I have been diving in the Fiesta Islands for 8 years now and, as there are over 7,000 islands to cover, I have not even began to scratch the surface.
Whenever I go to the Philippines, I either stay at one of these hotels in Manila below or am picked up directly at the Airport and taken 2 hours South to Maya Maya Reef Resort near Nasugbu (which is simply Paradise).
Maya Maya (www.mayamaya.com) is nestled in a tree covered cove with a wonderful view across the bay. It has large nipa style A/C rooms on a Park - like setting with plenty of room between units for privacy and quiet. The Hot Water is rare for the area but is so delightful after a dive. Mrs Stone really has the "Green Thumb" necessary to keep everything so beautiful. They even hand sweep the grass every day !
There is a pool, an excellent Dive Shop, Marina, restaurant and Bar. But what makes it so special is that the owner David Stone and his family make you feel so welcome. You are treated as a member of the Maya Maya Family whenever you return and the pace is very relaxed.
The staff goes out of their way to provide help in getting whatever needs doing, like laundry and trips to town to get any supplies not stocked in the Resort Store. Part of this approach it the rejection of the idea of tipping, which drives you crazy elsewhere.
The Resort is in an area of expensive houses used as weekend get-aways by Manilas "Rich and Famous, but the feeling around the bar when is one of relaxed friendless when they stop in for a drink and a visit.
The pool is especially popular among the children and Melanie Stone (David's ever efficient daughter) somehow maintains the Family friendly nature of the resort but without causing the laughter and play to disturb the relaxation of those guests who enjoy the peace and quiet. There are no TVs or loud radios blasting in the rooms, which recently underwent a complete make over and new furniture.
Phones, Fax and e mail and credit card payments are available at the office so you are never really too far out of touch. Melanie is also the one to see about package deals including Diving, Airport pickup, Parties etc. Prices run about $50 night or about half that of other resorts in the area and they have less facilities.
The airport pickup in Manila about $60 but that saves about twice that in Manila Hotel and Taxi bills. Besides, you wake up in Paradise instead among the hectic Manila traffic, smog and noise.
Mel is a great source of information on the best places to go and see. This last trip, she arranged for me to go to Palawan on the Super Ferry including driving to the docks, which was kind of a Filipino version of Bumper Cars. Other spots she arranged were trips to Puerto Galera, trips to secluded Beaches and a Romantic picnic for a Honeymooning Couple on a secluded Island. You are often told of the good spots by the other guests but Mel is the one to see about the details since she often gets a much better rate from the Hotels and other Resorts.
The Dive Shop has been improved greatly with the arrival of Tony and Lynn Marnewick who have purchased new gear and a fast dive boat that has opened up new areas to exploration. Tony has found many new sites, especially some interesting caves and coves. He can be reached at dive@mayamaya.com for specific details on package prices but usually a dive using their equipment runs around $35-40. He runs a full service PADI shop, including Resort Dive Training for those just wanting to do their first few dives to Open Water and Advanced for people who really want to get into the Underwater World.
He also has an excellent Video Camera system and is well versed in identifying the local Marine Life. I just got my Advanced Card and Video courses from him and he is an excellent instructor whose patience must have been sorely tried by some of my actions. I have been going to the Philippines as a courier for about 8 years now and always included at least a week at Maya Maya.
As to some of the other spots I recommend..... In Manila: Makati....Like Frank Powers, I like the Robel Mansion Hotel (J.P.Rizal St and Makati Ave, Tel 889-8388 but there is also The Robelle House run by the same owners at 4402 Valdez (behind the International School) which is a converted mansion and is secluded and quiet. It is often full since it is popular among long term expats. Good food is available in either the restaurant or my favorite spot Cafe Mogumbo on P Burgos via Makati Ave which is with easy walking distance. Paco....Park Hotel 1032-34 Belen St Tel 521-23-71 to 75. It is off the noisy streets, Large Air Conditioned rooms, refrig, has a pool and restaurant and runs around $40US.
I often meet David Stone of Maya Maya there so we can spend the evening in Manila before heading off to his resort. Ermita...Rothman Inn, 1633-35 M Adriatico St, Tel 521-92-51 to 60. My favorite because it has deep Bathtubs which really feel great after the long flights from LAX. Cost is between $35-45US depending on the room type. There is Massage available in the privacy of the rooms and that really gets those kinks out of the back after sitting in those cramped torture devices the airlines call seats.
