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I'm going to visit my Filipina for the first time in a couple weeks.  I will be meeting her in Manila (where she works) and later go to her hometown to meet the rest of her family in Ormoc.  Is anyone familiar with the LRT in Manila?  Is this a safe means of transportation?  I am staying in a hotel near the airport (Baclaran) and she is at the complete opposite end of Manila (near Monumento).  Will riding the LRT be a risk?  How about in Ormoc?  Is it a reasonable, safe, pleasant place?  Anyone been there that can offer some advice with things I should know about before going to any of these places?  Would appreciate anyone's feedback.  :)  Have a good weekend all.

paul

... in response to Manila LRT and Ormoc City, posted by polliwog22 on Apr 16, 2004

Is it possible to commute from the far ends of Manila in one day??? Perhaps, but the cab driver will ask a lot. Generally I would expect to be charged about 5 times the normal rate without my wife present to argue. I always get an upfront price before I go. Online hotel rates can be real bargains. While in Manila I really like good hotels. Once I'm out of the city you can't beat a good Nipa Hut.
    I was in Ormoc briefly last year and it seemed like a nice spot. The Supercat Ferry ride from Cebu City is senic especially as you pass some of the islands along the way. Have fun!  Bill

... in response to Manila LRT and Ormoc City, posted by polliwog22 on Apr 16, 2004

I think the LRT is as safe as any other form of transportation.  Be careful of pickpockets )but even at that I didn't experience one).

Why aren't you staying closer to her?

Bear

... in response to Re: Manila LRT and Ormoc City, posted by Bear on Apr 16, 2004

I'm not staying closer to her because the hotel that I wanted to stay at for my first time in Manila is the Townhouse hotel, that is near the airport.  I was on the ASAWA forum, and read that a lot of hotels raise their rates on you and such.  It was recommended that first time visitors to Manila stay at a place where this would not happen (such as this hotel).  I talked to the guy who owns it (an American who is married to a filipina) and he gave me so much advice...  Very generous with his time, and help.  Seemed very straightforward.

... in response to Re: Re: Manila LRT and Ormoc City, posted by polliwog22 on Apr 17, 2004

You would be much much better staying near your Mahal. To think that the townhouse hotel is the only good place for a first timer to stay is B.S. You would be much better off in some place like Ermita. The City Garden hotel($40.) is very nice and quite with lots of places to eat also Robinson's mall is within walking distance.
Hum

... in response to Re: Re: Manila LRT and Ormoc City, posted by polliwog22 on Apr 17, 2004

There definately those in RP that will try and rip you off or raise a price, though I don't know about hotels doing it. The cab drivers absolutely will do it! You can avoid 99.99% of those scams just by being with your fiance and letting her do the talking when you get a cab, or a room.

Have fun on your trip!

Ron

... in response to .....hotels raise their rates on you and..., posted by NOX1967 on Apr 17, 2004

In twelve years of traveling the PI I have never had a hotel change the rates while I was staying there. If you have to rely on your Mahal to take care of you and speak for you it's better to just stay home. Once the cab driver knows your not just a dumb Joe you will get along fine.
Hum

... in response to Re: .....hotels raise their rates on you..., posted by Humabdos on Apr 20, 2004

Wrong:
Dumb Joe: “Could you please take me to xxxxx?”
Cabbie: “O.K.”
Dumb Joe: “How much will that cost please?”
Cabbie: “Only five thousand pesos sir.”
Dumb Joe: “Isn’t that a little expensive?”
Cabbie: “Oh, no sir, that’s normal price.”
Dumb Joe: “Could you please turn the meter on?”
Cabbie: “Oh, sorry sir, the meter is broken”
Dumb Joe: “Oh, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”

Correct:
Humabdos: “Take me to xxxxx!”
Cabbie: “O.K.”
Humabdos: “And turn that f$#%&^@ meter on now or I’ll rip it out and shove it up your ass! And don’t even try to tell me it’s broken!”
Cabbie: “Yes sir! Right away sir.”

:-)

... in response to From The "Who-Mob-Dose?" Phili..., posted by Ray on Apr 20, 2004

You're too funny, Ray.  I think you were going over the edge there.  You don't really have to be that harsh, do you?  I mean, if they say some ridiculous amount, I'll just say that's way too much, and start to walk away.  I don't think I'm dumb Joe.  I mean, who would pay 5000 Pesos for a cab ride?  That's like US $100!  I was told to expect to pay around 200-300 pesos for a car, and a driver, per hour.  So if the cab ride is going to take an hour, I'd just assume find a car and a driver that would take me wherever for that price.

... in response to From The "Who-Mob-Dose?" Phili..., posted by Ray on Apr 20, 2004

I don't start yelling and cussing until they start with the B.S.

The one that pisses me off the most is when they agree on the Price but then change their mind halfway there!

Hum: City Garden Hotel please
Cabbie: How much you pay Joe?
Hum: P50 Dodong
Cabbie: Ok Joe
Half way there the cabbie said: You pay me P300 Joe.
Hum: ANO?
Cabbie: Yes traffic very bad Joe.
Hum: HaHaHa

We arrive at Hotel I get my bags out and give them to the doorman/guard. Then give the Cabbie P50
Cabbie: NO NO NO Joe you give P300!
I throw the P50 in the front seat and tell the guard the cabbie is trying to rip me off then go inside.
Later I tip the Doorman/guard P20 and tell him thanks.
Hum

... in response to Re: Re: Manila LRT and Ormoc City, posted by polliwog22 on Apr 17, 2004

"lot of hotels raise their rates on you and such"

Bill and Lorna's place is great if you want to be VERY near the airport at a low rate, but you can book a hotel anywhere in greater Manila online at a LOWER rate than walk-in.

Commuting in Manila royally sucks- think New York squared. You DON'T want to breath that air, believe me- you will need a shower when you get where you are going. And you WILL be a mark traveling alone.

Just Google 'Manila hotel'. Here's one place:

http://www.asiatravel.com/philippines.html