Angeles City

[QUOTE=Eggsalad]Hello All

I will be flying from AC to Bangkok next month. I've been in contact with a travel agent in AC. She tells me I can take Tiger Air from Clark to Bkk but I have to stay over night in Singapore. I looked on Air Asia's site and they seem to have same day flights from AC to KL and KL to Bkk with no need of overnight stay. But my travel agent did not mention this option. Has anyone here flown from AC to Bkk on Asia Air through KL? Can this be done without an overnight stay?

Egg[/QUOTE]I don't know if it's worth all the savings to fly out of Clark instead of Manila if you have to stay overnight in a place you don't want to stay. The cost of the hotel alone will probably be about the price for a cab to Manila airport from AC. Plus you loose a night or two both ways if you cannot get a good connecting flight. I don't like spending 1. 5-2 hours in a car myself to get to that crappily run airport in Manila either, but I rather do it than stay overnight in Singapore for the costs and stuff. I have done the Tiger Airways deal and to me it doesn't work out right when you cannot connect out of Singapore on the departure and/or return. It gives you another night or two in the PI flying into Manila. Once more direct flights out of Clark to other Asian countries like Thailand happen it would probably be well worth the time and costs. The cost to and from the Manila airport for private taxis is pretty ridiculous.

[QUOTE=Key Master]I don't know if it's worth all the savings to fly out of Clark instead of Manila if you have to stay overnight in a place you don't want to stay. The cost of the hotel alone will probably be about the price for a cab to Manila airport from AC. Plus you loose a night or two both ways if you cannot get a good connecting flight. I don't like spending 1.5-2 hours in a car myself to get to that crappily run airport in Manila either, but I rather do it than stay overnight in Singapore for the costs and stuff. I have done the Tiger Airways deal and to me it doesn't work out right when you cannot connect out of Singapore on the departure and/or return. It gives you another night or two in the PI flying into Manila. Once more direct flights out of Clark to other Asian countries like Thailand happen it would probably be well worth the time and costs. The cost to and from the Manila airport for private taxis is pretty ridiculous.[/QUOTE]The cost of private transport is not high at 2500-p thats back and forth for a private car.Where can you get a better deal than that for 50 bucks.Yes you are right you can fly 1 hr in a new aircraft for about the same here for that money but lets face the facts its still cheep.

I have some numbers for reasonable land transporters if anyone wants to use them.

B.B.

[QUOTE=It Traveller]Hey everyone,

I am a long time reader as well as user of the information shared on this board, and have just signed up to the board, hopefully getting fully activated here to receive PM's within 24 hour's or so.

Back to my point, I am going to be in AC on the 14th of March till the 27th and was wondering if anyone wated to get together. Ill be travelling solo and staying at the Wild Orchid.

I look forward to meeting some of you.[/QUOTE]Give me a pm and I will meet you at MO's place just up the street from where you are staying. I'll buy you the first beer . If you pm me I will give you my cell number or set a time and day to meet.

We could meet also at the pool/bar area to the wild orchid. It really is a very nice place and the food and beer are not a bad price. The pool is great there.

Look forward to meeting you, and have a good mongering trip. [blue][Email address deleted by Admin][/blue]

Sailor Man

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[QUOTE=Krum Lov]In the short time I was in Angeles, almost every Filipino guy asked me to buy Viagra. Obviously, there is huge market for this. Talk about weird. How could anyone with half a brain buy medication anywhere other than a reputable health clinic/doctor? You may as well play Russian roulette for real. Incredibly risky and downright stupid.

Angeles is one ugly place. Why would expat men (wanting to live near cheap pussy) choose such a soulless place.- devoid of anything remotely interesting.- to buy a house or rent long-term there? Sure, the girls are great, but that’s it. And the food’s awful, too. That is, why angeles over phuket, samui, hua hin, pattaya, Bali, or even nha trang in vietnam? When I wasn’t getting BJs, I was incredibly bored. No beach, no nice eateries, no parks, nothing. [/QUOTE]Krum Love,

Enjoyed reading your report, I truly did. Not a flame either, just tongue in cheek. Considering where you choose to go and stay, you would fit right in here as an full time expat. Cheap dirty living.

Now all joking aside. I really did enjoy your report. And I will not go into the details of the cost of things here as some have. Seems like everyone can always get everthing cheaper than anyone else can. Just face it as a monger, you will sometimes get lucky and get a good deal. If you are a good monger and smart, you just do not get taken as bad as a novice tourist. If always getting the lowest price is your goal in life, make up your mind to be sad a lot.

Yes I would rather live full time in Thailand, as I agree with most of your remarks. I like the beach, I like clean, clean, clean things, good places to eat, and do not mind spending a little extra for what I get.

So why stay in a little dirt hole like Angeles?

A. The women speak English. A two week trip to Thailand is about as long as I can handle all the extra work it is to even try to communicate with the girls. After that the joy to work ratio goes in favor of the Philippines.

