Posted: 2007-07-30 17:07:00
Hi Globies
I am trying to find the way from Indonesia to the Philippines but it seems to be real problem. No, I do not want to go by air via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. No direct flights? I prefere the ferry - less expensive, but I cannot see any... Do you have any experience?
Thanks
Wojtek
--- You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced... W.D.
[I am sure you know that the area and islands in and between the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea should be avoided because of modern-day pirates and piracy, mainly the Sulu Archipelago. The Philippines is willing to cede these islands and territorial waters there to Indonesia or Malaysia. Both have rejected the offer as a bad deal, the loses continue!]
Since I plan travelling to the Philippines often and possible retiring their one-day, I always keep an eye on ways of getting there, also from the south;
Once considering flying "Royal Brunei"
www.bruneiair.com from Frankfurt via Brunei to Manila on a special deal. I see now that fares are high now. Also Jakarta to Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) costs $220 and further to Manila for an extra $330! Perhaps the airline could combine these flights for you for a special price? They also fly from other Indonesian destinations like Bali or Surabaya. See also www.tourismbrunei.com
"Garuda Airlines" which does most of Indonesia's traffic is currently banned from the EU after two crashes this year but I suppose they are upgrading and I would personally take the chance flying with them now. A flight Jakarta to Manado costs only about $108 (plus taxes?). Go for it!
Keep/note of this "Sri Wijaya Air" contact address when in the area for general advice:
Door 7 Dacudao Bldg.
Legaspi Street,
Davao City
Philippines
+63 82 2258424
I hope our Aussie and other members will help too.....
RR
PS: which way are you flying ATW, east or west? What are the major stops? Also, Indonesia is so large, 5000km west to east, where are you based or coming from, Jakarta?
[ This Message was edited by: rangutan on 2007-07-31 05:47 ]
Posted: 2007-07-31 10:14:00
Thanks a lot Rudi for sharing your knowledge...
So - you found a gateway for me - flight Manado to Davao...
It cost 130-160 USD OW I hear... - quite much but it is cheaper then
flying via Singapore...
I was checking also options for the flights Europe to ASEAN...
So far Qatar Airways are most convenient and inexpensive:
They offer flights both to Denpasar and from Cebu.
Round trip costs around 600 euro plus tax, but the problem is
that they do not allow to make OJ (open jaw) for this price
- I would like fly to DPS and then fly back from CEB...
Greetings
Wojtek
--- You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced... W.D.
Posted: 2007-08-11 12:39:00
Greetings. I actually joined to give you this heads up. Yes there is both direct flights from Jakarta to Philippines as well as ferries. Safest and fastest is airtravel. Cebu Pacific flies at about 50 US depending on dollar exchange. It is about 2499 pesos so go by that. Pesos is at about 44 and change now per dollar as dollar is weak. Ferries are a bit cheaper but take forever and have low safety factor in every way. good luck.
Posted: 2007-08-11 12:42:00
While the gentelman seems knowledgeable about Sulku, it is not being ceded nor was ever offered. I live 5 odd hours out of Davao and travel alot down in Sulu and Autonomaus. There is indeed piracy as well as 5 insurrections here, 6 if you include a IJ wider one out of Indonesia. Most violence is limited currentluy to the Davao side of Mindanao but Davao itself is fine now, and has been for 3 years or so although Checkpoints have increased in the last week, might just be operational exercises.
Posted: 2007-08-12 18:03:00
Thanks for a local view, that must be the most correct. Do you know of any ferry between Manado (Indonesia) and Davao? Wojtek plans to visit the Philippines after his visit to East Timor and would rather avoid the long bypass via Jakarta or Singapore, would prefer a ferry.
My reference to the Sulu Sea and Archipelago islands was just for travellers to be aware of piracy there. See this map as to general dangers in the area:
http://www.imray.com/corrections/831.html the area marked "C" is that which I meant to be avoided, the string of islands between Manado and Davao seem safe.
Ceding the Sulu Archipelago to Indonesia is false, meant is "Malaysia", not "Indonesia" and "sale" not "cede"! Philippines till today considers these islands and also northern Borneo ("Sabah") as its territory, they form one geographic and cultural entity, the . There were and are attempts to settle the 50 year dispute financially in favour of Manila's hungry financial situation. Sale of entire islands in the north were apparently successful recently to Chinese and Korean corporations, funny no reference on internet to that too. All this might just be "chismis" (rumour)???
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/mindfeeds/mindfeeds/view_article.php?article_id=81527
RR
[ This Message was edited by: rangutan on 2007-08-12 18:09 ]
Posted: 2007-08-12 18:08:00
Sure, all around. On Sulu, there are MANY problems both there and here on Mindanao. We do not have the piracy but we do have more insurrections as well as more cannabis trade which means danger all around. Sulu does have wonderful attractions though, just keep one's head about them.
On the ferry, yes, there two ways actually but not directly to Davao either way. I will get up to date info on it though so as to give good info. Actually, that is how I came upon this site as I was planning a jaunt to Jakarta before changing it northward up to the mainland.
