Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yaya]

I've stayed there several times and I was prompted to do so after it received high ratings from tripadvisor.com. As for "places of interest," go see for yourself, hahaha, but that place is near PC cafes and a few good malls and restaurants.

[I-am-me]

I second that. Durban Inn is nice. Stayed there twice. Its quiet and close to everything. Wendy's was a few blocks down the street and lots of other places within walking distance.

[Yaya]

I never saw a Wendy's nearby but there is a McDonald's right across the main street and a few other good restaurants. Filling Station has an American-style breakfast.

Just a warning: the P. Burgos area is a semi-Koreatown so if you don't want to deal with Koreans...

[Spike]

I need some specific recommendations as what to do in Manila or it's outskirts. I'll be spending three 2-3 day blocks there in Late jan/early July. Are there any good beaches within a couple hours, any day-trips anyone would suggest? any specific bars, restaurants, etc?

Cheers.

[Yaya]

The closest beach is Laguna, which isn't worth going to, or Subic Bay, which is also not worth going to. Overall, Manila is a hole that I don't care for and I am really hoping that more flights to Cebu and Kalibo open up.

I don't know what you like but Malate in Manila has loads of bars with live bands and stuff.

For more to do in Manila, click spot.com.ph

[creeper1]

Manila is bad alright. Plenty of scam artists ready to take away your money.

Guys with guns having to guard foreigners outside airports or major hotels.

However I heard Phenom Penn is even worse than Manila. Man that place must be a hole.

[tiger fancini]

[wishfullthinkng]

[Yaya]

Back to the topic (as this isn't a thread on Phnom Penh), avoid staying in the Malate area. That place is a cesspool and slimepit, pure and simple, though it has a lot of trendy bars and hangouts.

Makati gets boring after a while, but then again, so does Manila overall.

[Caffeinated]

Manila has better infrastructure and is better developed than Phnom Penh. The American shopping mall experience can easily be had in many places in Manila, though you'll need to get by the security guards first.

I found the people in Phnom Penh to be sunny and friendly despite the awful history. You'd find the same sunny attitude out in the rural areas of the Philippines, but tourists in Manila are more likely to run into cab drivers running a scam (about 50/50 in my experience) or snooty staff at the airport. I suspect you'll encounter more problems if you head out to bars and clubs frequented by tourists, but I haven't noticed anything awry at places frequented mostly by locals.

[Yaya]

With the Manila cabs, I've had drivers try to charge me extra for taking me somewhere, and I simply say, "Pull over, I'll get out." That shuts them up fast.

And NEVER take a taxi with no meter or with another guy in the front.