Just came back from a 2 ½ week trip to Manilla, AC & Subic. Would like to share my impressions and thoughts. I am in no way endorsing/stereo-typing/criticizing any place or people. These are just my musings and may help someone who is planning a trip or may resonate with those who have been there often.
First a little background. I have been to Thailand many many times but wanted to experience AC. Plan was to spend 2-3 days each in MNL & AC and then head over to BKK/Pattaya for a week or longer and then come back to AC/Subic depending on how things go. After arriving in AC, I was blown away, and I ended up skipping Thailand.
I am in my mid-40s and in decent shape and looks.I usually like to stay in mid level hotels in USD40-60 range. I am not much of a drinker and prefer busty girls in the 7+ range or would skip. The 18 nights/17 days trip cost about US $4400 all inclusive. The Air fare + local transport was $1000, Hotels about $1000, food for about $400 (I lost 6 pounds on this trip:), and $2100 for entertainment.
All in all, I barfined about 23 times in AC & Subic.
My overall impression is that PI has more to choose from, but is rather expensive and somewhat boring except for mongering. In Thailand I usually picked off the street for 700-1000 BHT for ST (short time). In AC/Subic I always went for LT since there is not much to do during the day. In Thailand there were so many activities during the day and ST was perfect. In PI, even after LT barfines the girls often tried to wiggle out ST. I found it easier to buy sex than companionship. My time in PI was centered around Bars and Bargirls, rather than a mix of sightseeing, activities and mongering like in Thailand. Also the food is very mediocre at best. Did not care much for the local food and the western restaurants were more about quantity than quality.
A note about the Bargirls in PI. They are generally courteous and pleasant. But always keep in mind they are sex workers. Most of them have been with many many more men than you have been with women. So, most of the times they are not really interested in you, or even like you, or care much about your stories and talk. They just want to give you what you paid for and leave quickly. Now here and there you may find some one with good chemistry or a newbie who is more interested in finding if you would support/marry her; but it is rare. And it is hard to judge chemistry in the 10-15mins drink interview at her bar.
That is why I have second thoughts about PI. If I have to go short time, I would much rather do that in BKK/Patttya and for lot cheaper than the LT barfine rates. Nevertheless, I had the time of my life while there and the overall experience was much more “homely”.
Now in the beginning I was concerned seeing these near naked girls dance, writhe, and beckon on the stages of PI bars. I imagined that they were there by coercion or extreme financial hardship and willing to give their beautiful bodies to any customer whether old/young, ugly/good-looking. Some of them were even “cherry”. The bar seemed like a “meat-market”. I soon realized that many girls would not go with me (at least not for LT). I realized that these girls were there of their own choice, and to make money quicker than traditional ways. Many of them just wanted to dance and get paid by the bar than get barfined by someone they did not like. And in general they preferred Korean and Japanese men. That made me fell less “pained” at their plight and I no longer felt the shopper at the “meat-market” picking up hapless victims.
I have much more to write about the bars in AC & Subic and will share that in my next post. In the meantime Good Luck to all !!!