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An outline of the main points:
About us,
Book without Risk,
Flights to the Philippines,
Why
holiday in the Philippines,
History
and General Information,
The People,
Weather,
Clothing,
Time lag
Philippines,
Language,
Visa,
Travel Insurance,
Health and Vaccination,
Currency,
Customs,
Airport Service Rikaphil Travel,
Airport Manila,
Terminaltax,
Reconfirm,
Utilities,
Newspapers & Radio-TV,
Business Hours,
Culture "Shock",
Tip,
Bargain,
Food
and Drinks,
Safety and Security,
Transport,
Domestic
flight in the Philippines,
Bicycle,
Deep-sea fishing,
Golf,
Dive,
Surfing, Travel Destinations,
Hotels,
Our
office.

About us
TRAPHIL PHILIPPINES is a TRAVEL and TOUR operator in the
Philippines
a dynamic company under Niederlands management.
We are organize attractive travel modules and travel
programs on individual basis to the Philippines, more and more people
discover the appealing beauty of this country and its people and
experience here a splendid paradise holiday. We already mention it,
holiday on individual basis. You never have to be afraid that your
holiday will be cancelled because not enough people booked the tour.
You really enjoy the place you are at a certain moment,
most of the time the travel program can be changed to fulfill your
personal whishes. In other words, we are there to serve you and give you
the most enjoyable holiday.
In all travel modules you will be guided by an English,
Dutch or German speaking tour guide. We can assure you that TRAPHIL
PHILIPPINES and it's staff will do their best to give you an optimal service
during your holiday.
You can make your booking direct by
Rikaphil Travel
BOOK WITHOUT RISK

Book without Risk
UNIQUE: BOOK WITHOUT RISK! NO ADVANCE PAYMENT; PAYMENT AT HOLIDAY START!
FREE CANCEL UNTILL DEPARTURE DATE!
Free
cancel untill departure date!
By us you dont need a Anulation Insurance because free cancel until
departure date.
We recommend a Travel Insurance.

Flights to the Philippines
Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, are
the international gateways, with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
in Manila as the premier gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines, which
fly to different cities around the world. The Mactan International Airport (MIA)
in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Singapore, and Australia as well as
chartered flights from Hong Kong, the United States, and other major travel
capitals. Davao International Airport handles regular flights from Indonesia and
Singapore. The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and Subic Airfield in
Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International
Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Taiwan and Macau.
Voorbeelden internetsites van luchtvaartmaatschappijen:
-
www.klm.nl
- www.airfrance.fr
- www.cathaypacific.com
- www.britishairways.com
- www.lufthansa.com
- www.emirates.com
- www.swiss.com
- www.thaiair.com
- www.evaair.com
- www.jal.co.jp
- www.philippineairlines.com
- www.qantas.com.au
- www.koreanair.com
- www.nwa.com
- www.chinaairlines.com
- www.singaporeairlines.com
- www.malaysianairlines.com

Why holiday in the
Philippines?
The German ethnographer Fedor Jagor traveled to the
Philippines in the 19th Century, an experience that moved him to
superlatives. As he later wrote, “Hardly anywhere does the nature lover
find a greater fill of boundless treasure.”
The archipelago that so inspired Jagor remains a marvel of nature, with
its more than 7,100 islands nourishing a panoply of wildlife unique to
the world. Despite the country’s small size and its tiny portion of
remaining habitat, the Philippines is “richly endowed” with flora and
fauna. Unfortunately, the region faces myriad threats making it the
“hottest” of the biodiversity hotspots.
The Philippines is rich in biodiversity, with around
12,000 plant species, 1,000 land vertebrate species, and at least
500 species of coral.
7107 TROPICAL ISLANDS – WHITE BEACHES
– SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS – ACTIVE VOLCANO'S
– COLORFUL MOUNTAIN TRIBES – HOT WATER SPRINGS –
2000 YEAR OLD RICE TERRACES – BREATHTAKING CORAL
REEFS – THOUSAND OF TROPICAL FISH – DIVE
AND SNORKEL PARADISE – OLD CULTURES – THE WHOLE YEAR A
SUNNY CLIMATE BUT MOST OF ALL A FRIENDLY AND HOSPITABLE POPULATION.


History
and General Information
Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea,
the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn
of history. That it was the center of lively Asian trade route that
stretched all the way to China and Japan can be seen from the relics
these early visitors left behind. Among our archaeological treasures is
a Neolithic spirit boat typical of early Southeast Asian culture.
The West
discovered the Philippines when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese
explorer who sailed for Spain, landed in Cebu in 1521. However,
colonization didn't actually begin until 1565, when Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila.
Because
Philippine society was loosely organized, without a central government,
the Spanish conquest was rapid and total. Only the Muslims in the south
and some inaccessible hill tribes were able to resist Spanish influence.
Along with the Spanish conquerors came a new religion, Christianity, a
new language, new laws and the galleon trade.
Despite several
uprisings against Spain, including the Katipunan, a revolutionary
movement inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal and led by Andres Bonifacio, it was
the United States of America that broke the Spaniard's grip on the
Philippines. Unfortunately, that began the nation's second period of
colonization. Once again there was resistance, this time led by Emilio
Aguinaldo; but his rag-tag army was no match for Admiral Dewey's forces.
In 1901, with Aguinaldo's capture, the Americans were entrenched.
The Americans
brought over their educational system, their legal system and planted
the seeds of their own style of government. In 1935, the Philippines
became an American commonwealth country with Manuel Luis Quezon as
president. The status quo ended with the Japanese Occupation; and it
wasn't until 1946, after the end of the Pacific war, that the
Philippines finally regained true independence as the Republic of the
Philippines under the presidency of Manuel Roxas. Still one of the
strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is
Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo.

