cuchillo

Hi Everyone,

due to visit Manila centre for 2 weeks from Uk. May go to tagayan for a day/night.

Pharmacists/nurse seem to be advising me no need for taking malaria tablets or vaccine but I a bit worried. I will be staying in good hotel with air conditioning and using electric mosquito repellant plug and capsules in room plus deet spray/cream etc on skin when out and about.

Also my wife says she doesn't think we should go out alone especially at night and definitely not seperately even for a quick newspaper or stroll! What is Manila/Philippines like in respect of relaxing and walking around etc if visiting as a British Citizen or Westerner in general??

Many Thanks & especially to Ryantalk for email message. Ryantalk, I not sure about business partnership as I not business minded and have no accessible Capital apart from equity should I sell my house. Sorry.


cuchillo

Ryantalk

i am from England and have been living here for 2 years in manila and i have had no shots and no worried hope this helps it only out in the provinces that you should be concerned . are you moving over here give me a shout we can meet up have a drink

cuchillo

Thanks Ryantalk, very kind and quick response.

Don't think will be able to move over in near future but see how our visit goes.

Hope you find a business partner and make a success of your proposed publication etc.

Take care

cuchillo

Ryantalk

it is very safe in Makati at night around makati avenue and the malls there is no problems and serendra in taguig a 50 peso cab ride to be honest alot of what you find on the net about the Philippines is just WRONG my advice would be to come over and just think that its spain or italy but they have a higher crime rate for pick pockets than here hope you enjoy your stay here and dont limit yourselves because of bad press if you want to know about places to go or things to do shoot me a message my wife is great and finding good places she is a filipina and has never taken me anywhere i felt uncomfortable and i have even traveled to some provinces and no problems at all everyone is very nice here .

Ryantalk

i just noticed your concern about mosquitos to be honest i have had about 5 bites in 2 years so there is not to much to worry about in manila especially in makati and if you want to go out in the evening then head over to green belt or rockwell to be honest most of makati is safe even at night i have not been worried once since moving here so enjoy its one of the most beautiful places in the world a must go in Borocay and i would also say head over to tagatay volcano

cuchillo

Thanks again for so much kind advice. Yes Tagatay is a beautiful place which my wife has shown me on the internet, so will try to get there during our stay. Looks like the type of place i could settle down in if I can ever afford it.

I think there is also a national park with a big reservoir in Manila which she wants us to visit for a picnic and walking etc Boracay is nice but definitely wil not be going there during our visit this time. I think we will be staying near Robinsons Mall. Do you know if that is a good area as a base? What is the best way to get around in general and also what advice for getting from airport to any hotel we book?

Did you buy a property in Philippinnes or do you rent?

How did your family feel with you moving so far away?

If I ever move anywhere it will be hard to leave my son and daughter and my little Grandson.

Thanks Again For All Your Help.

Ryantalk

if your staying near robinsons gallariea then you have no worries at all go out for a walk late at night all alone you wont have a problem its actually not far from me. i rent here never got round to buying but it is very cheap . as for the walking round the park thing i think your wife must have her wires crossed about safe and unsafe, the parks are the places we never go to there are to many beggers pick pocketrs and thiefs there so be carful

militantsocialist

Dengue fever is actually a much more prevelent threat and at present there is no vaccine. It also seems to thrive more in tropical cities rather than out in the sticks.

Ryantalk

i have been living here for 2 years now and i am yet to hear about anyone i know or anyone my family knows contracting dengue it is actually alot less common that people realize dont worry so much

Kooky.

I have no idea how prevalent in the Peens that Dengue may or may not be but, if it is in your area, it's worth worrying about. I spent time in hospital with it a couple of years ago, as did my husband. If either of us gets it again, it may be fatal.

When I say "worry", I don't mean let it spoil your life, but take all reasonable precautions to avoid being bitten and don't have standing water around your place.

britishbull

Er, have not been to Manila for about seven years. Agree its reputation for violence was overstated then, although it does have a very edgy feel with nasty looking people on street corners and plenty of grinning con-artists.

BUT the worst aspect of the city is surely its omnipresent heavy pollution and soul destroying heat and humidity (I say this as someone who likes to walk most places). And, there are definitely plenty of very big mosquitoes around (some people are lucky, mosquitoes don't like to bite them!)

As a seasoned traveller, the battle of wits needed to get a cheap taxi from the airport is also mind bending and ultimately boring! Has this changed?

cuchillo

thanks everyone for taking time to reply to my anxious questions.

Best Wishes To everyone & Hopefully I can post some feedback on my return to UK after our visit to manila.