I was Warned NOT to Visit Mindanao? 🇵🇭

I came to the island of Mindanao a place the UK government advises against all travel for safety reasons...however in this video we show you the side you don't expect. We get on our bikes and show you this amazing hidden gem and show you why you should also visit Mindanao when you visit the Philippines 🇵🇭
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[@BackpackerBen]

Thank you to the people of the Philippines for another amazing trip! That’s my final video from the country I have just arrived in Mongolia! Videos coming very soon. Thanks to everyone who watches, likes and comments on each video it really helps the videos grow 🚀

[@Alan_Watkin]

i met a guy in a dive bar (Ryans Bar) in Sale south Manchester who was from Mongolia, his English was very bad, i had no clue what he was sayin but i kept hearing "i am Mongo" you maybe had to be there, but i was almost on the floor laughing, he was a good guy... i think!

[@Robloxgamer-ol9iw]

Thank you for coming to our country can't wait for your next travel vlog

[@elsacm6361]

Only IGNORANT people would say that Mindanao is not safe. Those are the people who has not traveled at all or believe what they hear without checking the facts!!!! It’s a beautiful Island. I know this because I am from Mindanao and my husband who is an American loves the beaches, the abundance of fruits and the friendly and kind people of Mindanao.

[@johnc5915]

Those were vinegars from coconuts, not wine.

[@gizelles]

More travel videos please with Ms. Cat😍 hope you enjoy your short stay here in the 🇵🇭 Keep safe always sir🫶

[@jaytee0316]

I love how after all these years Ben insists that if people don’t speak English, all you have to do is repeat the word or phrase, in English, over and over again, and somehow they will understand it eventually.

[@BackpackerBen]

From my experience yes that actually works

[@Albanach-je1nk]

It's works for me in England. 😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@suchhun]

😂😂😂

[@oncorpse2987]

Hahahahaha

[@jonas7919]

Just talk slower and louder, work every time 😅

[@OutAboutFilipina]

The main reason the ladies were laughing was because they were shy to speak English and struggling to explain about the available accommodation. This kind of embarrassed reaction is very common in the Philippines. I speak Cebuano, and I can assure you that their conversation among themselves was entirely about their shyness and that there wasn't a hint of any intention to defraud you.

[@LuvMyLilBabe]

Agreed 100% they were very shy. But why the price so high in Mindanao??

[@sweetlove8855]

True I am guilty with that I'm laughing if someone English speaker ask me if like my broken English but now living abroad in Europe I'm thinking is open now like why should Im shy to speak English like I'm the one adjusting them to understand them so no need to be shy. And also usually scam happened in streets or big cities in the Philippines they are laughing on their english they can't explain properly I feel bad for them they did not scam you..i can understand their language I'm bisaya too.

[@mitjed]

@@LuvMyLilBabe They stayed in Dagos at a resort called Dhen Yhos Family Resort, the reason why its 4000 pesos is its not an ordinary hotel, its a mountain view resort where there is a very large pool in it and a view of mount Apo, the room might be so so but the view by the room has mount apo in it and you can swim at a resort pool, you can also hike and so on, its a tourist spot.

[@nickthegreek8717]

​@@mitjed it's a hole of a place and $80 it's not worth even $15. Nothing special about that mountain resort it's just a ghetto on a hill 😂😂

[@nigelnicholls6168]

​@Jed 100 dollars? Still seems very high in manilla a hotel room that price is so much more advanced, that's with gym etc 5 star Air con..butuan city 40 dollars for 2 ,5 star hotel..just high compared to hotels on mindanao mountain and pool or not 😮😮

[@paulingame.9719]

Thankyou for supporting small businesses along side the road! ☺️

[@demonhunter0102]

not anymore people will avoid this resort after this vid overprice without ac

[@AD-ig4vg]

It’s a safe island with the most wonderful people. My favorite of all the islands in the Philippines and yes I’ve been there 10 times. Only thing tough is the lamok or mosquitoes are little rough. God Bless the people of the Philippines! Sending blessings from New Jersey !

