So I've got a little time in Manila, what should I do?

[glypnir]

In the relatively near future, I expect to find myself in Manila (the big one in the Philippines)

I'll only have an evening or two, because I'll fly in one afternoon, visit a customer the next day, and then fly out the next morning.

I'll probably be staying in one of the hotels in the Ortigas Center, don't know which one yet.

So anything I should do? Or anything I should watch out for?

 

[glypnir]

In the relatively near future, I expect to find myself in Manila (the big one in the Philippines)

I'll only have an evening or two, because I'll fly in one afternoon, visit a customer the next day, and then fly out the next morning.

I'll probably be staying in one of the hotels in the Ortigas Center, don't know which one yet.

So anything I should do? Or anything I should watch out for?

 

[dovekiller]

Once in a lifetime experience: visit "Hobbits" the only bar in the world owned and operated by and for midgets. You can get in but don't expect to see anything except midget-sized everything.

 

[john traveler]

dovekiller,

As a former WESPAC sailor, all I can do is scratch my head at your suggestion to visit "Hobbits" when in Manilla.

I can think of a whole lot of OTHER things he could visit while there.

 

[truckemup97]

Originally posted by dovekiller:
Once in a lifetime experience: visit "Hobbits" the only bar in the world owned and operated by and for midgets. You can get in but don't expect to see anything except midget-sized everything.

IIRC, glypnir is a fairly good sized fella. That ought to be interesting. We need pictures.

 

[d hepler]

I would go to Olaongapo and throw coins in the canal, while eating monkey meat but since it is no longer a Navy town go see the midgets.

 

[Noah Zark]

Originally posted by glypnir:
In the relatively near future, I expect to find myself in Manila . . . So anything I should do?

See if you can get a deal on file folders and envelopes . . .

Noah

 

[canoeguy]

If you have time, take the tour boat trip to Corregidor. I deployed to the Phillipines for six months in 1987, and that trip to Corregidor was the best thing I did during that deployment.

As I remember, the boat left around 8:00 AM, and returned around 2:00 PM. Included was a guided tour of the island, including the Malinta Tunnel where retreating G.I.'s sheltered, after they surrendered began the Bataan Death March...

I was so impressed with this tour, I returned to Corregidor a month or so later and spent two days exploring the island, camping out and eating with the few locals who live there and maintain the facilities.

Now, there are a lot of fun things to do at night, lots of bars and nightclubs in Manila, but I'll let you figure that out....

 

[GatorFarmer]

Page Jun225, he can probably help you out with some suggestions.

 

[buckwheat01]

It sure sounds like you are not going to have much time. I am willing to bet you are going to be very tired when your arrive in Manila. These flights even flying first class you will be tired. Talk to your company. The company I work for allows 72 hours to recover from jet lag. Ask at least for a day or two. That way you will be in top form to meet with the customer. Trust me I made that flight many times you will be tired Very tired. Your best bet is travelers checks and CC cards. Have plenty of $100 dollar bills for purchases. You can get better rates with larger notes. When I travel in the PI. I have enough cash to cover my A. Nothing worse than have a hotel. Tell you your CC NO WORK JOE. And your card is as good as gold. They just want cash. If that happens give them travelers checks.
For me I like the Manila hotel. As far as getting around Manila use a taxi or rent a car. Do not mess with the trikes or jeepneys. Some of the tike drivers will drive by muggers and such. Unless you know how to operate in the PI use taxi's. I have been on some trikes and you had to keep the trike driver at gunpoint or knife point. And tell him you stop you will get shot or stabbed. True story you have to cover your A. If you have any expensive jeweley IE. watches and stuff like that leave it at home. Wearing them. All that will do is make you a target. Wear average clothes try not to look very prosperous. It's all little stuff but it adds up. To not being a victim. Some of the kids in Manila. Can rip that watch off your wrist. As fast as you can blink you eyes.

