FT Experts Can you help me get to the Philippines?
Nov 25, 2012, 3:30 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
But i really like this girl i have asked her about the place and she says its fine and her 3 brothers will look after me apparently
Nov 25, 2012, 4:44 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Berlin
Programs: Meow Mix
Posts: 1,434
Do not use the jeep at all cost! It is very dangerous if you are not a native. Lots of pick-pocketers, hold-ups (this is what we call it when someone holds a gun to your face and demands everything you have).
On the other hand, I would recommend to visit a jollibee
/AE
Nov 25, 2012, 4:50 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,430
Well, it is the only place in the world one of my colleagues has been robbed in her room. In the Shangri La Makati.... That said I know plenty of people have a safe trip but personally I am not keen. Anywhere with a lax approach to gun control is going to be inherently more dangerous.
Nov 25, 2012, 5:55 am
#35
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
Nov 25, 2012, 5:57 am
#36
Moderator, Trip Reports
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA GS-2MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,715
Fly BlingAir - 1600 quid from CMB in J (ok, you'll need to position yourself to CMB)
Or CX from CMB is also an option (again, you need to position to CMB). It's a steal at 865 quid in J (and you'll earn Aviators - or whatever the hell you BA people call them
) Out on 20 Dec, back on 30 Dec.
Nov 25, 2012, 5:59 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Programs: BAEC Gold [>20k Lifetime TPs] | Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond [as is Mrs PtF] | Various Others
Posts: 6,156
^
??
Nov 25, 2012, 6:11 am
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
Swanhunter you baby! I have been there at least a dozen times this year and I dont think I have ever been worried. Be vigilant - yes. Be paranoid. No.
Fly BlingAir - 1600 quid from CMB in J (ok, you'll need to position yourself to CMB)
Or CX from CMB is also an option (again, you need to position to CMB). It's a steal at 865 quid in J (and you'll earn Aviators - or whatever the hell you BA people call them ) Out on 20 Dec, back on 30 Dec.
Fly BlingAir - 1600 quid from CMB in J (ok, you'll need to position yourself to CMB)
Or CX from CMB is also an option (again, you need to position to CMB). It's a steal at 865 quid in J (and you'll earn Aviators - or whatever the hell you BA people call them
) Out on 20 Dec, back on 30 Dec. but i like the sound of Aviators Thanks for your advice on the flights
Nov 25, 2012, 8:45 am
#40
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
LHR-HKG-MNL is now the fastest and shortest way to the Philippines due to the great circle routing, if you want to enjoy valuable time with your 'mahal?'.
My wife is originally from the Philippines, and for a brief time she was back there whilst I was in the UK. I often flew out BA to HKG, and she'd fly from Manila with Cathay and then we really could maximise a long weekend together.
My wife is originally from the Philippines, and for a brief time she was back there whilst I was in the UK. I often flew out BA to HKG, and she'd fly from Manila with Cathay and then we really could maximise a long weekend together.
Nov 30, 2012, 9:39 am
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
UPDATE!
Thank you to all of you who have helped me with this!
I have booked up today and got an awesome deal i think! nearly went with Emirates from BHX but managed to get the following instead
LHR-HKG Club World 747-400 20-30th return £2002 BARGAIN
My Question is i would love to upgrade the outbound from LHR to First! using Avios? do you think i am dreaming? i will keep checking every day! but are the chances very low for me?
just got to sort out the Hong Kong to Manila flight now
But so far well pleased!
Thanks Again!
Thank you to all of you who have helped me with this!
I have booked up today and got an awesome deal i think! nearly went with Emirates from BHX but managed to get the following instead
LHR-HKG Club World 747-400 20-30th return £2002 BARGAIN
My Question is i would love to upgrade the outbound from LHR to First! using Avios? do you think i am dreaming? i will keep checking every day! but are the chances very low for me?
just got to sort out the Hong Kong to Manila flight now
But so far well pleased!
Thanks Again!
Last edited by Padmeister; Nov 30, 2012 at 9:59 am
Nov 30, 2012, 4:11 pm
#42
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Geordieland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 White, HH Gold, Accor Plat.
Posts: 290
Good on ya Padmeister. ^
I love the Philippines, it's a great place.
I am happy to share my experience of Manila:
I have been several times and despite hearing that it was like the wild west, I have had no problems, IMHO it is certainly no worse than some other cities.
On my first visit, it seemed ok, but i only stayed a day before heading out to Puerto Galera.
On my second visit i stayed a few days and maybe it was where i was but walking out of the hotel and around the corner was not pleasant, I did not hang around enough to find out what might have happened if i loitered and just got off to where i was going.
On my third visit, I stayed in the greenbelt area, there are a few bars there with discreet armed security on the entry points. (westerners walk in and out fine, locals I don't know). I liked it there, very safe feeling, decent bars/food, and of course pretty girls! http://www.manilagateway.com/enterta...greenbelt.html
That said I have drank and eaten around Manila and been fine, trip advisor is probably worth a look.
