Best Posts in Forum: Tourist Information

One thing I often hear from expats with gf/wife at the same age is, that if you have a younger gf/wife with a gap in age it's more a kind of business deal. When I was young some years ago, I believe that it's possible to live of love and spring water. Over the years life learn me be more realistic and no matter of gap in age or where ever you live in the world, relation is about what did I get in return of what I give, only a few people ( I know a few and seen some) want nothing in return for what the give/invest in relation. Personally I enjoy having a young gf, it keep me young too lol. I believe in love no matter of age and cultural background it just makes it more eventful and fun, that said no all people fit together and the challenge is finding the right one for you, don't compromise go for the gold, good luck to the guy who started this topic, Philippines is rich of beautiful girls who want an expat bf/husband and the treat you in a way you feel like heaven compared with the west

 

Well we are back and I have to admit this is my first time to ever go to a Resort (and my first real holiday in 56 years!) so hard to compare to the experiences others have had, but I must admit it was very relaxing, quiet and exactly what I was looking for!

We stayed at the Mahogany Upland Resort, the Owners are friendly and approachable, the staff are friendly and very polite, the food was TOO MUCH! I mean it! It was a BATTLE to get through each meal I tried, and I tried a different meal each day, each meal time, and was BLOATED! My Wife and Daughter ended up buying one meal and splitting it between them and were still satisfied! They cater both Western and Filipino Foods so one could easily keep Asawa and the kids very happy if needed!

They have a (from memory I heard someone say) 400 square foot Pool that has a 2 foot deep wader section railed in with a covered roof so parents can sit by their young ones. outside that to the end it is 2 foot deep, to the right of the wader pool is a 4 foot deep section that goes to 12 feet deep at the end, I; being a Moby Dick waited until after tea time to go for a dip and the water was warm and I found that great as it took away the aches and pains I live with 24/7 due to my disabilities, and they are constantly cleaning the pool (which is only 3 week old I believe) so no floating ipis for the foreigners! hehe

The Resort also takes Walk-ins Daily! (I *think* 8:30am to 5:00pm?)
From memory; they charge 100 pesos for entry and 100 pesos redeemable for drinks at the Bar, so a 200PHP Entry Fee all up which should keep some riff-raff out by banning them bringing in drinks (namely alcoholic beverages!) Walk-ins are allowed to bring in food and rent a space under cover (which is still in progress) for 300 pesos.

The weekend was VERY BUSY with Walk-ins so if someone is wanting some quiet time in the Pool then I would advise you go during the week and skip the weekends.

In case of Black-out they have a Generator which services the Bar, Restaurant and Pool area.

*EDIT: For those with Pets, "PETS ALLOWED"!

We chose the Deluxe Room which is 80m2 and fully screened, it contained a LARGE COMFORTABLE Bed (King size I think?) and two smaller single beds, a Table and 4x chairs, a Sofa and Pay TV, a separate CR/Shower, the Air-con and ceiling fan also help take the sting out of the heat of the day (THANK YOU NORECO for the 11 hour black out on Sunday! Grr!!)

I would certainly go back again next Summer, but next time would choose days during the week to avoid the weekend rush.

I HOPE Mahogany Upland Resort will take the time to advertise on this Forum as I am sure MANY will no doubt read this thread...

DOUBLE EDIT:
Just had the Owner's Nephew drop by and return 3200php which I had not noticed we were overcharged. HOW IS THAT for honesty and GREAT service!

@Wrye Up to you if you lock or keep this thread open now mate, maybe others still have something to contribute for others coming to this great country...

Mahogany Upland Resort

Mahogany Upland Resort - UPDATED 2017 Guest house Reviews & Price Comparison (Dauin, Philippines) - TripAdvisor

 

I am sure you know this, but it is NOT the place where you seek a girl - it is the girl herself. Whether you look in 'Why Not', Church X, Dating site X or anywhere else, there will be girls of both good and bad nature. Luck plays a part in finding a good one (and many here have achieved that) but there are clues - does she seem caring, does she treat you as a future husband or as an ATM? Be careful of the family angle - if she has a big local family and they see you as a blessing because you're a foreigner, then perhaps you will have future problems with them.

People are very helpful on this forum, but it is not WHERE you look but WHAT YOU FIND that is most important - and how smart you are in getting to the root of her intentions.

 

More importantly, where was the auntie who was supposedly, looking after the kid?

 

It *sounds* nice but the sad truth many of us have seen is no appreciation or positive return on our tipping. Instead its treated as its expected because we are foreigners and of course as a foreigner can afford it. After all everyone knows we wipe our arses with 1,000 peso bills. If we don't tip big in some cases where they expect it due to other foreigners or a tourist establishment we are a cheap arse even when service its horrible. After all it can't be their fault.

 

Looks like they havent give up just yet...................posted about 7pm..05/17.2017
imalalud Mps
38 mins ·

ARMED MEN SIGHTINGS

From Provincial Director of NORPPO: “This pertains to the alleged two groups of armed men sighted who are wearing camouflage green fatigue on board on two pump boats docked at the shoreline of Sitio Matu-og, Brgy. Basak, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. Said armed men were sighted by local residents in the area with an estimated number of more or less 20 persons with one (1) female who walked across the National highway going to the hinterland of Brgy. Binobohan and Brgy. Mani-ak, Guihulngan City, carrying assorted high powered firearms to include carbine, M16 and machine gun. The said sighted armed men believed to conduct tactical offensive against government troops and vital installations.”

