Thread: General Info
+
Add Report
Results 931 to 945 of 15981
-
04-10-22 22:27 #15051
Posts: 1562Originally Posted by DzikaBomba [View Original Post]
I don't care whether they find my pacsafe. I draw the aviation cable up tight enough so there's no place to get a bolt cutter on it, and I use a padlock designed so there's no way to get a bolt cutter on the shackle. In the states a lock like that costs about $12 at Walmart.
Plastic freezer bags are a novel idea. As to never having had any problems in Africa and elsewhere, you might want to look up the term "superstitious reinforcement." But plastic bags are clearly a cheap solution. You could save nearly $40 from the cost of my pacsafe.
-
04-10-22 21:14 #15050
Posts: 102Planning my 1st trip in July.
Planning my 1st trip:
First, huge thanks to all who post here. I've been lurking for some time as I contemplate my next extended trip (past trips to Argentina, Chile, and Dominican Republic) and wait out the worst of the pandemic headwinds. The collective wisdom and occasional humor have been amazing. I think I am about as prepared as I can be, until I get boots on the ground, of course, for an excellent time.
I'd appreciate some feedback on my preliminary plans. I'm looking to optimize for ST barfine sessions, then perhaps FL sessions, and since I have bad knees, minimal walking time to / from bars. I have decent budget available and I want to limit my 1st trip to the Manila and AC areas. Here's my current plan:
Flights: I will be flying business class because I can afford it. Non-stop from LAX to MNL. Prefer to arrive late afternoon to early evening.
COVID Stuff: Fully vaccinated and double boosted. It looks like I'll need the following to fly: One health card, recent PRC (or antigen?) test results, global entry card (already have TSA-Pre), travel medical insurance ($35 K or higher), and identify where I can get new tests in MNL before I fly home. Not sure if I also need "E-health Declaration" and "Case Investigation" - can anyone confirm?
Lodging: I'm thinking of staying 7-ish days in Makati, then 7-8 days in AC, then coming back to the Manila area for the rest of my stay. I'm budgeting about $50-$80 per night for hotel, and looking for girl-friendly and generally more upscale (or at least not shit-hole) locations near the local bars to minimize walking distances as much as practical.
Transport between cities: I'm looking at taking a bus for $5-$10 between Manila and AC. But I can pay more for a taxi if it's a more direct / safer / shorter trip.
Transportation in-city. As mentioned, I have bad knees and as a bigger guy, I'm not sure I'll fit in the trikes. So Grab seems like the way to go for short trips, maybe 4-8 per day depending on daily activities.
Daily routine: I'm getting older, so I'll probably only do a barfine or FL every other day, then recovering and maybe doing touristy crap (cover story) on the off days. Or if I meet a girl I really like, I can extend our session to the next day for additional funds.
Question on barfines in Manila vs AC: From what I have seen in past posts, a barfine in Manila or Makati gets the girl out of the bar, and then she expects an additional amount generally equal to the barfine for a complete experience. While a barfine in AC is "all-inclusive" with the expectation of a small tip (php 250-500) before she leaves. Is this correct? I've seen references to barfines in both areas between php 3 k and 4 k, with FL rates between php 2 K and 4 K. Should I plan on / budget for these rates by time I get there in July?
Packing: I'm an experienced traveler including travel in "poor" countries. But the tip about buying a pacsafe bag is a great idea. Thank you! I want to pack a 6-8 day supply of clothes, and use the hotel or local laundry service as needed. Shorts, light jeans, t-shits and polos, and a swim suit seems appropriate. Plus a baseball hat and sunscreen if I'll be outdoors for a while. Wil I need to bring my Verizon hotspot? Or is that just a waste of space / weight in my luggage?
Medical: I take daily meds, and will bring an ample supply, of course. If I lose my meds, do I need a prescription to refill them at a local pharmacy? And will a US-based prescription be accepted? Next, I am considering starting a PrEP regimen and will be asking my doctor about it. Should I be insisting on only drinking bottled water?
Sorry for the word-wall. I tend to over plan so I avoid surprises.
Anyone see any red flags or landmines in my plan?
Thanks for any and all feedback.
-
04-10-22 19:30 #15049
Posts: 39Thanks for the advice all
Originally Posted by GenXBaer [View Original Post]
As inconvenient as it will be, I think on my next trip I will just try to use the buses to get around. Since I don't plan on making mongering the only thing I do, and I'd like to do some legit tourism and exploring, it would be nice to have the freedom of my own vehicle but the last thing I would want to deal with is getting involved in a scam where I could potentially have the police against me.