[@aileen130]

Mosquitos are pretty hardcore here in Mindanao😂

[@joenbikey143]

not all mindanao area is dangerous only in the south part of mindanao particularly basilan, sulu, and tawi tawi islands because of muslim extremists but most part of mindanao is safe like in visayas and luzon, the international media exaggerated it

[@mikejones5364]

Davao City has has 7 documented terroristic bombings in the last 20 years.

[@trevorharvey105]

Isn't Davao the safest city in the philippines

[@Albanach-je1nk]

Yrs

[@mikejones5364]

@@trevorharvey105 Sure it is, Davao City has had 7 documented terroristic bombings in the last 20 years. I believe the last one was 2016 at the Roxas Night market, killed 15 and injured 100. People in Davao are brained washed by the government to say it's the safest city in Philipppines.

[@joenbikey143]

@@trevorharvey105 davao city is safe po

[@PonderingDolphin]

Another great video as always ! Thanks for the content ✌️

[@kimodvina4942]

Hi Ben, a long-time subscriber here and I'm from Mindanao, not far from Davao City. I'm a Little jealous of those locals because they were able to meet you in person, but I'm still so proud that you visit my Island. And those local wine you mention isn't actually wine, it's our local coconut vinegar and we call it "Suka"

[@BackpackerBen]

Appreciate it Kim! Shame we couldn’t meet. Thank you for watching and supporting 😎

[@markjosephbacho5652]

Reasonable po ba yung price nung room nila?

[@aileen130]

​@@markjosephbacho5652yes, in that part of Davao. The themperature there is lovely because you can practically touch the clouds. I'm exaggerating, but yeah. 😊

[@jackschluckbier7051]

I’ve been all over Mindanao dozens of times. Have family in Davao. There are areas where the locals warn foreigners not to go or be very vigilant. Just know before you go. If you know ….you know, and if you don’t stay away for your own safety. The majority of Mindanao is completely safe for foreigners.

[@Peter-MH]

“It’s a beautiful place, with some beautiful dogs” it’s lines like that that make the Backpacker Ben channel special 😁👍

[@jerry50bmg65]

Loving the content, as usual. Thanks, Ben!

[@GarudaPhoenix]

Another awesome adventure from Ben. Safe travels mate.

[@BackpackerBen]

😎👌🏼

[@jodisonglee3577]

Safe travels to both of you Ben and Harry 🙏I've never been to Mindanao and it's so nice to see the place it's beautiful too.❤️

[@kapamilyatalks5420]

agree..watching here from Zambales

[@Lionking1190]

That bike ride looked so much fun!! 😎😎

[@takkischitt]

That view was amazing!

[@DrewsTravels]

An absolute legend of travel vloggers. Thank you Ben for the inspiration to create Drew's Travels, documenting province life in Southern Leyte, Philippines.

[@giraffesinc.2193]

Ben deserves at least a million subscribers! Please do not hesitate to ask .. when I first started watching KZbin I had no idea that subscriptions/likes helped all of you intrepid travelers/cooks, etc. Ask! You will receive!

[@Emolista2]

5:33 that is a pure coconut vinegar. Some bottles have chili for extra flavor :D

[@fantastictraveller]

It is so refreshing to c Harry my man.. nice video buddy ...

[@TeacherEric173]

Coconut vinegar is what you might have noticed in those bottles with the chilies. Additionally, the item next to the avocado is not heroin; more specifically, the Philippines does not sell heroin in public areas. Due to the fact that you and Harry were the only foreigners in the area, locals were likely to stare a lot. In addition, you only lost 10 pesos rather than 20.

[@FoyLo]

I'm pretty sure Ben was joking when he said "heroin" ! ☺️

[@angelawhitehead6187]

I visited davao and samal island.lovely places.not at all dangerous.we were the only foreigners.but that's nice.we were sort of celebrities.many places in Asia and throughout the world haven't still been reached by the Instagram masses.

[@damskee4]

love your videos bro

[@bisayakaayo8595]

Short trip Ben , glad you got to discover Mindanao !

