| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
chocolacharat
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
|
 Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:00 am Post subject: Manila questions |
 |
|
| I've heard it's dangerous; I've checked up on the hotel prices and it is extremely cheap for even a nice room. I'm really excited to go but I was wondering, most people can speak english right? And if I book a hotel room it will be no problem taking a cab to get there? Food? Night life? Shopping? Any information would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Tony_Balony
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| PI is not cheap for housing. Plenty of cafes bars etc. Human debris, human feces multiple amputees, abandoned children, people living in jeepeys. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DCJames
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
I agree with TB. It's a poor country and the the poverty can be seen everywhere. Watch your back there and keep your wits. You should be ok.
Hotel rooms are old and dirty and seem overpriced for what you're getting.
Huge cockroaches and rats EVERYWHERE in Manila.
Go to the rich areas in Makati and you're in a completely different country. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chocolacharat
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Wow really? That's so disappointing to here. I can use american money there, correct? And a taxi is not expensive?
I guess I may have to think about it a little more before booking! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
chocolacharat
Joined: 11 Mar 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| How much does it cost to get from Manila to Makati? Or how can I get there? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
renzobenzo1
Joined: 08 Sep 2007
Location: Suji, Yongin
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| go to Angeles my friend, that is where all the action happens and they have a wide-range of room prices from 10US a night to 200US it depends on your budget. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tony_Balony wrote: |
| PI is not cheap for housing. Plenty of cafes bars etc. Human debris, human feces multiple amputees, abandoned children, people living in jeepeys. |
you mean it is the developing world? fancy that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:11 am Post subject: Re: Manila questions |
|
|
| chocolacharat wrote: |
| I've heard it's dangerous; I've checked up on the hotel prices and it is extremely cheap for even a nice room. I'm really excited to go but I was wondering, most people can speak english right? And if I book a hotel room it will be no problem taking a cab to get there? Food? Night life? Shopping? Any information would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
Dangerous for Asian standards.
I found South America to be much more dangerous (i.e. violent crime). I also found Europe to have much more pickpockets.
Manila is only more dangerous than other parts of Asia - where crime that could take on a physical nature doesn't seem to happen so much as it does in the 'Americas', Europe or Africa. Manila would be more in line with the rest of the non-Asian world.
-------------------
YES, most everyone speaks English, particularly in Manila. Not everyone, but feels pretty close. You'll feel like EVERYONE does. Most signs are in English too. Occassionally you'll see bathroom written in Tagalog and suddenly remember that English isn't the first language.
-------------------
Cab to your hotel. NO PROBLEM. There are special taxis almost specifically designed just for tourists and charge you almost double (like $10 instead of $5) to your hotel. If you are really worried, take those very official (and overpriced) ones.
--------------------
Nightlife - some of the best in Asia.
Shopping - The PHilippines imports almost everything you can imagine in the world. MUCH better than Korea/Japan/China.
| chocolacharat wrote: |
Wow really? That's so disappointing to here. I can use american money there, correct? And a taxi is not expensive?
I guess I may have to think about it a little more before booking! |
You don't use American money in the Philippines. You change the money to PESOS at the airport or any of the MANY MANY money changers if you are staying at Ermite/Malate (downtown Manila).
Taxis are very cheap if they use the meter. Many will try NOT to use the meter and charge you straight up fare (still cheap though). If you force them to use the meter anyways and you don't know where you are, you will most likely go the longer route to prove that their quoted fare was the correct fare. So either way you end up paying their fare anyways. Still its cheap even if you do though.
| chocolacharat wrote: |
| How much does it cost to get from Manila to Makati? Or how can I get there? |
Less than US$5 by taxi. You could also take a subway train if you really wanted. They are right next to each other.
Manila is kind of like Brooklyn or the Bronx (a rougher urban feel to it). Makati is like Manhattan.
Manila is very rough around the edges and many people did describe it well, but it can also be great fun, very condensed, and can be very interesting as well.
Makati though is even more exciting, all the money is there, and feels quite comfortable. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
newton kabiddles
Joined: 31 Mar 2007
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:44 am Post subject: Re: Manila questions |
|
|
| chocolacharat wrote: |
| I've heard it's dangerous; I've checked up on the hotel prices and it is extremely cheap for even a nice room. I'm really excited to go but I was wondering, most people can speak english right? And if I book a hotel room it will be no problem taking a cab to get there? Food? Night life? Shopping? Any information would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
I haven't been to the Philippines, but I when I think of going I don't think much about Manila. Even Philipinnos have told me to stay away from Manila. Do you plan on staying there or traveling to another location in PI? Do you have to stay there? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
I-am-me
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Location: Hermit Kingdom
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I had the hotel pick me up at the airport. Dont trust the taxis there. If you need a good hotel in Makati, send me a pm. I prefer anything outside of manila or even the island! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tony_Balony
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| you mean it is the developing world? fancy that. |
No, PI isn't part of the developing world. Its just not developing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
magicmajenta
Joined: 03 Feb 2007
Location: Saint Paul Minnesota
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Tony_Balony wrote: |
No, PI isn't part of the developing world. Its just not developing. |
LOL!! So true.  I lived in the Philippines growing up until we moved permanently to the US. Although I was born in the US and am a US Citizen by birth. I haven't been back in the PI for 5 years and I dread visiting just cuz it's pretty bad, and I don't feel comfortable there at all. We have a house in Quezon City. I have a grandmother there that wants me to visit since she hasn't seen me in years. But the thought of going back even just for a visit doesn't excite me the least bit. People lack discipline and corruption is rampant. The list of what's wrong can go on and on. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
I-am-me
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Location: Hermit Kingdom
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The "non-developed" side of the philippines is its greatest attraction to us die hard philippine lovers. I would stay away from most places on Luzon island, but Mindanao , leyte and Cebu are beautiful. There is a laid back quality of life that is very attractive. But it does help when you have money there! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
IlIlNine
Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| magicmajenta wrote: |
| Tony_Balony wrote: |
No, PI isn't part of the developing world. Its just not developing. |
LOL!! So true. I lived in the Philippines growing up until we moved permanently to the US. Although I was born in the US and am a US Citizen by birth. I haven't been back in the PI for 5 years and I dread visiting just cuz it's pretty bad, and I don't feel comfortable there at all. We have a house in Quezon City. I have a grandmother there that wants me to visit since she hasn't seen me in years. But the thought of going back even just for a visit doesn't excite me the least bit. People lack discipline and corruption is rampant. The list of what's wrong can go on and on. |
Dude. People lacking discipline and corruption won't have any effect on you visiting your poor old grandma. Don't be such a wimp and go visit her!
She misses you!
Think of poor Grandma.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:00 am Post subject: Re: Manila questions |
|
|
| chocolacharat wrote: |
| I've heard it's dangerous; I've checked up on the hotel prices and it is extremely cheap for even a nice room. I'm really excited to go but I was wondering, most people can speak english right? And if I book a hotel room it will be no problem taking a cab to get there? Food? Night life? Shopping? Any information would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance! |
Makati - shopping is world class. Shopping malls galore. Entire complexes of them in Makati, with a lot of live bands, great bars, great cafes, great restaurants. Greenbelt 3 is best for nightlife in Makati, and SM Mall and a couple otherse are very large shopping malls with just about every kind of store you can imagine. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
