Hi everyone, This might seem like a bit of a silly question, but I'm going to Phil end of December for 9 days. I don't want to take a suitcase, so am going to try and pack minimally so I can fit everything in a rucksack. One thing I wasn't sure if I should pack is a pair of shoes? I'm taking my sandals, so thought shoes would be excessive... Other things I'm taking are: Laptop/charger Mobile/charger 1 or 2 t shirts/ 2 or 3 vests 2 pairs of bottoms/ few pair of boxers Small pot of probiotics Wallet/under trouser money-passport pouch Small hand sanitizer gel Would it be wise to take socks? Can any of the more experienced advise taking anything else? Much appreciated
Yeah, good call, but would it not be better to buy it out there instead of packing it and risking having it confiscated at the airport? When I'm there I'm planing on grabbing sunblock, plug adaptor, body wash and things like that. Edit: I was wondering about the shoes from the point of view of protecting my feet from getting cut, etc. as sandals obviously expose my feet a lot.
Buy some mosquito repellent, most drug stores have them over there. I use there brand Its called OFF, and it works well keeping other fly's from landing on you too. Sandals will be sufficient with socks, unless you are going hiking up the mountains.
Thanks mate. I am going on a Sagada tour up a mountain, but do you think it would be just as easy to buy a cheap pair of shoes over there just for the tour - 3 days walking?
Walking boots would be a good idea if you are doing hill walking. I take people hill walking a lot and always advise on appropriate footwear for a number of reasons. However I appreciate that in warmer climates they might be a pain, but sandals aint the best thing for hill walking. It depends a bit on the kind of hill walking you will be doing. I gather there are some good cave systems in Sagada? http://bespectacledgirl.hubpages.com/hub/Its-Fun-in-Sagada-the-Sumaguing-Caving-experience http://www.visitsagada.com/2008/02/21/tour-sumaguing-cave/
It depends on where you will go immediately on arrival. Are you putting your rucksack in as cargo baggage? If so the sunblock wil be fine.
Take a camera...... Then, it depends on the type of camera (compact or DSLR). Of course there will be camera-related accessories too.
Hopefully not mate, as I want my laptop on me. So my rucksack will be fairly small so it fits the hand luggage allowance.
I would take about £1,000 in cash sterling. You can get pesos at the many moneychangers in the cities but it will be difficult to find them in the sticks.
Just for giggles, if there are 66 peso's apx, to 1 pound, does that mean when buying really cheap thins like a bottle of juice, you have to hand over what seems like loads of peso? Or are things like bottles of juice and water, etc, in the sentimo price range?
I would. The Philippines is cheaper than the UK but it is best to be safer than sorry. Change £500 into Pesos and keep the remainder just in case. (Just over £45/day) Don't forget the exit tax and pesos for the journey to the airport on your last day.
You can use cards there as a backup for sure but "cash is king" in Phils and you're ready to hit the ground running when you arrive. I usually change about £50 into pesos in the airport then say £450 in the moneychangers where you get a better rate.
Thanks mate. I think I would have been pretty lost if I hadn't joined here, so thanks for answering all my questions everybody.
You can buy almost everything you want in Phils, in the cities. Things can get a lot more basic in the provinces. Make a list of things you should buy on arrival in the city and then head out up the scree!
If you use taxis make sure the meter is "on". This ensures your costs are minimised. You can find small hotels for £15 a night in the provinces or plush ones at £500 a night in the touristy places. Take a mossie net if you are sleeping in the sticks then also buy the cheap "Tiger" mossie coils that you burn in your room.
I was out walking in the hills locally, a few weeks ago when it was about 26 degrees. The three of us in the party wore light walking boots. They give you sounder grip and give good ankle support.