The People
Halo-halo is a Filipino word that means mixture. While it describes a
popular dessert, it could also describe the Filipinos. They look like
Asians, write and speak English like Americans, worship like Spaniards,
and have an outlook that is international.
Like the
Southern Chinese, the Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Burmese, the
modern-day Filipino traces his remotest genetic lines back to an
Australoid and Mongoloid stock. You will also find a touch of Caucasian,
Chinese, Indian and Arabic in their gene pool as well. But to truly
understand the Filipino, you have to look at the land. The historic
isolation between islands and the topographic isolation on each island,
become the primary influence governing regional traits and societal
behavior.
This diversity
makes Filipinos all the more interesting. However, what is apparent
isn't how different they are from each other, but rather how alike they
are. Brought together by a common history, and looking forward to a
common future, it is not surprising to find a sharing of certain traits.
Their warmth, graciousness and hospitality - all part of the Filipino
psyche - will make your stay a delight.

Weather
The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons--hot and dry from
November to June, and rainy from July to October. Filipinos will tell
you that it is cool from December through February and they themselves
will wear jackets.

Clothing
People in the Philippines dress for the weather (HOT!) Casual attire during the
day for women are light blouses and shorts. For men collared T- shirts worn over
slacks. In the evening skirts are substituted for shorts and the T-shirts are
tucked in.
For Men Only: If you
expect to have to attend any occasion which would usually require a jacket and a
tie (which is torture in this weather) there is a wonderful substitute. Go
immediately to a department store and buy a barong tagalog. It is an embroidered
shirt that is considered a formal dress. It will cost more or less 1,000 Peso
but it is worth every centavo.

Time lag
Philippines
Look of this Webpage:
http://www.worldtimezone.com

Language
While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the
national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken
second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are
conducted in English.

Visa
If you are coming from America, Asia or Europe with a valid passport,
and either a return ticket or a ticket to another destination outside
the Philippines you may enter without a formal visa and stay for 21
days. If you wish to stay longer you must obtain a Visa Extension either
before your trip from a Philippine Consulate or Embassy. Or, once here,
you may obtain it from the Bureau of Immigration (we can help you).

Travel Insurance
We recommend a Travel Insurance.

Health and Vaccination
Travel health depends on your pre- departure preparations, your day to
day health care while traveling and how you handle any medical problem
or emergency that does develop. A good medical kit is essential,
particularly if you are going off the beaten track. Because you can’t
always get to your main luggage when traveling. For example on a flight,
it’s recommended that you keep a small medical kit in your hand luggage
with medications such as pain- relieving tablets, diarrhea tablets, eye
drops and your special medicine.
The Philippines doesn't have a vaccination duty.
Malaria:
Malaria exists in Rural areas only. Except, no risk in
provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, Leyte, Samar, Manila, Angeles.
Note: Malaria transmission in the Philippines is largely confined to
rural areas not visited by most travelers. Most travel to rural areas of
the Philippines is during daytime hours when the risk of exposure is
minimal.
Good is aslo to bring mosquito oil and in the evening
wear long pants and socks.

Currency
The currency in the Philippines is the Peso (PhP) and the Centavo. 100
centavos = P1. Coin denominations are: 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, P1, and P5.
Bill denominations are : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1, 000 pesos.
Foreign
currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large
department stores, banks and authorized money changing shops. Exchanging
money anywhere else is illegal and the laws are strictly enforced.
Most large
stores, restaurants , hotels and resorts accept major credit cards
including American Express, Visas and MasterCard. Travelers checks
preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department
stores. Personal checks drawn on foreign banks are generally not
accepted.
For the exchange rate look at this
webpage:
www.oanda.com

Customs
Upon
Arriving: Visitors are
allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of
cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol.
Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or
Consulate in their home city.
You may
bring in unlimited amount of foreign currency.
Upon Leaving: Any antiques you may have acquired during your stay
must be accompanied by a certificate from the National Museum. You may
also not take more than 5,000 Pesos out of the country.

Airport Service Rikaphil Travel
1.
Arrival at Terminal 1 (all flights
except Philippine Airlines).
2.
After debarking the plan you will
first pass through immigration.
3.
After Immigration you will proceed directly to the luggage
claim area.
4.
After you claimed your luggage go straight ahead for customs clearance.
There you will have to present your immigration card, and Passport that has
been stamped by the immigration officer.
5.
After you past customs you go straight ahead passing through the sliding
doors. Now you are in the arrival hall, where you will be assaulted by many Hotel
Drivers. Tell them that you have a transport waiting for you and just
ignore them.
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