General Info

[QUOTE=Manny51; 1510219]I have been trying to plan a trip to the PI, but in my research, have been shocked by the travel times everywhere. It seems like everything is an 8 hour bus ride. Why is that? Is it that the roads are bad? Traffic slow?

The Rice Terraces are a 9 hour bus ride from Manila. NINE HOURS!

Has anyone ever rented a car in the PI? Why aren't more people talking about that?

And before anyone comments on it, I would NOT drive in Manila. Just from the airport to everywhere else.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]I rented a car once and drove from Manila to Santiago, Isabela which was about a 10 hour drive plus a few wrong turns. Rental cars are very expensive and if you break down it would be a problem getting assistance. The roads are not marked well and there are no street lights so its easy to make a wrong turn and good luck getting accurate directions from a local. Once out of Manila the roads were open and the scenery was great. Remember that most roads go through the center of every little town and city so there will be traffic. It was a fun experience and we were lucky there were no mishaps.

Busses are probably the better mode of transportation and are inexpensive. The air conditioned busses usually make less stops and are not as packed with people but are slightly more expensive. I took a bus from Puerto Princesa, Palawan to El Nido which was a great experience. The first bus available was a non air conditioned one but it was a newer style bus with decent seats. My gf arranged the driver to move his things off the seat right behind him so we could sit there which gave us more leg room and a great view out the front window. Having the window down made a cool breeze and I was able to take some nice photos as we traveled. The bus stopped many times to pick up and drop off people and when school let out the driver allowed the kids to jump on and ride for free to get home. It was great to get a taste of the people that live along the roadside but took forever to get to our destination.

The newer bus below was the one we took and the other bus over packed with people and farm animals I just had to take a photo of.

[QUOTE=Tally Wacker;1510385]I rented a car once and drove from Manila to Santiago, Isabela which was about a 10 hour drive plus a few wrong turns. Rental cars are very expensive and if you break down it would be a problem getting assistance. The roads are not marked well and there are no street lights so its easy to make a wrong turn and good luck getting accurate directions from a local. Once out of Manila the roads were open and the scenery was great. Remember that most roads go through the center of every little town and city so there will be traffic. It was a fun experience and we were lucky there were no mishaps.[/QUOTE]It does sound like a great time. I have been planning a road trip like this for awhile. From AC or Subic, depending on where I rent a car, I want to take the coastal highway all the way up to Pagudpup stopping overnight at places like San Fernando and Vigan. Then spend as much time as we want at Maira-Ira Beach before taking the mountain road back through Tuguegarao, Tabuk, and Sagada. I think 10 days is the minimum I should plan for a trip like this. I have narrowed down my possible travelling companion to two great little girls. On my next trip to PI I will select one of them.

I rented a car in the PI for the first time on my last trip and it was nice having the freedom to explore around the small towns easily. However, the biggest negative is that the roads are full of slow moving pedestrians, bikes, trikes, farm vehicles, etc. And you have to be very alert. I was most afraid of the kids walking to / from school who weren't watching traffic but were playing with their friends as they walked (or ran, skipped, etc.). I have taken many long distance buses (4 on the last trip) and think that is a better way to travel in the PI.

On a previous trip I went to the rice terraces in a car with a driver / guide. It wasn't much faster than the bus as some of the roads were being worked on and we had to wait for long periods of time. You have to be prepared to relax and not worry about time (like the locals).

[QUOTE=Manny51; 1510219]I have been trying to plan a trip to the PI, but in my research, have been shocked by the travel times everywhere. It seems like everything is an 8 hour bus ride. Why is that? Is it that the roads are bad? Traffic slow?

The Rice Terraces are a 9 hour bus ride from Manila. NINE HOURS!

Has anyone ever rented a car in the PI? Why aren't more people talking about that?

And before anyone comments on it, I would NOT drive in Manila. Just from the airport to everywhere else.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mongerer69;1510369]I have done them all from the states. Cathay Pacific is by far the best Airline servicing the US to Manila. Thru Hong Kong, plus we get to stop over in HK at no charge to play in Wanchai for a couple of nites. US United and Delta carriers suck long haul with their Bitchy Grandma Flight Attendants and charging for drinks and other things. I am going to Asia to forget about bitchy American ladies I don't want to be reminded of them in flight. ANA is not much better and food sucks too much Japanese. China Airlines suck also. For me and my travelling companions for about $200 more than US carriers you can't compare the service food and comfort of Cathay Pacific. Their Flight Attendants look like Porcelain Dolls and are so friendly and accommodating. Cathay is indeed in a different league.[/QUOTE]Agree 100 percent, Cathay is the best to Asia. Beautiful attendants, nearly always on-time, no lost luggage, and their VIP lounge in HK is the nicest I've seen. Also, their Premium Economy seats are perfect for those who want some extra room and / or booze but don't want to shell out for Business or First.

The Cathay lounge is the only thing I actually like about HK.

First, on the subject of airlines, I agree that Cathay Pacific is the best, though I've not flown Singapore Airlines to the States. I took Korean Airlines to New York in August, and in September back to the Philippines from LA, and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't as good as Cathay, and the seats in Business Class were not as comfortable.

