Manila

Where to go, where to stay and why you should reconsider!

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daffodil
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Manila

Post by daffodil » 16th Jul, '08, 20:14

Heading to Manila for work in early September and wondering if it's worth staying on for a few extra days for a look around. I believe it's the middle of the monsson season?

Not been before - any suggestions as to what to do /see over a weekend there? Or recommendations for a nice place to chillout for a couple of days.
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Lichtgestalt
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Re: Manila

Post by Lichtgestalt » 16th Jul, '08, 20:48

Been there a couple of times and according to my Filipino colleagues the only thing worth seing is an old Fort which you can do in 2 hours or so. A friend of mine stayed over the weekend and he said they were bored on Saturday afternoon onwards. There might be shopping opportunities though... oh... and if you are interested in sleazy bars you will like it. There is a nice place to dive (Anilao) which is a 2 or 3 hour car ride away from Manila. Pretty much nothing to do unless diving so it's a quiet place. Why not take a domestic flight to one of the islands? nOt sure about the monsoon season though

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Re: Manila

Post by daffodil » 16th Jul, '08, 21:21

Not sounding too appealing thus far.

Which of the islands would be the best if taking that option? Not interested in diving though.
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Re: Manila

Post by Lichtgestalt » 16th Jul, '08, 22:32

daffodil wrote:Not sounding too appealing thus far.

Which of the islands would be the best if taking that option? Not interested in diving though.
Dunno about the islands, only ever been either to Manila, Anilao (diving) and Subic Bay (shithole but good for diving)

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Re: Manila

Post by Fat Bob » 16th Jul, '08, 23:04

Not sure it's got the higher star resorts, or certainly not the places I've been. Still nice, but that's cos I enjoy the diving and use the hotel to sleep in and eat and drink.
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Re: Manila

Post by daffodil » 17th Jul, '08, 05:56

Thanks both, looks like I'll be heading straight back home as doesn't sound appealing.

And I'm not going to even ask about my trip to Bangalore then.... ;)
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Re: Manila

Post by Lichtgestalt » 17th Jul, '08, 06:00

daffodil wrote:And I'm not going to even ask about my trip to Bangalore then.... ;)
Enjoy the business class lounge in Bangalore.... if they have one by now [smilie=w00t.gif]

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Re: Manila

Post by canuck » 17th Jul, '08, 06:16

Manila is very unappealing, you can hop a plane to borocay for a couple of days tho. Air Asia I think flies direct.

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Re: Manila

Post by Morrolan » 17th Jul, '08, 06:57

Manila is a shit hole that every colleague i have tries to avoid like the plague. and that includes the one married to someone from there...

reckong even EPY would consider it worse than KL. ;)

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Re: Manila

Post by Snaffled » 17th Jul, '08, 08:16

Manila isn't the nicest city, but any area you've never been to before is always worth exploring a bit. Stay a few days, ask your colleagues what you should do and let them be your guide. Or ask hotel concierge when you arrive what to do - whether to stay in Manila, or take a trip to the rice terraces etc. Failing that, fly to Boracay which is a nice island (if I remember, you fly to Cataclan, and get a small boat over).
I'd suggest similar for Bangalore - spend a few days, get a guide and explore it. Come one .. where's your sense of adventure?!
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Re: Manila

Post by daffodil » 17th Jul, '08, 08:22

I'd rather spend my precious leave time in somewhere that I think I'd at least like and when one's Manila colleagues advise to get out of there as soon as possible, I'll be giving it a miss.

Bangalore should be fine - have some great colleagues there who have already planned my itinerary well past the working hours! :D
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Re: Manila

Post by Kooky » 7th Nov, '09, 17:58

So if one were to actually want to go to Boracay, where would one stay?

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Re: Manila

Post by BoD » 7th Nov, '09, 19:37

White Beach somewhere, but not the dives that I have stayed at
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Re: Manila

Post by canuck » 7th Nov, '09, 20:20

depends on what you can iive with, I stayed at watercolours (around boat station 1), place was ok, clean rooms, nice staff, foam mattress ... but the music from just up the beach thumps through the walls until 3 am, if you can live with that it is ok.
don't know if there is anywhere without a bar trying to attract drinkers

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Re: Manila

Post by daffodil » 10th Nov, '09, 10:15

Kooky wrote:So if one were to actually want to go to Boracay, where would one stay?
http://www.discoveryshoresboracay.com/home.php :P
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