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I'm going to the Philippines

Discussion in 'Travel Tips and Advice' started by ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012.

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  1. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    Yes, on March I will be flying from London Heathrow to Malaysia and then to Manila. Im going to stay there for around two weeks in Makati. Good i dont need any transit visa and visa to stay in Philippines..
    http://philippines.visahq.co.uk/
    Do I need malaria tablets and rabies vaccs in Manila (she lives in Manila)? I'm going to stay there for the whole time, wont be going to any rural regions.. Is typhoid common there? Me and my girlfriend got along so well that i decided to give it a go.. We live only once:)
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012
    #1
  2. Micawber
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    Micawber Renowned Lifetime Member

    Is this your first visit to Philippines?
    Micawber, Feb 17, 2012
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  3. Aromulus
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    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    Yes, no need for a visa to go to Phil, authomatically you are given a 21 days stamp. Whatever happens make sure you depart by the day stated.

    Regardless of where you may be staying, I always recommend a full course of jabs, and anti malaria tablets.
    Proguanol and Chloroquinin are the best out there, with minimal side effects or none at all, and Boots used to sell it over the counter. In this case 1 pack is more than adeguate, as it would contain the right amount for your limited stay and the week after you are back.

    Don't drink anything with ice cubes in it, don't try your luck with street food, and always carry some imodium in your luggage, just in case....
    Don't be too showy with your possessions, and don't flash the cash... Let your girlfriend do the bartering and if you have to do it with a taxi driver, always halve what the other guy wants and if he doesn't accept move away and he will relent as 50% of something is better than 0% of nothing... But insist on using the meter if there is one on board.

    Oh...........
    Carry a throw away wallet with old cards, ie AA, tesco, RAC and old expired bank cards and a few pesos in it.
    In case of mugging give them that and they will disappear in a flash, by the time they realize they been tangoed you will be a safe distance away...

    Nothing negative, just normal stuff that one would do even if going to Temby or Barmouth for a holiday...........;)

    Have a good one...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Aromulus, Feb 17, 2012
    #3
  4. Howerd
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    Howerd Well-Known Member Trusted Member Lifetime Member

    Some fantastic tips there Dom!
    Howerd, Feb 17, 2012
    #4
  5. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    Mugging? My girlfriend said i will be safe there.. Am I gonna need few throw away wallets? Hmm..
    I will give her cash and let her deal with it.. I don't want to show off so to be safe I let her pay for everything with my money..
    I am going to check with my bank whether travel insurance with my bank account is valid in the Philippines.
    Thanks for your advices
    ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012
    #5
  6. Micawber
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    Micawber Renowned Lifetime Member

    There's two good answers really.

    Firstly there's the 'official' guidance, which everyone should read, understand and seriously consider following.

    Secondly there's the anecdotal and opinion based experience suggestions, which often have some basis in fact. I'm sure there'll be plenty of these on this thread soon.

    To start the ball rolling here are some of the 'official' recommendations

    Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel & living abroad - Philippines

    fitfortravel NHS-Philippines

    fitfortravel NHS-Philippines

    Here's a sensible list to consider:-

    - Be sure to check your travel insurance for health issues and note the emergency number to call from the Philippines. Keep a note of your blood type.
    - Consider vaccinations (or booster updates) for :-
    Typhoid
    Tetanus
    Hepatitis A
    I wouldn't suggest Rabies, just keep out of biting distance from dogs and other animals.
    - Malaria is something to seriously consider. You can easily get tablets and the above links give loads of suggestions. The tablets need to be taken a couple of week before travel and again a coiuple of weeks when you return. Cost is around £50

    You MUST take an anti-insect/Anti mozzie cream or spray just to minimise those oh so irritating bites. I strongly suggest Mosi-Guard which works great for me.

