Manila

I'm looking for an internet cafe in or close to Pasay that has private booths. I know there's one in Makati on Burgos St. (88 Internet), but that's farther away than I want. I've done the search here and haven't found any mention of places like that. Anyone?

[QUOTE=Hesekiels]Thank God the officials had mercy on us! Hope, they won't scare us again in a way like that![/QUOTE]LA Cafe is indeed reopened... same meat market with pool tables as it ever was. Only visible change was a bit of remodeling - big screen TV built-in first floor, etc. Business was light last night, with mostly sharks swimming... I felt fortunate to find a freshie. Rumors, for what they are worth, is that owners are being shaken down for PHP3m for permits. Anyway, it's open and we can enjoy it while it lasts.

Am broadcasting live from the rear area of the first floor... convenient to do my e-mail in relative privacy from the free wireless internet. Gratuitous ISG promo pic from my phone cam attached! Enjoy Manila! AR+

Hi All,

I will be landing in Manila on the 7th October. I have been to the Philippines many times but I usually am just changing planes or getting into a pre-organised car to go to Angeles City or Subic Bay etc. I have not actually stayed in Manila for over 20 years LOL.

Just want to know what the correct taxi fare from the airport to Ermitta should be at about 8pm on a Saturday night and if there are any other safe and easy modes of transport to my hotel?

Thanks.

Blastoff

[QUOTE=Asian Rain]LA Cafe is indeed reopened... same meat market with pool tables as it ever was. Only visible change was a bit of remodeling - big screen TV built-in first floor, etc. Business was light last night, with mostly sharks swimming... I felt fortunate to find a freshie. Rumors, for what they are worth, is that owners are being shaken down for PHP3m for permits. Anyway, it's open and we can enjoy it while it lasts.

Am broadcasting live from the rear area of the first floor... convenient to do my e-mail in relative privacy from the free wireless internet. Gratuitous ISG promo pic from my phone cam attached! Enjoy Manila! AR+[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the Pic AR. Good to know that in the eyes of a regular, things are back to normal. I think I'll take a trip down there this afternoon to see how the early action is.

If the closure was due to a shakedown not being paid, I would expect it to be a lot more then 3M. Considering the scope of the raid, LA Cafe wouldn't let it happen over 3M (unless they were calling their bluff). I have some experiance with bribes in Passay, which I expect is similar to what is the norm in Malate. I paid a bribe of over 2M last year, and my issues were minor, with no raids or media attention, and I certainly do not have business interests on the scope of LA Cafe's owners. It was just a run of the mill bribe. Bribes out here are based on the maximum that a business can afford, and still be happy with the profits. Considering the revenue LA generates, management certainly made a big mistake if the closure was due to not paying a 3M peso bribe.

I've been trying to get the whole scoop from some from some well connected people, but everyone I know that should know the situation, either says they don't know, or are being tight lipped.

[QUOTE=Blastoff]Hi All,

I will be landing in Manila on the 7th October. I have been to the Philippines many times but I usually am just changing planes or getting into a pre-organised car to go to Angeles City or Subic Bay etc. I have not actually stayed in Manila for over 20 years LOL.

Just want to know what the correct taxi fare from the airport to Ermitta should be at about 8pm on a Saturday night and if there are any other safe and easy modes of transport to my hotel?

Thanks.

Blastoff[/QUOTE]Normally by meter in the 120-150 peso range from NAIA to Ermita or 2-3$,Coupon Taxi about 300 pesos or 6$.If you want to play safe,use the coupon taxi.Cheers

[quote=loveasian*****s]thanks for the pic ar. good to know that in the eyes of a regular, things are back to normal. i think i'll take a trip down there this afternoon to see how the early action is.

if the closure was due to a shakedown not being paid, i would expect it to be a lot more then 3m. considering the scope of the raid, la cafe wouldn't let it happen over 3m (unless they were calling their bluff). i have some experiance with bribes in passay, which i expect is similar to what is the norm in malate. i paid a bribe of over 2m last year, and my issues were minor, with no raids or media attention, and i certainly do not have business interests on the scope of la cafe's owners. it was just a run of the mill bribe. bribes out here are based on the maximum that a business can afford, and still be happy with the profits. considering the revenue la generates, management certainly made a big mistake if the closure was due to not paying a 3m peso bribe.

i've been trying to get the whole scoop from some from some well connected people, but everyone i know that should know the situation, either says they don't know, or are being tight lipped.[/quote]
my source confirms higher especially for the mayoral run of atienza s son.think down payment with the balance due early next year before campaign season.just had dinner with peewee trinidad s niece last week.a pity he is gone cheers

[QUOTE=Blastoff]Hi All,

I will be landing in Manila on the 7th October. I have been to the Philippines many times but I usually am just changing planes or getting into a pre-organised car to go to Angeles City or Subic Bay etc. I have not actually stayed in Manila for over 20 years LOL.

Just want to know what the correct taxi fare from the airport to Ermitta should be at about 8pm on a Saturday night and if there are any other safe and easy modes of transport to my hotel?

Thanks.

Blastoff[/QUOTE]I usually take the airport taxi, as I have been told no regular taxis are allowed into the departure area of the airport. On occasion, I have seen jeepneys in the pick-up area, and raised a query as to their presence there. However, I was told that these were private vehicles that were there to pick up relatives, etc.

