Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[QUOTE=Notanocker]Canada008, I wonder why anyone would ever use travellers' cheques these days. Carrying cash plus a Visa or Mastercard is so much easier, and the moneychangers around Ermita oblige by being open 24 hours a day (apologies: I cannot use the strange American symbol of 24/7: yuk!)

I found an ATM (choice of two) opposite Robinsons' Mall near The Midland Plaza hotel that spat out P20,000 without any difficulty. The Philippines has advanced since my first visit in 1991![/QUOTE]To Notanocker

I alway bring american express traveller check when I travel , it is easy to cash them in Manila and It is easy to replace if you it was stolen or lose , I alway bring 2,000 usd for emergency and I agree Manila has advanced since the 1990 but it still need many improvement .

Fast eddie 48

I will be there on Monday, if anyone wants to discuss merits of Sam Miguel Light and its affect on B+ blood.

I'll be staying in Perimeter Area.

Hi all,

I will leaving from LA and reach Manila on 17th August. I have lived in Philippines for 1 year in 2004, so know a lot of stuff around there. If any of you guys wanna join in hunting or hanging around, please feel free to contact. I will be there for 10-12 days and have plan for short visits to Bacolod and CDO also to see my old girlfriends :)

Cheers

Hello all,

Just looking for some opinions on the better of two time windows to head to AC and Puerto Galera. Last week of December till third week in January. The second time frame would be the third week in Feb till the third week in March. I realize both would be falling under "high season" but would the later be a little more relaxed, and possibly cheaper, becasue it is after the XMAS New Years rush?

Thanks for your help!

Dameon

[QUOTE=Dameon]Just looking for some opinions on the better of two time windows to head to AC and Puerto Galera. Last week of December till third week in January. The second time frame would be the third week in Feb till the third week in March. I realize both would be falling under "high season" but would the later be a little more relaxed, and possibly cheaper, becasue it is after the XMAS New Years rush?[/QUOTE]
Your summation is correct sir!

[QUOTE=Dameon]Hello all,

Just looking for some opinions on the better of two time windows to head to AC and Puerto Galera. Last week of December till third week in January. The second time frame would be the third week in Feb till the third week in March. I realize both would be falling under "high season" but would the later be a little more relaxed, and possibly cheaper, becasue it is after the XMAS New Years rush?

Thanks for your help!

Dameon[/QUOTE]To Dameon,

Feb will be better for you ,Dec around Xmas is the peak seasons very tough to get a hotel room and flight both time are good weather cool night and dry weather and good time for scuba diving at Puerto Galera.

Fast eddie 48

Well, I know your message was just to fine a wingman or two, but I hope you'll send some trip reports. I've never been to Bacalod (nor Silay) but would love to go. I went to CDO for three days and loved it. I hope to get to Camiguin someday.

If you can't tell us about the ladies, at least tell us about the places / beaches / hotels / restuarants, etc.

Have a good trip.

X Man


[QUOTE=Guy Lucky]Hi all,

I will leaving from LA and reach Manila on 17th August. I have lived in Philippines for 1 year in 2004, so know a lot of stuff around there. If any of you guys wanna join in hunting or hanging around, please feel free to contact. I will be there for 10-12 days and have plan for short visits to Bacolod and CDO also to see my old girlfriends :)

Cheers[/QUOTE]

Just landed yesterday, suprise trip that I was not expecting and had not prepared for.

Any fellow mongers in the Makati area care to share a couple beers & swap stories?

Hi all,

I am a monger virgin but am planning a trip in early November (was planned for early Sept but needed to pospone due to work)

Anyway, I am an Aussie guy and was planning to go to the Philippines (landing in Manila) and spending 3 or 4 days in Angeles City. I was then planning to fly to Bangkok and spending another 4 or 5 days there.

My question is, as a newbie do people advise on splitting between these two places or as a novice should I just be going to one place, and then maybe on my second trip start splitting up destinations?

Your advice is appreciated.

Wow, tough question! It sounds like you only have about ten days, so my advice is stick with one country this time and then the other country next time. You can always hit different destinations within each country.

Bkk + Pattaya (or Phuket)
or
MLA + AC (or Puerto Galera)

Once I did nine days in the Philippines - 3 in Manila, 3 in cebu and 3 in Davao. In the end I regretted it. WHen you factor in packing bags, taxi to airport, taxi to hotel, unpacking, etc., you end up wasting a lot of time.

You said you are a newbie so you also have to factor in chaging money, learning the streets (literally and figuartively) etc.

In 1990 I hit both countries and had a great time. It was my first time to Thailand and first time in ten years to Philippines (first time to Manila and Cebu). The difference is I had two weeks in each country...even squeezed in a week to Japan on that trip. Ha, ha, those were the days when I had lots of time, but little money. Ceiling fan rooms, shared toilet on Khao San road, Jonquerra discount girls, jeepneys and buses. Ah, the good old days.

Whatever you decide Big Yuley, you'll have a great time. Hope you can give us an interesting newbie Field Report in November.

X Man


[QUOTE=Big Yuley]Hi all,

I am a monger virgin but am planning a trip in early November (was planned for early Sept but needed to pospone due to work)

Anyway, I am an Aussie guy and was planning to go to the Philippines (landing in Manila) and spending 3 or 4 days in Angeles City. I was then planning to fly to Bangkok and spending another 4 or 5 days there.

My question is, as a newbie do people advise on splitting between these two places or as a novice should I just be going to one place, and then maybe on my second trip start splitting up destinations?

Your advice is appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Damn, why doesn't that ever happen to me? I guess I'm in the wrong line of business.

Have a good trip TT. I hope to be back in December.

X Man

[QUOTE=TraderTroll]Just landed yesterday, suprise trip that I was not expecting and had not prepared for.

Any fellow mongers in the Makati area care to share a couple beers & swap stories?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=TraderTroll]Just landed yesterday, suprise trip that I was not expecting and had not prepared for.

Any fellow mongers in the Makati area care to share a couple beers & swap stories?[/QUOTE]
TT - sent you a PM.

Hi Big Yuley,

I agree with what X man said.

I think it depends on what you are aiming to achieve on the trip. If that is concentrated mongering, then stick to one place for the whole time...and go to your other choices next year. That way you miss out on the travel time, packing time, tiredness time and can concentrate on mongering.

OTOH if you are looking at this trip as a reconnaisance for future years (eg an almost retiree), and want to get a good overall idea of what is on offer in those markets, then your plan is good. You will get less time 'in', but a better appreciation of what is on offer overall.

<I>"Well, frankly, I don't care. If I told him once, I told him a thousand times, "Don't go, Julie!" I said, "It's the Ides of March; beware already. Don't go, Julie, don't go"</I>

I've spent lots of time in the Philippines, but have never traveled on my own to Angeles/Clark, so I need answers from others. A co-worker arrives in Manila at 9PM and must travel to the Holiday Inn at Clark. I don't want him to take the bus, something along the lines of a taxi/Tamaraw would be preferred. I don't think it matters if he shares with 1 or 2 others, but a bus/Jeepney is out. It is preferable that he be able to get the transportation at the airport on arrival.

What are his options?

Sorry for the off topic, but has anyone on this board flew PAL Business Class lately...US/Canada to MLA.

Thinking about giving them a try. Thanks.