Robbed walking on the street near L. A. Cafe

[Redfield10]

I'll take into consideration your point. Perhaps it was the "one time in a million thing." However, "Roger" felt the same way. So maybe we are both dumb and you are the smart one!

Also, just for the record, I wasn't drunk. I was simply walking a block away from LA Cafe and was surrounded by three or for thugs who went after my pockets. By the way, maybe the 20 bucks they got is a lot to you. It's not to me. But thanks to your Lib buddies I have a huge pension for life.

No worries!

I've been to to LOS about a dozen times and the PI over 40 times. And I've been to both twice each already this year. I've also been all over Latin America etc. And can say the PI is safer than most countries in Latin america (and many cities in the US).

Not sure when you were last at Nana but it is a joke now. EDSA is 100 times better (unless you are into ladyboys which outnumber the GGs at NEP nowadays).

As for getting robbed outside LA cafe, it does happen (particularly to the foolish and the drunk). I've walked those streets alone at all hours alone countless times without incident. Sorry that happened to you, but you are letting one incident color your view of an entire country.

Carrying loads of cash at night, as you did, is a sure sign of a newbie to third world travel (or learning impaired).

LOS has its advantages (infrastructure and food in particular), while the PI has its advantages too (first and foremost the friendliness of the people). Each member must make his own decisions about where to go, but IMHO letting the foolish errors of some create irrational fear or paranoia that prevents you from visiting perhaps the friendliest country on Earth for Americans is a grave mistake.

[Lenience]

Sounds interesting.- I've never heard of this place. Is it new?

The web site I found gives the location of Baywatch 1403 as just south of the Grand Hotel (has anyone stayed there recently? ). Where is 1903 in relation to 1403?

http://www.baywatch1403.com/maps.html

X

** You have to love a place that gives tips like this on their web site: They (taxis) usually charge exorbitant rates or those using meters will surely drive you around to jack up your fare and consume your patience.

The two Baywatch condos are in the same building, same management etc.

About the taxis. I am always so amazed at the reaction of the crooked taxi drivers when I tell them off. "please do not mad sir. Do not shout, sir." Same for the touts and pimps. Just look crosseyed at them and they turn into mush.

I got real fed up trying to get a taxi when I got off the bus at Pasay one time. Guys just kept walking in front of me on the sidewalk to take the next taxi. Finally I went up to one cab that a fat young dude had just thought he appropriated. I reached in front of him, said "is this how you get a cab in this country? " and slid in the front seat. He couldn't believe what was happening (1/3 my age and outweighed me 2:1), and finally yelled, "better show some respect, man. You're a guest in my country."

[Surfer]

this is yet another example of an isolated incident being overhyped beyond belief (this one is hyped by Swagman in particular to scare people into paying 600P for the "security" of their bus rather than the 120P for the public bus).

Airplanes were used as weapons on 9/11 (4 times) but that does mean it is unsafe to fly on an airliner.

TAKE THE PUBLIC BUS TO DAU (Angeles). Just keep an eye on your baggage (and keep valuables on your body-i.e. USE COMMON SENSE!). The biggest danger will be negotiating with the trike driver to get from Dau Bus station to your hotel (SHOULD be 70Pisos but you will have to bargain to get that price especially if you have lots of luggage). You CAN do it on a jeepney for under 10Pisos (which you must remind the trike driver while bargaining).

Angeles trike drivers are the absolute scum of the earth and should only be used in emergencies (or getting from bus station to hotel with luggage). Walk or take jeeps whenever possible in AC.

[Surfer]

I've been to to LOS about a dozen times and the PI over 40 times. And I've been to both twice each already this year. I've also been all over Latin America etc. And can say the PI is safer than most countries in Latin america (and many cities in the US).

Not sure when you were last at Nana but it is a joke now. EDSA is 100 times better (unless you are into ladyboys which outnumber the GGs at NEP nowadays).

As for getting robbed outside LA cafe, it does happen (particularly to the foolish and the drunk). I've walked those streets alone at all hours alone countless times without incident. Sorry that happened to you, but you are letting one incident color your view of an entire country.

Carrying loads of cash at night, as you did, is a sure sign of a newbie to third world travel (or learning impaired).

LOS has its advantages (infrastructure and food in particular), while the PI has its advantages too (first and foremost the friendliness of the people). Each member must make his own decisions about where to go, but IMHO letting the foolish errors of some create irrational fear or paranoia that prevents you from visiting perhaps the friendliest country on Earth for Americans is a grave mistake.