[@chefp0l065]

My wife is from Mindanao and I’m going to visit her family. I’m really looking forward to it.

[@Andrew-cg2zl]

ben running the show! lol yes. great commentary

[@vonmonsantonery8062]

After you visited Katapagan then come to Linamon, the 1st Municipality going to the Province of Lanao Del Norte. In Linamon you can visit and see the famous TINAGO FALLS located in Brgy. Robocon. I assure you, you gonna love the place coz I'm from Linamon. ❤️🆗😍

[@CB-jq7fe]

Cool vlog... hope you guys get better room rates next time... just be careful with coconut wine --> becomes vinegar if aged too many days and will cause runny stool for half a day... better if fresh as possible. Durian???😊

[@vodkadave69]

I’m looking forward to visiting this dangerous island !! The locals seem friendly,looks great to me 😎👌

[@zippofcy]

Im pretty sure its much less dangerous than any suburbs in the US.

[@SimplyExpat]

​@@zippofcyI'm pretty sure sarcasm may occur...

[@fku1217]

In general mindanao is safe. If you wanna feel what you are looking for. I suggest you visit basilan or tawi tawi, islands off the coast of mindanao just before malaysia. Strong military presence.

[@unelectedbureaucrat2003]

Just watch out for the Moslems

[@robertjenkins6132]

0:48 You said "lead the way" but immediately drove far ahead of him before he even got on his bike 😂

[@BackpackerBen]

Looool

[@markwng]

Im loving the look of this place.

[@nelsonlomod9601]

Hehehehe not all towns have transient accommodations but sometime you may find some resort that have overnight cottages. Hotels are available in bigger towns and cities.

[@Robloxgamer-ol9iw]

Watching from Philippines ♥️

[@daveconyard8946]

👍👍 Nice One

[@jenniferleebaybee4257]

U have inspired me to travel there it's on my bucket list ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️my ex is Filipino and i love the people they are so warm and friendly

[@willow881000]

As a Filipina, I am ashamed that my countrymen can blatantly rip off "foreigners" with hotel rates just like that. For shame!

[@mitjed]

Its not a rip off, they stayed at a mountain view resort with a very large pool and a view of mount apo, its not an ordinary hotel.

[@nickthegreek8717]

​@@mitjed don't be silly 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@demonhunter0102]

​@@mitjedyou idiot for the view you gonna pay 100dollar for a room wihout ac?maybe for you ya but for other that they only want to stay for 1night no

[@markjosephbacho5652]

​@@bearcubd3900 The ladies were laughing because they're shy ans insecure of their English. But that room is definitely overpriced. Maybe cuz they're far from Davao City proper?

[@johnvillacin2185]

Wala pong scam jan...malapit na yan s mt.apo..mhal din binabayaran nilang tax..popular din ang lugar na yan s mga local tourist galing Davao city at Gensan dahil s malamig na klima....

[@Sweden_Natural_View]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[@abshirmohamed3527]

Nice trip enjoy guys great trip

[@GinoongBlue]

o harry is back

[@jeremyteves28]

Take care and enjoy PH

[@WildernessRocks]

Oh no corn coffee has no kick. 😮

[@Matthewgriffiths18]

Go to marawi be interesting to see what it looks like after the conflict if anything has changed

[@Brit_in_Mindanao]

Those room rates are a serious rip off, the one you settled on should be no more than 800php/night. Maybe 1000 with Aircon and private shower and toilet. I've lived on Mindanao 3 years plus and NEVER paid that price, even in top class resorts. Do a Google search in Davao or Digos and you'll see what I mean. That resort is quite well known and I would have thought they'd want to protect their reputation more. And yes, the vast majority of Mindanao is completely safe.

[@thomasbrady63]

They seem like good honest guys !!

[@vedailynflores1441]

New subscriber here, Harry’s fan….enjoy both of you.. visit Bukidnon pls

[@strongbodystrongmind-ie]

Ben, I come for the A-HAAAA, but stay for a bit of the travel stuff 😂 hope all is good my man.

[@BackpackerBen]

Plenty of arrr haaaaa to come

[@paulrobinson165]

@@BackpackerBen Have you managed to have a cup of beans on your travels.

