Your Manila experience [Archive]

walesrob

6th September 2005, 21:47

Philip

6th September 2005, 22:25

Originally posted by walesrob@Sep 6 2005, 08:47 PM
My first impression of Manila is of chaos, chaos, chaos.

If your a white person in Manila, you are automatically American :angry: and have lots of money.

I'm sure others will agree when I say that the least time spent in Manila, the better!
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Hmm, maybe a scotland t-shirt might help. Everyone loves the scots, except of course the english!!! :D

Pauldo

7th September 2005, 07:14

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 6 2005, 08:31 PM
For those of you who have spent time in Manila, what were your experiences of the vast city?

Any particular must do's, dont's and must have's?

Did being with your gf/fiance/wife keep thieves etc away or did it attract more attention from such people?

Just looking for some accounts of people's first time in Manila, the good and the bad.
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First impression: Looks like the second world war ended yesterday. Out of the plane window it looks like 1000 acres of filthy corrugated iron roofing. Your girlfriend should be able to fend off most con men, but she will still be expected to pay 'foreigners price' for anything you buy together.

My advice
1, Don't go to the seedy areas, or down scummy looking back streets. (And boy, you'll see plenty of those).
2, Dress down, not 'expensive'. Jeans and a T shirt are okay, or shorts are better, because it is a festering sweat hole most of the year. No big jewellry.
3, Don't carry a camera/video bag, or anything similar that looks 'snatchable'. If you go into any big shopping centre/store you will have to leave your bags with security at the door. They can disappear.
4, Keep Mr. wallet in a front pocket, not poking invitingly out of a rear pocket, or top pocket. Better still, just carry cash in smaller notes if possible. 500s and 1000s are hard to change in many places.
5, Don't carry any more money than you can afford to lose.
6, Take taxis everywhere, they are dirt cheap. Agree a price first, unless they will turn the meter on.
7,Tip around 15/20% on most things, like restaurants etc. It's peanuts, but makes the day of the person serving you. They probably earn £3 a day tops normally.
8, Don't give to crowds of kiddie beggers, as they'll tag you for a soft touch and follow you around. Just tell them sternly to get lost.
9, In short, treat it like any other big 3rd world city.

10, Don't be paranoid :( I've been in Manila hundreds of times, drunk, sober, alone, with my wife, never had a problem, but then I look poor :rolleyes: It's no worse than many other cities, maybe even safer than some.

Admin

7th September 2005, 09:04

Just tell them sternly to get lost.
I was a little more 'scouse' with my choice of words :lol:

11) When crossing the road....PRAY!

Pauldo

7th September 2005, 09:11

Originally posted by admin@Sep 7 2005, 09:04 AM

11) When crossing the road....PRAY!
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It never ceased to amaze me: A Filipino would step out blindly in front of my 50mph American 'tank', wave a hand slightly to indicate they were wanting me to stop, then give me a disgusting scowl as my brakes and tyres screeched in agony of slowing two tons of car to let the retard cross :angry: :angry: :angry:

I fitted very loud horns, and a micro switch on the steering wheel, right near my thumb, so I didn't even have to move my hand to beep at retards every fifteen seconds :lol: That scared the sh1t outta them on a regular basis :D

Philip

7th September 2005, 14:54

Hmmm, you're not selling this place very well eh! :P

What about carrying a small camera, I dont like the idea of it being on show whilst walking about, so perhaps a small ruck sack type bag would be ok? Handy for carrying toilet roll as well I guess. :D

More q's!!!

Is a mosquito net needed in a hotel? I'll more than likely be staying at the lotus gardens hotel in ermita.

Damn, it's getting so close to my visit, woohoooo!!! :o B)

Admin

7th September 2005, 18:26

I don't think are any mosquitos in the Philippines, now.....they've eaten them all :P

Pauldo

7th September 2005, 19:21

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 7 2005, 02:54 PM
Hmmm, you're not selling this place very well eh! :P

What about carrying a small camera, I dont like the idea of it being on show whilst walking about, so perhaps a small ruck sack type bag would be ok? Handy for carrying toilet roll as well I guess. :D

More q's!!!

Is a mosquito net needed in a hotel? I'll more than likely be staying at the lotus gardens hotel in ermita.

