Manila

[QUOTE=Docwiltro;1197946]As a side note, the coupon taxis that cost between p600 and p700 are passe, a thing of the past for the informed traveler. They still do exist at the same places outside the arrivals terminal. Obviously, people still use them, but unless you need a van, there is no need for that added expense.[/QUOTE]Coupon taxis seem to be unavoidable if you are being met by a friend (s) outside the terminal. They hold back the unwashed masses in a dingy waiting area with TV monitors. When my squeeze meets me at the airport she has to wait out there. To get out there you cross the first covered roadway (where the yellow cabs are) , then take one of the lettered ramps down to the next roadway: A to L to the left, M to Z down to the right. Security guards hold the masses behind a rail on the far side of the second roadway. You have to cart your luggage all the way out across the roadway, assure the guards that the person (s) is waiting for you, then proceed together back to the closer side to get the coupon taxis. I have never considered taking her along and pushing my luggage cart back up the ramp and across the first roadway to get back to the yellow cabs. Anybody ever try that?

[QUOTE=Skip Kost;1198175]They hold back the unwashed masses in a dingy waiting area with TV monitors.[/QUOTE]Yup, but if I remember rightly, the penned in ' great unwashed' are kept happy by an on-site branch of Jolibee. I've seen arriving OFW's dash right past their waiting gathered clan of toothless grannies, lounging dollar hungry youths and squalling kids and head straight to get their Joliburger fix.

Being a tight bustard, I'm sure that I have successfully done what you suggested but the NAIA experience is so overwhelmingly bleak and depressing that I fear my mind has blocked it out to protect it's sanity. However I suspect it involved a twenty pesos bribe to a security guard somewhere along the way.

[QUOTE=Danibbler; 1198097]That metered airport taxi cost me Php 520 to get to St. Giles in Makati (next to P. Burgos) but it may have been that high because it was so late. Didn't have to wait for one because they kept on coming and zooming off with passengers.

Coupon taxis are still around and are a bit further beyond the metered airport taxis. A bunch of Westerners wanted one and the guys at the metered taxi lineup kept waving their arms around to show them where to go.[/QUOTE]You paid a way high. On 2nd Sept, I took a taxi from airport to St. Giles hotel at Makati and the meter reading showed 243 peso. As usual, the taxi driver demanded 550, but I refused to pay anything beyond 250 as I knew from a friend that the fare would not exceed 250. Taxi is a big scam in Manila and one has to be alert and well informed to confront taxi drivers.

Deon123

That's what I figured because the taxi to the airport was around 240 and I stiffed the guy on the tip. He was asking for more while on the way there. Tough luck, buddy.

On the way to the hotel from the airport, I only paid what the meter showed.

[QUOTE=Deon123; 1198206]You paid a way high. On 2nd Sept, I took a taxi from airport to St. Giles hotel at Makati and the meter reading showed 243 peso. As usual, the taxi driver demanded 550, but I refused to pay anything beyond 250 as I knew from a friend that the fare would not exceed 250. Taxi is a big scam in Manila and one has to be alert and well informed to confront taxi drivers.

Deon123[/QUOTE]

Sources close to me indicate that half your mind has already been "blocked out" due to consumption of liquids that are known to affect memory and sanity. THe other half is apparently impeded by a combination of advanced age and some sort of delirium caused by the unnatural input of short time hotel odors and unnaturally available vagigaga. You have apparently avoided a complete mental breakdown by avoiding the Jollitripledogmeat burger. Good for you!

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt; 1198200]Yup, but if I remember rightly, the penned in ' great unwashed' are kept happy by an on-site branch of Jolibee. I've seen arriving OFW's dash right past their waiting gathered clan of toothless grannies, lounging dollar hungry youths and squalling kids and head straight to get their Joliburger fix.

Being a tight bustard, I'm sure that I have successfully done what you suggested but the NAIA experience is so overwhelmingly bleak and depressing that I fear my mind has blocked it out to protect it's sanity. However I suspect it involved a twenty pesos bribe to a security guard somewhere along the way.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough; 1198156]I don't get this problem that some guys appear to have with taxi drivers. I've lived in the country for eight years, get to Manila about twice a month and frequently take taxis. I could probably count on one hand the number of times in those eight years I've had a driver refuse to use the meter. I have a good friend who is a member of this board, who takes taxis several times a day, and he doesn't have this problem either.

GE[/QUOTE]I've had some problems with taxis over the past 8 years. But I think it depends on where you pick up the taxi and how you look.

As a foreignor, it is going to be very difficult to get a taxi to use the meter at Greenbelt 3? (where the Havana Club is located at) during prime time. In the evening / night time, there is a huge line at the taxi stands; mostly locals.

I've also had taxis refuse to use the meter during daytime rush hour.

Normally when I get a taxi in the tourist zones, a few taxis (a minority of them) will quote a set price, but when I refuse and start to walk away, they will agree to use the meter.

In the airport, if you walk upstairs, you can get a taxi who is dropping off a customer. Although even with many of those, they will ask for an inflated fare (but not as bad as the coupon price). But if you keep on asking, you will get a taxi that will use the meter.

