General Info

[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?

[Goferring]

. Any decent hotel can arrange door to door transfers from NAIA for about an extra 1000 p surcharge..

Enjoy. G.

Just for clarity, I meant that the hotel will charge about a 1000 p surcharge on top of what a self hire or taxi will charge not that the door to door fee will be 1000 p. Expect a bill in the 5 k range.

[DzikaBomba]

No matter the hotel, I will make a point of taking pics of the room from several angles at check-in and will report anything I see to the front desk. I'm not really worried about blood on the sheets. I have no plans to BF a virgin and, as a Kat, I'm not packing anything more likely to be found on a horse. LOL But what don't I know about that I should?

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

You don't need to fuck a virgin to get bloody sheets.

It is completely normal for Pinays getting their Menstruation suddenly.

And unexpected during your sessions.

Most likely you will also experience this, so be prepared.

[Goferring]

Lastly, what is the easiest way from MNL to Angeles? I. Sure after the flight I'll be more interested in comfort and speed rather than cheapest option.

By far the easiest way for a tired newbie, who isn't cost focussed, to get to AC is to tell your hotel to pick you up. Any decent hotel can arrange door to door transfers from NAIA for about an extra 1000 p surcharge.

All you need to do is watch out at arrivals for the guy with your name on a sign. All they need is your flight details. Costs are typically added to your room bill. Nothing is totally guaranteed but most hotels also try to weed out the totally insane drivers.

Enjoy. G.

[Pute Nut]

Genesis bus was mentioned. Do you pay for these in advance or is it pay when you show up and they pack the bus?
.

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.

[WildInstincts]

I've been reviewing the threads and appreciate all the info. The info provided to MrHappyKat was particularly useful. I just have a couple of questions.

1) what is the estimated walking time from the ABC hotel to Walking Street? On the map it only seems about 5 blocks away.

2) Which one has the better pool area for daytime relaxing.

I'm leaning towards ABC, but I do like the proximity of the Central Park Towers.

Lastly, what is the easiest way from MNL to Angeles? I. Sure after the flight I'll be more interested in comfort and speed rather than cheapest option. I think I saw a cab as being quoted to be about 3,500 pesos. Is Grab about the same? I also saw where Genesis bus was mentioned. Do you pay for these in advance or is it pay when you show up and they pack the bus?

Thanks for the help. Looking forward to my 1st time there and a long needed break.

In my opinion ABC is a better hotel if you don't mind paying a little more and the walking distance of about 10 minutes sprinted walk. The hotel also provides free drop off to walking street or you can just take a trike. Central Park is a decent option if you want to be closer to the walking street with no hassle.

Manila to AC, fastest and comfortable option is to take a cab, if you don't mind the fare. No need to wait for the bus. Genesis is a cheaper option but you may have to wait for the bus. You pay inside the bus.

[Nolz7]

HK mentioned 3 places. NZ, which one are you referring to?

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]

But what don't I know about that I should?

It's not something you need to be paranoid about.

I've seen many more hotels than I'd like to admit and have only been charged for one set of sheets that were indeed my / her fault. I've never come across a grand conspiracy to defraud guests. I've even caused minor damage and been able to just walk away.

I'd be far more concerned about ensuring the facilities met my tastes and intended use.

Enjoy. G.