As to road transportation, there are no good options. The road transport infrastructure is a shambles, with little investment, poor design, spotty maintenance and unsafe drivers. I've been driving here for 10+years and if anything it's getting worse: no law enforcement, undisciplined drivers, and the roads are full of vehicles that would never be permitted to operate in most countries. That said, I don't agree that buses present a safer alternative. As evidenced by the bus accident last week in Manila that killed about 18 people, the buses are poorly maintained, the drivers are reckless, and they're reputed often to take amphetamines to stay awake. I think renting a car and driving yourself is marginally safer however driving here is not for the faint of heart.

This is a country that, platitudes of the politicians aside, cares little for public safety and it's entire transport sector provides evidence of this contention.

GE

Have you ever stayed in Wanchai HK? Every trip to PI I do a 2 night stay over in Wanchai with my friend and have the time of my life with. Admittedly. More expensive Filipinas, Indos, Vietnamese. I really enjoy the club scene in Wanchai. Amazonia (Ice Box Band) Rock and Roll. It is the perfect way to begin or end a trip to the Philippines.

[QUOTE=Driveallnight;1510490]The Cathay lounge is the only thing I actually like about HK.[/QUOTE]

Whoops, wrong thread.

I dunno, I put CP there with Korean Air. From Chicago to Hong Kong is one of the longest flights on the globe and that's on CP. I've done it a few times and its just toooooooo long. I break things up by going from Chicago to Incheon on Korean Air. A break at Incheon and 3+ hours to Manila. Excellent treatment by both airlines both on the ground and in the air.

Guys,

I am trying to decide in which country to retire. Regarding Philippines : is it possible to travel to Philippines

For one month and to open a bank account without the ACRI card. Because I would like to return to my country for 2 months to.

Deal with all the legal issues and transfer money into that account and then return to Philippines and apply for the ACRI card after 59 days. Thanks in advance.

I have opened two accounts on two occasions in RP. Both with BPI which is owned by a Ayla sub. It takes 20 working days for US checks to clear. You need to open a account with a min. Of 500 dollars and it will be called a dollar account. You can get a ATM card also. All I can say is from experience all things in RP. Are subject to change. So today you might not be able to do what I said.

HSBC, has a program if you keep 100K in your US account you can tap it from anywhere in the world we no fees. I do not know your price range. But there are Branches in Manila and Cebu that I have seen. If you are traveling that part of the world. And can afford it. I would say that HSBC is the best way to go as you can tap your funds where ever there is a branch. If in the special program of a min. 100K.

[QUOTE=Johan Waans; 1511384]Guys,

I am trying to decide in which country to retire. Regarding Philippines : is it possible to travel to Philippines

For one month and to open a bank account without the ACRI card. Because I would like to return to my country for 2 months to.

Deal with all the legal issues and transfer money into that account and then return to Philippines and apply for the ACRI card after 59 days. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]I would speak to the bank in your home country and see if it has a correspondent bank in the Philippines. If so try and pen an account in the country from your home base bank.

If not for all local banks I think you will need to show you are a resident.

As Redman says try HSBC. If you are an existing account holder it is easy to open an account here but check the minimum amount to hold in the account. If a Premier holder there is not such nonsense and it is simple to open. If not there is a minimum account balance but is not $100k it is much less and in pesos. Also get a dollar and pesos account

Best is to seek out HSBC in your home country and see hat it advises for the Philippines.

Thank you for the information, guys. I found 3 banks which have a branch in my country. HSBC is not one of them.

I guess I will just travel to Philippines and see what happens. As I am used to dealing with none Western economies.

As a last resort I can always transfer my accounts to one of these 3 banks in my home country.

[QUOTE=Johan Waans;1511713]As a last resort I can always transfer my accounts to one of these 3 banks in my home country.[/QUOTE]If you are not happy with the local banks and can't open from your home country I would do the above, and visit HSBC as the staff helped me open accounts and it is fairly quick.

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger; 1511571]As Redman says try HSBC. If you are an existing account holder it is easy to open an account here but check the minimum amount to hold in the account. If a Premier holder there is not such nonsense and it is simple to open. If not there is a minimum account balance but is not $100k it is much less and in pesos. Also get a dollar and pesos account

Best is to seek out HSBC in your home country and see hat it advises for the Philippines.[/QUOTE]Remember that each HSBC is a franchised operation for each country even though they are a linked international bank.

This means that HSBC Philippines is a separate entity and subject to Philippines banking laws (including how much of your deposit is insured).

However, the HSBC ATMs everywhere are linked and it is easy to withdraw cash anywhere in the world (in my experience, and I have used them in HK, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia with ease).

Special arrangements can be made whereby you pay zero fees for withdrawals. For example, if you deposit whole-of-salary or maybe whole pension cheque in your account each month you will get special benefits.

[QUOTE=Red Kilt; 1511719]Remember that each HSBC is a franchised operation for each country even though they are a linked international bank.

This means that HSBC Philippines is a separate entity and subject to Philippines banking laws (including how much of your deposit is insured).

However, the HSBC ATMs everywhere are linked and it is easy to withdraw cash anywhere in the world (in my experience, and I have used them in HK, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia with ease).

Special arrangements can be made whereby you pay zero fees for withdrawals. For example, if you deposit whole-of-salary or maybe whole pension cheque in your account each month you will get special benefits.[/QUOTE]Didn't know how HSBC operated, but in PH Law, foreigners can only own 40, so sure anybody doing business will have to rope in a local partner.