Nigi Nigi Noo Noos & Noo Noo Noo's

Hi, I have no idea why they do it but I will be on the front beach on Sunday and ask the security. They might know why.

Andy

Nothing endures except change! I was in El Nido, Palawan last week and Sava, my favourite beach bar, was always easy to find because it was opposite the sunken yacht on the main beach - only the sunken yacht has been removed

@Brojeslov

Well at least the bar is still there!

My plan is to go there tonight and check it out and confirm if the story about moving is true.

Lotus Eater - Is it ok if I send you the picture of the new location. I am not very good at uploading anything on this site.

Ofcourse I will gladly accept any free shots- be rude not to.

@Cherryann01

Yes of course you can.  Wish I was there with you!

Ok I contacted Jim Rockford to dive deeper into the ownership of this bar and apparently it’s owned by a Brit Jason Probyn who runs it with his Filipina associate Delnora (Del) Nano.

Jason is an ardent Arsenal supporter so it’s unsurprising that CA and his partner were refused entry as CA was wearing a West Ham shirt. 😲

On a general note I’ve noticed over many years that although our American friends are the most visible contingent in the Philippines the Brits seem to be behind the scenes in many of the ventures. I am reliably informed that they run half the girly bars in Burgos 😳

My favourite dive resort in Dauin (Atlantis) is run by a Brit based in Kent UK. Don’t know what team he supports CA but if he is a Hammers fan I’m sure he will welcome you and Regina with open arms 😉

The bar was absolutely packed last night by 8pm so we could not find a seat at the bar or at a table. The new venue opens 16 November and celebrates with free shots also for customers. Pleasant evening though with a nice meal nearby and there was a small marching band playing drums moving along the front.

@Cherryann01

May I ask how many westerners are there? When I was in Boracay earlier in the year the number of westerners was low, maybe 1/3 of visitors or less, and much lower than my previous trip (2023) when it was definitely more like 2/3. I was told foreigners were going to Bohol now. But I was in El Nido two weeks ago and westerners were 2/3 of visitors or more

@Brojeslov

When I first visited Boracay in 2006 westerners were mainly Americans & Antipodians. The largest Asian contingent were South Koreans who thought they were above everyone else in the social pecking order. Many were honeymooners. The newlywed wives would be wearing their flouncy white dresses with court shoes (yes its a beach I know) with hubby carrying a tripod behind to catch those important moments..

Even then the island had peaked in terms of its appeal as a remote tropical island chatting with expats in the know. My neighbour in Bath went with a girlfriend 2 years ago. Her friend had disability issues so needed somewhere where they could walk out the hotel and have shops and restaurants within easy walking distance - Boracay fitted the bill. Even though they stayed in one of the most expensive hotels for 2 weeks near the beach they felt that 3 days was enough. Felicia thought it was an upmarket version of a UK Butlins holiday camp with real palm trees thrown in for good measure.

As many on this Forum will know the island was shut to tourists over covid for a complete refurb. Drainage sewars etc. I suspect that it is cleaner now than before and would echo Brojeslov’s question with a rider concerning the wild dogs. Yes beaches and unleashed dogs really don’t go together.

El Nido is probably where Boracay was 30 years ago but catching up fast. I have only visited Palawan once and stayed in Puerto Princessa  (the capital) for 4 days with a few excursions one being to the underground river which was delightful. My hunch is that El Nido has a bunch of western exhibitionists obsessed with FB exposure. Come on Lotus stop being assumptive. Alas our resident expert on the island who is always ‘in the know’ on these things ( Coach 53) has been shall we say ‘incommunicado’ for a year or so at least. Shame.

Now that the islands (Boracay) finest watering hole  has closed its doors is there a reason for going back?

@Lotus Eater

El Nido is well and truly touristed out. You go to the beautiful hidden beach and, yes, it is beautiful but you’re there with 12 other tour boats and 300 other tourists. Jostled amongst us were the so-called private tours, for people paying extra to get away from the crowds. Clearly there is nowhere private any more, which made me laugh!  And that was the experience everywhere, beautiful but over-crowded. I really like El Nido town because they have, to date, resisted development along the shoreline (with the exception of the nightclub and associated businesses right down one end). The town itself still has a sleepy beachside feel to it although the tourist numbers belie it. It’s a nice place to hang out even if you don’t do the tours.

For all of you who want to visit Nigi Nigi in Boracay the new bar is open now.

Here is the location between Henann Palm and Carmela de Boracay.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xC3xJ2eP18mGoMm77

I heard that the lease contract for the old location expired and that was the reason for the move. But I have no confirmation for that.

Andy

@Andy_1963

Thank you for that update Andy. Much as I thought and as per Cherryannes description it has completely lost its ‘raison d’ etre’ . About as much atmosphere as a tock h lamp. Another alluring attraction that has been lost in the Philippines.

No wonder so many tourists are not returning..

I recently spent a few days on the exotic ( Boracay eat your heart out) island of Lombok in Indonesia. Frequented a charming bar that turned out to be owned by a Swede ( similar to GPoint in Malate Manila) Nooo not ‘him’🤣

@Brojeslov

Yes I would say the number of western people was about 1/3 like you observed. There were a lot of Russian people or Russian speaking people there though at the resort I stayed in and out and about.

I think since the pandemic the numbers of Westerners travelling to the Philippines has significantly dropped, G Point has never recovered, and at the same time the number of Indians has increased significantly...

@Brilliant B

G Point has never recovered, and at the same time the number of Indians has increased significantly...

Tell me about it. The internationally recognized ‘BO’ index has risen substantially in the Philippines

@Lotus Eater

🤣🤣🤣🤣, even at the last time at the Cowboy B&G,  the number of Westerners there was minimal and the atmosphere was lost, didn't see too many dandruff shakers up dancing around along with Dusk til Dawn and LA Cafe is a sh1#th@le now, I tend not go into mabini now.

Any suggestions on where is good ?

Any suggestions on where is good ?

I'm afraid not. Café Havana in Greenbelt 3 Makati shut its doors during covid. Probably the best bar I have or ever will frequent with the exception of Loewy in Jakarta. Have attached link below

[link under review]