Difference between revisions of "Philippines"
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==Personal Experiences== | ==Personal Experiences== | ||
| − | :I have hitchiked around many of the rural island provinces of the Philippines, especially southern Luzon/Tagalog region and the Visayas and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable, Filipino's are a very hospitable and fun people who genuinely wish to help out. A couple of times i have prefered to actually walk the distance of a island by foot, rather than hitch hike so i could see the various villages and sights, however in my 2-3 hour walk two vehicles actually stopped to ask if i wanted a lift, without me even asking or showing any intentions. I found the peoples genuine happiness to help very good in hitching a ride, however public transportation is so cheap in the Philippines that often you really don't need to hitch a ride unless you really need to, or if that route has no public transporation servicing it. Many of the people who picked me up in the provinces where relatively poor, so i sometimes i paid for my lift, but other times when offered they refused my money. Safety is not a big concern in the Philippines, mayby in the bigger cities, but in the provinces generally the road rules are very laidback, and it is not uncommon to be seated in unsafe places (by western standards) such as the back of a ute, or on the roof of a jeep. Keep in mind this is normal, and often they drive fairly slow. Normal procedues in hitch hiking and safety, of course apply all around the world. Take care | + | :I have hitchiked around many of the rural island provinces of the Philippines, especially southern Luzon/Tagalog region and the Visayas and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable, Filipino's are a very hospitable and fun people who genuinely wish to help out. A couple of times i have prefered to actually walk the distance of a island by foot, rather than hitch hike so i could see the various villages and sights, however in my 2-3 hour walk two vehicles actually stopped to ask if i wanted a lift, without me even asking or showing any intentions. I found the peoples genuine happiness to help very good in hitching a ride, however public transportation is so cheap in the Philippines that often you really don't need to hitch a ride unless you really need to, or if that route has no public transporation servicing it. Many of the people who picked me up in the provinces where relatively poor, so i sometimes i paid for my lift, but other times when offered they refused my money. I found many did not want my money, and often many locals jump on for a free ride going through each village, i assume they knew the driver however and it's not uncommon to see a private persons vehicle all of the sudden seem like a taxi or bus. Safety is not a big concern in the Philippines, mayby in the bigger cities, but in the provinces generally the road rules are very laidback, and it is not uncommon to be seated in unsafe places (by western standards) such as the back of a ute, or on the roof of a jeep. Keep in mind this is normal, and often they drive fairly slow. Normal procedues in hitch hiking and safety, of course apply all around the world. Take care |
===Cities=== | ===Cities=== | ||
Revision as of 15:56, 10 May 2009
 Philippines | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Filipino, English, Many other dialects |
| Capital: | Manila |
| Population: | 90,500,000 |
| Currency: | Philippine Peso (PHP) |
| Hitchability: |  (very good)
|
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
| <map lat='13' lng='122' zoom='5' view='0' width='250' height='400' country='Philippines'/> | |
The Republic of the Philippines is an island nation located in South-Eastern Asia.
Hitching on the Philippines is compared to other Southeast Asian countries a little bit harder, but this often depends on your location. You can make 200-300 km a day, maybe a bit more, depending on the route. Near tollgates and on the NLEX/SLEX (North/South Luzon Expressway) you will probably get in trouble with the police. Nevertheless they are friendly at many checkpoints. Ferries are frustrating though.
Filipino's are well known for being very hospitable and friendly, and are a very social people. Hitching a ride is often very easy because if this trait, and in the provinces and rural areas out of the cities it especially is easy to get a lift, whilse in the city you may not be as lucky because of the chaotic schedules of the drivers, especially around the bustling traffic, however Filipino's are known to go out of their way to help people and you will be surprised how many people will try and help you. Often drivers will stop to see if you need a lift in the provinces, especially if your look like a foreigner. Public transportation in the Philippines is very widespread and very cheap, so it is rare to find many people hitching a ride in the country, it isn't as common thing among locals as it is with tourists.
If you travel within the island provinces out of urban centers it is a great experience for hitch hiking as many locals will often always stop to see if you need a lift (especially if you give the thumbs up or wave your hand in a downwards manner, commonly used to hail a Jeepney, a type of local Filipino bus), this is much more easier done if you look like a foreigner, as many locals consider you exotic and are interested in you, you often find yourself making new friends through this.
Personal Experiences
- I have hitchiked around many of the rural island provinces of the Philippines, especially southern Luzon/Tagalog region and the Visayas and found it incredibly easy and enjoyable, Filipino's are a very hospitable and fun people who genuinely wish to help out. A couple of times i have prefered to actually walk the distance of a island by foot, rather than hitch hike so i could see the various villages and sights, however in my 2-3 hour walk two vehicles actually stopped to ask if i wanted a lift, without me even asking or showing any intentions. I found the peoples genuine happiness to help very good in hitching a ride, however public transportation is so cheap in the Philippines that often you really don't need to hitch a ride unless you really need to, or if that route has no public transporation servicing it. Many of the people who picked me up in the provinces where relatively poor, so i sometimes i paid for my lift, but other times when offered they refused my money. I found many did not want my money, and often many locals jump on for a free ride going through each village, i assume they knew the driver however and it's not uncommon to see a private persons vehicle all of the sudden seem like a taxi or bus. Safety is not a big concern in the Philippines, mayby in the bigger cities, but in the provinces generally the road rules are very laidback, and it is not uncommon to be seated in unsafe places (by western standards) such as the back of a ute, or on the roof of a jeep. Keep in mind this is normal, and often they drive fairly slow. Normal procedues in hitch hiking and safety, of course apply all around the world. Take care
Cities
Transport is found everywhere in the Philippines, their often is a ferry or boat leaving port every hour depending on the port, and often not following the schedule to exact times, so it is a gamble sometimes. Flights are cheap to the Philippines thanks to a number of low cost airlines flying in the nation, the premier Filipino Low Cost airline is Cebu Pacific, which also serves international flights around the region.
Be careful on Mindanao island, especially in the city Zamboanga. Getting a free boat (there is only one regular one: Zamboanga to Sabah state in Malaysia) From Indonesia to Malaysia it's very very hard, Malaysia immigration is pretty tough though.
Air Asia has discount flights to Malaysia.
If you like boats you can try your luck here.
