Expat Community > Philippines

AmericanInAngeles
Joined 2010
Posts: 22

Ahh, I remember the first time...

14 years ago

As I was sitting here reflecting on the last seven years of living in the Philippines-I thought it might be fun to write a little about personal experiences in traveling to the Philippines. What I write here is in no way an advertisement for any company or service. Its just a suggestion for those that are considering a trip here for the first time or the 100th time.

If coming from the United States, the obvious difference is the travel time when compared to flying anywhere within the US. From the west coast to Manila is at minimum a 14 ½ hour flight. I worked for the airlines for most of my working years in the states and flying was and still is my favorite activity in life. So much so, that my wife tells me that I must have jet A fuel in my veins rather than blood. She understands my weakness for aircraft I think, but still giggles as I rush out of the front door to look skywards every time I hear a large jet depart from the airport at Clark airbase.

Many airlines ply the routes from the US to the Philippines. Most all airlines fly the route with a stop over and aircraft change in Korea, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. That’s okay except that it adds to the already long flight time and changing planes is no picnic; not to mention the possibility of lost baggage during the stopover.
From a safety and service standpoint, Philippine Airlines has always been my personal choice without exception. Most all flights are made using a newer Boeing 747-400 aircraft that is comfortable and very well maintained.
From Vancouver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles they have non-stop flights to Manila. Or sometimes depending on passenger and fuel load they will make one stop for fuel. But there is no waiting for a change of aircraft and usually you just remain in the aircraft during refueling and you are on your way again. Very nice and makes the already long trip much easier.

Once you arrive in Manila unless there is family at the airport, you are faced with getting a taxi to a local hotel or to the bus station for the rest of your journey. Getting out of the airport in a taxi is frustrating at best. At worst it will mean paying a dishonest taxi driver a small fortune to get to your destination. Also, from time to time it can mean being held up by your taxi driver as well. A scary prospect for the first time traveler to paradise.

To avoid problems, delays, and hassles, I have always stayed at the Swagman Hotel in Ermita, Manila. If one is going to be a guest at that hotel, their airport pick up and drop off is free of charge and there is no concern about personal safety.
From that hotel they also have private bus service known as “Fly D’ Bus” that goes to and from Angeles City three times per day for I think about P600 now.
Again, using that service avoids problems of delays and even holdups that do occur on public busses from time to time.

Anyway, I just felt the need and desire to share a little something on getting here and hope it might help someone along the way. Now I guess I can go back to sitting on the patio with my iced tea and wait for the next big jet to fly over the house.

Mabuhay from tropical heaven,

Gene and Viol…

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