I've got 2 weeks in the Philippines planned for later this month.
July 26-31:
One of the reasons is that I got 5 nights at the Intercontinental Manila using Point Breaks, so I'm happy to be there (I actually like Manila, maybe because it's so deprived of admirers!)
I've been to Manila 4x, am branching out since I have more time (about 2 weeks) this time.
July 31-August 9:
Anyway, the last 9 nights of my trip are a bit unsure. I got tickets Manila-Tagbilaran (Bohol) for July 31st, then I leave from Manila August 9th. So in between July 31st and August 9th, I want to relax on the beach, see some nature, and just hang out with a San Miguel. I am not crazy about over-developed places--and also not crazy about places that essentially exist only for tourism, so you get no local vibe. So I've ruled out Boracay, which may be a mistake, but anyway.... also I've ruled out Baguio only because I'll be in the south, so I should do something either in the Visayas or northern Mindanao.
Here are my choices of nearby places that have boat connections to Bohol:
1) Camiguin (not that near but there seems to be a daily fast boat there, and it sounds intriguing because it's not overdeveloped and seems unique-- volcanoes, etc) Then fly to Manila from Cagayan de Oro.
2) Dumaguete--a small city, on Negros, a college town that might have a fun vibe--different from Bohol and also different from Manila.
3) Siquijor--like Camiguin, a less-visited island but with unique topography, nice nature options, and probably easier to get to than Camiguin.
Anyone have some opinions on how to spend 9 nights between Bohol and ???, getting back to Manila on the 8th or 9th?
Thanks so much!