Was back in AC for about 12 days last month and here are my (for what they're worth) observations:

1. Hotels: Pacific Breeze is my current favorite. Comfortable and sizeable rooms with really generally very good airconditioning (although one of the rooms had an ac unit that just didn't cut it). Decent rates, althought the rates just went up about a month ago. Food is okay, but I NEVER eat anything fried there. Not sure what it is but whatever they fry tastes horrible.

Lewis Grand: Still not opened as of about 3 weeks ago. They let us look at one of the higher end rooms, and it looked very impressive. Most of the less expensive rooms were not yet available for preview. Surprisingly large hotel (for AC) with surprisingly few rooms for its size. May give it a go on my next trip.

2. Food: Let's skip the formalities. Don't come to the PI for the food. I'll skip the restaurants that I don't like (too many). Here are the ones that are okay or better. C Italian is the best restaurant in AC (by far). Also the most expensive (by far). Try the Panizza not to be confused w/ pizza). Cottage Kitchen is good, but I sometimes wonder how fresh the bbq'd meats are. For chinese, go to Fortune on MacArthur or Fortunes' Tea House at SM. Emerico's at the HRA is good, but I wish they would include the VAT in their prices (it looks misleading when ALL other restaurants include the VAT). Gerry's at SM serves a very nice grilled chicken. Red Sea has very good Meditteranean food (try the mixed grill).

Not overly impressed by the restaurants at ABC or Wild Orchid. Jollibees = HORRIBLE (but you should try the mango pie).

3. Money Changers: People always recommends Normas. There are now so many, you don't have to go there anymore. Almost all have the same rate. I like to go to that one in the front of the Condotel with the convenience store. Usually a guard out front too. There used to be only one money changer on the HRA side of Fields that had TERRIBLE exchange rates, but now there are a couple more there (although not open on weekends) that are competitive. By the end of the trip, the exchange rate was about 42.25:1 and rising.

4. Trikes: They suck. They're uncomfortable, exposed and expensive for what you get. Negotiate beforehand.

Unfortunately, cabs are also astronomically expensive for what you get and how far you go for what they charge. More expensive than most other Asian cities (including first world cities).

5. Bars: Went to most of the biggest ones. Consistently, Atlantis had the best, but perhaps that's because they had, by far, the most. Dollhouse was pretty good. Blue Nile and BNE was pretty weak (although BN did have a Tera Patrick look alike one night). Mistys looks like it is closed and Cambodia should be. Tropix (the new one behind Dollhouse) was nice, but the girls weren't impressive. Las Vegas had some hotties, but quite a few Cherries as well.

Agasya had a number of attractive girls there, but their runway "shows" are really tedious to sit through. Also, their barfine prices seem to have a number of levels. The "superstars" get 3000P. The mamasan pointed towards one SuperDuperStar, whose BF was 5,000. I asked if she got barfined a lot and was told "yes, by Japanese guys." I asked if her pekpek was lined with gold and she laughed her ass of. Oh, and she was only okay looking (in my eyes).

Maybe I'm becoming jaded. The number of really hot girls seem to be dwindling quite a bit.

6. Guys selling things on the street. No. I don't want Cialis. Or Viagra. Or DVDs. Or Sunglasses or watches. I know that you will give me a "good price", but I still don't want any.

7. Airlines and airports: Flew EVA again out of LAX. Flew business class w/ upgrades. They DO want to weigh your handcarry and tell you they have a 7kg limit. They let me slide because of my laptop, but they do ask and check. On a Thursday morning (it was a holiday), it took less than 90 minutes from Fields to NAIA. A new record for me. NAIA still sucks. One of the worst airports in Asia (though I've never been to Myanmar). Nuff said.

Completely agree with everything you said and thats rare for me. Not only is Manila the worst airport I have seen in Asia, it's quite possibly the worst I have seen in the world for a major city. Even Phnom Penh's airport looked ultra modern by comparison. LAX quite possiby a close second to Manila for worst airport in the world. Sounds like you didnt venture outside of Fields and you might be suprised at the gems you can find in the Perimeter area, especially Cherries and Stargate.

Thanks for the update. I'd rank LAX as the worst major airport I've been in in the world. Manila a close second. What gives Manila the edge? At least they have amenities for travelers beyond the security check. Perhaps LAX will move past Manila once it's long-overdue upgrade is completed. Until then, it just sucks!

EA

like the straight forward honesty of your report! some good information there to take in as i will make my cherry run to AC this summer. thank you!