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Skal Club of Pattaya visits the Phantastic Philippines

Skal Club of Pattaya visits the Phantastic Philippines

Sharing Tourism Knowledge with Friends

Bob Lee - President
Skal Club of Pattaya & East Thailand

Local Club president, Bob Lee had the opportunity of once again putting our fair city of Pattaya in the limelight. This time it was the Philippines.

Bob spent 12 days visiting the members of the 4 local Skal Clubs, Manila, Makati, Davao and the Island of Cebu (1 of 7,107 Islands).

A restful Club President at the Villa Escudero

One advantage of being a member of the Skal International Association is that of bonding and building friendships through tourism on a global basis. This is undertaken by the sharing of knowledge. Bob went off to the Philippines with the mission of imparting information about Pattaya & Thailand and in return enhance his knowledge of the host location. Bob felt that this was a great trip for him and Pattaya, and the Philippines far exceeded his expectations.

On Bob’s return he was so enthusiastic about his visit to that area and the Skal camaraderie that he enjoyed, he decided to share his thoughts and experiences with us.

Here are some of his “first hand – unseen and never been there before” Skal experiences.

Accompanying Bob from Bangkok was Fred Alimusa, president of C.S.P. International, a company that specializes in hospitality security – that is to say – from in-house staff training to supplying “sniffer dogs” to the industry. Fred had, in the past, made use of the opportunity of demonstrating his skills and those of his magnificent canines to a number of the Skal Clubs in Thailand.

Manila

On arrival here I was lucky enough to chat with retired COO of the National Airlines, Avelino Zapanta. Avelino is a dedicated, long standing member and past president of the Manila chapter of Skal.

Bob & Fred at a Taoist Temple

I had already enjoyed the pleasure of meeting this gentleman at quite a number of international Skal functions and had always promised him that one day I would visit his home town.

In Manila I experienced the sights, sounds and smells of this interesting destination with its diverse people. Quite a difference from Pattaya I was quick to notice.

The Skal members of Manila really took time out to show me around their city, taking in the different dishes and tastes of their own unique cuisine.

Accommodation was provided by the Benson Apartelle in San Juan on the outskirts of Manila and Villa Escudero in the village of Tianong in the Quezon Province.

Makati

Here I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting up with Skal Pattaya’s past president, Murray Hertz who was in town for a few days. Murray is in fine health and is still as busy as ever and sends his very best wishes not just to the local Skal members but to Pattaya (his second home) in general.

Lunch with Murray and a few of the Makati Skal members was enjoyed at “Italliani’s Restaurant” situated in the popular Greenbelt Mall – a mall consisting of somewhere in the region of about 100 or so eating establishments.

Exchanging gifts and pennants in Davao (standing from left to right) Charles Lim (VP for the Skal Asian Area), Bob Lee, Susan Palad (president Skal International Davao) and Alexander Divinagracia, our most helpful babysitter and source of information. Linda, Everlyn and Brenda - 3 of the ever efficient Skal Ladies from the local club.

The lunch turned into cocktails and then to an early dinner – and then, when I thought I had experienced enough for one day – there I was belting out “I believe I can fly” in some up market karaoke bar – must have had something to do with the local brew – San Miguel Pale Pils – good stuff from what I have been told and at only 18 baht a bottle – I suppose it must be!

After fond and late farewells and sincere support from the local members for the Skal International World Congress in 2006 that takes place in Pattaya it was time to get home. Then it was off to...

Davao

Interestingly enough, we bumped into a few expats from Bangkok who told us they always come down to the Philippines when doing their “visa run” as it was so inexpensive, safe and a whole lotta fun.

From the minute of touch-down it was all go ... we were met at the airport by Skal members Lisette Marques (New World Travel Corporation) and Alexander Divinagracia – a great tour operator and guide – we were then rushed to our hotel – the 5 star Marco Polo, checked in and then whisked off to a dinner being hosted by the local club.

They had been waiting for us for an extra hour because of the flight delay we experienced from Manila.

We were extremely lucky to have been here during one of their tourism festivals – the WOW! Mindanao Tourism Expo – this gave me a great idea of just what this country had to offer in the way of tourism.

Davao seems a peaceful interesting coastal city and seaport – apparently the best tuna in the world comes from here.

I had the opportunity of also visiting the Pilipino Eagle Sanctuary – quite amazing - this eagle has one of the widest wing spans of any eagle on the planet - sadly it is on the endangered list.

The next day an informal meeting was held and some valuable tourism information and ideas were discussed between both clubs. Support in joining us for our 2006 World Congress in Pattaya was greatly acknowledged.

Cebu

Although the club is small in numbers it sure makes up for it in enthusiasm. Cebu is truly a wonderful place to visit.

The members here organized trips to the island of Bohol to see their famous “Chocolate Hills” as well as to the Tarsier (smallest monkey in the world) sanctuary.

It was a most enjoyable 3 days meeting up with other Skalleagues and talking “shop”.

They too, experience some of the “tourism difficulties” that we experience in Pattaya and it was quite interesting to get another point of view as to how they deal with their water, garbage and entertainment operations.

Like Pattaya, getting around the Philippine seems no great problem – the transportation services are really quite good and the costs thereof are extremely low. Will I return – you betcha! But still – there is no place like home.

Yes –a very worthwhile visit and hopefully, quite a number of our fellow Skal members from this area will be joining us in October 2006 when we play host to the world and the “movers and shakers in the Hospitality Industry” at the Skal World Congress.

The Skal Club of Pattaya & East Thailand meets the 3rd Thursday early evening of every month at various member establishments.

For more information click on to our website: www. skalpattaya.org or contact Bob Lee on bobscous@ loxinfo.co.th