Damn, it's getting so close to my visit, woohoooo!!! :o B)
Quoted post

Carry a small camera by all means, I'll allow you that much ;) :D
Why would you be carrying toilet roll around the streets with you?

Mosquito net? Naaaah. If you get 'em in your hotel room get the staff to give it a spray round with bug spray in the late afternoon.
You might want to take a small tube/spray of mozzy repellent if you are going wandering in the evenings, as the pesky little critters tend to dig into your ankles if they get the chance, but you're not going to catch malaria, just itch like buggery for a bit.

What are your plans when you get out of the airport? Just going to jump a cab, or have you arranged transport from the hotel to collect you? If you have no plans you're far better to go get an airport taxi, booked in the airport, rather than do battle with the private cowboys who'll be trying to haul you in.

Philip

7th September 2005, 20:03

Originally posted by Pauldo@Sep 7 2005, 06:21 PM
Carry a small camera by all means, I'll allow you that much ;) :D
Why would you be carrying toilet roll around the streets with you?

Mosquito net? Naaaah. If you get 'em in your hotel room get the staff to give it a spray round with bug spray in the late afternoon.
You might want to take a small tube/spray of mozzy repellent if you are going wandering in the evenings, as the pesky little critters tend to dig into your ankles if they get the chance, but you're not going to catch malaria, just itch like buggery for a bit.

What are your plans when you get out of the airport? Just going to jump a cab, or have you arranged transport from the hotel to collect you? If you have no plans you're far better to go get an airport taxi, booked in the airport, rather than do battle with the private cowboys who'll be trying to haul you in.
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I read that malls etc dont have toilet paper in their cubicles!? :blink:

My gf's meeting me off the plane, she says we'll just get a cab outside, but i'd prefer to have something pre booked, I dunno!?

As for mosquito's , I've got a lotion and anti malaria pills that i've to take for about two months. You guys never bothered with this? :o

Questions, questions, questions!!!

Pauldo

7th September 2005, 21:38

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 7 2005, 08:03 PM
I read that malls etc dont have toilet paper in their cubicles!? :blink:

My gf's meeting me off the plane, she says we'll just get a cab outside, but i'd prefer to have something pre booked, I dunno!?

As for mosquito's , I've got a lotion and anti malaria pills that i've to take for about two months. You guys never bothered with this? :o

Questions, questions, questions!!!
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Malaria tabs? Naaah, not in Manila. In fact I've never used them in asia, though there are places it's advisable to take them. Don't think the PI is one though. Best to keep the critters at bay than fight against a bug you're unlikely to catch, and the most types of malaria tabs are not exactly good for you anyway :blink:

Most public toilets will have a guy or girl outside who'll sell you 'tissues' to use inside, or they will be spotless and well equipped anyway.

Which brings us neatly to our next topic: The dribbly $hits :D
Chances are you will get this at some stage if it is your first time in the orient. Take a pack of Lomatil with you, and just pop a tab or two if you suffer from the runs. They will bung you up long enough for your system to sort itself out.

It's very unlikely that you'll actually get food poisoning, so don't get paranoid and start throwing antibiotics down your neck, though there are plenty of Filipino doctors who thrive on administering them for any ailment you have.

As I mentioned, the proper airport taxis are just as good as arranging a ride in beforehand, though you may find the hotel will collect you for free.

For aorport taxi you pay in advance at the kiosk or office, and just tip the driver a bit when you arrive.There are a bunch of desks just inside the airport if you arrive at the old Ninoy Aquino hovel, and little taxi 'offices' just outside the doors, to the left, if you arrive at the new terminal.

Admin

8th September 2005, 09:23

Most people get the craps, not due to the food, which the majority blame, but's it actually the sudden change in time difference that upsets your bodies normal routine.

Best way round this is to adjust 1 hour every 2 weeks, 2 months before you go, you then only have to adjust 3/4 hours, and this does not effect the body anywhere near as much as 7/8+ hours.

peterdavid

8th September 2005, 11:12

Originally posted by Pauldo@Sep 7 2005, 08:38 PM
Malaria tabs? Naaah, not in Manila. In fact I've never used them in asia, though there are places it's advisable to take them. Don't think the PI is one though. Best to keep the critters at bay than fight against a bug you're unlikely to catch, and the most types of malaria tabs are not exactly good for you anyway :blink:

Seconded.

