Last time in the Philippines, it was three nights in Manila and ten in Angeles City. That worked out well so that's the game plan for my late October trip. This flights a freebie, thanks to American Advantage miles. I book it on Japan Airlines, which I had a great experience on when I few them before.

Just my luck, raining on the way to LAX. It never rains in Socal anymore! Traffic is very jacked up, luckily not pressed for time. I leave the car in Lot B at the airport, $8 a day, nice secure lot, a good deal. A shuttle bus to the Bradley terminal, a minimum of chaos getting through the TSA gauntlet, I board the plane and the next thing you know its liftoff.

I quickly realize something is very wrong, instead of the cute young asian flight attendants I've encountered on Korean and China Air, these gals are middle aged and dumpy. There's even a dude pushing a cart. A sad state of affairs. Leg room is less than I remembered, food not as good as I remembered. A Texan several rows to the rear takes advantage of the free booze policy and gets pretty lit. I think he set Japanese-American relations back ten years.

Changed planes in Narita and land in Manila shortly after 10:00 P.M. Airport's busy for that time of night but immigration/customs moves quickly and no checked backage to claim. I look for the Airport Taxi desk but don't see it. I exit the terminal and walk across to the office where the hotel reps are. I find the City Garden Makati guy and he puts me in a car.

Yes, I'm staying in Makati. Last trip I had a room in Ermita and did the L.A. Cafe thing. It was a blast, but I want to learn a new part of town and check out P. Burgos street in particular. Given what I've heard about prices, I don't plan on going hog-wild, especially since the next stop is A.C.

Anyway, we pull up to the City Garden and I check in at the front desk. As I was about to get on the elevator, three lovely ladies of the evening come walking out. I say to the bellhop "I think I picked the right hotel". The room looks great, I unpack a few things and exit the hotel.

I'm pretty wiped out from the flight, so the game plan is to walk to P. Burgos street, have a beer and then go crash. An interesting side street containing numerous freelancers connects City Garden with P. Burgos, just a short block away. Yep, this is a honky tonk bar district all right. Lots of bars, about three blocks of them. Looks a bit like Fields, only with more substantial buildings. I stroll around and eventually go upstairs into Rogues. The place is active, lots of good looking women, some dancing, some just hanging out. After I order a beer I'm approached by Lea and Mary. Lea is an 18 year old spinner who really has that "I'm so innocent" thing going on. Cute as hell. Mary is no slouch herself. I buy them both a drink and start getting acquointed. Its a fun time and I'm getting a great vibe from Lea, I tell her I really need to get some sleep but I'll be back for her tomorrow. She gives me her phone number and I call it a night.

Thanks for the trip report. I am still trying to decide on what first time trip I should make; Columbia or Phil. I have been to Thailand and monger in Canada (hot woman), but never been to South America or Phil. Dollar sucks for Brazil, so that is out.

I look forward to your report on AC. Please include the cost(s) when you can.

Jet...I think the dollar sucks just about everywhere now. That being said, P.I. remains an affordable location compared to many.

The dollar peso ratio is pretty constant at 42to 44 pesos. You will get 40 if you are not careful.