[@jettjones9889]

Needless to say Ben had the last laugh.

[@angelrafaelli4988]

Harry is in the house ❤ Welcome back Harry and welcome to Ben 🏝️🇵🇭

[@BrokkaLee]

Dont know why but i always love the segments of your videos of you hunting for a hotel lol

[@BackpackerBen]

Crucial content ;)

[@irmaabenes4023]

New subscriber here. Welcome to the Philippines.

[@nelsonlomod9601]

Kyle Jennerman of Becoming Filipino, a canadian and Anselm Plummer of Kumander Daot, a welshman have gone around mindanao for years north, south, east and west still their countries warns them of the dangers of mindanao, paranoids!

[@ferdnanbanalan3120]

i hope you visit also the northern part of the philipines such as baguio baler aurora banaue rice teraces zambales pangasinan and ilocos norte

[@alexandershawo4328]

Backpacker Ben=Best Watch

[@BackpackerBen]

✅👏🏼😎

[@boymarzph1012]

im from the philippines, but from luzon island, never been to mindanao, i think 4k/night for that room is exorbitant maybe bcoz they dont hv too much business in that place. maybe if you search earlier you could hv found a place with reasonable relative price.

[@nancypacete69]

You're with harry ! Now i subscribed

[@johndouglas5712]

Cheers . Zambo was the deadly part .

[@Tyblubearboy]

Nice one Ben...shame about the rip off hotels. Nevermind though..onto Mongolia then!

[@aprilcrooks6424]

my helper was from mindanao , lovely people.

[@maureenalder8905]

See you in Mongolia Ben..safe travels ❤

[@EstherIgnas-me2yb]

Keep safe in your travel . May God protect you.

[@rudolphvincentlatada3400]

Actually you can haggle the price...you can go also to camp sabros it's much nicer place...

[@DarkAngelBright]

Stay safe guys

[@hankmoody5514]

incredible basketball skills

[@AsbLondonBroSimWorld]

I just subscribed

[@prisoner7685]

Have a wonderful day in Mindanao, ben!

[@amazingman9085]

That was not an alcoholic drink buddy! It's a condiment where you dip your fish or meat in.

[@daisyhalo-halovlogs748]

Always carry the address when you go to Mindanao, Mindanao is huge Country. People in Mindanao are very honest,friendly some maybe 20%shy.

[@danielhorsley2886]

Can you visit the ‘coffee’ shops there

[@MikeO8585]

Use booking online so u pay normal price

[@toddburgess5056]

That Mr. Burns hand in Mindanao was pretty cool, Id love to roast a big ol' joint in the palm of that hand and enjoy the wonderful view as the sun went down. 🇵🇭🌴🌺🏝️🦜🌅🧳🛵

[@rudolphvincentlatada3400]

You can ask a local for a stay... They are willing to help you

[@Vile_old_Bastard_3545]

@PhillyWilly in the Philippines did he say airbnb? Somebody will let you stay in their house for the night for a bit of cash.

[@jeroincababat565]

5:57 it's not an alcohol. It's a vinegar dipping sauce

[@videoadssample]

Good to know, thank you so much guys

[@viajeromotovlog1428]

If by chance u two will go in bukidnon, try to visit buda davao, or dahilayan bukidnon.

[@vloggingismyhobby]

If you want to communicate to the local filipinos for example if you are asking or talk to them You should pronounce the every words clearly. because more of the locals coudnt understand the words if you Speak in Slang pronounciation. So that sometimes they not understand what is your saying because its Slang. or sometimes they are shy to answer because about the wrong grammar or wrong pronounciation. But they are willing to answer and to help you if need to speak with them even their english is not good. The good thing is.. what important is you will understand to each other rather than nothing.😁👍

[@edwelitobatawan0218]

Thats a venigar a ferment coconut juice

[@peterbushby9009]

Nice beach

[@asbiwhy7557]

I wanted to go to Mindanao after Sulawesi. Very underated places

[@lanieaguisanda6221]

Be careful in there, , had a incoming typhoon in the place

[@rosebrown2267]

Dont worry he is already in mongolia

[@arvinfabilan8996]

If you guys want to find much cheaper room just to sleep for 1 night, try to find lodging house..

