Thank all of you guys for the informative and entertaining reads. I am planning a trip to the Phillippines (AC) in June of '07. I am a late 40's guy that is recently divorced after 24 years of marriage. I am looking to kick my heels up a bit and I heard that PI is a good place. I would appreciate any and all tidbits of info your professionals would toss my way. LOLOL.....

Particularily the best place to stay. I have read the blogs and everyone seems to have their favorites. I am like everyone else looking for value but I definately want a large room with good A/C and good shower/tub etc. Pleasant management/owners is also a plus. Also the names of places to avoid would be great. I also read a blog about getting custom boots/shoes made? I am a biker and a custom set of bike boots would be great. Should I fly into Manila or should I try to fly directly into Clark. I see that SEAir goes there from Manila or Asiana Airlines flys directly into AC. There are so many things to try to cover. I live in Las Vegas and would probably leave from Los Angeles. If anyone is planning a trip there in June give me a yell. I have the summer off so I can be a bit flexible with dates. I would prefer June though. Well enough rambling. Thanks in advance for any help.

Rob

#1 advice for any first-timer to the Philippines, don't fall for anybody. I've seen guys not even last 24 hours before they're 'married' to the same girl who starts growing on them like a wart. People always seem to laugh this advice off, but if it's so intuitive why does it keep happening over, and over, and over again? Girls scratch and claw over newbie guys because they know they have a huge advantage over them in the hooker-client yin-yang.

Re: where to stay, many posts for you to sift through. My bias for Central Park is well noted, and they have a brand new, bigger, more upscale hotel opening as I type. Always depends on your budget.

Re: getting to AC, SEAir doesn't fly every day, and the flights are in the late afternoon, I think, which is not convenient for most international arrivals if you're not planning on spending your first night in Manila. Re: Asiana, they also don't fly every day to Clark, and while it's been awhile since I checked, they used to have a LONG layover in Korea on the way home. I've also never seen even reasonably priced tickets flying to Clark available on the internet. I've heard some people that said they had good luck with Asian travel specialists in getting a decent price into Clark.

>I live in Las Vegas

Philippine Airlines actually flies Vegas to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Manila, so you could book the tix straight through from Vegas. It may look like that's going out of the way, but flying way up north is actually the shortest route around the globe to southeast asia.

As for bathtubs, you'll find those in short supply in asia, as most hotels only have a shower. Royal Amsterdam "jacuzzi" rooms have tubs, and some rooms at the Pacific Breeze clearly do as well. My advice on hotels - book NOW (just email the hotel directly). Won't cost you a dime even if you decide to change your reservation later. DO NOT wait until there's only a month to go. Rooms in AC get booked up!

By the way, summer is high season and tix will cost more. If I stay true to form I'll probably be headed to AC over the 4th of July week.

Gentlemen

Thank you very much for the G-2

PORKER There is absolutely no stinkin way I am going to fall for anyone....LOL I was married for 24 years and have only been single for about a month so I am not looking to steady with anyone anytime in the near future.

Phoenixguy Thank you for the reservation info. I will book my room now for the summer.

Rob

Hend-- as obvious as pork's advice may seem, more oft than not, folk's common sense seems to dwindle about the time they put their first San Miguel to their lips while sitting bar-side google eyed. Keep porker's advice in mind as the days wear on in AC.

Don Marco No Problem......Thanks again....The only thing that is going home with me is me less some money........