peterdavid
17th March 2005, 13:45
Originally posted by admin@Mar 16 2005, 09:28 PM
Betfair!! Hope your using my other site and making a few grand.
One murder does not make a bad place.
Now Nottingham!! Would you walk around there at night? I'd prefer Cebu myself.
Quoted post
Never been to Cebu, but Manila, provided you don't go to the slum areas, should be ok. You've got as much to fear from the police as you have from the "criminals". When some-one shouts "Stop, Thief", over there, they're normally shouting it AT the policeman, not requesting his services.
Just don't do the obvious - don't flash your cash around, don't go to areas where you feel unsafe, stay in the more built up, modern areas like Makati, Ortigas, (even Roxas Boulevard, if you want, by the sea front), and stay away from all the slum and squatter settlements - nothing to visit there anyway, except infection.
Watch out for taxis - Manila has some of the cheapest taxi fares in the world, but as it also has the most corrupt taxi drivers in the world, you're unlikely to feel the benefit.
Most of the fear you'll have is fear of the unknown - it's natural to feel it before you go, but I lived over there for a number of years and once you get to know a place, whether it's Manila or Nottingham, and start to feel comfortable there, the feeling goes away. Keith's right, I've been to Nottingham and Manila, but I've felt safer in Manila than Nottingham (even going to the less salubrious areas to visit the wife's family...).
That being said, however, it is a plain fact that crime in Manila is significantly higher than more modern cities (bank robberies, bus and jeepney hold ups, etc) - our maid was on a bus that was held up a few months ago, and we would simply not take public transport there unless we had to (and even then, only a taxi). So, keep away from the slum areas, stay in the nicer parts of Makati or the surrounding areas if you can, and you should be fine.
Greenbelt - can't recommend it more for excellent food, entertainment, nice bars, good cinemas. Can't go far wrong there.
Obviously, keep your wits about you, but don't let it spoil your time there. I'd still prefer Manila to Nottingham, any day.
ginapeterb
17th March 2005, 16:32
Originally posted by peterdavid@Mar 17 2005, 12:45 PM
Never been to Cebu, but Manila, provided you don't go to the slum areas, should be ok. You've got as much to fear from the police as you have from the "criminals". When some-one shouts "Stop, Thief", over there, they're normally shouting it AT the policeman, not requesting his services.
Just don't do the obvious - don't flash your cash around, don't go to areas where you feel unsafe, stay in the more built up, modern areas like Makati, Ortigas, (even Roxas Boulevard, if you want, by the sea front), and stay away from all the slum and squatter settlements - nothing to visit there anyway, except infection.
Watch out for taxis - Manila has some of the cheapest taxi fares in the world, but as it also has the most corrupt taxi drivers in the world, you're unlikely to feel the benefit.
Most of the fear you'll have is fear of the unknown - it's natural to feel it before you go, but I lived over there for a number of years and once you get to know a place, whether it's Manila or Nottingham, and start to feel comfortable there, the feeling goes away. Keith's right, I've been to Nottingham and Manila, but I've felt safer in Manila than Nottingham (even going to the less salubrious areas to visit the wife's family...).
That being said, however, it is a plain fact that crime in Manila is significantly higher than more modern cities (bank robberies, bus and jeepney hold ups, etc) - our maid was on a bus that was held up a few months ago, and we would simply not take public transport there unless we had to (and even then, only a taxi). So, keep away from the slum areas, stay in the nicer parts of Makati or the surrounding areas if you can, and you should be fine.
Greenbelt - can't recommend it more for excellent food, entertainment, nice bars, good cinemas. Can't go far wrong there.
Obviously, keep your wits about you, but don't let it spoil your time there. I'd still prefer Manila to Nottingham, any day.
Quoted post
Ok they have given their advice, here is mine....I feel safer in the Philippines than UK anyway, my advice is this, Cebu is nice, this guy who was found dead, you will find there is a story behind it, things dont just happen like that without a reason, if you are going to Cebu, stay at Cebu Midtown Hotel, see hotels section, or in one of the upmarket resort hotels, Cebu Midtown has its own shopping mall below, of course dont walk the streets at night, especially as you are a foreigner, and first time in the area, I walk around Bacalod City at night for reason only, "I am known" everyone around knows me as Gina's Husband, its the same as Peter said, once you have lived there for a while, you become desensitized to what you see, and take it in your stride, I wouldnt walk the streets of Nottingham at night for anyone, thats cos I am not a city boy, got the picture, If you are in Manila, like Peter says, stay on Roxas Boulevard, by the sea front, or if in Makati, stay in Oakwood, near to Intercon, or Madarin Oriental, Peninsular, stay as close to Glorietta 1, 2,3,4, as you can, its nice there, and foreigners are normally around in numbers, plus the Filipinos are Cosmo-Fils. (upmarket, professionals) the other guys have really covered the common sense issues, dont go out of your hotel room with lots of cash in your pocket, goot tip for you, works every time, if your room has a safe in it, use it !!!!! put all your money, passport, credit cards, etc in the safe, with the 4 digit combination, some hotels have a desk safe, even the cheaper hotels, And I have stayed in a few, use them !!!! they are honest at reception and you get your own key, take only enough spare cash for something to eat, and leave the rest in your room/reception area, if you are mugged, and thats unlikely then you can only give what you have on you, but remember it isnt Sao Paulo Brazil, if you need to use your credit cards, fine, take them with you, dont go walzing around dimly lit areas, flashing either your digital camera, or your cash, its really common sense, you are attracting the attention of crooks, next thing, taxi drivers in Manila and (Batingting).
