sydneyjohn57

When I left a couple of weeks ago from terminal 1 there was no undue delay, but I always am there at least 4 hours before my flight as it normally leaves at 8pm and hotel checkout is noon. So I waste some time nearby the hotel and the rest at airport

@Stealth007 it is only 2-3 minutes walk from P Burgos and short taxi/grab fare from Greenbelt. Walk up Kalayaan and next intersection is Kalayaan and P Burgos with Mixed Nuts/ midget boxing building on the corner. Wak down Makati Ave past City Gardens on corner of Durban street then up Durban to Oxford Suites on corner of P Burgos. I chose it because for years I have seen the hole in the ground which they finally started building on 2-3 years ago and I have stayed at the other 2 corner hotels just after they opened. Price was about US$125 per night for room I had, wifi and service were excellent

The last place I stayed in my recent trip was the new hotel on corner of Makati & Kalayaan Aves called I'M Hotel. It has soft opening in December and is now fully opened. There are 3 hotels on that intersection and I have now stayed at each one within 6 months of their Grand Opening (I'M Hotel, City Gardens Grand and St Giles). The hotel has an interesting pool which is located above the entrance driveway and has a see through bottom so you can look from pool to driveway below and from driveway into the pool.

@Stealth007 you will enjoy it. I did see the owner's father (Gerard Heinen Snr) a couple of times. He was arranging slight changes here and there to make the place a bit better. I also understand that he originally owned and may still own Kokomos and rented it out. The family also own Fields Plaza suites and I did hear that they are the ones building the place next to Phillies. If so it will be a top class venue

Looks great. what is the condo's name? I look forward to your report on it as it may be the place to book for my next trip to Cebu

hotel pics:

From May 6 to to May 10 inclusive I stayed at the ABC hotel in Angeles. I opted for the Aqua suite for the 5 nights at $US140 per night. ( You may be wondering why a tight ass like me is splurging ... well I had given myself permission to indulge after spending the last few weeks arranging mother's funeral etc... so hair (what is left) was let down for the week) Room pics:

@duke007 it has become my go to hotel in Makati for a while now, this time, however, I upgraded to the junior suite rather than the Deluxe that I usually book. Its in the right place, is the right price and has always been good service.

I stayed in Best Western Oxford Suites, Cnr Durban & P Burgos Sts, Makati from May 3 to May 5. This time I selected the junior suite and was on 11th floor. It is a largish curved room facing P Burgos St with not much traffic noise. However, as Friday was Cinco de Mayo the bar across the street which is Mexican themed was in party mode and Duban St was closed off for partying so it wasn't until early hours before I went to bed.

Pics from Midnight:

Pics from 7.45pm

It just so happened that I had booked into the ABC Hotel on May 6 for five nights unaware of the Grand Opening of the Aqua Beach Club that weekend. They had doubled the entry fee for the weekend but luckily hotel guests had free reign. A female partner was free, however, they charged lb at male price. On the Saturday night I had a look in just before 8pm and there was a sprinkling of people and then returned at midnight and the place was rocking along, tables were still available but the crowd mostly were male and did not appear to be many single ladies around at all. During my stay I went to the club a number of times during afternoon and evening and there were always a fair number of people enjoying the sun, music and atmosphere. San Miguel Light on tap was costing 120php

Stealth, I note that you have posted your travel advice from the Australian government Smart Traveller site. It is a great site which I check for whichever country I am about to travel to and I suggest everyone here check it in conjunction with your own country's foreign affairs websites prior to making any travel plans anywhere

when i was in Angeles in November, Queens Hotel wasn't available to book online and when I was there it was covered in scaffolding so am glad it is open again... a very nice place to stay.... look forward to further details of your trip

Hey Stealth, 5 weeks are up so I am guessing you are either on your way or already in PI. Have a great time, looking forward to your reports. During Sinulog you will likely come across a lot of ladyboys in the parades. If you come across a group called Repos Angels make sure you say hello as they do a lot of work fundraising and doing community work for the needy in Cebu. Also a good place to have dinner and do some ladyboy watching is from the Terraces in Ayala centre. I was there a few years ago having dinner with a long time lb friend (who is also associated with Repos Angels) and every now and then she was saying hello to others who were walking past. Cheers

