[etsys]

Originally Posted by Gentle Beast

Apart from that, great tips and updated on pricing etc.

On a separate note, the first time I experienced the night scene in Manila was at the infamous Mabini area back in 1988. I was staying at Bayview Hotel (opp the US Embassy). Back in those days, without Google maps, I flagged a taxi to take me to Mabini. The taxi driver took me for a long ride along the whole Manila Bay before dropping me off. The next morning, when it was bright ... i took a walk around my area, and to my disgust and feeling like a fool (ok, mixed feelings of joy too), Mabini was just round the corner of my hotel.

Guys are so lucky with the internet today.

Had that shit happen to me when I took a taxi from Rivera mansion Malate to LA Cafe Luckily I had a printed map and was wondering what it was .. and driver said too many one way ... I told him - I will give you 300 peso above meter if you get me there NOW, or I will give you no tip !! yes, it was one of those taxis who did run meter instead of arguing.

And 10 minutes i was there, instead of his estimated one hour !!! And I was taking taxi instead of walking as i was scared of streets full of street kids and robberies in malate those days.

And of course, LA Cafe ? memorable, as once they had a brown out and they locked all the doors, as no customer had paid ! Despite offers to pay a rounded UP amount, this is the time Filipinos decide to be honest - and insist they wont take more than the bill ! And make it worse ? Pre-smart phone days, almost every other smoker was holding up his lighter up - to get some light - and my brain was calculating the odds of breaking the steel window grills in the second floor. Especially since this was not too long after the Ozone Club fire !!!

Internet ? Lots of resource now to avoid online and other scams, unlike those days when I was held ransom by taxi, and drama with bakla and all !!

PS, this is the 1 hour estimated travel !! :P

Originally Posted by boymatang

It was good in my opinion, as I was staying in Alabang it seemed to be the most convenient also I am not familiar with Makati. And being my first time I was looking for the easiest option. The only place I’ve been in the Philippines was Angeles City, and that was for a bachelor’s party which was awesome!!! Some how my friends prefer that to Bangkok...

Agreed, if you are short of time, better to head there as less need to troll for fish

PS, another repeat tip for those who take taxis, try to stop taxis which aren't plain white. Those multi colored are company taxis and rarely argue, vs, the pure white ones. Pure white ones are owner taxis, and they want to make money. Colored ones are company and they have some basic salary ... PLUS RICE allowance (yes, Rice allowance is common in PH)