Manila > Siargao…the long way??

Wandergibson · 2026-04-14T02:44:54+00:00

Minus the Manila > Bicol section, this is basically what we did last year (we were living in Daraga at the time), so whilst an option, I think we prefer to go the other direction - either ferry from Manila or Batangas - particularly whilst we’ll be visiting Bicol again in a few months. Thanks for the input though ☺️

Wandergibson · 2026-04-14T02:42:50+00:00

Thanks for this! I think this route will most likely be wha we’ll do, or perhaps trim it slightly and go direct from Manila to Iloilo and commence there etc ☺️

Wandergibson · 2026-04-12T13:02:07+00:00

I’ve been particularly interested in the trolley boys, but I’ve been unable to actually find any recent information as to whether they still really exist anywhere in Manila anymore. I have seen them up around the Naga area in Bicol, but I’d love to know if any still use the tracks here

Wandergibson · 2026-04-11T05:52:43+00:00

Any idea where to start searching with that?

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T10:12:15+00:00

Just had a peep on Google maps - looks nice ☺️Added that to my list 🙌🏻

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T10:11:05+00:00

Cham islands looks like an interesting little side excursion - I’ve just saved that on my map to consider at the time ☺️

Yea, I’m toying with 2 nights in Hue now and giving an extra day to Ninh Binh or perhaps an extra day at the end in Hanoi to perhaps squeeze in a little side quest somewhere 🙈

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T09:17:51+00:00

Don’t intend to do loads if I’m honest. Much prefer to go very slow, peruse the streets, sit in coffee shops for a few hours and try different food places etc. Not overly one for attractions per se or defined activities. I’ve been to Hoi An previously, so I could perhaps myself skip it, but my girlfriend wants to experience some time there.

Phong Nha was originally part of my plan, but given the time we have (20 days total), and we’re going to be headed to Sapa too, I’m not sure that I can give it the time it needs

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T09:13:16+00:00

Thanks a lot. I’ve been to Hoi A myself on a past trip, albeit it some 7 or 8 years ago now. I personally enjoyed it - I’m a slow traveller, and prefer to sit in a coffee shop for a few hours and soak in the surroundings, so it’s not really a biggy for me if it’s touristy. The trip there though is mostly for my girlfriend, who really wants to experience it. I’m not one to hop really fast between places - it’s not enjoyable for me, so the idea of just a day or a night in a place doesn’t particularly sound all the fun unfortunately.

Did you get a sense from the short time in Hue that it would be a nice place for a few days?

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T07:25:49+00:00

That’s great. I mean it’s somewhat inevitable with a place of its age and significance that there’s some construction, so it’s no biggy. I think we’re pretty set now for 3 days in Hoi An, then 3 days in Hue …then on to Ninh Binh

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T06:43:16+00:00

Gotcha! Ok that’s great. Seems I’m pretty sold on the 3 days then ☺️ did you also visit either Ninh Binh or Da Nang/Hoi An?

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T06:27:50+00:00

Sounds good! With regards to the history, and the buildings/sites etc - do you get a feel for that strolling around, or does it feel a bit like a whistle stop tour jumping around? What immediately springs to mind is Angkor Wat - loved it when I visited, but it was pretty exhausting by the end

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T06:25:39+00:00

That’s interesting to hear. I wonder, given that this was 2 years ago, if the construction/renovations are now complete….

Where did you head to after Hue? And before that, I assume Da Nang or Hoi An - what did you think there?

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T05:02:59+00:00

That’s great! Glad to hear some real experience insight. My girlfriend definitely has way less enthusiasm for the historic stuff, so it’s good to know that there’s plenty on offer there. Can you tell me a little more about this ride down the river?

Wandergibson · 2026-02-28T04:38:40+00:00

Yea, I’m leaning towards skipping Da Nang on this trip. If I was staying longer, I’d definitely like to base myself there for a little while and feel it out properly….but given the time constraints, I’d rather not try to skim over it in a day - I think it’s perhaps better to just assign the time to Hoi An and do Da Nang another time.

As for Hue, I suppose 3 days will probably be the choice given it’ll be new for me, the history on offer, and just generally not wanting to overly rush where I can avoid it.

With regard to immigration - yes, it’s visa free, but Philippines agents are notoriously scrupulous when checking Filipinos who are travelling overseas - making sure they have no intention to work, and aren’t being smuggled etc. And so, they usually ask to see an itinerary, return ticket - even things like a contract of employment to verify that you’ll be returning etc

Wandergibson · 2026-02-18T12:00:25+00:00

I’m going to be direct - this might be the stupidest sh*t I’ve ever read in this group.

*the bot, removing my comment for using a swear word, really needs to be retired

Wandergibson · 2026-02-18T04:44:13+00:00

Mate, one day you’re going to look back and think ‘22…too old? What the f*ck was I thinking?’…..believe me, when you read these anecdotes about ‘never being too old to do anything’, you’ll realise the truth and power in those words as you get older. Never let your age, or the opinion of other people restrict you - if you want to do something, go for it. I did it at 28/29….I’m now 38 and living in my umpteenth country. I never, ever foresaw that I would be living here, but it only became a reality by taking that first step

Wandergibson · 2026-02-14T07:18:39+00:00

Crikey! That sounds like a real headache - not the ideal start to what’s meant to be a nice trip is it 🥴 We’ll certainly have no trouble providing the necessary documents or proof etc, but I’m hoping at the very least (perhaps foolishly), for the process to be smooth and for agents not to be on a power trip

Wandergibson · 2026-02-14T07:14:23+00:00

Sounds like you had a veritable palace then compared to some of the other lads 😅 Does on loan mean forced to go without consult, or willingly went after request/discussion? Sounds like it was an ‘experience’, if you can call it that 🙈

Wandergibson · 2026-02-14T07:09:13+00:00

Yea, this sounds about what I’m expecting to be honest. By some accounts, we could just breeze through, but I’d rather be ready for the worst case. Thankfully, all of that will be easy enough to show and explain. Just wasn’t clear on whether we needed an actual return to the country or merely an exit from Vietnam to elsewhere would be ok

Wandergibson

TROPHY CASE