[@lizziebeggimbo]

Cheers Ben, tucking into tea and you show the dog doing a 💩 😅

[@BackpackerBen]

Enjoy 😉

[@pierreverschueren7495]

You filming a dog having a shit cracked me up Ben. 🤣😅

[@BackpackerBen]

Has to be documented

[@GoWithAli]

Two legends! LFG!

[@BackpackerBen]

🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@marierocher4422]

Don’t they provide the hotel rates on their brochures?

[@bulletinyourhead5749]

Got ripoff overthere, the durian is just 42 pesos a kilo but the other says 100

[@genboqvbgbj]

Try to be a bit specific to whatever places you are in, you can ask the locals about the name of the places..

[@markcaserta1367]

Is Mindanao safe? Well, I live there. Zamboanga City. If you get a chance go to Bolong Beach. My favorite.

[@rob2k27]

Lead the way Harry, Mr Google maps.. Ben... Zooms ahead 🤣🤣

[@BackpackerBen]

😆😆

[@GTasOz]

So a question? What travel insurance did you have to travel there? Many on sale in Australia bracket that part of The Philippines with Syria - ie you are not covered....

[@jameslee9726]

Hope you can visit Zamboanga city in mindanao

[@acefromspace4376]

question about the snakes if you get bitten by one what are the odds you going to die ?

[@kojak5376]

Where in the Mindanao? The Island is big and many province.

[@paulplonsky2158]

🤣 @Backpacker Ben don't worry, you leave liquor or beer unattended here in Milwaukee Wisconsin, it's GONE too! 0 to 💯 QUICK!

[@samuelmartin707]

Ben I have live here for 15yrs now and I would not pay that for a room. You got taken with the white man tax. The rooms should of been 1k a night. Great video tho!!!! 2 thumbs up my friend!!!!

[@BackpackerBen]

Scammed 😂

[@mikea.1586]

@@BackpackerBen this is why i always feel so envious of Thailand and Vietnam. The prices of rooms there are just so affordable, and why here in the Philippines even in rural towns, decent inns cost double or triple that of our neighbouring countries.

[@nielk799]

Not whole island of Mindanao is Dangerous only to its southern most part of the island where the most number of muslim concentration in the PHILIPPINES. Mindanao Island is actually almost 100,000sq. km still way larger than the Island of Ireland which is only 77,000sq. km.

[@1517the_year]

Wow, I’m Irish and did not know that!

[@theene6043]

Just waiting for someone to answer your “is it safe” question with “ Nooooo…..run!!”😂😂😂

[@zippofcy]

Yea i guess the locals' surprise when they hear that question. Its like some1 in Eastern Europe would ask "Is it safe here?" I would answer: "Its pretty safe ... in the daylight. At night, dragons and vampires roam here so u better seek shelter if u value your life."

[@theene6043]

@@zippofcy 🤣🤣🤣

[@madellugz5406]

He is trying very hard to look tough. No one here in the Philippines is saying Mindanao is dangerous. It is only the Muslim majority Western and Sulu regions that are advised as dangerous as those are territories of secessionists and extremists like the Abu Sayyaf. He is travelling in Davao, therefore he's in a safe area ruled by the Dutertes. He is actually giving false information about Mindanao.

[@infinityspin6537]

@@madellugz5406 tell me u havent been there without telling me u havent been there

[@davidzapf3383]

Mindenao quot big...davao zamburangua in south...sargao island ..so big island man half u.k. i guess

[@jantschierschky3461]

Is a huge island, unless you go right into the problem area, nothing dangerous.

[@neilpatrickdy6947]

This looks refreshing after watching your stressful Bangladesh journey 😆

[@sweetlove8855]

Oh you meet kulas there a Canadian vlogger becoming a filipino

[@muhai50]

Hello, do you want to come to Yemen and explore new places? I will arrange everything for that