This is really important, if you want a taxi, I have a tip for you, go to the entrance of any major hotel, and ask the guards or concierge staff at the doorways to get it for you, and ask them to ensure the taxi driver puts on the meter, if the taxi refuses to put on the meter, DONT GET IN under any circumstances, if you hear "oh its the Filipino way of life", hehehehe it doesnt wash with me, they try it and dont get away with it with me, Ive heard it all before, just tell them "What do you think I am a tourist" put that meter on please. or simply dont get in it, also, Batingting is a device that makes the meter move faster, and it appears that what should be a 50 pesos fare, is a 150 pesos, although its petty, they do it, I had a row with a taxi driver once, just to take me from NAIA to Makati, and he wanted 500 pesos, in the end we agreed on P250.00, when you arrive at NAIA or Cebu, dont use Airport taxis, go further out, and ask the price of where you are going, remember its the Philippines Mag kano ??? expect to ask the price, if you are going to Cebu Midtown hotel, I can recommend it to you, the fare is about P200 and no more, give or take 20 pesos, as Peter has said, dont try and walk around the Barangays or sub divisions at night, and to be honest why would you want to ?? there is nothing there for you.
Another protection for you, is speaking Tagalog, although you might not be proficient, I always go out of my way, to let people hear me speaking Tagalog, its a form of protection also, it lets people know, you are almost more than likely to have been in the Philippines for sometime, and not an easy target for them, also your body language helps you, if you appear hesitant, sluggish or not sure where you are, it can be noticed, Filipinos are extremely intelligent at almost anything and you will be suprised how bright they are, they no every trick on the book, so just be on your guard, be assertive when getting in taxis, and know where you are going, if you dont know something find out first.
Of course I have alway said that you are much better with a Filipina companion, although not everyone is, and lastly but not least
SCAMS
Foreign tourists can be tricked into entering hotel rooms with under age girls, the legal consent age in the Philippines is suprisingly only 12 years old, however having said that, if you are found with any young woman under the age of 18 years, you can actually come under the child prostitution laws, the latest scam that has come to my attention is this:
You go to meet a girl you have met on the internet, and then take a room with her, later her parents turn up, with police officers, and if you are very unlucky you get caught with your pants down, the Police will then attempt to extort money from you, to prevent the parents from making an official complaint which will then see you arrested and put in front of the court for child prostitution, the sentence of which can be death, although commuted to life imprisonment, although there are cases like this, dont get caught out with this one, if you are meeting a girl, and are in any doubt as to her real age, you must demand to see a birth certificate on NSO Security paper, (not photocpy) not (Zerox) anything like that.
I hope this helps, in the main...its unlikely that you will come across this, we hear stories all the time, of deaths, murders and muggings, the Philippines is just like any other country, things happen there, that happen here every day, we even had the canibal story yesterday didnt we, just look out for yourself, and you will have a great time in the Philippines, just one more tip, dont try and belittle Filipinos, they are much like Thai men, to loose face for a Filipino is bad, just be polite to them, and they will be to you.
Best of luck
gm47
18th March 2005, 12:58
Thanks everyone for the advice.
Hey what's up with Nottingham !! I lived there for 5 months, really enjoyed it.
As I've said before I've travelled quite a lot and am streetwise, I was raised in Glasgow and live in London. I have no intentions of going to a room with a girl underage or otherwise. I'm not gay just very careful of catching anything.
I won't be flashing cash or cameras etc and I am always very friendly and treat people as I like to be treated myself.
If I visit Cebu I was thinking of staying at the waterfront hotel, anyone been there, it looks like a good place to stay.
of course dont walk the streets at night That's a shame because that's what I like to do. I like to walk around and observe life going on in a new city.
If you are in Manila, like Peter says, stay on Roxas Boulevard, by the sea front, or if in Makati, stay in Oakwood, near to Intercon, or Madarin Oriental, Peninsular
I'm staying in the Pan Pacific in Malate, is that near Makati ?
What's it like there ?