    Here is a good Malaria Map of Philippines:-

    [​IMG]



    Also consider taking the usual travel help such as Paracetamol, Imodium, Antiseptic Cream and importantly some 'wet-wipes' (never leave home without them!) etc

    - Don't forget a good supply of any prescription medicines you usually have (always in carry-on hand luggage)
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    Micawber, Feb 17, 2012
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  7. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Have fun ad4ms3 :like:
    aposhark, Feb 17, 2012
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  8. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    Yes, it is my first trip to the Philippines. Thanks... after all of these im going to stay in the hotel 24/7.. hehe..
    Ok, i get malaria tablets.. i also check costs of vaccs.. but if it is too much i will have no choice but to prepare myself how to avoid these deseases and count on my luck.. Thanks again, Im going to follow every of your suggestion..
    ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012
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  9. Micawber
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    Micawber Renowned Lifetime Member

    Which travel vaccinations are free?

    Chances are you'll have no unusual health problems.
    No trying to scare you, but think seriously about what could happen if you DO get ill.
    Micawber, Feb 17, 2012
    #9
  10. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Hi, don't worry too much about catching a disease :rolleyes:

    Personally, "I go as I am" more or less.
    I take "Imodium" and "Off" mossie spray as well as the usual paracetamol.
    I don't take any anti-malarial tablets - I didn't take any for 20+ years overseas, that was my choice, I know.

    Most things you can get in the Phils.
    Don't let fear stop you from enjoying one of the best countries in the world :like:
    aposhark, Feb 17, 2012
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  11. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    This what I was thinkin' about: "to go as I am"... cause to be honest I wont be going anywhere I don't like, my Mahal is aware of it. She knows that we're going to have breakfast in the hotel and rest of meals in the restaurants (I don't mean fast foods, street food etc).. Sadly I will be there for 8-9 days only.. this what I can afford at the moment and as long as I have chance to experience my "first time" by visiting this country..
    Don't let the fear stop me, huh? hehehe.. being robbed on the street, malaria, vaccs.. all of these I was told above.. hehe.. My mahal says Makati is safe.. we'll see in few weeks. If everything goes well I won't hesitate from sharing my experience.. Can't wait. Departure from London at 1050, arrival in Manila 1405 next day with stopover in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.. Flight costed 540 quid.. not bad.. By the way: do I have to collect my lugagge and go through checkout again or what in Malaysia? How does it work? I have never flown so far with stopover..
    ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012
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  12. Micawber
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    Micawber Renowned Lifetime Member

    If your flying with the same carrier from KL to Manila then your luggage will be checked through from London to Manila. At the transit in KL, you'll just need to make your way to the next boarding gate.

    If you have a completely different carrier, you'll need to collect your luggage, go through immigration and customs, then enter the airport again for check-in. (Unless it's a partner carrier))
    I doubt very much that's the ticketing you got though.

    Who is the carrier from London to KL and from KL to Manila is it Malaysia Airlines?

    How long is your transit time in KL?
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    Micawber, Feb 17, 2012
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  13. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    When you check in to the airport in London the ground staff will ask you do you want your bags sent straight to Manila.
    You will obviously want them with you if you are leaving the airport in KL, so you must tell them this.

    If you are going to stay in KL, you will have to collect your bags and go through customs and immigration to get out of the airport.
    Of course, you have to go through check-in to get the plane to Manila the next day or whenever.
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    aposhark, Feb 17, 2012
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  14. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    I'm flying with Malaysian Airlines for the entire trip (return) and I have 2-3 hours transit time..
    So.. ok.. My bag will be transfered automatically to the plane to Manila (and return to London)? Just go to boarding gate with flight to Manila, right?
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012
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  15. Micawber
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    Micawber Renowned Lifetime Member

    That's it. Easy
    Bags checked straight both outbound and inbound when you check-in both ways. Enjoy.

    Just be sure you know exactly where the boarding gate is and be sure you're at the boarding gate at the right time. Spare time? do some shopping. (window shopping is best)
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    Micawber, Feb 17, 2012
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  16. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Dom was just giving you belt and braces advice to make sure you did not get into any trouble, Makati is about as westernised and upmarket a city as you are going to get in the Phils, parts of it are not cheap, like restaurants in Greenbelt, though you should pay a visit to Cafe Havana in greenbelt in the evening around 8 to 9 pm to see the Latin dancing and bands, great pub and nice food but expensive now.

