ImperialxRat

Hey guys,

I did a search for Manila and the Philippines, but didn't find much to help me.

I'm planning on going on the 24th, and probably just staying at a Hostel. Just wondering about things to do, places to see, etc. Any advice is welcome..

Catch a train somewhere? Catch a flight somewhere? The lower the budget they better, but it is my first time there, so want to make the most of it!

Cheers,
Imp

Slice

Much fun can be had in Angeles City depending on what you're into...and the dollar goes pretty far there still.

TimoC

Catch what you want, just make sure you wrap your jimmy so you don't catch an STD

vagabond

For lodging, try this:

Pope Pius XII, Catholic Center
1175 U.N. Ave., Paco, Manila
Tel: 523-2013; 523-2039; 523-2523; 523-2528

I stayed there once. Nothing fancy, but clean. It also has a dining room that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (I think). Breakfast was the typical Filipino - rice, fried fish. Everything, at the time, was 1 peso each.

Be careful of the water because you WILL get sick. So avoid the local dessert of Halo Halo which has ice cubes. I remember I love it so much that I didn't care. Ended up sitting on the throne for the rest of the day.

For transportation, ride the Jeepney everywhere. Or, take the calesa, the horse drawn carriage. But the horses are always skinnier than I am and I felt guilty having it pull me instead of the other way around. Perhaps you have no such compunction, I don't know.

And of course, be careful of people who come to take your kidneys while you sleep.

ryguy

There are a lot of decent hotels that aren't too expensive if you don't want to go the hostel route. Matter of fact, I didn't even know they had hostels there. You will see a lot of contrasts. If you go to Makati it will look like anycity USA with clean streets well dressed people. If you go to Pasay it will look like a UNICEF commercial.

Wash your hands often and carry purell or some other sanitizer. Chances are you will get sick at some point, just carry some immodium with you when the inevitable happens. Even if you are very careful chances are you will handle money then touch your mouth or something like that. Also carry some toilet tissue in your bag/backpack as most public restrooms in the PI don't have it or if they do it will be from a coin operated machine.

Flights within the Philippines are pretty cheap. If you do leave Manila you can get to Tagaytay or even Baguio by bus. You can fly to Cebu for a good price or you can go to Bohol to see some sights. Stay away from the traditional vacation spots if you are on the cheap. If anything has prices listed in USD then walk away, it is a rip off. In Bohol you can stay at dive lodges for under $10 per night on the beach.

If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them. My wife is a Boholana and I've been going there for years on business and to visit my inlaws after they moved back to the PI and retired. As for info on Angeles City and Pampanga (Subic), I'm not your guy as I've never been to either. If that is your thing you don't need to go to all that trouble. If you have ANY amount of game you will have more fun than you can handle without paying for it in either of those places.

How long are you going for? I might be able to put you in touch with some people to show you around.

Have fun!

Zoot Suit

Ryguy is spot on.

If this is your first time there then you need to know the does and don’ts. Don’t drink any water except bottled water, even when brushing your teeth. Bring some Imodium and Ibuprofen with you. Cash is king and traveler’s checks are almost worthless. You can use your credit card in some hotels but there are stories of card numbers being copied since they know you are on vacation and won’t notice the charges until you get home. Let your CC Company know you are going to the Philippines and to expect charges. DON’T carry large sums of cash with you, especially if you are riding around town in jeepneys as pickpockets are everywhere (just like any big city).

Manila is huge. Makati is the banking area and you can walk around and feel pretty safe. Other areas are NOT so safe. When someone stops and says “Friend, remember me?” just keep walking. They are trying to get you into a card game so they can rob you. Go to the new Mall of Asia or the Manila Zoo. If I were you I would get out of Manila ASAP as it is just another big city and you won’t get a feel of the Philippines. If you like nice beaches and diving head down to Puerto Gallera. You can also head north to Angeles (single mans paradise) or Subic.

Almost everyone speaks English and they love to practice it on you. I probably don’t have to say this but drugs are a no-no there.

What do you want to get out of this trip? You can get by on the cheap if you know how. Hotels can be less than $40 a day with aircon. I don’t know much about the hostels. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.


P.S.

Be prepared for MANY beautiful girls to smile at you. You will fall in love 10 times a day. If you only go to Manila you will probably never go back to the Philippines. If you go elsewhere you will want to retire there.

ImperialxRat

Thank you guys, that is some great information. This is my first time going there, and I think we're planning to stay for 5 nights. There are going to be 4 of us total.

I would love to do some diving or see some of the beaches. Is Puerto Gallera accessible by bus? Or are the buses no good? Or Angeles?.. how would you recommend getting up there?

I'm looking forward to it... it will be my first time in that part of the world. We're heading out there Feb 24th.

Kilgore Trout

Don't eat yellow snow.















Sorry, wrong advice thread.

JayDee

But always very sound advice!!!

srgntdvs

Does anyone know of any flying jobs there???