As per above report we enjoined all residents in the area of District I, specially residents in all the barangays in the Municipality of Jimalalud to be vigilant and report to this station or to any other authorities of any confirmed slightest indication of suspicious men and women. Pls. call or text our hotline number at 0917-815-7603.

 

It would seem reasonable to think that way. Logic does not always apply here.
I just read a story where tons of relief goods for typhoon Yolanda are being disposed of because they have spoiled.
It seems the donors did not pay the IMPORT TAXES on the relief goods so the BOC seized them.
Go figure.
Beam me up Scotty.

 

Don't know whether it has been already posted.

BOC - Bureau of Customs, implented a new electronic declaration system for travellers arriving at NAIA Terminal 1.

Now you can 48 hours prior to your arrival declare your goods and / or money online. Once done you will get a QR Code by mail which you have to present after your arrival to customs.

Very similar to the OHP.
Basically it replaces the customs declaration card you usually get from your airline.


BOC implements Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration System

The Bureau of Customs on April 2022 issued Customs Memorandum Order No. 11-2022 with the subject “Implementation of the Electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration (eCBCD) System” to provide guidelines on the customs clearance process for all TRAVELERS and CREW MEMBERS using the said system, in relation to Customs Administrative Order No. 1-2017 or the Customs Clearance of Accompanied and Unaccompanied Baggage of Travelers and Crew.

This order covers the operational procedure for the use of the eCBCD System for all Travelers and Crew Members arriving at or departing from all ports of entry and exit.

Based on the CMO, all arriving Travelers and Crew Members shall now accomplish the Electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (eCBDF), including the Electronic Currency Declaration Form (eCDF), if applicable, in the eCBCD System before or upon arrival in all ports of entry, which can be accessed by logging-in at https://ideclare.customs.gov.ph or at the designated eCBCD Kiosk at the Customs Arrival and Departure Area.

The following procedure shall be observed by the Arriving Traveler and Crew Member in the used of eCBCD System – 1) Click “e-CBD” or “e-CDF” button in the website provided in the foregoing and fill-out the requested information; 2) Upload the required permits, licenses, or clearances from regulatory agencies, if applicable; 3) Tick the box for the Terms and Conditions and Data Privacy Consent; 4) Click the “Submit” button to upload the filled-out eCBDF; 5) The eCBCD System shall then automatically send notification to Travelers’ and Crew Members’ registered e-mail address for the successful registration in the form of QR Code to be presented to the Customs Officer.

An eCBCD System Help Desk shall be made available in the Customs Client Portal System accessible at https://client.customs.gov.ph to provide assistance for Travelers and Crew Members intending to use the eCBCD System.

The copy of CMO No. 11-2022 is uploaded at the BOC website under “Issuances” tab for the reference and information of stakeholders. The copy may also be accessed by clicking the following link: https://customs.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CMO-11-2022-Implementation-of-eCBCD-System.pdf

 

Posts elsewhere on the Forum have described the typhoon-damaged roads leading north to Cebu City on the route via Argao (online, including YouTube, it is difficult to find this information but at least two posters have described their personal experience).

I searched the alternatives for those who don't want to travel by car or bus and this seems to be the situation as at 2nd April 2022 (with the proviso that things change and information can be unreliable):

FLY: Cheapest found (BUT depends on day of travel and those who need fixed dates may pay much more) Duma > Cebu Php 1464. Cebu to Duma > Php 1769. Flight 55 mins. Flights shown daily.
FERRY: 1) Oceanjet Ferry via Tagbilaran 2 hours + 2 hours (plus waiting time of ???) but cannot find anything online via the site I used originally (https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Dumaguete/Cebu-City) and their own website appears desolate. Does anyone know if they still exist?
2) Direct, 6/7 hours: Shows departure Dumaguete 11.59 pm with 6/7 a.m. arrival but many hotels will take in luggage even if no access to room at that time. Ferries to Cebu are on Tuesdays and Fridays. Cebu departure is 8 pm with arrival at Dumaguete 2/3 a.m. (not such a problem this direction of travel as most who read this live in Negros Or.). Ferries to Dumaguete are Mondays and Thursdays. Fares each way start from Php400 Economy. Not sure if stated times of dep/arr can be relied upon (based on knowing those traveling Dumaguete to Dapitan have had travel times double the stated time!). Travel days (and other information) taken from website https://www.cokaliongshipping.com/#sched (which appears a very good one and up-to-date. Some other online sources are not up-to-date and show schedules for three days per week).

As an off-topic to my own topic (!) - during my search I came across details about the new Metro Cebu Expressway and provide a map below:

Obviously topography and existing buildings make this rather a circuitous route (remind me of those games where you have to run a loop over a wire without touching) - my hope is that enough major traffic avoids Cebu City and makes sticking to the Southern Highway easier (I am basing this on still being around when they finish it! Although to be fair, YouTube videos show a lot of progress). I can see an advantage for those travelling from Toledo but cannot see any reason to divert from the Southern Highway at Naga City to use the new road to travel to Minglanilla or Talisay City. Definitely no sense to use it to enter Cebu City IF the only distributor road in to the city is the one shown in blue - I assume most travellers from Negros Or. would be mostly interested in the southern part of Cebu City and I am guessing the northern parts might become more congested anyway.

Also, there is a new 9km bridge connecting Cebu City to the town of Cordova on Mactan Island. I think I would wait a while before testing it out!