[Redfield10]

A couple of more things as I reread your thread. I"ve been to BKK about 7 times. And Manila only once. My impressions.

You will not find EDSA, Burgos, etc. Anything at all like Soi Cowboy or Nana. If you are expecting the same, you will be disappointed. Basially, most of Manila is a big shithole. No other way to describe it. BKK is 100 times nicer. I was robbed right outside of Executive Plaza. Do not carry money with you. Or very little. Easy to get robbed. L. A. Cafe is great, itself. I woldn't even bother with Burgos or EDSA. But that's just me.

Angles is better. But you will find the girls way uglier than Soi Cowboy, Nana, etc. But it's still ok.

I'd take Swagman fly the bus from the Swagman hotel. Easy and cheap.

Well, good luck, but I feel I need to warn you. Manila ain't no Bangkok. And the Phils ain't no Thailand. I have no desire to every go back to the Phils again. You guys can have it.

Hi Guys!

Thank you so much for so much wisdom! I have being to Bangkok several times and this will be my first trip to the PHI-so much appretiated! I think I will stay away from eurosuite as it is true that seems to cater more of ST crow and if wanted to stay 3 days may be hard-that not having windows and the overal ambiance.

Now the dilemma is what to choose! I read in the board and it seems the executive plaza (sp) not sure I got the name right may be the next best thing. I reckon is a few blocks from LA cafe and and few others to the Mall. I am bit disapointed with the recent reports of it not being such a fertile ground for this hobby of ours! I guess that wherever I stay it will mean taxi around. The thing is I dread the notorious traffic. I had my share of traffic in BKK and opted to Skytrain and Subway to many of the venues I frequent but I guess that would be out of the question in Manila.

The taxi situation in BKK is as many of you pros in here know metered without hassle and plentiful in the street. I wonder how it is in Manila and the cost of getting around (monetary and time wise).

I guess that makate, Burgos and EDSA is the equivalent of Soi cowboy and nana. But there is no soapies, oil massage venues in Manila.

I guess I will have to hit the ground running and figure what is my overal strategy. I gues that if I can make due in BKK not speaking a word of thai I should fair well in PHI where English is more widely spoken.

OK guys! Any last word of wisdom. Please shout it out.

P.S. Are they still robbing buses from Manila to AC or that has stopped. I planning to go to AC using the buses mentioned in the forum but read about bandits that get onboard the bus to rob it.

P. S 2 Anyone has being to BKK recently. I am planning on leaving PHI from AC Clark airport with Cebu Air (sp) that has a flight into BKK on June 23rd. Anyone done that flight.

Once again thank you all and let me know if you are in the area in June 17 of this year!

Cheers!

[Redfield10]

Just be careful in the area around the Executive Plaza. As I was walking back from L. A. Cafe I was robbed. Manila is much more dangerous than, say, Bangkok. So beware.

Hi Guys!

Thank you so much for so much wisdom! I have being to Bangkok several times and this will be my first trip to the PHI-so much appretiated! I think I will stay away from eurosuite as it is true that seems to cater more of ST crow and if wanted to stay 3 days may be hard-that not having windows and the overal ambiance.

Now the dilemma is what to choose! I read in the board and it seems the executive plaza (sp) not sure I got the name right may be the next best thing. I reckon is a few blocks from LA cafe and and few others to the Mall. I am bit disapointed with the recent reports of it not being such a fertile ground for this hobby of ours! I guess that wherever I stay it will mean taxi around. The thing is I dread the notorious traffic. I had my share of traffic in BKK and opted to Skytrain and Subway to many of the venues I frequent but I guess that would be out of the question in Manila.

The taxi situation in BKK is as many of you pros in here know metered without hassle and plentiful in the street. I wonder how it is in Manila and the cost of getting around (monetary and time wise).

I guess that makate, Burgos and EDSA is the equivalent of Soi cowboy and nana. But there is no soapies, oil massage venues in Manila.

I guess I will have to hit the ground running and figure what is my overal strategy. I gues that if I can make due in BKK not speaking a word of thai I should fair well in PHI where English is more widely spoken.

OK guys! Any last word of wisdom...please shout it out....

P.S. Are they still robbing buses from Manila to AC or that has stopped. I planning to go to AC using the buses mentioned in the forum but read about bandits that get onboard the bus to rob it.

P.S 2 Anyone has being to BKK recently. I am planning on leaving PHI from AC Clark airport with Cebu Air (sp) that has a flight into BKK on June 23rd. Anyone done that flight.

Once again thank you all and let me know if you are in the area in June 17 of this year!

Cheers!