Angeles City

[QUOTE=Amavida;1641812]Forget Action Travel, they are hopeless. Use a Hotel car from your destination Hotel in AC. Start your experience happy & relaxed. Tolls are included. Arriving impatient is understandable but will get you nowhere fast in the Philippines. Smile & be patient, reap rewards.

AV.[/QUOTE]I'll put another vote of support for Action Travel. Have used them 5-6 times now for various MNL. A / see, A / see to Makati, Makati A / see. They are my transport people, have their driver's number in my phone, always ready on arrival and on delays.

[QUOTE=Socker;1645824]Sometimes Mr E brings it on himself. Anyhoo I just booked my next trip to the PI and I use Mr E's method of transportation to AC as well. I've done it before and it is very convenient but when you arrive very early like 5 in the morning the trip is even better. I'll walk out of the airport and go upstairs for the white cabs dropping off.

I think it was 140 p last time to Pasay and the Victory Liner. Inside their little terminal (away from the street) it's easy to navigate a bus to Dua, then from Dua to AC. Last time the total cost was 450 p only because I tip, I gave the first taxi driver 200 p, the bus 150 p, and the trike 100 p. The trip took 2 hours and it's a nice ride and at the hotel around 9 am. I appreciate the good info Mr E, thanks![/QUOTE]Some of you guys crack me up. You can afford thousands of $$$ in airfares? You can afford thousands of $$$ in hotel charges? But you can't afford the comfort & convenience of a private car nor pay the girls you have sex with? Get real. ,

AV.

AV, you crack me up.

[QUOTE=Amavida;1647135]Some of you guys crack me up. You can afford thousands of $$$ in airfares? You can afford thousands of $$$ in hotel charges? But you can't afford the comfort & convenience of a private car nor pay the girls you have sex with? Get real. ,

AV.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Amavida;1647135]Some of you guys crack me up. You can afford thousands of $$$ in airfares? You can afford thousands of $$$ in hotel charges? But you can't afford the comfort & convenience of a private car nor pay the girls you have sex with? Get real. ,

AV.[/QUOTE]Hahaha, I crack me up to. Nobody said we can't afford a car service, we said we take the bus because we want to. I said I take it very early when there's no traffic and the temperature is cool. I enjoy the bus experience at this time of day. I like talking with filipino people and using all modes of transportation.

In the early morning the bus is about a half an hour slower than a car and it's a fun experience for a simple person. I like the experience of a car service too, A good quick bus service, A good trike ride and traveling by boat whether it be a smallish boat to Puerto Galera or a big slow ferry to Bantayan, a Supercat to Bohol. I enjoy the experiences of all these modes of travel, regardless of how much I save or lose.

The last time I was in the PI (May) I used a cab from the airport to get to Makati. I hope this also cracks you up. A few days later I took a taxi to AC which is also quite funny. A week later on my return to Makati I took a Pacific Breeze car.

My PI trip in 2012 when I took the early morning bus barfines on Perimeter road were 1200 p so the enjoyable adventure of using the bus almost paid for 2 Perimeter barfines. I must say that saving 2000 p was gratifying and I was rewarded in pussy. You see why I crack myself up now right?

Thank you for taking the time to post because you crack me up too.

[QUOTE=Mayntain;1646156] I finally get my ticket and take a seat and waited about 45 mins for my bus to arrive. [/QUOTE]If I had just arrived in country, the prospect of this happening alone would send me into orbit and is why I haven't taken the public bus to AC in a long time. For me its a 30+ hour journey from halfway around the world just to get to Manila. And like Amavida said I just spent $1 to $2 K just to get there. My patience is worn thin by the time I arrive in NAIA.

I guess it all depends on your point of view. If I were an Australian who went their often I could probably handle it. Or a 20 something euro backpacker type on my grand tour of greater southeast Asia on a ramen noodle budget.

I tried the bus route once years ago when I had been in the Phils for over a week already and was acclimated to the typical hassle of the waiting game. The bus trip was a disaster. When it finally did leave it was only half full so the driver spent the entire portion before getting to the EDSA trolling for every straggler on the side of the road in attempt to fill the bus which made the route much longer than it needed to be. Finally arriving in Dau then dealing with the overpriced obnoxious trike drivers of AC and the unwanted porters trying to grab my bag fishing for a tip. Maybe things have changed since then and maybe its a smoother trip now I don't know. Maybe I just picked the wrong day.

I take the buses, white vans, supercats, whatever in the provinces and I don't mind it. (Don't ever use a Rorobus!) But something about Manila metro just wears me out and I want to get as little of it as possible. If some of you guys actually LIVE there then God give you strength you are a different breed of cat than I am. That entire metro area is a stinking cesspool and I have less patience for beggars and scammers with each subsequent visit.

So I always take either a taxi with negotiated pre determined rate, a private car arranged by the hotel, or if the timing is right, the 600 peso Swagman bus which I have used most often which drops me off at my AC hotel of choice. AC to Manila is always a Hotel arranged private taxi for the early morning Delta flight to go home.