    There is very little chance of Malaria in the big cities, I took anti malarial drugs first time I went I needn't have bothered, the biggest risk in Metro Manila is food related bugs and it really is the luck of the draw, you can get a dodgy meal in the best of restaurants, one time my partners mother came back from the province and served us all a lovely chicken dish that seriously poisoned me :D hospitalised for 3 hours after vomiting for 5 hours :D I was the only one that got sick while everyone had the same meal :)

    Imodium is handy to have though but you can get it easily over there.

    Dom is right though street crime could be more of a problem in Makati than elsewhere, the fast food restaurants are fine, North Park is a great Chinese chain, Tokyo Tokyo is great value japanese fast food, Max's is good Chow King is good, you won't go wrong in any of those places.

    One thing though, with all due respect do not hand your wallet over to your girlfriend and let her pay for things, you have not met her in person yet and it's just not a good idea, some girls might also be offended by that as they expect to be treated like royalty by their partner, you may well be a trophy to her someone she is proud of and wants to boast about a little, the culture can be a bit like that amongst the women.

    Don't be afraid to visit other cities in Metro Manila, it's a big place after all 17 cities, if you count North Caloocan as a separate city, the dodgy ones are Pasay Navotas, Malabon, the safe'ish places are Makati, most of Paranaque, Manila itself, Las Pinas and Mandaluyong but like everywhere there are good and bad parts in all the cities.

    Basically just keep your eyes wide open :)
    oss, Feb 17, 2012
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  17. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    This what worries me most.. I don't want to play a hero in front of her cause things may get worse.. Yeah, I'll be carrying "throw away" wallets. I think I should warn her about it as she's keep on saying "you'll be fine" and doesn't realize it can be a problem. Now I'm thinking of booking my hotel somewhere else than Makati.. For the moment I will be staying in Eurotel Makati.

    This is good one.. Thanks for advice.. I'll stick with it. To be honest I wanted to do it cause I thought that we may be observed whether I have cash after all that's been told about street robberies..

    She knows where to take me:)
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2012
    ad4ms3, Feb 17, 2012
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  18. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    I'm not familiar with that place, Makati is fine the reason I said it might be more of a problem is that it is a business district with the net result that there are more wealthy people walking around, personally I have never had any problems there in the many times we have visited friends in Makati or when I was at the office and working there or at night.

    Filipino opportunist robbers are not brave they are just fast, there are nutters just like you would get anywhere but honestly hand on heart I feel safer in Makati and Manila than I do on the streets of my home town in Scotland on a Friday night, I don't even feel very safe here in England in the place I have to live these days, please trust me on this as I have spent a lot of time in Metro Manila, over 20 visits in total.

    Having a hotel as your base is the best thing when you first visit there because you really do not know what you are walking into but the hotels are pretty safe generally.

    When you go out only take enough for an evening say 4000 peso, you can have a great night out in Manila for 4000 peso, you can also get carried away and spend 10,000 peso if you are not careful, there is lots to do and some places are not so cheap.

    Sometimes I have taken the sacrificial wallet full of old cards, these days I would only take driving licence, maybe one card and a photocopy of my passport out with me, cash I split between pockets with high denomination bills like 500's stored folded in the tight tiny pocket in my jeans or shorts, never in a rear pocket.

    You are obliged to have your passport on you by the way but a photocopy should do just as well, so keep your passport and spare cards and ID in the safe in your room and if your partner respects you she will not ask to see the combination of your safe.

    :D that could be taken two different ways mate :D just keep your eyes open, hopefully you will bond really quickly and get a good feeling of confidence in her once you meet in person.
    oss, Feb 17, 2012
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  19. oss
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    oss Somewhere Staff Member

    Ah ok Eurotel Makati is on the outskirts of Makati you are right on the border of Pasay not too far from where we used to live, you are also not that far from the good bits of Makati about 1 kilometre, looks ok although it also looks like a pretty average hotel, but hotels are getting expensive in Manila these days :(
    oss, Feb 17, 2012
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  20. ad4ms3
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    ad4ms3 Member

    Thanks, that cheered me up.. Honestly I don't feel safe in UK anymore... anyway.. Eurotel Makati must do for now.. 3 miles from the airport and not far from Taguig City too..
    ad4ms3, Feb 18, 2012
    #20
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