On a final note, I feel angst when dealing with troublesome transport drivers in the Philippines. In Vietnam and Cambodia, I feel safe to say "fuck off" to transport drivers who want to rip me off. I wouldn't say that kind of stuff in the Philippines; I've read too many stories about nasty pycho Philippinos.

[QUOTE=Danibbler;1198131]I saved Php 50. The fare from my hotel to EDSA was less than Php 150 (140?) so I knew the price. If he had put the meter on, I would have given him Php 150 and tell him to keep the change. It was also my third day there and I was very fed up with drivers trying to rip me off. One of them even had to nerve to blame me for him not having enough change to break a Php 50 note![/QUOTE]To Danibbler

If you want to save money you should just take the Jeepney like the local, I agree more and more taxi driver are trying not to use the meter with fuel price going up it is harder for them to make a living. Manila need to have a better transit system just too much traffic.

[QUOTE=GreenBud;1198415]I've also had taxis refuse to use the meter during daytime rush hour.[/QUOTE]This can be legit for the driver to do in rush hour, if you are going somewhere more than about 20 minutes away."Very traffic sir." What he means is, he understands that your fare from malate to makati would normally be 180-200 and 20-25 minutes (at night). But in heavy traffic, on a long trip such as that (40 minutes to 1 hour maybe) , he will barely make profit on your ride. Then he must head back to malate without a customer, and lose gas money on the way back. He will want to turn the meter off and ask 300. Or, he will insist on meter + 100 (or similar). There is nothing wrong with this. He's not necessarily trying to rip you off, its just him covering his gas expenses. If you don't agree, just get another taxi.

It's not only to save money but it's also not to be ripped off.

As for taxi drivers not making enough money, I had one taxi driver who boasted that even living in Manila (he's originally from elsewhere) he makes about Php 600-700 a day. I still gave him a tip because it was a good ride with good conversation and we drove around a little bit looking for good restos.

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48;1198419]If you want to save money you should just take the Jeepney like the local, I agree more and more taxi driver are trying not to use the meter with fuel price going up it is harder for them to make a living.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=X Man;1198279]Sources close to me indicate that half your mind has already been "blocked out" due to consumption of liquids that are known to affect memory and sanity. THe other half is apparently impeded by a combination of advanced age and some sort of delirium caused by the unnatural input of short time hotel odors and unnaturally available vagigaga. You have apparently avoided a complete mental breakdown by avoiding the Jollitripledogmeat burger. Good for you![/QUOTE]Consumption of fluids secreted by the kidneys can result in madness. Our own resident Havelock Ellis seems to be suffering from advanced dementia brought on by the strong fumes of ammonia found in short time motels frequented by his fellow urophiliacs in the vicinity of Pedro Gil St, Ermita. His exploits as a British rear admiral certainly doesn't help his sanity, and I don't refer to the honorable profession practiced by Lord Nelson.

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48; 1198419]To Danibbler

If you want to save money you should just take the Jeepney like the local, I agree more and more taxi driver are trying not to use the meter with fuel price going up it is harder for them to make a living. Manila need to have a better transit system just too much traffic.[/QUOTE]If you walk or hitch a ride you can get there for free, sure hope no one gets hurt over 50 pesos dealing with these taxi drivers.

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48;1198419]Manila need to have a better transit system just too much traffic.[/QUOTE]In my opinion, traffic would not be nearly as bad if the people would have some common sense in driving. So many times these people screw everyone over as they cross over as late as possible and block everyone from moving and such. The list can go on and on, but most of the the time, the locals are idiots when it comes to driving. The selfishness just makes the traffic worse than it need be there.

thanks for your concern, lads, but i assure you that i'm doing fine. i've reduced my consumption of the devils brew to 10 bottles of red horse and 2 bottles of tanduay a day and i'm feeling good. the only [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord118][CodeWord118][/url] and ammoniac absorption that i now partake of, takes place in my local pool. still like to splice the mainbrace and captain the boat from the rear poopdeck but don't we all given the opportunity.

my dear momsy always told me you are what you eat which is why i seem to be developing a vertical mouth. but whereas i may be a fully fledged kunt, you two boys are mere pussies in comparison.

the philippine forum must be unique on isg in that it's members seem to spend as much time discussing taxi drivers and manila's transport infrastructure as it does the girls. now that is worrying!

Guys,

I ll be visiting Manilla for the first time and will be with GF. So no way I can host in my hotel room.

Do they have something like saunas or similar options in Manilla?

Could not find anything reading previous posts.

Thanks for your help

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt;1198553]The Philippine forum must be unique on ISG in that it's members seem to spend as much time discussing taxi drivers and Manila's transport infrastructure as it does the girls. Now that is worrying![/QUOTE]It is not unique that members spend a lot of time talking about taxis. In Brazil, for example, I have often spent as much on taxis as women and there is a great deal on those boards discussing the situation, though in comparison the Phils boards are a bit extreme. Someone should start a new thread on "Manila taxis"!