[QUOTE=Amavida;1647135]Some of you guys crack me up. You can afford thousands of $$$ in airfares? You can afford thousands of $$$ in hotel charges? But you can't afford the comfort & convenience of a private car nor pay the girls you have sex with? Get real. ,

AV.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=XMan;1647247]AV, you crack me up.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Socker;1647341]Hahaha, I crack me up to. Nobody said we can't afford a car service...[/QUOTE]The whole point of the Internet is to find clever, indirect ways to call each other a-holes.

[QUOTE=Hutsori;1647390]The whole point of the Internet is to find clever, indirect ways to call each other a-holes.[/QUOTE]Is that what you are on about? Always wondered, LOL.

[QUOTE=Pantot;1647362]If I had just arrived in country, the prospect of this happening alone would send me into orbit and is why I haven't taken the public bus to AC in a long time. For me its a 30+ hour journey from halfway around the world just to get to Manila. And like Amavida said I just spent $1 to $2 K just to get there. My patience is worn thin by the time I arrive in NAIA.

I guess it all depends on your point of view. If I were an Australian who went their often I could probably handle it. Or a 20 something euro backpacker type on my grand tour of greater southeast Asia on a ramen noodle budget.

I tried the bus route once years ago when I had been in the Phils for over a week already and was acclimated to the typical hassle of the waiting game. The bus trip was a disaster. When it finally did leave it was only half full so the driver spent the entire portion before getting to the EDSA trolling for every straggler on the side of the road in attempt to fill the bus which made the route much longer than it needed to be. Finally arriving in Dau then dealing with the overpriced obnoxious trike drivers of AC and the unwanted porters trying to grab my bag fishing for a tip. Maybe things have changed since then and maybe its a smoother trip now I don't know. Maybe I just picked the wrong day.

I take the buses, white vans, supercats, whatever in the provinces and I don't mind it. (Don't ever use a Rorobus!) But something about Manila metro just wears me out and I want to get as little of it as possible. If some of you guys actually LIVE there then God give you strength you are a different breed of cat than I am. That entire metro area is a stinking cesspool and I have less patience for beggars and scammers with each subsequent visit.

So I always take either a taxi with negotiated pre determined rate, a private car arranged by the hotel, or if the timing is right, the 600 peso Swagman bus which I have used most often which drops me off at my AC hotel of choice. AC to Manila is always a Hotel arranged private taxi for the early morning Delta flight to go home.[/QUOTE]Things have not changed Pantot. Carry on. .

AV.

[QUOTE=Hutsori;1647390]The whole point of the Internet is to find clever, indirect ways to call each other a-holes.[/QUOTE]Sometimes you don't need to be clever about it. Other times you need not say anything because it clearly shows in the post! Then again I am refraining from insults and what nut now.

How about a story? I did ride the Five Star bus from Dau to Cubao station with a girl. The air-con bus ride was rather enjoyable, one hour and fifteen minutes and we were there. She went to visit family during the day and was back in the hotel with me during the night. During my alone hours I visited SM North and Tri-Noma malls. It was a nice 2 day break from AC and I still got my poon at night. The bus ride back to Dau was the same, very pleasant.

A week later I stayed near the Mall of Asia for a few days before returning home. I didn't want to fight the traffic on departure day. Had another girl that happened to be in Cubao get on the Victory Liner bus in Cubao to Pasay station to spend the night before departure day with me. Turns out the short bus ride took over 2 hours in the afternoon! It makes me think twice now if I would want to ride the bus from Pasay to Dau upon arrival in the next few weeks, especially if it is after 10 PM. I do travel with a couple large luggage. I bring one bag of gentle used children's clothing to give away. I find it scores a few extra points with the girls. Any thoughts on using the taxi after 10 Pm from Terminal 1 to Pasay station to Dau and triking to the hotel?

BTW, I am not that cheap, in AC I like to stay in clean budget hotel to the tune of <$25 a night. This allows me to tip a few dollars a day to the hotel staff and a bigger tip to the BG and everyone is happy.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;1647440]Sometimes you don't need to be clever about it. Other times you need not say anything because it clearly shows in the post! Then again I am refraining from insults and what nut now.

How about a story? I did ride the Five Star bus from Dau to Cubao station with a girl. The air-con bus ride was rather enjoyable, one hour and fifteen minutes and we were there. She went to visit family during the day and was back in the hotel with me during the night. During my alone hours I visited SM North and Tri-Noma malls. It was a nice 2 day break from AC and I still got my poon at night. The bus ride back to Dau was the same, very pleasant.

A week later I stayed near the Mall of Asia for a few days before returning home. I didn't want to fight the traffic on departure day. Had another girl that happened to be in Cubao get on the Victory Liner bus in Cubao to Pasay station to spend the night before departure day with me. Turns out the short bus ride took over 2 hours in the afternoon! It makes me think twice now if I would want to ride the bus from Pasay to Dau upon arrival in the next few weeks, especially if it is after 10 PM. I do travel with a couple large luggage. I bring one bag of gentle used children's clothing to give away. I find it scores a few extra points with the girls. Any thoughts on using the taxi after 10 Pm from Terminal 1 to Pasay station to Dau and triking to the hotel?