Betfair!! Hope your using my other site and making a few grand. Yes Keith it's a great site that you've produced there. I do visit sometimes to read the forums.
My profit from Betfair is paying for this trip so if I can't go out at night, I will just stay in my hotel and get on my computer.
Thanks again all for the advice.
gerry
gm47
12th April 2005, 19:26
Hi All,
Just to say thanks for all the advice and reports that I have read on this site.
I returned from my first trip to the Philippines last weekend, I did enjoy it but didn't find it as tourist friendly like Thailand/Malaysia, by that I mean there wasn't a lot of available info as to where to visit/tours etc and how to get there. Any info at the hotels I had to ask for, there wasn't much.
I did have one very good night in Manila, I had arranged to meet a friend that I had met on a sports site, as I've been mentioned in a few websites for my coaching he arranged for 40 members of his club to meet, play and exchange ideas with me. It was really good, they were all so friendly and welcoming. He got his driver to show me round Manila during the day and then I had a meal with his friends and family til 2am then they drove me back to my hotel. It was really good to be able to speak to locals, it didn't feel like I was in another country as their English was better than mine and our humour was the same.
But Pete was right, there isn't a lot to do when you are travelling alone there, I can see how much better it would be if you had a GF there. I still enjoyed it though it was very hot, even the Filipinos that I met said that even they never get used to the heat.
Also the tip about carrying toilet paper with you came in very handy more than once !! I was feeling great for the first 4 days and thought that I had no problem with the food but then it hit me big time, even after 3 days of antibiotics I still had problems but improved when I decided to stop taking the anti malaria tablets.
Walking round the malls ( I had to get out out of the sun) was more interesting that I thought, there was so many good looking girls albeit a bit too slim for me.
I've never seen so many armed guards everywhere but it did make you feel safe and to honest they were always very polite and helpful and generally didn't do much of a search on me.
I did enjoy my time in Manila and Cebu, the taxi drivers did try and keep the meter off but I just insisted and told them put it on or I get out. One guy tried to scam me with a cheap package deal to Cebu when I was in Manila. he had no business card or office and wanted me to meet him somewhere to pay him in cash, yes of course I'll be there...right !!
When in Cebu I experienced my first ever earth tremor, I was on the 18th floor of the Waterfront hotel when it happened, I thought to myself I haven't been drinking so why is the floor moving, I walked outside of my room to see the floor manager in more of a panic than me, we got down to the lobby in quicktime but it was only a 4 on the Richter scale so nothing to worry about I was told.
They have quite a good casino there and although I never gamble on anything but horses I did try the tables for fun and lost a few hundred £'s which I was prepared to lose just for the experience.
I would visit there again but next time will do more research and travel to more of the islands, 2 weeks wasn't enough to do more than I did. I was treated very well and did get in lots of r & r.
So all in all it was a good experience and something that I would do again but next time I would love to go with someone to meet there. But that's highly unlikely as I'm not sure about these penpal sites and I can't think of any other way of getting into contact.
Thanks again to all for the advice and reports, it all helped to make the trip worthwhile, I found that the Philippines is not much different to Thailand except that the girls are prettier and speak good English. So all the worries that I had were all unnecessary.
By the way Peter, I did ring the phone number that you gave but only got a voice saying something like " this number is unavailable" I did mention it in a post here on the day in case you were checking in while you were there but to no avail. Shame it would have been nice to meet up and I did have a wedding card for you and Gina but that's life !
Gerry
Admin
13th April 2005, 07:19
Glad you enjoyed it.
Did you notice how colourless the place is, with nearly everything being either brown or dirty white. We'll have to have a whip round for some paint!
One of the things for toilet trips in the majority of cases during the first week is jetlag. Your brain can get over it within 3 days, but your stomach can only change an hour a day, and sudden changes (such as suddently eating curries at 4am!) cause digestive problems, as your system is used to being relaxed, and asleep at that time.
Did you enjoy being followed by the staff in the malls shops? That is so unerving, especially for a scoucer :lol:
You'll have to nip over to www.win2winpoker.co.uk for a few lessons on how to skin Filipino's on the poker tables, easy money, but then you feel like a complete git for taking it :blink:
So all in all it was a good experience and something that I would do again but next time I would love to go with someone to meet there. But that's highly unlikely as I'm not sure about these penpal sites and I can't think of any other way of getting into contact.
You have tried the www.filipinouk.com database haven't you? We've already got at least 5 couples getting married, and a good number of others dating, and it's free, and I vet them the best I can.
When I eventually go back, it'll either be Cebu, or well up North.
As for the temperature, it's hotter in Singapore, and I've never had a problem, but then for some reason I've always been able to regulate my body temperature. I used to spend hours fishing in the icy wind off a pier, and while everyone else was freezing, I was fine!
The most important question though is....Where are our presnets? :D :lol:
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