Most public toilets will have a guy or girl outside who'll sell you 'tissues' to use inside, or they will be spotless and well equipped anyway.

Where have you been then? Most ones I've seen are rubbish, including SM malls, they stink dreadfully. Only decent toilets I've found are in Greenbelt 3.

Which brings us neatly to our next topic: The dribbly $hits :D
Chances are you will get this at some stage if it is your first time in the orient.
Amazingly, I never suffered this. Don't know why. But then I did steer clear of sh1tty little street stalls with unrefrigerated chicken for sale, and basically any place that wasn't at least approaching western standards of hygiene. (ie, avoid buying the rancid meat from the SM supermarkets - if it stinks like it's beenleft in the sun for three days before being sold, then it probably has been).

It's very unlikely that you'll actually get food poisoning, so don't get paranoid and start throwing antibiotics down your neck, though there are plenty of Filipino doctors who thrive on administering them for any ailment you have.

So very true....

Pauldo

8th September 2005, 12:47

Originally posted by admin@Sep 8 2005, 09:23 AM
Best way round this is to adjust 1 hour every 2 weeks, 2 months before you go, you then only have to adjust 3/4 hours, and this does not effect the body anywhere near as much as 7/8+ hours.
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That's okay as long as you don't have a job to go to every day :D

I usually just grin and bare it. Jet lag is just a bit of tiredness afterall, and you'll adjust automatically. Sleeping in late is nigh on impossible when the morning chorus of Jeepneys and trucks takes over outside your hotel window B)

First morning in Manila you'll probably be raring to get out and look about, but take it easy as the heat will probably knock the holy out of you. Course, a little afternoon siesta with that certain someone will make everything alright.... :D ;)

Oh, how I wish I were in your shoes, on my first trip to Manila again. December '93 was my first visit. I arrived at midnight, and was still drinking at 7am, down Manila yacht club, with some expat businessman I'd met in a bar in the Makati bars. Ahhh, nostalgia :D :D :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :lol:

walesrob

8th September 2005, 13:13

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I never got food poisioning or attack of the sh&ts while in Philippines, maybe it cause I always ate out at the well known branded places like MacDo, Shakeys or Chow King....and with jetlag its worse coming back to the UK, add to that the depressing weather, its sooooo nice to be home, but I usually feel better within 7 days.

Philip

8th September 2005, 21:51

So you really dont think I should bother with the 7 week course of malaria tablets? For a start, my gf wont have taken any of this, so it seems a tad silly for me!?

I did some searching which brought up contradictory advice regarding the risks. I'll be in Manila, and Batangas, both urban.

The mosquito lotion, spraying the room and maybe a net, depending on the place, should be enough?

I really dont like the idea of gulping down so many pills!!! :blink:

andypaul

9th September 2005, 00:23

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 8 2005, 09:51 PM
So you really dont think I should bother with the 7 week course of malaria tablets? For a start, my gf wont have taken any of this, so it seems a tad silly for me!?

I did some searching which brought up contradictory advice regarding the risks. I'll be in Manila, and Batangas, both urban.

The mosquito lotion, spraying the room and maybe a net, depending on the place, should be enough?

I really dont like the idea of gulping down so many pills!!! :blink:
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i would also sugest you have a small tube of bite cream and/or this little device i got last time from boots.
It gave out a tiny electrical pulse, so if you got bitten you zapped yourself near the bite a few times. It stops you itching the bite, which is the worse thing to do.

Your girlfriend will be adminstering alcohol on any bites or cuts you get, as in tropical areas you need to pay just a little more attention to keeping a bite or cut clean. Nothing to worry about, but just something to keep in mind.

One of the most effective ways of keeping mossies away is moving air, fans,aircon etc. Which are most welcome to us Brits, when in phill most of the time. In fact i seem to be shivering more times on a vist to phill than i do in the winter in uk. As the wife, Family,shop keepers, van drivers automatically turn on to max or point the fan or aircon on you.

Pauldo

9th September 2005, 07:59

Originally posted by andypaul@Sep 9 2005, 12:23 AM
One of the most effective ways of keeping mossies away is moving air, fans,aircon etc. Which are most welcome to us Brits, when in phill most of the time. In fact i seem to be shivering more times on a vist to phill than i do in the winter in uk. As the wife, Family,shop keepers, van drivers automatically turn on to max or point the fan or aircon on you.
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Why do they feel we all want to freeze, or have our eyes blown out by a blasting 24" fan three feet from our head? :D Then if you mention you're a teensy weensy touch cold, they'll turn it right off and open a bloody window. Don't these people know 'moderation'?