BTW, I am not that cheap, in AC I like to stay in clean budget hotel to the tune of <$25 a night. This allows me to tip a few dollars a day to the hotel staff and a bigger tip to the BG and everyone is happy.[/QUOTE]Every country has its plus and minus points.

With Philippines, the country fails badly on infrastructure; law & order.

The EDSA road between Pasay in Manila near airport and the North Luzon Highway requires careful planning as the traffic can be unpredictably horrendous, and very serious if one is catching a flight. Recently, while travelling northbound from Pasay to Angeles at 5:30 AM on Saturday morning, I noticed the southbound EDSA was at a standstill for about 2 miles. Best advice: do not leave AC on the same day as your flight, otherwise give many, many hours leeway for travel time. Best stay in the Manila area, near airport overnight.

One more thing, make sure you are updated on the terminal at NAIA from which you are flying.

The airport is shuffling flights from terminal 1 to terminal 3 and issued tickets may quote the wrong terminal. Double check with the airline. Get it wrong and one can get caught in standstill traffic on the inter-terminal airport road. There is also no information outside terminal 3 on the airlines using the terminal. Do not rely on the NAIA website, that also has several errors. The new terminal 3 is very, very crowded with most people squatting on the floor. Go to upper level before check in to get away from the heaving crowd. Once you get through passport control, things are quieter. But only a few small eating facilities are available.

[QUOTE=XMan;1645689]Within a month of meeting- shagging her, she claimed pregnancy, a family emergency, and the lights went out because of an unpaid electric bill. I sent her a lot of photos, which she mistakenly forwarded to her FIANCE! Dg, if you think this is a "smart" one, I'd hate to see what you consider dull.[/QUOTE]I am surprised that she did not tell you the carabao dropped dead.

I am amazed that so many fall in love with the working girls of Angeles when there are so so many terrific beautiful girls who are available outside the industry. Of course there are rotten apples everywhere, but there are far more of them in the bars!

[QUOTE=Fastpiston;1647475]The new terminal 3 is very, very crowded with most people squatting on the floor. Go to upper level before check in to get away from the heaving crowd. Once you get through passport control, things are quieter. But only a few small eating facilities are available.[/QUOTE]The Star Alliance 1st lounge full of heaving crowd this summer, with most people playing musical chairs to get a seat. Earlier this month was temporary setup located in a coffee shop. Will be seeing again Monday what's in store.

[QUOTE=Amavida;1647421]Things have not changed Pantot. Carry on. .

AV.[/QUOTE]I think, AV, things have changed: they've gotten worse. On Thursday night I was invited to an event hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce. The event is called Soirée Beaujolais, and it's quite an elegant affair, held at the Manila Hotel on Roxas. I was staying at the Fairmont in Makati, and th distance between the two venues is slightly less than 10 Kms. The trip via Uber car took me an hour and ten minutes. By the time I actually got to the event I was so wrung out that I could barely enjoy it.

Unless one is fortunate enough to be able to restrict his movements to an area of about two square kilometers within Makati, or perhaps Ortigas, Manila is, for me, a thoroughly unlivable city. There are, to be sure, acceptable areas, but the insufficient, poorly maintained infrastructure, the lack of effective, comfortable public transport and a communications system that's among the worst in the world makes the place undesirable.

Just to reinforce the point made above, there's evidently an international scale that measures the extent to which any given country has become a "failed state. " The index is applied to all, or at least to most countries in the world, and results are compiled annually, though I don't remember the organization that compiles the data. The Philippines keeps sliding further downward on the scale year by year, as summarized in an Op Ed column in today's "Inquirer. " So, evidently there's at least some empirical evidence to substantiate my contention that things just get worse.

GE.

[QUOTE=XMan;1647247]AV, you crack me up.[/QUOTE]Yah, Av is a total clown!

I did the bustrip in June. It is ok with me.

Two hints:

As an arrival in NAIA go one level up and catch a metered taxi in the departure area. Taxi to pasay, 5 Star 150 php. 5 Star bus Pasay-Dau (AC) 150 php, Trike to hotel (hard negotiation) 100 php.

Way back:

No problem to get a trike to DAU for 100 php. Stay in the bus to pasay till you are in the bus depot. I was urged to leave the bus earlier because "at this stop you get the cheapest taxis to airport. Bla bla".

I guess the staff in the bus is linked to the taxis outside. I went out the bus, the bus was leaving. The taxidriver strated at 900 php and with very hard negotiation I got it for 300 php.

Compared with a 2500 for a direct airport transfer it's a bargain. And almost fast / slow as a private Taxi and comfortable enough for me.

In December I will be back in AC and will choose the same way to go there.

Jochen.