The cheapest accommodation you might find

If you are planning to travel overseas or interstate and you face a huge expense for accommodation - you might want to consider one of the following options:
1. Renting a campervan: Depending on your budget they can cost anywhere between $5-150/night, cheaper if you are returning a vehicle for them. It also depends on how many people you are travelling with, and if you are comfortable driving with the size camper you need. They range in size from 1-3tonne. A large one is easily handled in the countryside, but you might freak out in large cities, and where would you park. So oyu need to think about these issues. Campervanning present their own security concerns as well. I think it makes sense if you are going to hire a car anyway, you are travelling through a safe country, you are familiar with the country, the road rules are familiar. It makes more economic sense if you are travelling with 4 people, as the cost per person will fall, and there are benefits eating as well, so its a great strategy for families.
2. Buying a campervan: This option only makes sense if you are planning to travel for a long duration, or you are prepared to use a camper long term as a lifestyle vehicle, or you are buying a very cheap one second hand. Much depends on how much comfort you are prepared to tolerate. Some retirees by a campervan and travel around their home country, then sell it. That makes sense if you are well-endowed, but you will loose alot on amortisation. I might make more sense just to rent. If you are intending to buy, it makes sense to rent a few vehicle types beforehand to get a sense of the type of vehicle that you want, as well as to determine if you really like the lifestyle.
See my blog for more info - http://campa-living.blogspot.com
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Andrew Sheldon www.sheldonthinks.com

Banaue Hotel, Ifugao Province, The Philippines

I have never seen so many foreigners gathered in one place in the Philippines. Without a doubt the place had the ambience of a terrorist bomb target.. he he. Fortunately the statute of limitations on tasteless jokes has run out. Seriously, this place is as far away as you could get from terrorists. Though it was not long ago that this area was a NPA (Communist) hotspot. The only signs of that are the checkpoints.

The number of foreigners was a surprise because you dont see many around, except in the neighbouring village of Banaue and at the viewing deck over the famous 'rice terraces'. Personally I think the rice terraces in Bali are much more appealing, and much more famous. Having said that there are more delights in this country than the government tourist office is promoting. The problem of course is that the government has no money to promote tourism and no idea how to, but they are getting better. Of of the real treasures going to Banaue is the drive there. The Cagayan Valley is beautiful between Aritao and Salano, and there are alot of opportunities to shop, though the problem is getting the cane and cloth handicrafts and sculpture back to your homeland without breaching a quarantine restriction.

There are a vast array of home craft industries in this part of the Philippines. Check out this piece (below) - No doubt a monument to my greatness. Well when I make such jokes with my GF she rebuts 'Well such jokes are half true'. Dear you are so right! I accept that with pride. If you are looking for this piece as a trophy, you can buy it for P12,000 ($US300) at this store adjoining Francillas grill & restaurant, which is just north of Santa Fe town in Nueva Escaya Province, in Central Luzon. If you have some ideas for a customised sculpture go up to Banaue. There is a museum in town, if you like a piece, take a photo and get a local artist to duplicate it.

Ok back to the topic at hand. The Banaue Hotel was built along with the Banaue Youth Hotel (next door) to provide a higher standard of accommodation for tourists. The strategy was supported by Imelda Marcos. The hotel has the styling of a ski chalet. The food was good, the view of the mountains great. The hot water was slow in coming and my superior room was smaller than a standard, so go figure. The fact that I was on the 3rd floor rather than the 2nd made little difference. The walls were very thin. I could here the German guy next door playing around with his girlfriend, so I must have sounded twice as loud. Poor guy, and thats just when I'm by myself. The hostel is P250/night, and the hotel P2300/night for a basic room including a continental breakfast. The service was annoying. They kept bugging me for coffee. I hate talking in the morning. Filipinos just dont get the protocol. 'I before E, leave me alone before 3'. I'm an afternoon person :)

Here are pictures of the hotel from the main road to the village and the breakfast view. The hotel is arounf 10 hours from Manila.

For hotel bookings contact email: sales@philtourism.gov.ph or tel: 63-2-524 2513. Fot hostel bookings, you can call tel: 63-74-386 4087.

Porto Novo Hotel, San Jose City, Philippines

The Porto Novo Hotel is without a doubt the best value hotel I have ever stayed in - all the factors considered. Here is what you get for P1000 per standard room - continental breakfast and tax included. The 4-floor hotel is just 6mths old, so its very clean and modern. The standard rooms are generously sized, and come with aircon, cable TV, ensuite toilet/bathroom and a work table. It was very comfortable working there. There was even wifi, though the signal was a little weak in the room, and the manager turned off the internet later in the evening...to our dismay. Breakfast was simple but pleasing....something you might order from McDonalds. There was undercover parking, off-street parking, which makes alot of sense in the Philippines because of the security concerns and frequent rainstorms. The service was also friendly and attentive, though I must say they could offer little help for us as tourists. No travel maps, no tips for where to go. I guess the area doesn't have much to offer, but might they dig something up?? My guess is that they are targeting a business market, but given the possibility to attract holidayers, why not fill those vacant rooms.

I give the place 5-stars for value.

The Porto Novo Hotel is located on the Mahalika Highway as you leave San Jose City towards the north. Its in barangay Malasin, and their tel: 63-44-947 6688. As indicated, you can get a standard room (good for 1-2) for P1000/night or a family suite for P3,500. They even have separate quarters for your driver (P350/night with breakfast), and function rooms for P3,500. They have a very generous check-out of 12 noon.

Check the terms when you travel - my suspicion is that there terms are a 'special price' to boost market awareness. Perhaps it might be best to take up the offer before prices rise!