Angeles City - 2004 Reports

[Member #1986]

Firedick,

Thanks for your recomendations. I will do some follow up research on the places you have mentioned. I wil definetly be staying in Sabang. I will either have the operators pick me up or take a trike to their shops.

Just one more question if you don't mind. How do you rate the diving in Puerto Galera. I have dove Dumaguete & Boracay both those areas we very nice.

Good luck with the (work) retirement. Maybe next time we could swap some beer and lies. Till then have a good one.

Rio.

[Firedick]

Marco,

"Bitty". I tried to use the other "B" word, but the WSG filters don't allow that word.

"Retire from mongering ?" Bite your tongue man ! I'd rather hear you were planning my funeral.

You've never been to Puerto Galera ? PG has enough action for a while, but I am worried about how long (short) it may be until I'm bored stiff living there full time.

No time frame yet. Employer paperwork could have me sitting on my hands for 6 more months. A party sounds like a great idea, but then, when doesn't it ?

Thanks for the other board locales. (And thank you Jackson for not deleting them as possible competing boards)

I will keep you posted, literally. I plan to continue to contribute as I travel even more.


Mikster,

No offense meant. Just me being the "bitty Nazi". :)


Rio Loco,

Far and away my favorite is Atlantis in Sabang. Higher dollar than most, but a great hotel and a top notch dive center. Great resturant.

Capt. Gregg's is a good dive operator as well, but the hotel is "down market" a little, but still doable. Decent resturant.

Asia Divers is also good. They have an small office in Sabang but run most dives out of their shop just West of the Point Bar, Small Lalaguna. I can't remember if they have an affiliate hotel.

Both Lalaguna's are better if you want quiet relaxation. If you want to monger, stay in Sabang.

I doubt that I will be in the RP before August. I have other trips planned until then. May Thailand, June Montana, July Utah.

Later,

FD

[McBarker]

Guys,

This trip has been great so far. I have already been in AC for 8 days.Now Im on my way to Dumaguete after a few days in Cebu at Metropolis Court Hotel( very nice hotel) in room jacuzzis are invaluable. In AC it seems Blue Nile Group spread out there talent since November. Before Blue Nile was packed with all the best girls but now Nero's, Blue Nile Executive, Blue Nile, Cambodia Club and Misty's all have talent. There are at least 6 stunners in every bar. I thought Champange was excellent to for both waitresses and dancers at least 8 stunners there and a very friendly staff and great music too. Lancelot is the most improved bar I have been to since November. In November it was horrid but now they have both attractive dancers and waitresses. Roadhouse this trip seems lacking in stunners and Bunny Ranch went down a step down but Las Vegas was also good. Insomnia was ok to. I will check out Stinger, Confettis, Jungle and more when I get back on Tuesday. Ill do Boracay after holy week for a few days then right back to AC. Some guys burn out on AC after a week not me I LOVE IT. I may even extend this trip past 7 weeks Im having a great time. Best Wishes to all Mongers.

Regards,

McBarker

[Dragon Slayer]

Mikster,

I like your story. Have to agree with Firedick that it was about 2000 words longer than necessary. The author repeated himself several times, used trite expressions and mundane comments ie: K-Y jelly. Why can't people just come out and say "prostitution", instead of "world's oldest profession"?

Hope to see you in a few weeks. Finally got my scanner for the computer. Start to get more photos posted down in the "Davao Section".

Dragon Slayer

[Marconista]

I thought you were the real image of the old "bitty" FD! - biro lang - he he he,,

Retirement?
Retire from mongering?
Retire just to do holes in one?
Are there anything to "put" in Puerto Galera? I'll contact you when I'm in Batangas/Anilao for some diving fun (also scuba-diving), OK?

BTW, When are you settling down?
When time is due, we should have a party, inviting CebuCityLocal, Cancontrib and the other regulars in this forum. Agree?

When settling down in RP, you should become member of some local forums, such as manilatonight, hookup and mygimmic, all dot com. I'm sure you will get all you need to help you out of the rockin-chair from some of the female members there.

Ingat, pare!

[Mikster]

Firedick, Pinay Lover,

I didnt write it. I was re-posting an article written by a guy who lives in Cebu.

Later

Mikster

[Member #1986]

Firedick,

Any recomendations on dive operators/hotels in Puerto Galera. I have searched all the web sites for both & have found numerous places for both. But it helps if someone has had a personal experience in the area.

I have a 3 day dive/party trip there in early summer. If your around we could swap some beers and lies.

Rio.

[Firedick]

Mikster,

Although it is a good point, it could have been made in one paragraph.

