Comments on: Bicol Region – a natural beauty to settle down and grow old http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/ Life is what you make it! Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:33:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: cazare predeal http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-51669 cazare predeal Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:29:03 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-51669 I've visited the ruins of Cagsawa and I was impressed by the power of the old volcano. I suppose that the old ruins will resist because shows that the history can repeat. Best regards ! I’ve visited the ruins of Cagsawa and I was impressed by the power of the old volcano. I suppose that the old ruins will resist because shows that the history can repeat. Best regards !

]]> By: porsha http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-48879 porsha Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:13:58 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-48879 Hey Chris, Glad to see you've enjoyed your stay in Pinas. I'll be back in Manila towards the end of this year for a vacation.. When did you go to Donsol for the whaleshark interaction? Am currently planning a trip myself, targeting mid-December. I'm really hoping there's no typhoon so I can see some whaleshark.. Hey Chris,

Glad to see you’ve enjoyed your stay in Pinas. I’ll be back in Manila towards the end of this year for a vacation..

When did you go to Donsol for the whaleshark interaction? Am currently planning a trip myself, targeting mid-December. I’m really hoping there’s no typhoon so I can see some whaleshark..

]]> By: Eva http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-47538 Eva Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:35:46 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-47538 :-? Hello! I appreciate your site lots of great info about the land of my birth. I grew up in one of the remote barrios of Donsol, which is San Isidro. I'm seriously contemplating revisiting Donsol after an absence of many years. Is the road going from Legazpi to Donsol in good repair? Thanks. Hello! I appreciate your site lots of great info about the land of my birth. I grew up in one of the remote barrios of Donsol, which is San Isidro. I’m seriously contemplating revisiting Donsol after an absence of many years. Is the road going from Legazpi to Donsol in good repair?

Thanks.

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45979 Chris Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:30:49 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45979 <strong>Ryan</strong>, you are right - you have plenty of international food options, mainly in the larger cities or SM and Robinson Malls. I was comparing with tourist destinations like Bali or Phuket in mind, which simply outshine places like Boracay in regards of diversity, quality and value for money for me. Also I must admit that I prefer Indonesian/Thai food over Filipino cuisine; but that is just me (I'm just not a big meat eater). :-o The Visa system here in the Philippines I find very pleasant - I can stay in the country up to 18 months and only have to renew every few months, which takes all in all 10 minutes in one of the many immigration offices country-wide. Simple and easy! Compare that with Indonesia, the Visa on Arrival system sucks (VOA; leave country every 1 month - and that with those long distances) - an extended tourist visa will let you visit <a href="http://www.nomad4ever.com/2006/12/15/visa-extension-in-bali-how-does-it-work/" rel="nofollow">20 times</a> an immigration office within 6 months (with plenty of time wasted, paperwork and other bureaucracy to take care of). Thailand has an even more crappy and expensive Visa-Run policy, where you have to leave the country every 2 or 3 months. Okay, Thailand eased that somewhat for a limited time (until 03/2010 you can get a visa for 2 months free of charge) - but still you have to leave the country every few months just to get that stupid stamp. Come in via a land border (not airport) and they only give you 14 (!) days. x( Ryan, you are right – you have plenty of international food options, mainly in the larger cities or SM and Robinson Malls. I was comparing with tourist destinations like Bali or Phuket in mind, which simply outshine places like Boracay in regards of diversity, quality and value for money for me. Also I must admit that I prefer Indonesian/Thai food over Filipino cuisine; but that is just me (I’m just not a big meat eater).

The Visa system here in the Philippines I find very pleasant – I can stay in the country up to 18 months and only have to renew every few months, which takes all in all 10 minutes in one of the many immigration offices country-wide. Simple and easy!

Compare that with Indonesia, the Visa on Arrival system sucks (VOA; leave country every 1 month – and that with those long distances) – an extended tourist visa will let you visit 20 times an immigration office within 6 months (with plenty of time wasted, paperwork and other bureaucracy to take care of).

Thailand has an even more crappy and expensive Visa-Run policy, where you have to leave the country every 2 or 3 months. Okay, Thailand eased that somewhat for a limited time (until 03/2010 you can get a visa for 2 months free of charge) – but still you have to leave the country every few months just to get that stupid stamp. Come in via a land border (not airport) and they only give you 14 (!) days.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45969 Ryan Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:57:46 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45969 Aw come on <strong>Chris</strong> - no food option?- Philippines has like the most diverse food choices in Asia! My American friend living in BKK has to fly to Manila to get a jerkie- heaps of international cuisine abound! I am not sure with our Visa system (I think it is crap- he he he) But where the hell have you been eating? Hehe. I agree with the lack of infrastructure though - but that makes it more exciting. More adventure I say. Aw come on Chris – no food option?- Philippines has like the most diverse food choices in Asia! My American friend living in BKK has to fly to Manila to get a jerkie- heaps of international cuisine abound! I am not sure with our Visa system (I think it is crap- he he he) But where the hell have you been eating? Hehe. I agree with the lack of infrastructure though – but that makes it more exciting. More adventure I say.

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45961 Chris Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:48:29 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45961 There is no better or worse in general, <strong>Dane</strong>. None of them are perfect, none is really bad. I love Indonesia for its food, friendly people and easy-going life, but loath their Visa system. Thailand is the most-developed, but probably over-commercialized, while the Philippines is the least developed, has maybe the friendliest people, the best Visa system - but lacking infrastructure and food options . Of course I could write a book about each and every one, but it all depends on your preferences. Why not check them out for a while before your decide long-term? There is no better or worse in general, Dane. None of them are perfect, none is really bad. I love Indonesia for its food, friendly people and easy-going life, but loath their Visa system. Thailand is the most-developed, but probably over-commercialized, while the Philippines is the least developed, has maybe the friendliest people, the best Visa system – but lacking infrastructure and food options . Of course I could write a book about each and every one, but it all depends on your preferences. Why not check them out for a while before your decide long-term?

]]> By: Dane http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45955 Dane Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:02:00 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45955 Hi Chris, Long time. Indonesia vs Thailand vs The Philippines? In general, which is better? Are you going to retire in The Philippines? Hi Chris,
Long time.
Indonesia vs Thailand vs The Philippines? In general, which is better?
Are you going to retire in The Philippines?

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45939 Chris Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:30:24 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45939 I wish they were, <strong>Adri</strong>. Well, probably next year I will have some of my own also. :D I wish they were, Adri. Well, probably next year I will have some of my own also.

]]> By: Adri http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45930 Adri Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:48:55 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45930 Hi Chris, I tot the whaleshark picture is yours, its really cool! Diving or snorkling with whale shark is one of my top wishlists. I believe you have seen manta when you're in Bali. I saw lots of manta when diving at Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali. Cheers, Hi Chris,

I tot the whaleshark picture is yours, its really cool! Diving or snorkling with whale shark is one of my top wishlists. I believe you have seen manta when you’re in Bali. I saw lots of manta when diving at Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali.

Cheers,

]]> By: Captain Sparrow http://www.nomad4ever.com/2009/08/02/bicol-region-a-natural-beauty-to-settle-down-and-grow-old/#comment-45928 Captain Sparrow Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:58:38 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/?p=1266#comment-45928 i want to go to Bicol :) i want to go to Bicol

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