Buzz
Heading back to the pier, Uyen was shocked as the driver demanded 500 pesos for two rides, despite her only paying 150 pesos for a single trip.
Saigon girl unfairly loses money three times on her first day in the Philippines
Nguyen Lan Uyen, hailing from Ho Chi Minh City, has a profound love for exploring new destinations. Apart from Vietnam, she has ventured to Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, China, South Korea, Maldives, and more. Below, Uyen shares her experiences from her 2016 trip to the Philippines.
During the 8-day journey, I opted for the first 2 days to explore the Taal volcano and Manila in the Philippines. It was precisely at these two locations where I encountered one surprise after another due to the profit-driven nature of the tourism services.
After landing at Ninoy Aquino Airport on a budget flight, my two friends and I hailed a taxi to our hotel in the Malate area. The Taal volcano is situated in Tagaytay, 60 km from the capital Manila. To reach the bus stop to Tagaytay, we walked 300 meters to Malate Church, changed two jeepney rides before reaching the bus station.
We arrived at Tagaytay after two hours. It was past 11 am, so we decided to stop by a nearby fast-food joint. Tricycles were abundant, and we hailed one to take us to the dock. Each tricycle could accommodate three passengers, with two sitting in the sidecar and one behind. After negotiating the fare, we settled on '50 pesos per person (25,000 dong), 150 pesos for the three of us one way.' It was my first time experiencing the renowned tricycle drivers of the Philippines, and despite the long-standing rumors, it was quite an adventure.
Descending 10 kilometers of winding mountain roads to the dock marked the first time in my life I sped at 90 km/h without slowing down for the curves. Initially nerve-wracking, we soon grew accustomed and exhilarated.
Upon reaching the dock, we found no other tourists in sight. The boat owner offered us a tour for 4,000 pesos for the three of us (2 million dong), covering the island-hopping, environmental fees, horseback riding to the mouth of the volcano, and a guide. We declined, as we planned to hike up the volcano ourselves and didn't require a guide. Despite the owner's warnings about the challenging trek, we opted to rent a boat for 2,000 pesos (1 million dong), which could accommodate five people, and set off on our own.
Thirty minutes later, we docked by the shore, where a helpful young man awaited, holding a 2-meter wooden plank to assist us in disembarking. He warmly grasped each of our hands, guiding us ashore. Before we could express our gratitude, he requested 50 pesos for his assistance, leaving us momentarily stunned.
Still reeling from the unexpected fee, we proceeded to pay the 100-peso environmental fee (50,000 dong). However, we were immediately accosted by a group of guides offering horse rides and vendors selling coconuts for 50 pesos each. When I inquired about the hiking trail to the summit, locals fervently advised, 'Take a horse ride for only 450 pesos (225,000 dong), as the trail is treacherous with many forks, and without a guide, you might get lost.' Despite their insistence, we remained resolute in our decision to hike, disregarding the warnings of every passerby.
The path uphill was dry and dusty, contrary to the boat owner's claims. Occasionally, passing riders stirred up clouds of dust, obscuring our vision. After about 30 minutes of walking, we paused for a break at a makeshift refreshment stand. By then, it was already 2 pm. According to my research, the hike should have taken only 45-60 minutes, yet after nearly half an hour of walking, we had covered only a fifth of the distance, all uphill and dusty. Contemplating our inner struggle to persevere as dusk approached, we reluctantly called for three horses and their handlers.
Despite having traveled some distance, we attempted to negotiate a lower price for the horses, but they insisted on 450 pesos per horse. We agreed but stipulated no tip would be given. The handlers hesitated at first but eventually relented. As we mounted the horses, one became agitated, neighing and kicking wildly, sending us into a moment of panic.
After a 10-minute ride, we reached a souvenir market area, where several steps led up to a viewpoint under construction. The guide proclaimed, 'We've arrived.' Perplexed, we pointed towards the distant volcano, only to be told, 'We're not going there; this is it. The stairs lead to the Taal Volcano lake.' Disappointed and feeling shortchanged, we lamented the need for horse rental when we were so close.
On the return journey, the tricycle driver maintained his 90 km/h speed, but there was a noticeable lack of excitement compared to the initial twists and turns. Upon reaching the bus station back to Manila, I reached for my wallet to pay the 300 pesos for the round trip, only to be met with a demand for 500 pesos (250,000 dong) instead. The driver explained, 'I quoted 150 pesos for the outbound trip. As for the return journey, that's an additional 350 pesos, making it 500 pesos in total.'
Feeling deceived after just one day in the Philippines, we stopped at a fast-food joint in Manila to vent our frustration over the seemingly endless stream of unexpected expenses. Fortunately, dinner turned out better than breakfast and lunch, with the Filipino specialty Halo-Halo proving to be a delightful treat. Taking it as a lesson learned, I resolved to be more cautious tomorrow.
When settling the bill, we were handed a 20-peso note (10,000 dong) along with the comment, 'This is an old bill; nobody uses it anymore.' For me, the first impression of the day was far from pleasant.
Source: Nguyễn Lan Uyên/Vnexpress
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourMay 1, 2018
