Heading To Cebu/boracay In January, Suggestions On What-Where?

[Jimmie]

Meeting some friends for the New Year in Chiang Mai, and then coming to Boracay, then Cebu, and trying to figure out how to get a feel for Cebu in 4-5 days. I've never been to either...and I travel often to the Florida gulf coast, so I'm thinking I will skip the Mactan Island resorts (code talk for save some money, too..) and stay in Cebu City.

Two real questions. In anybody interested in meeting up to spend an hour or two giving me their hard earned wisdom on living in Cebu/Phils, (Probably around Jan 8-12), and the second question, what would you suggest are the "need to see" places in Cebu, if you're thinking about moving there in a year or two? What I mean is.... I don't want to know the top ten tourist places....I am more interested in the "these are things/places you should really know about as an expat..." That might mean expat hangouts, or places to shop/send/receive things, or the consulate (?), best hospital, areas to avoid, etc. In other words, what are the most important/often used places for you guys? I know that after living there you probably rely more on local ..everything, restaurants, services, contractors, etc. But how did you start your transition?

I'll be in Boracay from Jan 8-12, I think. If you have any ideas for there, of course, they'd be much appreciated, too. Right now I'm planning off of tourists maps, and planning on flying into Kalibo just because of the luggage weight restrictions at Caitlan (sp?). I think I will be over the luggage weight limit, especially if I buy any souvenirs in Chiang Mai, so Kalibo seems the only option.

As always, I humbly seek the wisdom of my elders (even if some of you are younger than me....)

[GregZ]

Two real questions. In anybody interested in meeting up to spend an hour or two giving me their hard earned wisdom on living in Cebu/Phils, (Probably around Jan 8-12), and the second question, what would you suggest are the "need to see" places in Cebu, if you're thinking about moving there in a year or two?

1. I'm only 25 years old (on each side) and have lived in Cebu for just 8 months. My "wisdom" (experience here) came to me easily so I guess I'm not volunteering for this one as I HATE REJECTION. Okay, yes I am... Only way to find out if I have anything of value is talking. I'll be around until 20 January... :tiphat: You'll probably get better offers and I recommend TAKE THEM. :541: :hystery:

2. "Need to see" everywhere... just a ride up and down the main streets for a few hours here with a map and someone that knows what neighborhood they are in would have really helped ME and given me a good lay of the land. I did not get that and it took me a couple months to figure out just how close things were in relation to each other. This is a relatively small city.

EXAMPLE: Birmingham Alabama is the largest city in Alabama. Population 212,237. Area: 393.4 km²

Cebu City has a land area of 291.2 square kilometres and about 55.9 square kilometres is classified as urban, while 235.2 square kilometres (90.8 sq mi) is classified as rural, although all barangays are classified as urban. Population 866,171 in over 161,151 households (5-6 per household). 4 times the people in 1/8th the area

Most of those 800k folks live in the 55 square km. So BEFORE I came to Cebu I looked up population densities for comparison. VERY MISLEADING. Density in Cebu compared closely to Chicago, Illinois. Thing is that in Chicago they have many tall buildings housing those people. So consider that there are not many tall buildings here with the same population density. YUP, the people live here with less square footage per person. WAY LESS. :kidding:

"these are things/places you should really know about as an expat..." BI (Bureau of Immigration), I don't know about ex-pat hangouts, the various mall locations as well as Fuente Circle and Independance Plaza for reference, Chong Hua Hospital. Areas to avoid I'll let others comment on.

"I know that after living there you probably rely more on local ..everything, restaurants, services, contractors, etc." "But how did you start your transition?"

I didn't do much on my own. My girl and her family have watched over me from the start. :dance:

[OnMyWay]

Good topic as I am looking for the same advice. I might hire a tour guide or someone like a real estate agent to show us around for one solid day, or two. Maybe with map in hand so that the lay of the land sinks into this thick head as much as possible!

If anyone knows of someone who could provide such as service for a reasonable cost, please let me know!

[GregZ]

Good topic as I am looking for the same advice. I might hire a tour guide or someone like a real estate agent to show us around for one solid day, or two. Maybe with map in hand so that the lay of the land sinks into this thick head as much as possible!

If anyone knows of someone who could provide such as service for a reasonable cost, please let me know!

You cover the transportation and buy us a couple Chicken Joy meals at Jollibee; me and my girl are all yours. One day is plenty unless you want to venture out of the city, I believe. OR if you are a slow learner like me a refresher on day 2 :bash: or a TEST. :mocking: Here are some FREE maps... this way you get more than you pay for. Note that it is only 30 km from Talisay City to Liloan with just a couple main roads. I marked major things (to ME) in RED on the second one. btw I live near Province Capital. :tiphat:

[OnMyWay]

Greg, that is a generous offer! I'll keep in touch! We are planning on a week or so there, sometime between December 18th and Jan 4th. Also trying to work out a visit back to Baguio and maybe stop by Subic too.

[Jake]

Good topic as I am looking for the same advice. I might hire a tour guide or someone like a real estate agent to show us around for one solid day, or two. Maybe with map in hand so that the lay of the land sinks into this thick head as much as possible!

If anyone knows of someone who could provide such as service for a reasonable cost, please let me know!

You cover the transportation and buy us a couple Chicken Joy meals at Jollibee; me and my girl are all yours. One day is plenty unless you want to venture out of the city, I believe. OR if you are a slow learner like me a refresher on day 2 :bash: or a TEST. :mocking: Here are some FREE maps... this way you get more than you pay for. Note that it is only 30 km from Talisay City to Liloan with just a couple main roads. I marked major things (to ME) in RED on the second one. btw I live near Province Capital. :tiphat:

Hey Greg,

Excellent information using Google Earth! How did you annotate (in red) vital information on the map?

By the way, is that a female Kapre with red lip stick attacking your face.....he, he.

You guys are on a roll, keep posting guys -- Jake

[i am bob]

You know Greg.... If enough people start taking you up on your offer, your food budget could go to pretty close to 0 pesos for months! You might get pretty tired of the chicken though... :mocking:

Seriously, great posts guys! These are what we need more of on here IMHO! :541:

[GregZ]

How did you annotate (in red) vital information on the map? By the way, is that a female Kapre with red lip stick attacking your face.....he, he.

I used a screen capture for the map, then used MS Paint to crop it and add the red items; easy and available. :thumbsup:

No female Kapre. I think it was my girls brother, caught me sleeping. I'll check the security camera and let you know. :hystery:

You know Greg.... If enough people start taking you up on your offer, your food budget could go to pretty close to 0 pesos for months! You might get pretty tired of the chicken though... :mocking:

You got the "tired of chicken" right. I can only handle Jollibee once a week. The hot fudge sundae never get old but the Chicken Joy does. Too many takers and I'll upgrade restaurant :7_4_17[1]: or maybe just switch to a drinking requirement. Beer, wine and liquor never seem to lose their appeal. :shooter:

[Curley]

Book me in for mid Jan...... I'll do beer AND chicken :thumbsup:

[Jim Sibbick]

Good topic as I am looking for the same advice. I might hire a tour guide or someone like a real estate agent to show us around for one solid day, or two. Maybe with map in hand so that the lay of the land sinks into this thick head as much as possible!

If anyone knows of someone who could provide such as service for a reasonable cost, please let me know!

Edited December 5, 2012 by MikeB
Removed link to blog, other forums.