to her dismay, she encountered massive crowds of males on the streets who made her really feel unsafe. “It made it very uncomfortable to discover the town on foot,” Sofia shared. She was escorted by her lodge safety through the occasions she went outdoors.

“I don’t suppose I’ll be going again to the Philippines, a minimum of 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 ♬ authentic sound – Andrea BoldBody

What are your ideas in regards to the traveler’s expertise? Do you share the identical sentiments? Pontificate within the feedback beneath!

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