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I never got food poisioning or attack of the sh&ts while in Philippines, maybe it cause I always ate out at the well known branded places like MacDo, Shakeys or Chow King..
To be honest, where else could you eat, as most street food is the sort of garbage stuff you wouldn't feed your dog? :huh:

The Philippines is an anomaly compared to the rest of asia. All the other countries in the region have great street food, great nibblies, but the Philippines serves up greasy, fatty, grissley cold trash.

When I first visited the PI I went to Mabini one morning, my second morning in town I think, and sat down to an assorted plate full of street food, and I nearly threw up:
Solid chunks of fat in a greasy sauce, slivers of hairy skin, in a greasy sauce, lumps of some rubbery meat, in a greasy sauce, and all served totally stone cold!

Some of their meals are delicious, when cooked with quality ingredients, and served warm, but most of Filipinos actually seem to prefer the garbage quality dustbin-bottom version.

Admin

9th September 2005, 09:36

You sound like me Paul, I found very little things good about the place while I was over there, and strangely....nor did the wife! :blink:

Joey

9th September 2005, 12:33

Originally posted by Pauldo@Sep 9 2005, 02:59 AM
When I first visited the PI I went to Mabini one morning, my second morning in town I think, and sat down to an assorted plate full of street food, and I nearly threw up:
Solid chunks of fat in a greasy sauce, slivers of hairy skin, in a greasy sauce, lumps of some rubbery meat, in a greasy sauce, and all served totally stone cold!

Some of their meals are delicious, when cooked with quality ingredients, and served warm, but most of Filipinos actually seem to prefer the garbage quality dustbin-bottom version.
Quoted post

I always avoided that kind of street food. I stick with the barbecue stands that cook chicken or pork (?) while you waited. It was always good. There was a small restaurant in Olongapo called Mabuhay Kain Dito. It was an excellent version of street food that was still hot, minus the greasy, fatty, rubbery stuff. At a much nicer restaurant in the same town, I ate a chicken burrito that had some not quite cooked chicken. I spent that night on the crapper...

Admin

9th September 2005, 13:33

I was lucky, the wifes family cooked all my food, so never ate out.

peterdavid

10th September 2005, 13:44

Originally posted by Pauldo@Sep 9 2005, 06:59 AM
Why do they feel we all want to freeze, or have our eyes blown out by a blasting 24" fan three feet from our head? :D Then if you mention you're a teensy weensy touch cold, they'll turn it right off and open a bloody window. Don't these people know 'moderation'?
To be honest, where else could you eat, as most street food is the sort of garbage stuff you wouldn't feed your dog? :huh:

The Philippines is an anomaly compared to the rest of asia. All the other countries in the region have great street food, great nibblies, but the Philippines serves up greasy, fatty, grissley cold trash.

When I first visited the PI I went to Mabini one morning, my second morning in town I think, and sat down to an assorted plate full of street food, and I nearly threw up:
Solid chunks of fat in a greasy sauce, slivers of hairy skin, in a greasy sauce, lumps of some rubbery meat, in a greasy sauce, and all served totally stone cold!

Some of their meals are delicious, when cooked with quality ingredients, and served warm, but most of Filipinos actually seem to prefer the garbage quality dustbin-bottom version.
Quoted post

So true, so true. How can one country actually CHOOSE to eat that way.

I laughed out loud when I saw a thai restaurant in Glorietta actively trying to get customers in by telling them "we do not cook our meals spicy here". In which cases, what's the point of going to a thai restaurant?!?!?

Since she met me and I opened my wife's eyes up to real food, now that she's actually been able to properly sample the lot (not just Pizza Hut and Wendy's), I mean English pub fayre, Indian, Chinese, Thai, etc, she too agrees that filipino food is just bottom of the trash can rubbish.

You can't really expect a decent cuisine from a country which finds pigs ears, chicken bottoms and duck embryo balute a delicacy. Honestly, my dog would turn his nose up at that lot (well, except the pig's ear), whereas over there he'd be the main course.