I am actually back in Manila (via ICN on the looney bus) from the 17th Dec to the 21st, decide this time to stay at the Sofitel (£70ish a night) while I wait for a friend to join me to head down to PG for xmas and new year. The Sofitel looks reasonably close (taxi). (and the points are handy)
All that said, manila is just a big dirty city (not my thing), I always head off from there to somewhere worth diving, PG, Malapascua or similar.
Have a great trip
I love the Philippines, it's a great place.
I am happy to share my experience of Manila:
I have been several times and despite hearing that it was like the wild west, I have had no problems, IMHO it is certainly no worse than some other cities.
On my first visit, it seemed ok, but i only stayed a day before heading out to Puerto Galera.
On my second visit i stayed a few days and maybe it was where i was but walking out of the hotel and around the corner was not pleasant, I did not hang around enough to find out what might have happened if i loitered and just got off to where i was going.
On my third visit, I stayed in the greenbelt area, there are a few bars there with discreet armed security on the entry points. (westerners walk in and out fine, locals I don't know). I liked it there, very safe feeling, decent bars/food, and of course pretty girls! http://www.manilagateway.com/enterta...greenbelt.html
That said I have drank and eaten around Manila and been fine, trip advisor is probably worth a look.
I am actually back in Manila (via ICN on the looney bus) from the 17th Dec to the 21st, decide this time to stay at the Sofitel (£70ish a night) while I wait for a friend to join me to head down to PG for xmas and new year. The Sofitel looks reasonably close (taxi). (and the points are handy)
All that said, manila is just a big dirty city (not my thing), I always head off from there to somewhere worth diving, PG, Malapascua or similar.
Have a great trip
Dec 1, 2012, 2:51 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
Good on ya Padmeister. ^
I love the Philippines, it's a great place.
I am happy to share my experience of Manila:
I have been several times and despite hearing that it was like the wild west, I have had no problems, IMHO it is certainly no worse than some other cities.
On my first visit, it seemed ok, but i only stayed a day before heading out to Puerto Galera.
On my second visit i stayed a few days and maybe it was where i was but walking out of the hotel and around the corner was not pleasant, I did not hang around enough to find out what might have happened if i loitered and just got off to where i was going.
On my third visit, I stayed in the greenbelt area, there are a few bars there with discreet armed security on the entry points. (westerners walk in and out fine, locals I don't know). I liked it there, very safe feeling, decent bars/food, and of course pretty girls! http://www.manilagateway.com/enterta...greenbelt.html
That said I have drank and eaten around Manila and been fine, trip advisor is probably worth a look.
I am actually back in Manila (via ICN on the looney bus) from the 17th Dec to the 21st, decide this time to stay at the Sofitel (£70ish a night) while I wait for a friend to join me to head down to PG for xmas and new year. The Sofitel looks reasonably close (taxi). (and the points are handy)
All that said, manila is just a big dirty city (not my thing), I always head off from there to somewhere worth diving, PG, Malapascua or similar.
Have a great trip
I love the Philippines, it's a great place.
I am happy to share my experience of Manila:
I have been several times and despite hearing that it was like the wild west, I have had no problems, IMHO it is certainly no worse than some other cities.
On my first visit, it seemed ok, but i only stayed a day before heading out to Puerto Galera.
On my second visit i stayed a few days and maybe it was where i was but walking out of the hotel and around the corner was not pleasant, I did not hang around enough to find out what might have happened if i loitered and just got off to where i was going.
On my third visit, I stayed in the greenbelt area, there are a few bars there with discreet armed security on the entry points. (westerners walk in and out fine, locals I don't know). I liked it there, very safe feeling, decent bars/food, and of course pretty girls! http://www.manilagateway.com/enterta...greenbelt.html
That said I have drank and eaten around Manila and been fine, trip advisor is probably worth a look.
I am actually back in Manila (via ICN on the looney bus) from the 17th Dec to the 21st, decide this time to stay at the Sofitel (£70ish a night) while I wait for a friend to join me to head down to PG for xmas and new year. The Sofitel looks reasonably close (taxi). (and the points are handy)
All that said, manila is just a big dirty city (not my thing), I always head off from there to somewhere worth diving, PG, Malapascua or similar.
Have a great trip
I am looking forward to it now! The girl i am meeting actually lives in Quezon City which she says is about an hour from manila Airport!
Its going to be a good Adventure and she is HOT so that will help!
Thanks for your advice and i will check out the "Greenbelt" area with her
I will report back when i get home the end of december!
Thanks Again!
Dec 1, 2012, 4:06 am
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,021
Try to score the Shangri-la; yes, you'll be bombarded by working girls, but the scene is the same at the Intercon, Penn (lady boy central!), and MO. The Shang has the best pool of the four, and is closest to Greenbelt, though all are within walking distance.
Dec 1, 2012, 4:47 am
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
I am sure that will go down well with my girl i am meeting if i am bombarded by working girls
when i am with her 