Cebu Philippines and DSSD on a dive trip?

[Cayman981]

Originally Posted by casa

As a local here in the Philippines I feel perfectly safe wearing my crowns to the places I normally frequent and I am pretty sure most of the time yours will be safe too. However, there are still certain areas I would probably avoid just as I would in any other country. Although I am not a seasoned traveler I have been to other cities like LA, San Fo, and NYC. I also travel to Hong Kong and Cebu often. I know that as a tourist no matter how much I try to blend in I stand out and that makes me a target for undesirable elements – few as these may be, but why tempt the gods? I would give you the advise my friends from other countries give me when I visit them – BE CAUTIOUS; 999 of 1000 times you will be safe when you go out but all it takes is that 1 unfortunate incident that will ruin your vacation, your impression of the country and its people. Leave the DSSD at home and take a cheap beater watch instead so you can fully enjoy your vacation.

I second the motion of leaving your DSSD and take a cheap watch and enjoy your vacation...

[highlander8]

Beleive me bring it!!!!

[Keith1]

Thanks again everyone for your input.

I think I will bring the DSSD because of:
Our group of 6 will have a private van for the two hour ride to the resort, and back to the airport.
The small resort we are staying at has a safe in each room. The resort confirmed this.
The dive boat leaves from the property.
We will be eating most if not all of our meals there.
Anytime we leave the resort (in a group of at least 3) to go out, my DSSD will be locked up in the safe.
It is insured.
I would really hate to be on a two week dive trip, without my dive watch!

For these reasons I think it's going, but hope I am not crazy?

[Wllnv19]

Be careful with hotel room safes a lot of youtube videos showing how unsafe they really are. If its insured you are better off wearing it and enjoying it.

[bayerische]

Is your destination on the Philippines missed by the storm?

[dysondiver]

buy a suunto geko , or zoop , and a cheap daily wear watch.

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Is your destination on the Philippines missed by the storm?

The worst hit by the storm is Tacloban City. Cebu where we are going is an island south of there.

[speedracer5.0]

Stay safe!

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Keith1

The worst hit by the storm is Tacloban City. Cebu where we are going is an island south of there.

Good.

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by Wllnv19

Be careful with hotel room safes a lot of youtube videos showing how unsafe they really are. If its insured you are better off wearing it and enjoying it.

This is a small resort that is owned by a reputable family. The girl we use to book diving vacations has stayed there, and says it is very safe. One person in her group lost the key to the safe, and they had to bring in a guy with a torch cutter to open it.

I just do not want to wear it when we go out on the town. Beer and rum may be involved!!

[Wllnv19]

Originally Posted by Keith1

This is a small resort that is owned by a reputable family. The girl we use to book diving vacations has stayed there, and says it is very safe. One person in her group lost the key to the safe, and they had to bring in a guy with a torch cutter to open it.

I just do not want to wear it when we go out on the town. Beer and rum may be involved!!

Enjoy your vacation!!!!

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

buy a suunto geko , or zoop , and a cheap daily wear watch.

I have an Oceanic Datamax Pro for a dive computer, but it's air intergrated, not a wrist model. Don't need to buy a wrist model also.

[dysondiver]

Originally Posted by Keith1

I have an Oceanic Datamax Pro for a dive computer, but it's air intergrated, not a wrist model. Don't need to buy a wrist model also.

just an idea ,,, then if you dont need a watch to go diving , or wear in town , why put yourself through the bother.
but to each their own ,,,, enjoy the trip , and the diving , ill look forwards to the pics , dive safe

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

just an idea ,,, then if you dont need a watch to go diving , or wear in town , why put yourself through the bother.
but to each their own ,,,, enjoy the trip , and the diving , ill look forwards to the pics , dive safe

The Datamax is not a watch, only a dive computer that will stay on my regulator setup when not in use. I do also like to wear a watch both underwater, and topside. The only time I will not wear my DSSD is when we go into town. Thanks for your input, and wishes!

[dysondiver]

as i type the gritter lorry has just gone past my house to keep the roads clear of ice ,,, water is still about 8 degrees ,,,, im envious ,,,, the water will be at 4 degree in a month or two

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

as i type the gritter lorry has just gone past my house to keep the roads clear of ice ,,, water is still about 8 degrees ,,,, im envious ,,,, the water will be at 4 degree in a month or two

This is why we use airplanes!!: cheers:

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

as i type the gritter lorry has just gone past my house to keep the roads clear of ice ,,, water is still about 8 degrees ,,,, im envious ,,,, the water will be at 4 degree in a month or two

This is why we use airplanes!!

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

as i type the gritter lorry has just gone past my house to keep the roads clear of ice ,,, water is still about 8 degrees ,,,, im envious ,,,, the water will be at 4 degree in a month or two

This is why we use airplanes!!

Sorry for triple post--

[highlander8]

Enjoy your vacation with your watch!!!!

[[email protected]]

I lived in the PI for 10years and had my Rolex with me all over from north to south and never had a problem, many Philippino,s wear rolex,s. Wear it and have fun.

[Galion]

Wear it and enjoy your vacation, I would hate wearing some cheapo watch other than my beloved Rolex on any situation. Just practice common sense.

[Racerdj]

Take it but keep it on your wrist 24/7.

[aeon888]

Well, I am from the Philippines specifically Mindanao but I studied in Cebu Doctors University. Living and studying in Cebu, I have a several bad experience from what locals infamously call the "esnatsers" or snatchers. They are the grab and run kind of robbers. And they run pretty fast like olympic sprinters into narrow dark alleys in slums and you dont want to try to follow and chase after them there. You would lose more than your watch.

Then there's also another group called the "Salisi gang". They worked in groups with 5 to 10 male/female members working together to target their victim. Salisi means to distract. Their M.O. is to make a distraction or divert your attention then someone would steal your belongings without your knowledge. Try searching youtube use keywords "Salisi gang, philippines". They also operate in airports there. CCTV cams in restaurants exposed them. Distractions can range from a simple commotion, a sexy lady, loose coins on the floor, a catfight, or somebody scolding and yelling at a waiter etc

The third kind, the "riding in tandem" motorcycle robbers. As the name implies, the backrider will rob you at gunpoint and then they speed away. They wear helmets so you cant identify them.

But Cebu is a very nice place over all. Enjoy your stay.

[up2nogood]

I go Breitling in the Philippines. Means I don't have to be too careful about where I go, or what I do. Rolex stay at home.

[bungcarlo]

Originally Posted by Keith1

The worst hit by the storm is Tacloban City. Cebu where we are going is an island south of there.

Yes, but that's still part of the Visayan island where Tacloban is located. Cebu was just hit by a Magnitude 5.4 earthquake a moment after the typhoon.
Whether you bring it or not, just stay safe.
BTW, I walked the streets of Manila wearing a diamond dial DJ with no problem. Just use your common sense.

[Keith1]

Update:

Just returned from Cebu/Moalboal with my DSSD, and had no problems whatsoever. I did leave it in my room safe when we did go out at night. Sure glad I brought it.

John, we did got over to Oslob to snorkel with the whale sharks!

Thanks again to everyone for your comments.

[Galion]

Good to know you didnt wear a crappy plastic watch on your vacation.
I wear my Rolex and enjoy it the way its supposed to be, I just use common sense.