General Info

[Pute Nut]

Pre pandemic days my buses always left on time to the minute. Of course I did not take the last bus of the day either. The buses then were around the clock.

My bus NAIA-CRK left 5-10 minutes BEFORE the scheduled time, as it was already full.

[AsianPursuits]

Its confusing. The new system starts May 4. Inbound foreigners will have to wait until 24 hours prior to their departure (previously 3 days) to register. Then the must log in again 12 hours prior to departure to complete another step. Then again 4 hours prior to departure to complete a final step.

I watched the video and it looks simple.

The step they missed is for mongers to pre-book themselves in for an STI screen upon returning home.

[J Janni]

Its confusing. The new system starts May 4. Inbound foreigners will have to wait until 24 hours prior to their departure (previously 3 days) to register. Then the must log in again 12 hours prior to departure to complete another step. Then again 4 hours prior to departure to complete a final step.

I don't know why I do this shit to myself.

I was the mongering test pilot for the Phuket sandbox scheme. It would now appear I'm going to end up doing the same for the new PI entry system.

Will report back when I start step 1 in 12 hours time.

[WestCoast1]

I've been through it, and its not all that bad. Its a bit confusing, and not all the time the upload is successful, may have to repeat many times. Even after I successfully completed all the steps I still was unable to pass at the airport and had to go through the "long" process. But the good news is the long process was very easy, and quite fast. There is a lot of staff and I just had to provide all the documents in person. Basically took an extra 3-5 minutes, so I didn't have any difficulty. My biggest concern is the departure process ATM.

Its confusing. The new system starts May 4. Inbound foreigners will have to wait until 24 hours prior to their departure (previously 3 days) to register. Then the must log in again 12 hours prior to departure to complete another step. Then again 4 hours prior to departure to complete a final step.

[Transporter]

It's very confusing and sensless. What if you have a late connecting flight and are running to the gate and miss the second 1-hour check-in? Unless you can do it all on the first leg of the journey. Hopefully someone can report back on the experience.

I've been through it, and its not all that bad. Its a bit confusing, and not all the time the upload is successful, may have to repeat many times. Even after I successfully completed all the steps I still was unable to pass at the airport and had to go through the "long" process. But the good news is the long process was very easy, and quite fast. There is a lot of staff and I just had to provide all the documents in person. Basically took an extra 3-5 minutes, so I didn't have any difficulty. My biggest concern is the departure process ATM.

[Mahaba]

It's very confusing and sensless. What if you have a late connecting flight and are running to the gate and miss the second 1-hour check-in? Unless you can do it all on the first leg of the journey. Hopefully someone can report back on the experience.

Look at this form 02:30 min:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMZGt0ejoI

They want to split the one health in registering 24 h before and again 4 to 1 hours before the departure.

It all seems to be some really unnecessary BS. But what should we expect from officials in the PH?

[Dg8787]

The genesis timetable says last bus 7 pm from NAIA to Clark. My scheduled arrival is 7 pm. From pre-pandemic days I remember they used to just wait anyways. Until about an hour after my flight arrived.

I'm assuming it's still the same, any intel on last departure?

Pre pandemic days my buses always left on time to the minute. Of course I did not take the last bus of the day either. The buses then were around the clock.

[AsianPursuits]

NAIA Terminal 3, near Bay 1. No reservation needed, pay on the bus, 380 pesos. The conductor will place your baggage in the hold and ask where you're going. Your stop is SM Clark. Of couse, bring your smaller handcarry on the bus.

The genesis timetable says last bus 7 pm from NAIA to Clark. My scheduled arrival is 7 pm. From pre-pandemic days I remember they used to just wait anyways. Until about an hour after my flight arrived.

I'm assuming it's still the same, any intel on last departure?

[Cbea20]

This use to be part of the Mansion Group. Yes, it was pretty run-down by the time it was sold, and the name changed.

Sunny Bay Suites, I stayed there every time I was in Manila due to the proximity to LA Cafe. I time they found a hairline tear on the sofa which I am sure I was not the culprit as I did seat on it. I had to cough out 2 grand.

[Goferring]

.....so it seems Philippines and Indonesia are all that's left so I figured I'd ask here in case I'm missing something.

Add Cambodia and Vietnam to your research list. I could see $2500 disappearing quickly in Japan, Korea, Singapore and even Malaysia but there are ways of living cheaply everywhere.

Thailand, Indo and Vietnam have the best food.

Philippines is the most English only friendly.

Thailand has the best infrastructure and medical facilities.

Provincial Philippines is the most welcoming.

Philippines has the longest and easiest tourist visas.

Vietnam has the cheapest girls.

All except Philippines will need some local language skills esp in the provincial areas.

Prettiest girls?? YMMV.

Good luck. G.

[WestCoast1]

WC1.

Cannot reply mailbox full.

Its done.

WC.

[Transporter]

WC1.

Cannot reply mailbox full.

[MrHappyKat]

It seems that you are going to PH for the first time.

Well you are spot on, Sir!

Ok so I called all three hotels and heard what I wanted to hear. Now I am booked into all my desired hotels. I think.

Still waiting for email confirmation form Sunny Bay Suites, along with confirmation of my transfer from MNL Term 2 to the hotel. I know that will cost extra, but after a 14-hour flight it will be worth it to see a guy holding a sign with my name on it who will get me there efficiently.

I've scheduled appointments for m travel vaccinations and now I just follow the script, pack and fly.

Thanks to all for your suggestions, tips and sage advice.

[MikeBen78]

To the fellows who have sampled the various destinations, if you were back in your early 30's and had the chance to retire on $2500 passive income per month, where would you choose? More specifically, I'm having the hardest time figuring out where the attitudes of the population are fun, welcoming and friendly to be around. Most recent reports make it sound like Thailand is no longer very friendly, so it seems Philippines and Indonesia are all that's left so I figured I'd ask here in case I'm missing something.

[DzikaBomba]

Look at this form 02:30 min:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMZGt0ejoI

They want to split the one health in registering 24 h before and again 4 to 1 hours before the departure.

It all seems to be some really unnecessary BS. But what should we expect from officials in the PH?