B. The government. As much as I hate the Philippine Government, they at least do one thing right. They do not make it impossible to stay here as long as I want. That fact alone makes the Philippines more attractive to me.

If I am on a two week vacation from the states twice a year, I would go to Thailand everytime over the Philippines. Maybe take a two or three day stopover here and then go to Thailand, but Thailand would always be my choice over the Philippines.

The Thailand government makes it impossible almost for me to stay there full time with all there stupid regulations. I retired to make life easy and fun. Thailand wake up. You don't want me, ok you don't get me.

3. There is another reason why so many choose Angeles. I can only speak for myself but I know it represents others. We are retired military. We have history here. Also there is a community set up to help us. We get militay benifits here that we would have to work hard to recieve anywhere else.

4. I work hard to overcome many of the things you saw as a big turn off to Angeles. I pay way too much for my place. But at the end of the day, I go through a gate, and I am back in America. I am in a small comunity with a clubhouse, a pool, clean streets, nice homes, and good friends. Also the new SM mall has helped a lot. There you can feel just like you are back in any real world town.

In summary, Yes for a two or three week vacation, Thailand wins for me hands down. For a retired single American, Thailand just will not work. Too much red tape to stay, and too much work to communicte long term with the girls.

Just ones man's reason to choose angeles.

Ps I almost forgot. When Angeles gets to me, we have Tiger Airlines. I can be in Thailand for aboout $100 usd anytime I want. I can be in Singapore for about $50. 00 usd. You see, for the cost of a good night out on the town, I CAN escape Angeles just like you escape your own home for a night out on the town. I really do hope you can see now why some of us choose to stay here. If there are 5, 000 expats here, there will be 5, 000 different answers to your question. Glad you came.come again and I will buy you a beer.

Sailor Man Congerww

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[QUOTE=Eggsalad]Hello All

I will be flying from AC to Bangkok next month. I've been in contact with a travel agent in AC. She tells me I can take Tiger Air from Clark to Bkk but I have to stay over night in Singapore. I looked on Air Asia's site and they seem to have same day flights from AC to KL and KL to Bkk with no need of overnight stay. But my travel agent did not mention this option. Has anyone here flown from AC to Bkk on Asia Air through KL? Can this be done without an overnight stay?

Egg[/QUOTE]Another option is to fly from Clark to Macau with Tiger Airways, then Macau to Bangkok with Airasia (depart 2135 arrive 2315).

Here is a flight 1 month from today (not incl. taxes):

O FARE Guest 199.00 MOP
Tue, 10/Apr/2007
Flight FD3607 21:35 Depart Macau (MFM)
23:15 Arrive Bangkok (BKK)

Including taxes = 400MOP (c.51USD)

Because of the late departure time, it is a reduced fare code.
At earlier times this costs around 600-660MOP (incl. taxes)

This could be the cheapest option, as it is the shortest flying distance in total (and uses budget carriers).
The Singapore and KL routes are further to travel.

Btw, here is cheapest fare I could find from Clark to Singa:
(Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually the cheapest days to fly)

Lowest Fare Internet Discounted Fare 58.28 USD
Wed, 11 Apr 07
Flight TR 507 17:30 Depart Manila (Clark) (CRK)
21:00 Arrive Singapore (SIN)

Departure (Lowest Fare)
1 Adult at 58.28 USD 58.28 USD
Taxes and Fees 26.82 USD

Total Cost of Flight 85.10 USD

Great post by Conger,

Not only do we share some opinions (see quote below), you have a good way of putting your words together. I couldn't help but chuckle at some of your points. (of course it may have been the wine).

If I may dig a little deeper, why did you pick AC over other places IN THE PHILIPPINES? There are nice beaches here and there. There is probably better medical care in MLA / Cebu / Davao.

I'll be in AC next week. Let's try to get together for a beer or two.

X Man (ex-Navy, QM, but only 4 years)

Thanks for your replies and insights, much appreciated.

having lived in thailand and now living in the 'peens" i whole hearted agree with conger, he covered some good points, los is great to visit, i love the women...they are the worlds best sex toys, but after "tham lhak' (sigh) even though i can speak thai fairly well, i've found them generally to be...well... rather dull or addle headed, even those educated in university like chula u, you always get the impression that they are hiding something in just the simplest conversation, or they read into a casual query from you about the weather or condition of traffic and turn it into an arguement. thai's do not like the fact a "falang" can speak their language and like less your knowledge of their society, they are secretive by nature and use this to 'get over' on you. whereas the filipinos really have a positive reaction to a foreigner speaking a few words of their language and are open about their cultural beliefs etc.

i never had too much problem with the thai govt or immigration but the lack of understandable english and everything written in thai (they hand you poorly translated forms to fill out) over .6 type, well it gets tedious after a while.

xman as far as medical care goes, i understand that the facilities in angeles for the retired military is high on the list, the premier being st luke's in manila.
another reason i moved from davao to cebu is cebu has better medical facilities than either davao or cdo.

regards

spamhog

I have to agree with much of what has been said re. the 'enhancement of the pleasure' provided by English speaking ladies.