Jack Brice,

You're on the money with US carriers. I used to fly Northwest. What a bunch of hags.

Progman, Progman, Progman.

I just got back from your "neck of the woods", so I have a leaky ass. How bout a nice peck on the cheek !?!

Let's address your pedantic post point by point.


- I’m still alive. (Living what few of us would call a life)
- Always left on-time. (More a reflection on the airport)
- Always landed on-time or earlier. (Early ? That would scare me too, being non adventurous. What did they do, put out an extra sail ?)
- Flight attendants always courteous and attentive. (I truly found the extact opposite. The only smile I got was when we were deplanning. I guess they were glad to be rid of us.)
- Food sucks (coach and business class). (A given. Food on JAL and Thai is OK at best.)
- Consistently the best fares overall. (Not always. If you're flexable in regard to flight schedule, you can find deals on all airlines. My best thusfar is $525 RT LAX, Tokyo (with 5 day layover at my request), MNL, LAX on JAL. I have not flown Asiana, so the paste below is for example only. I may give them a try soon.

http://us.flyasiana.com/promofebmar2004.asp
>
>
> Fly from Los Angeles to one of these destinations:
> Hong Kong for only $410 roundtrip*
> Bangkok for only $425 roundtrip*
> Clark Field for only $515 roundtrip*
> Hanoi for only $535 roundtrip*

- Airport in Taipei boring unless you have lounge access. (Boring ? Not at all. I had a camera stolen while taking a [CodeWord140] (it was at armslength). What could be more fun than filing a police report during your layover ?)
- Cute salesgirls in TPE. (True. But also true of just about any airport that I've visited in Asia. Or mall for that matter.)

Now before you guys come to Progmans defense, this is not a flame. Prog and I are friends.

Prog and all of you, my retirement is almost final. If my plans hold, I'll spend the first year or so diving the RP. Will keep a place in Puerto Galera. Second year, Phuket. Would love to bend an elbow and exchange stories with any of you fellow mongers. Yeah, I know that my posts sometimes make me sound like an old "Bitty". Just trying to keep info flowing. Different over a beer or two.

Later,

FD

[McBarker]

Mikster,

Sounds good, im in Cebu right now with a friend tomorrow Im going to Dumaguete then Tuesday back to AC. Im in the Clarkton just ask Noel, Jean or Domit at front desk what room Madonna's ex husband is in. I took Dragonslayers advice im in Metropolis Court Hotel and its nice. Dragonslayer has excellent info on Cebu, my speciality is AC. pm me Mikster and ill give you my cell # here. Happy Mongering.

McBarker

[Pinay Lover]

Mikster,

Well said. That is the major difference between those here for a really long time and those passing through. We have more time to be patient and choose. Therefore, we get a better price. We aren't cheap at all just a better consumer.

Like you I have lived in the Philippines since '99 and think in Pesos. I survive on SM Grandes under $1.00, cab rides for $2.00, "dates" under $40.00 and what my housekeeper cooks for under $5.00 a day. At current exchange rate I get much more for my dollar. I know you do, too.

PL

[Jack Brice]

Folks,

I have tickets on China Air for my trip at the end of the month. It was the cheapest available, but I will let y'all know if it fits the old adage of "You get what you pay for" after I arrive in RP.

Once I'm there, the airport could shut down for all I care. I've been overbooked before and was forced to spend an extra night in Manila (darn!) and given a $300.00 voucher. Not bad.

After flying US carriers with old, fat, ugly, cranky dingbat attendants (and those are the guys), flying with pretty, young stewardesses is a breath of fresh air--just like in the old days.

I can't wait...26 days to go.

JB

[Progman]

What most people need to remember about Firedick is he has no sense of adventure. Engine leaking? …sounds interesting. What else is there to do between LAX and TPE but to see if there’s enough gas in the tank before you land!.

All kidding aside I have been flying China Airlines for three years now. I've racked over 150,000 miles with them. I know their safety record sucks but here's what I've experienced:

- I’m still alive.
- Always left on-time.
- Always landed on-time or earlier.
- Flight attendants always courteous and attentive.
- Food sucks (coach and business class).
- Consistently the best fares overall.
- Airport in Taipei boring unless you have lounge access.
- Cute salesgirls in TPE.

...(prog)

[Mikster]

Hey,

This was written by a guy who lives in the RP. I think it has some merit to be read here by newbies and veterans alike, especially the "high rollers" among us who like to drive up the market. Take it for what it's worth to you. Not trying to start a flame war and wont participate. Just read if you want and if you don't want, then don't.