Bretto's is showing in street view under it's previous name of Paradise Beer Garden. When in AC early November there were only 2 or 3 ladyboys inside when I visited with most congregating outside Phillies. The article in Philippines Red Cat is a general summary, you may note that 2 of the girls in the video appear in my trip reports 'March in the Philippines'. I note,however, the article's first pic is actually taken outside Makati Palace Hotel in Manila!!!!

Merry Christmas to all. Just a few pics from last trip This is 24 y.o Jessie Vier Baruman who I found on Pina Love and facebook. Lovely girl, good conversationalist. Very feminine looking small titties with a small package. Lives in Makati. We had dinner and drinks and she happily accepted 1500 php. Shy in front of camera Next from Angeles is 'Princess' from Fields Ave. Pleasant young thing of about 21 nice package, more feminine. Find her on facebook Jham Villamor. Short time 1000 php also wanted a tip ... nothing new there. Yet another shy one in the photo, refused full naked shot. Finally we come to 'Crystal' another Fields Ave find. Not the prettiest but good sense of humour nice package which is in working order. Shy in front of camera until I gave her the mask to wear. Long time for 1000 php plus 200 'taxi fare' Apologies for the delay... hope you all have a great Christmas.

@Stealth007, sorry for late reply. I have been and returned, however, whilst there laptop decided it didn't want to connect to internet at all (conflict with anti virus). I have not had a chance to give a trip report or pics as yet, due to work load, a few friends deciding to depart this mortal coil, having some skin cancers sliced out and life in general. Trip was good, met up with some old friends and bedded 3 new ones.. hopefully a more detailed report or at least pics will follow in next few weeks as life returns to some sort of normality

Time has permitted me another sojourn to the shores of the Philippines to see the dentist about tooth broken as described in aforementioned report. I hope to be able to meet up with some old acquaintances as well as expand my circle of friends whilst there. Initially staying in Makati for a few days as I arrive before a couple of public holidays I hope again to visit the girls on the avenue -- Fields Ave

I recently took the Victory liner from Pasay to Dau, the bus was going to Olongapo with Dau as the first drop off. Bus had Olongapo as destination above windscreen but had Dau placard in window on dash in front of driver. Cost 150 which included bag in the hold. Trike should cost 100 -150. From airport the coupon taxis are white wagons with set price to destination, the Yellow are metered. For a standard white meter taxi you will either have to go upstairs to departures or exit airport to get one. (Edit of post..Sorry I was referring to terminal 1 for white meter taxi,, as I have not arrived at terminal 2 I am not sure of their location)

Thanks Lance, As a filipina said to me many many years ago... the most lucrative business in the Philippines is politics

hmmmmm seems Aussie humour is still yet to be appreciated outside our little island

I do apologise for the spelling error, sir. I wasn't aware that a spelling error in the forum needs to be called out. Please note that I use Australian English so the word 'apologise' is spelt correctly in my country. Also 'spelt' is an Australian English spelling of a word which in US English is 'spelled'. I will take more care in future.

Lance, Unfortunately I did not see this thread prior to my trip, most informative. Whilst I was there I was having dinner one night at Kokomos and a Harley riding American expat sat next to me on the rail and we chatted about a number of topics but he happened to mention that the government is spending billions of peso to create a new city in the proximity of Clarke airport. I did notice last year when traveling by bus from Angeles to Barrio Barreta that there were a number of hospitals being built on the outskirts of the airport and the expat was saying that they will be building a complete city to house millions of people. As a local are you able to shed any light on what is happening and if any of the funds will be used to tidy up Fields and evirons which is starting to look very jaded with pavements with missing pieces, roads with pot holes and just general neglect despite I would think millions being paid to local government by bar/restaurant/hotel/resort owners etc?

Thanks Rickshaw, I will ask at reception for my next stay