Anyone see in the papers the other year the wedding reception (can't remember where, visayas or mindanao somewhere, not Luzon) where the hosts served up a BBQ'd HUMAN?!?!?

Sometimes, it's an utterly different world.

JustSomeGuy

10th September 2005, 16:57

I didn't find anything in Manila that i wouldn't eat, i found the food to be great, admittedly i only had the one balute, but it tasted ok just need to not think about what you are eating to much :-) and of course it needs a little salt.

The pigs brains and ears were quite nice too, a little chewy in places. but very tasty. and as for the huge prawns they are fantastic....crabs great, pork tasty, beef great, chicken lovely, and of course tons of rice.
Well when in Rome....

Jeepy's were good to ride in, the (motor) trike thingies quite useful, FX's dead handy shame about the 'damn foreigner, stealing our women/jobs etc' type comments from the back :-) just expect to get stared at.... i would avoid the older cycle trike things as sometimes they have ermm problems with two people in the sidecar :-) they still try just start to get a bit tried quickly :-)

As for mossies they like eating my feet at night, even if the aircon is on, i found one of them plugin killers did the job. (never did find where they came from)

Oh and a hat you may stand out like a sore thumb, but no point advertising yourself at night from to great a distance.

Dave,

Philip

30th September 2005, 10:56

I leave for Manila on Tuesday, wish me luck!!!

Joey

30th September 2005, 13:00

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 30 2005, 05:56 AM
I leave for Manila on Tuesday, wish me luck!!!
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Luck!

walesrob

30th September 2005, 13:20

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 30 2005, 10:56 AM
I leave for Manila on Tuesday, wish me luck!!!
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Good luck! Elsa and I will be there in late October..

Pauldo

30th September 2005, 14:21

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 30 2005, 10:56 AM
I leave for Manila on Tuesday, wish me luck!!!
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Good luck mate.

The settlement application for my mum in law goes in this week, so hopefully I'll be over there before xmas to collect her. But I ain't holding my breath.... :(

Philip

30th September 2005, 16:03

Originally posted by Pauldo@Sep 30 2005, 01:21 PM
Good luck mate.

The settlement application for my mum in law goes in this week, so hopefully I'll be over there before xmas to collect her. But I ain't holding my breath.... :(
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Thanks!

Hmmm, mother in law's and christmas, you're actually wishing for this?

:P

seriously though, hope all goes smoothly for that application!

Pauldo

30th September 2005, 21:28

Originally posted by manila bound@Sep 30 2005, 04:03 PM
Thanks!

Hmmm, mother in law's and christmas, you're actually wishing for this?

:P

seriously though, hope all goes smoothly for that application!
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I try to see it more like: "free live in baby sitter, nanny and maid, and someone to keep the wife busy while I spend 10 hours a day in my workshop with my hot rod"
:D :D :D

Plus, I get to go to the PI for a week, on my own, when she needs collecting ;) :rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Pburgess68/Morris/Nearlythere6.jpg

Admin

30th September 2005, 21:30

Makes my dads Morris Minor look new :o

Pauldo

30th September 2005, 21:40

Originally posted by admin@Sep 30 2005, 09:30 PM
Makes my dads Morris Minor look new :o
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71 years old last month :D

Philip

22nd October 2005, 00:00

I returned this afternoon, many thanks for the tips about the do's and dont's in manila etc...

A lovely two weeks spent with my gf in manila and batangas. love sick, sunburnt and tired, great stuff!!! :D

I wasn't expecting to feel so sad just now, I miss her so much already!!! Got lots of wonderful pics though, lots of great memories, hopefully there will be lots more to come...

I'm planning a return visit in May, maybe before, if I can scrape together the money quick enough.

Anyway, cheers folks!

Admin

22nd October 2005, 09:47

Become a pro-gambler, you can go when you like then :)

MrSweden

2nd November 2005, 10:29

Hi everyone and greeetings from sweden :)
My gf says manila is hell, yesterday she and her mom was waiting at the local airport to fly home to pagadian city.
She did not sleep any cause the security guards was sleeping also and she was afraid someone would snitch her luggage.
I have not been in philippines at all myself yet, we meet online and she just went home after a 6 month visit at my place, gonna apply for residence permit now and so on.

Stay safe everyone

MrSweden (found this forum trough google :P )