Its only A Dollar

There is a common mistake many foreigners all too often make, upon arriving in the Philippines. I know some of you are going to think of this as me being cheap, but I am not. Others, hopefully anyway, will realize what I'm about to say here. That is, you aren't in the USA anymore. Once you are in Cebu, or elsewhere in the Philippines, do your best to get out of the western mindset of thinking in terms of USD, or other forms of currency for that matter. If you do, you will save yourself tons of money, over the course of your trip.

Once you get off the plane, do your best to think only in terms of Philippine Pesos. I know it is very difficult at first. However, in time, it becomes much easier to do. Having been here for over a year now, I have to convert back when someone starts talking in terms of USD, instead of Php. But, as far as conversions go, to make it easier for our American visitors, roughly estimate Php 500 for every $10. 00 USD you have.

But, no matter how much money you bring with you, if you have that "it's only a dollar" attitude, you are going to spend a lot more money than you should, after arriving here. Just because you are here on vacation doesn't mean you should not care about the value you get for your dollar, or in this case peso. Too many foreigners go on vacation with the thought that, "We're on vacation honey! Let's live it up! "

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with wanting to spend more money on a vacation somewhere, especially after working a year (or several), to save to fly here. However, instead of being taken advantage of by paying far too much for a product or service, why not get the best value for your hard earned dollar / Besides, when buying something from Filipinos, especially in the market or from other 'OLDER' (SEE WORLD'S OLDEST PROFESSION) businesses, vendors expect you to negotiate with them. It's the Filipino way to do business. In fact, I truly believe they will look at you as though you are a fool if you don't at least try to negotiate with them.

Many things here are typically cheaper than in the states, especially with the exchange rate being what it is presently (Php 55 / $1 USD). But, upon flying in to Cebu (and it being a good chance that it's your first trip here), you may see something for Php 50. You then say, "Well, that's under a dollar, I'll take it! " Of course, after purchasing it and walking away, you aren't the only one smiling. Why / Because that vendor just sold you something which would normally have been sold to a Filipino for Php 10 - 15, not Php 50. So, definitely enjoy your smile. I have a tube of K-Y jelly to go along with that smile, which sells for about Php 350 at Mercury Drugstore. My primary concern here is, that you have an enjoyable trip while visiting this wonderful country. However, at the same time you can have a lot more to go back home with (goods, gifts, or extra cash), if you do spend wisely. You know, I remember when I came here on my first trip in 1994. Back then, I flew over with a Fil-Am couple who lived in the US. Although we did not see each other during the whole trip here, we did end up, ironically, flying back to the US booked on the same flight. Well, while waiting in the airport on Mactan, we started comparing notes on what we spent while here for three weeks. During the time this guy was here with his wife, they spent well over $5, 000 USD. During the same time frame, I spent a total of $1200, but I did buy a camera for $400 prior to flying back to the US. So, grand total that I spent was $1600 USD for three weeks. I had only come over with $2000, but took $400 back with me as well. To help keep things in perspective, the exchange rate of the day was Php 26 / $1 USD.

You see, there is another reason for not just paying whatever price is asked of you at the time of making a purchase. If you pay Php 50 for a product or service that is only worth Php 25, for example, you will ultimately screw others who live here, other visitors, and ultimately yourself (upon your next return to the Philippines).

What I'm saying here is, once you allow yourself to be screwed, the vendor or merchant sees this and will start doing the same thing to everyone who come here, who is obviously a foreigner. (Of course, don't think giving someone a bad deal is limited to only foreigners, as it's not. Filipinos from other areas who visit here are can be taken advantage of as well. They are still 'out-of-towners'.) Either way, in time this hurts us all, foreigners who live here, and others who visit here after you have long gone. So, while visiting the Philippines, do your best to make sure you get a good deal on the service or goods that you buy. If you have a Filipino you can trust, you will be well looked after. However, if you have one that you only 'think' you can trust. well, that tube of K-Y is still available.

[Columpuss]

I have used CA three times to go to East Asia and I never have any problems with the service. I always have to use an American carrier to get to SF before getting on CA. After a few hours of dealling with American attendants with fake smiles on their faces while they're serving you peanuts when the itinerary clearly says LUNCH SERVED, anything else is far better. A 600-dollar fare to the Phillipines with 3 full meals served not including cup-o noodles if one asks, what other services does one need? I have also used EVA and Cathay Pacific on a few occasions and see no difference in term of services. As far as safety records, you would be more likely die in a car crash on your way to work tommorow. Anyway, death after a month in AC and Boracay "ain't" bad.

[Member #1986]

Grizzled,

Thanks for the follow up on golf, shooting, casino, water park & cockfight. I have taken all into notice and will try and follow up with visits to each. I will let all know. Thanks.

Rio.