Manila is More Fun?

[scott h]

7 hours ago, afathertobe said:

have yet to meet a traveler rave about Manila

That's the key work IMO, "traveler" which I read as tourist. Unless a person is here to see a museum or two, Intumuros,  the clubs of Makati or fly in to play at the 1st class casinos near Mall of Asia (hundreds of Chinese fly in for just that) Manila is not a place to lie on the beach, let your hair down and unwind. Or take long walks and enjoy the tropical vegetation etc. etc. etc.

32 minutes ago, skyskyper said:

where have you guys been in Manila

I live in Paranaque Sky, I could comfortably walk (physically wise) to the airport and Mall of Asia. Been here almost 4 years. Main reason we are here is naturally it is where the wife is from and where the house we inherited it. Reason I prefer it to the province? My standard of living here in the "metro" is probably 90% of what I was used to back home in San Diego, California. For me personally, we visit the provinces regularly and enjoy the views, the slower pace of life, the less traffic etc. etc. etc. But I am a hedonist at heart! Give me the comforts and convenience of the city any day.

[skyskyper]

9 hours ago, afathertobe said:

I have yet to meet a traveler rave about Manila, they all come back with a negative impression, but rave about the rest of the country. I think it's a bit similar to Bangkok, you have to know it well in order to enjoy it. 

 

 

Well, I know some who did enjoy Manila. Here's one American guy who does:

                             

 

 

 

 

[chris49]

20 hours ago, skyskyper said:

I'm really wondering... where have you guys been in Manila (or Metro Manila to be more precise)?

Divisoria. Home of the Class A shopping, items from China. Fascinating place.

Recto. Opposite the Quiapo Church, the bike markets, where on Sundays I see a bike sold and out the door every 10-15 minutes.

SM Fairview, one of the smaller big malls, everything is there but less crowded. SM North, Trinoma, Robinson's Ortigas, Greenhills.

Quiapo itself.  Hard to describe but we have a trip there in December staying in Recto and we will do everything we need to do without using a bus, jeepney or tricycle. Gina will rebond her hair for 2000-2500 while the salon price in a mall is 6-7000 plus tips all round.

Veteran's Golf Course. Including Veteran's Memorial Hospital where ex President Arroyo is still detained.

Quezon City Memorial Circle. Where one lane is closed for biking every Sunday and you can eat for 20 pesos on the roadside. Have your bike tuned up and have a fresh buko juice and not spend more than 100.

Intramuros, DOI, and have a walk around the area looking at old monuments and Spanish architecture.

Eastwood. Overwhelming the number of original franchise shops and restaurants.

Timog Ave and Thomas Morato St. Quezon City. Upmarket, and lower level food sometimes with live entertainment.

Amoranto Center. A 50 meter outdoor pool with lanes for lap swimming.

All over. Mostly driving, Took it all in stride, but had prior experience driving in Saudi and Sri Lanka. I would do it again, but 100% your car will get scratched or damaged if it's a newer model.

 

[MacBubba]

12 hours ago, skyskyper said:

I'm really wondering... where have you guys been in Manila (or Metro Manila to be more precise)?

All over, but because I've never had to take public transport or drive myself, I haven't got the directions down pat.

I've stayed in Makati (Greenbelt), at my wife's ancestral home in Pasay (walking distance to MOA), and at her family home in Eastwood.  Meet-ups with friends are generally in Makati (Rockwell), The Fort, Tomas Morato area, Eastwood, Greenhills.  Because we do most of our shopping at MOA, we would not go there at night, but would have lunch at Viking's or Buffet 101, if in the area.

Wife is skittish about Divisoria, so of the tiangge type of markets, we would choose Greenhills, and sometimes Market, Market.  We find Greenhills has everything under the sun, at nearly every price point, and full range of resto prices.

[skyskyper]

9 hours ago, MacBubba said:

The Fort, Tomas Morato area, Eastwood, Greenhills.  Because we do most of our shopping at MOA, we would not go there at night, but would have lunch at Viking's or Buffet 101, if in the area.

 

I'm very familiar with the places you frequent but never heard of Viking's... Buffet 101.

 

 

[skyskyper]

16 hours ago, chris49 said:

Divisoria. Home of the Class A shopping, items from China. Fascinating place.

 

Haven't been to Divisoria and Recto yet but I have gone to Quiapo Church. All hell breaks loose around that church  It's like wild, wild west.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

9 minutes ago, skyskyper said:

I'm very familiar with the places you frequent but never heard of Viking's... Buffet 101.

 

 

[chris49]

On ‎8‎/‎8‎/‎2016 at 3:32 PM, MacBubba said:

All over, but because I've never had to take public transport or drive myself, I haven't got the directions down pat.

I've stayed in Makati (Greenbelt), at my wife's ancestral home in Pasay (walking distance to MOA), and at her family home in Eastwood.  Meet-ups with friends are generally in Makati (Rockwell), The Fort, Tomas Morato area, Eastwood, Greenhills.  Because we do most of our shopping at MOA, we would not go there at night, but would have lunch at Viking's or Buffet 101, if in the area.

Wife is skittish about Divisoria, so of the tiangge type of markets, we would choose Greenhills, and sometimes Market, Market.  We find Greenhills has everything under the sun, at nearly every price point, and full range of resto prices.

Funny enough I had more trouble with the traffic around Greenhills, although the parking areas were good. A phenomenal experience and I could easily spend another full day there.

Divvy has a secret multi story parking with access directly to Tutaban. Love the area and since it's just 3km down Recto Ave from where we stay, will head there again in December, next visit.

[skyskyper]

Jollygoodfellow, wow that's glutton's paradise. Bad for my growing belly.

[skyskyper]

 

 

13 minutes ago, chris49 said:

 

Divvy has a secret multi story parking with access directly to Tutaban. Love the area and since it's just 3km down Recto Ave from where we stay, will head there again in December, next visit.

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Divisoria is getting a facelift. Duterte effect