-
04-10-22 15:17 #15048
Posts: 333Rooms Safes are a No-Go
Originally Posted by SoapySmith [View Original Post]
A pac safe is also not needed. I pack everything into refrigerator zip bags and hide it in the room, every room has some good places for hiding. Nobody will find it (unlike the pac safe, who will be found immediately).
I also hided things like that during Africa Trips and never had any problems.
-
04-10-22 01:19 #15047
Posts: 1562Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
I always carry a product called pac-safe. It's like a canvas ditty bag, about 10 inches by six inches, and the canvas is reinforced with a wire mesh in between two layers of canvas. Virtually impossible to cut through with a knife or scissors. It comes with a length of plastic-covered aviation cable that can be looped around plumbing pipes and locked. Neither hotel staff nor a misguided p4 p is likely to get at the cash or other valuables inside. It can also be used to keep condoms and other paraphernalia away from prying eyes. I paid about $40 for mine a dozen years ago, and it has long since paid for itself.
I carry only enough cash with me for the immediate needs of each foray away from the hotel or condo -- in a money "belt" worn over the shoulder under my shirt. I leave the balance of my cash, dollars or pesos, my passport, and other valuables in the pac-safe in my room, including the money I anticipate needing for a p4 p picked up in a bar or the mall.
-
04-09-22 08:52 #15046
Posts: 462Originally Posted by DashingDon [View Original Post]
-
04-09-22 02:59 #15045
Posts: 360On Wednesday night, 4/6, the IATF officially allowed rapid antigen tests for entry to the Phils per Malacanang. Reported in Philippine Lifestyle News on April 8. The IATF also recommended that Alert Level One continue until June 30.
The article contained some good news for mongers from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mexico. Covid certificates from those countries will now be recognized for entry to the Phils.
-
04-08-22 23:44 #15044
Posts: 462Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
I do retain the WISE card for foreign purchases. Being able to obtain multiple card numbers and freeze cards online makes it great for online subscriptions.
For cash use though there are better options like ING.
-
04-08-22 22:15 #15043
Posts: 3405Originally Posted by WestCoast1 [View Original Post]
They do have a Debit card that offers very good fees and features. The only thing that stopped me was a daily max withdrawl of $200. However that was a while ago and it may have changed. Let me know if it has as their platform is very user friendly and keeps getting better.
Cheers. G.
-
04-08-22 21:59 #15042
Posts: 6842Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
-
04-08-22 21:14 #15041
Posts: 989Originally Posted by WestCoast1 [View Original Post]
If I loose say 4000 Peso and my credit card -- its pain but not not the world. I use the second card to get new cash and inform my bank about the card-loss.
If I loose 4000 $, my trip is fucked up.
And to your digits: mine are lower as my card not charges for cash advance and get a slightly better rate than the moneychanger offers. But yes, I need to pay the local fee at the ATM.
-
04-08-22 20:30 #15040
Posts: 3405Originally Posted by WestCoast1 [View Original Post]
For me, I have a bank issued 'Travel Debit Card' it has low / no fees and (importantly) wholesale FX rates.
I have no 1st hand knowledge but many Americans report their banks refund all international fees.
Web based peer to peer banks like Wise offer very good FX rates and fee structure.
I can remember in the early days, on my first couple of trips, when I used a standard MasterCard credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, the highest cost line item over the length of my holiday was bank fees. Now that was crazy.
Neither of us has priced in the risk of holding large sums of cash to be converted. Perhaps not a big deal for a 3 day business trip but certainly a consideration for a month or two of fun. Let's face it, some of the people we have in our rooms could be very tempted by several '000 dollars held in a hotel safe.
Enjoy, G.
-
04-08-22 20:19 #15039
Posts: 695Originally Posted by AsianPursuits [View Original Post]
See BSP Circular No. 922.
-
04-08-22 19:55 #15038
Posts: 1562Originally Posted by Goferring [View Original Post]
-
04-08-22 19:44 #15037
Posts: 6842Originally Posted by AsianPursuits [View Original Post]
Originally Posted by AsianPursuits [View Original Post]
Originally Posted by AsianPursuits [View Original Post]
Originally Posted by AsianPursuits [View Original Post]
An example. Say today's exchange rate is p50 to 1 US dollar. The money changer is offering p49 per dollar. I hand the money changer $200 US dollars, and he hands me p9800 (200 x 49). I give up $200 and get p9800 (a p200 or $4 loss for using the money changer).
I go to a BDO ATM machine in NAIA. The machine demands a p250 fee ($5). I tell the machine I want p10000. The machine gives me p10000, but takes $208.33 from my US bank account (an exchange rate of p48 per $1 US dollar). In addition, my bank charges me a $5 US dollar fee for an overseas ATM use. I get p10000, and I give up $208.33 + $5 + $5 = $218.33. That's an $18 kick in the wallet.
Anyone correct my digits.