Re: the airport taxi. When you exit the NAIA airport (the international one) concourse and traverse a zebra crossing, you will see a taxi kiosk on your left. In the kiosk, you should see a pair of lady clerks behind whom is a list of destinations with prices specified for each destination.

I pay the official Pesos 530 (plus a little - say P20 - as a tip) for a trip to Roxas Blvd (Hyatt Casino & Hotel, Diamond Hotel, etc... all within walking distance of LA Cafe on one side and Robinsons on the other). Ask for an SUV - you pay the same whether you take a car or an SUV. The time of day does not affect these fares. If you are particular, make sure you have the exact change, as some drivers will be glad to walk away with P600 with the excuse that they have no change.

If you are travelling light, I suppose you could walk to the exit of the airport and take a regular taxi, though I have never tried that.

[QUOTE=Cebu Local]Normally by meter in the 120-150 peso range from NAIA to Ermita or 2-3$,Coupon Taxi about 300 pesos or 6$.If you want to play safe,use the coupon taxi.Cheers[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the advice. My hotel emailed and said they would pick me up for 600 pesos which is double but $12 isn't a lot after a long flight for getting to your hotel trouble free but now you mentiond the coupons if they are hassle free, I will try tem. Where exactly inside the airport do I buy them? Is there an obvious Taxi coupon booth?

Cheers

[QUOTE=Blastoff]Thanks for the advice. My hotel emailed and said they would pick me up for 600 pesos which is double but $12 isn't a lot after a long flight for getting to your hotel trouble free but now you mentiond the coupons if they are hassle free, I will try tem. Where exactly inside the airport do I buy them? Is there an obvious Taxi coupon booth?

Cheers[/QUOTE]You get out of the plane, you pass the immigration, you get your baggage. After the custom you get out of the airport. Don't totally across the street (otherwise you would arrive at visitors arrival area), and on the left you find a long line of cabs. near that long line, you'll find a small office. Just enter it, and get your coupon. Once you have it, give it to first taxi driver in line.

Enjoy!

Now that's funny...I remember seeing the counters both inside and outside, but maybe I have my airports mixed up. Or maybe they changed. Or maybe I'm getting the old and new aiports mixed up. Damn, age and alcohol tend to kill a lot of brain cells.

Blastoff, it's not a hassle. Be wary of individuals who come up to you giving taxi advice -- although usually they're just trying to direct you to their particular counter. At the counter, FIRMLY say, "I'm going to xxx hotel". If they ask for more than 400 pesos, you're probably in the wrong place.

I'm probably giving far too much advice since the whole point of the "coupons" / taxi counters is to reduce scams. If I'm not mistaken, the airport staff write down the taxi # and give you a copy.

There will be noise, chaos and stifiling heat...but stay focused and you will find what you seek.

Using this method, you generally get good taxis with drivers who speak relatively good English. Be friendly and ask questions. They can be a gold mine of information. You might ask them how much they charge for a two hour drive out to Angeles city. They'll quote something exorbitant, but ask for a card. You never know....

X

[QUOTE=Blastoff]Thanks for the advice. My hotel emailed and said they would pick me up for 600 pesos which is double but $12 isn't a lot after a long flight for getting to your hotel trouble free but now you mentiond the coupons if they are hassle free, I will try tem. Where exactly inside the airport do I buy them? Is there an obvious Taxi coupon booth?

Cheers[/QUOTE]

Yeah, $12, but will they show, LOL. Twice tried using this route, Asia Travel once and Hotel next year, both blew it. AT even kept my pre pay, but made up for it later. The stories I could tell....

Always been told to take "Nissan Taxi", but never did find them at NAIM.

Happy Trip.

At the old NAIM the Nissan Taxi is just across the street and to your left as you exit. If you want a taxi from there do not walk down to the arrivals hall. As you leave this area in your cab you will see the “arrivals hall” over your left shoulder and below. I used the Nissan Taxi about a month. It cost me 360p to the Oxford Suites. If you do not have a car waiting for you it is a lot better than trying to get a cab at the snake pit called the arrivals hall.

[QUOTE=Harvey WB]Yeah, $12, but will they show, LOL. Twice tried using this route, Asia Travel once and Hotel next year, both blew it. AT even kept my pre pay, but made up for it later. The stories I could tell....

Always been told to take "Nissan Taxi", but never did find them at NAIM.

Happy Trip.[/QUOTE]

Hey Guys thanks for all your taxi advice. It was very helpful. I will post a report on my return.

By the way, any good or bad reports on City State Tower Hotel in Ermita?

Cheers.

[QUOTE=Blastoff]Thanks for the advice. My hotel emailed and said they would pick me up for 600 pesos which is double but $12 isn't a lot after a long flight for getting to your hotel trouble free but now you mentiond the coupons if they are hassle free, I will try tem. Where exactly inside the airport do I buy them? Is there an obvious Taxi coupon booth?

Cheers[/QUOTE]


to blast off

You can go up to the arrival area and catch a non airport taxi but make sure you comfirm the price if no meter ,I paid 100 peso a few month ago to malate
meter come to 85 peso .


fast eddie 48

I am arriving in Manila on an 11:55PM flight. I am flying to Cebu on the 5 am flight. No jet lag for me as this "daytime" - eastern USA.

Do I have the time to hop in town for a several hour visit? I was at P. Burgeous 1 night in 2003. Had a great time. I might even just collect a few cell numbers for my return on Dec 4th. Then I have 4 days before returning home. Thanks for the help.