It is one street back from the popular but noisy Sundowner Hotel on Mabini St which is the start point for the Si-Kat BusFerry to Puerto Galera on the neighboring island of Mindoro. It is also with a block of the Manila Midtown and the Robinsons Mall which has many interesting shops and Western style restaurants including 2 McDonalds, Shakeys and Outback among others. But there are also many spots with walking distance for other tastes. Be sure to check out the Philippine Handicraft shop and the Arts and Craft stalls on the Mabini St side on the block where the Rothman is.
If you can't get into the Rothman for the night, the Park Plaza on the same block is a good but more expensive choice. On Mindoro Island, Puerto Galera... I highly recommend either staying at Small or Big La Laguna Beaches which are within a 25 min banca trip from the Si-Kat dock.
I usually stay at Small La Laguna since it is a bit closer to Sabangs nightlife and restaurants and my favorite dive shop, Action Divers www.actiondivers.com . Ross Thompson, the owner is very helpful and his web site contains a lot of information on the ferry schedules etc. His shop is next to the excellent Full Moon resort and restaurant.
There is also the El Galleon, run by the owner of Asia Divers and the Portofino, a condo project that sometimes has units for rent for about $35 for Studio,$50 for 1 bedroom. Both of these have a pool but they are within 5 steps for the beach so that might be considered overkill.
Wherever you stay, the Sunsets are striking. I never prebook unless I have talked to Melanie Stone at Maya Maya since she gets much better rates. Or I go to see Ross at Action Divers and we find the best deal. Be aware that Christmas and Easter are usually completely booked altho Ross now can take reservations on some Luxury units that he owns in Sabang. Coron, Palawan....
The flight out on SeaAir aboard a 19 passenger puddlejumper, where you are limited to 50Kg of luggage without extra charge. That eliminated taking too much scuba gear, which is why many divers take the Super Ferry both ways.
You land at the typical dirt airstrip and take a banca through the famous King Cattle Ranch (Asia's largest) to Coron. You are dropped off directly at the Kalamyan Inn which has rooms with either private or a shared bath.
I stayed in a clean A/C room, one of 4 on the second floor which has a private patio. The cost was $20, $23.50 twin share which includes the normally $4 Breakfast. Noise is a bit much until about 8 PM when most of the Trike Taxis stop running. Food is available in the Bar below and is good and not too costly. Be sure to try Josies favorite, Spicey Pork Chops.
Josie then arranged for me to go to Dive Right PADI Diving Center (diveright@moxcom.com and http://www2.mozcom.com/~diving) within a couple of blocks through the village Market. The staff, run by Dennis (Mgr), is skilled, helpful, and a cross section of the world, American, Aussie, German, Japanese.
They offer full PADI services, and take you to some of the most interesting wrecks in the Philippines, a Japanese convoy sunk in 1944. You usually make 2 dives, with lunch in between, leaving at about 10AM and returning about sunset. We also made a dive into a lake which has a layer of 105F water under about 60F freshwater. Very interesting experience, but having to carry all the gear over sharp Limestone rocks where a fall would cause injury if not being fatal is something I would not want to repeat. I had one of the boat crew carry my gear and I barely made it with just me to worry about. But I am 50 and pretty banged up and the younger divers had little problem.
The trip back was at night and the Flying Fish were all over and were caught in the spotlight as they skimmed from place to place. Again, a package deal will cost less but I think each dive was between $25-30 with their equipment including lunch. You can have Dive Right set everything up. Just remember that communications with Coron are cellular and unpredictible, but the e mail usually gets through. Josie at the Kalamayn Inn in Coron is very helpful.
If you want to go via the Super Ferry (www.wgasuperferry.com), their tickets can be purchased in any travel outlet or at Pier 4 in Manila. A 4 person berth with bathroom is $25 each way and a suite at $60 but has room for a couple so it is a good buy when traveling together. It leaves on Friday night, takes 13 hours and returns on Sunday night for a 1 pm arrival in Manila. The other divers who were in my 4 person berth were from Manila and doing a quick weekend worth of diving and took the Ferry due to the weight of the scuba gear. Most people spend a week but whether you fly or sail, spend a weekend or a week, it is truly an adventure among very friendly people.
Contributed by Warren Cornelius
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