I spent two weeks in AC last month before returning to my work in China. The pussy here in China is just as cheap and cute after you do the usual mongering research, but it is largely all short time and you simply cannot communicate with the girls - short of the usual age old gestures.

I will definitely be back in AC later this year for an extended stay - just to see if the fantasy can be long term. The place is really a dive, but there is something about the ambiance of the place which in part, includes meeting interesting other mongers, but mainly the surreal atmosphere. it really gets the hook into you. It could be my downfall.

Aint life great!

[QUOTE=Azn Playa]Another option is to fly from Clark to Macau with Tiger Airways, then Macau to Bangkok with Airasia (depart 2135 arrive 2315).

[/QUOTE]
AZN Playa

Thanks for the info. I'll look into that. I'm trying to not stay overnight somewhere. I'll be willing to pay more to avoid that. And, I would like to fly out of Clark. When Tiger air uses "Manila (Clark)", they mean Clark and not Manila, right? Also, should I book these tickets online from the states or wait untill I get to AC and use a travel agent?

Egg

So I looked into Azn Playa's suggestion. You can fly from AC to Macau on Tiger and arrive at 15:10. Then, Air Asia leaves for Bkk at 16:40. This give me 90 minutes between flights. But I have to claim my luggage and check them again. Is this enough time? Has anyone does this before? I could play it safe and book that late flight out of Macau at 21:35. This would give me about 6 hours. Is this enough time to do anything in Macau?

Egg

Eggsalad.

I have flown from Clark to BKK via KL before and I will do it again on my next trip. Air Asia has it's own terminal in KL same as Tiger does in Singapore. Yes you will still have to claim your luggage and check in again. Last time i did this trip they had more than one plane in at the same time, a small wait to clear customs. As for travel times.

Arrive at KL 15.40
Depart at 18.45
Arrive at BKK 19.50

One more thing, I buy all my tickets online. Just remember to print out your itinerary otherwise they won't let you inside Clark airport.

Bob.

Eggsalad,

I have this very trip booked for next month.

I'm flying out of Clark on Tiger Airways (depart 13:15) and arive in Macau at 15:10. Then leaving Macau on Air Asia at 16:40 and arriving in BKK at 18:20.

I hope the connection works!

I booked both of these tickets on line, and as two round tickets (BKK-MFM, where I'm staying a few days, and then MFM-CRK). The BKK-MFM RT on Air Asia was about $155. and the MFM-CRK RT on Tiger was $120.

So, one way, purchased in advance, I imagine you could do it for about $138.

I'm really happy about flying directly into Clark AFB (as opposed to Manila, where I have no desire to be). I'll get picked up by the hotel driver, and be on Fields in no time. Very easy!

Good luck with your plans.

Cornwall

I wouldnt expect much from AC but a good old time getting laid. There isnt much in the way of fine dining. This is a party place and you cant expect much more then that.

[QUOTE=Travel Spirit]Is there any good italian restaurant?

Something like Saks inside Grande Majestic Hotel in Bangkok.

Is there any good indian restaurant?

Something like Rang Mahal inside Rembrandt Hotel in Bangkok.

I wonder if I am asking too much.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Bill Buxton]The tune is getting softer here and the gals are feeling the downward swing.The amount of cash is going south and the amount of customers in the bars at night is lover now than a month ago.I am sure this will help in the attatude dept for the guys that are still here.Five or six guys in a bar with fifety plus girls is not a mix for a good night at work.The staff is sitting half sleeping and the girls are getting slower and slower.The managers want to give the guys deals on ringing the bell so the numbers on sales stay up.

I on the other hand often get 20-p notes a thousand at a time and throw up to the dancers.The gals love this and the bar hates it I am quite sure.The big reason the bar gets no cut of the cash as when you buy ladies drinks.I feel the bars get enough and why not give the hard working little honeys some hard earned jack at face value.After all if a thousand pesos is big loot for a guy I am sure he has been here to long.On the downside be ready to be an unknown to the gals once the cash stops flying through the air.This is just the way it is they get and forget just that fast.Please dont get upset thats the way it is.

Please remember that the season is on the downside so better deals are on the way.The beauty you could never have is getting short on rice at home so just wait.

B.B.[/QUOTE]Bill,

I've noticed that as well. I was here last year and the place was packed with mongers, I couldn't believe it when I got here last week, hardly anyone here.

Any particular reason for the slow down?

Great time to be here IMHO.

Just wondering where you hang out? I read your posts with great interest, you seem to "hit the nail on the head" with your observations/thinking. I'd like to get together for a beer.

Let me know if you're interested.

Cheers!