Plenty of good food. Stick with Sea food. The prawns are great and so are the lobsters. Watch out for the departure tax at Manila airport the security guards will try to hit you up for that. At least two or three times. As you walk through the airport. They will ask for your papers and the fee. It is actually funny. It is only like 15 bucks and some change. But it will piss you off. At least it does me.
If you can get a flight out via Seoul, Korea do your shopping in Seoul. Some airlines offer a lay over for a day in Seoul. You have to wait on a connecting flight to the US. At least that way you will have a day in Seoul to play around. Check with the various airlines. They have different routes and times. Try to make it all work out to your advantage.
Good Luck

 

[roundgunner]

Originally posted by d hepler:
I would go to Olaongapo and throw coins in the canal, while eating monkey meat but since it is no longer a Navy town go see the midgets.

Olaongapo =

 

[Gordo1]

I spent a year there on an ex-pat assignment and lived in Makati. Restaurant selection is excellent. Sea food, oriental and even local food is great. Just eat in the recommended places. Do not eat the food from the street vendors.
If you are really in for som excitement try Borgas Street but keep your hand on your wallet. Only use the hotel taxies. I had an employee who picked up a street cab and ended up with only his pants and shirt on.

 

[ingmansinc]

Originally posted by d hepler:
I would go to Olaongapo and throw coins in the canal, while eating monkey meat but since it is no longer a Navy town go see the midgets.

Is it true that eating monkey meat causes hormonal deficiency resulting in disproportionate dwarfism?

 

[george minze]

Stay out of Boy's Town!!!

 

[Big Rich]

Don't eat the Balut!

 

[cubfarm1]

Keep your wallet in your FRONT pocket!!!!!YES THAT GIRL IS 12 AND IS DOING THAT FOR A LIVING!!!!----- RUN--- DO NOT JUST WALK AWAY!!! You can see things there that people will never believe back here. It's just normal there.An yes I would like to see it all again

 

[dovekiller]

Originally posted by canoeguy:
If you have time, take the tour boat trip to Corregidor. I deployed to the Phillipines for six months in 1987, and that trip to Corregidor was the best thing I did during that deployment.

I was so impressed with this tour, I returned to Corregidor a month or so later and spent two days exploring the island, camping out and eating with the few locals who live there and maintain the facilities. /QUOTE]

I agree totally. Corrigidor Island is impressive. There are kids on the island that scrounge through the jungle and find things like spent rounds and such. I got a .50 case and a spent .50 bullet for about a buck.

There is also a nice memorial with big marble slabs with the names of all the allied troops that died on the islnd. You might want to look for your family name. I found a long lost cousin there.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Originally posted by Big Rich:
Don't eat the Balut!

DO eat the balut! But don't ask what it is until you've decided whether you like it or not. Generally served with coarse salt, which you should use, but sparingly.

It's just an egg, sort of.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

There are a lot of young ladies there who tend to misbehave if paid an allowance. I suspect the infection rate for terminal cooties is pretty high. Just FYI. And it may be that certain brands of beer contain embalming fluid, which means a big headache in the morning. Just FYI, of course. And if you get too rowdy they may put you on video tape and want you to pay them for it. That's just for your information. Crime in the hootchie-kootchie zone can be significant but that has been mentioned. And there is a tendency to slip scapalomine or a date rape drug in your drink or chewing gum. Sometimes folks wake up, sometimes not. Best thing is get someone you can trust to go out with and see the sights.

 

[glypnir]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately, I will not have time to go to Corregidor, or I would do it.

I should be mostly over the jet lag by that point, as I'm going to Beijing first for almost a week, and then on to Taipei.

I plan to stay far away from those misbehaving young ladies, and to take a hotel car to and from the airport.

I may even be paranoid enough to go to the hotel transportation lounge in the airport, rather than wandering off with the first person who has a sign with my name on it. I've read about fake signs - they will see your name on a sign and put it on their bogus sign. But since I'm not rich, that's probably too paranoid.