Where to travel? Philipines, Thailand, Vietnam? Other?

[CJ Tylers]

Hello folks! It's been too long since I've had a vacation...and I am in desperate need of a change of scenery, so once again I am humbly seeking advice from those well traveled perbites who have put some serious boots on the ground in a variety of places.

The main gist of it is that I want to escape for 3 weeks to a month, ideally to not move my base of operations too much..but to do day trips / excursions. Knowing that, I figure my real prerequisites are:

1) Cheap living expenses once I get there
2) Not horribly over priced to get there
3) Fun & interesting cultural, natural and historical things to see and do (I generally don't spend all my days at the beach)
4) Friendly people... ideally friendly towards a single man traveling solo (one of the reasons I no longer do organised tours)
5) Safe as long as you aren't overly stupid

I've been considering Thailand, Vietnam or the Philippines...simply because I don't know that much about them and I've never had an interest in going to any of those places. In my mind, that means I really should check them out to gain an appreciation for them. But, I am also completely open to suggestions. Last time I went to Cuba, but it was pretty expensive with the CuC and my lack of spanish... and it's somewhere I think I'd prefer to return to with a partner or a bunch of buddies (but not solo).

Thanks for any and all suggestions / input! I appreciate it all!

 

[Todq22]

If you are concerned about language, The Philippines is the easiest place to travel, almost everyone speaks English.

Thailand would be my top choice. ( And don't worry, in tourist areas, English will get you by)

Bangkok is a great place to start, with lots of temples, markets, great food, massage and women.

Chiang Mai (and around) is a great starting point for some trekking or touring around to experience a more rural life. Many different Hill Tribe People in the area. I simple train ride from BKK, either day or overnight trip.

Phuket in the south offers wonderful beaches. You have many choices, from somewhat secluded to fun party towns. 1.5 hr flight from Chiang Mai.

And for complete debauchery, there's always Pattaya, a 3 hour bus ride from BKK.

There are sort of 3 seasons Nov - Feb - Less hot season
Mar - May - Hot season April - Thai New Year - good fun
June - Oct - Rainy season

Also interesting might be a side trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia if you have time and want to see Angkor Wat, a wonderful area with many Temple ruins.

 

[Quarter Mile'r]

PM winky32 I think it was him who did the asia fuck tour. He should know tons of what to do
and where to go.

God I wish I could go to Asia. I'd never come back. Sell the house, sell the kids, sell the wife..............

Oh well................. a man can dream can't he? :sad::Cry:




.........................QM'r

 

[manni]

Hello folks! It's been too long since I've had a vacation...and I am in desperate need of a change of scenery, so once again I am humbly seeking advice from those well traveled perbites who have put some serious boots on the ground in a variety of places.

The main gist of it is that I want to escape for 3 weeks to a month, ideally to not move my base of operations too much..but to do day trips / excursions. Knowing that, I figure my real prerequisites are:

1) Cheap living expenses once I get there
2) Not horribly over priced to get there
3) Fun & interesting cultural, natural and historical things to see and do (I generally don't spend all my days at the beach)
4) Friendly people... ideally friendly towards a single man traveling solo (one of the reasons I no longer do organised tours)
5) Safe as long as you aren't overly stupid

I've been considering Thailand, Vietnam or the Philippines...simply because I don't know that much about them and I've never had an interest in going to any of those places. In my mind, that means I really should check them out to gain an appreciation for them. But, I am also completely open to suggestions. Last time I went to Cuba, but it was pretty expensive with the CuC and my lack of spanish... and it's somewhere I think I'd prefer to return to with a partner or a bunch of buddies (but not solo).

Thanks for any and all suggestions / input! I appreciate it all!

some good info here.
http://nomadphilippines.com/

 

[summerbreeze]

Philippines still pretty dangerous

Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok would be great, but very different from each other.

See if you can hook up with some Canadian expats over there and you will get a safe local's perspective.

 

[Riza]

Philippines still pretty dangerous.

Being a local I probably see things a little different and don't find Philippines very dangerous. Like most cities/countries there are area's you don't want to visit unless you really know the people/culture. I wouldn't suggest a visitor from out of country visiting Hasting street and having a stroll in pigeon park. I have one property in a gated community, roaming guards etc, very safe and many Caucasian owners. The entire area is westerner geared. Also I have a cousin that has a security company and if wanted to travel to the more seedy area's an armed escort could be arranged for less than the price of a Starbucks coffee per hour. lol

I have a few properties in Philippines and all but one are in area's that your wouldn't have a problem roaming around in. The main thing in Philippines is there is lots of pick pockets. You have to be careful with your wallet and cell phone.

Hmmm. Properties in Philippines, access to guide/security, car and transportation, this could possibly be a business opportunity. I wonder how many pooners would be interested in an arranged philippines vacation complete with full time local GF (different options provided) plus supervised traveling to all the popular red light districts.

 

[CJ Tylers]

Cool...thanks for the suggestions!

I know that the LP series is decent, but they are always coming from an angle that skewers the truth a bit. There's nothing like an honest opinion from someone who's not trying to sell you anything.

I've also been considering Columbia, which I know is very much in the opposite direction.

While this time through I won't turn down naughty action, it isn't the main focus of any of my trips... I actually do want to see and experience new things, not just the sweaty thighs of a slippery lass.

 

[summerbreeze]

Being a local I probably see things a little different and don't find Philippines very dangerous. Like most cities/countries there are area's you don't want to visit unless you really know the people/culture. I wouldn't suggest a visitor from out of country visiting Hasting street and having a stroll in pigeon park. I have one property in a gated community, roaming guards etc, very safe and many Caucasian owners. The entire area is westerner geared. Also I have a cousin that has a security company and if wanted to travel to the more seedy area's an armed escort could be arranged for less than the price of a Starbucks coffee per hour. lol

I have a few properties in Philippines and all but one are in area's that your wouldn't have a problem roaming around in. The main thing in Philippines is there is lots of pick pockets. You have to be careful with your wallet and cell phone.

Hmmm. Properties in Philippines, access to guide/security, car and transportation, this could possibly be a business opportunity. I wonder how many pooners would be interested in an arranged philippines vacation complete with full time local GF (different options provided) plus supervised traveling to all the popular red light districts.

all my friends from the Philippines say the same thing, its safe, come over to visit

then I ask them if I can take taxi cabs freely and they say, "no don't do that, I will send a car for you" then I ask them how safe it is again and they confide that if you don't speak the language and you take a cab by yourself, there is a reasonable chance of being robbed by the cabbie or worse

safety is a relative thing of course but the average cab company size in the Philippines I am told is 1, so tracking or company reputation means nothing

however, I am just going by what my friends who live there or are from there say, they mean well but they are still shipping westerners home in body bags from some of these countries

not sure if manila is any safer, like riza says probably depends on the specific area, or Angeles City which for members of this site might be of interest

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/philippines
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/philippines-travel-warning.html

 

[summerbreeze]

"Hmmm. Properties in Philippines, access to guide/security, car and transportation, this could possibly be a business opportunity. I wonder how many pooners would be interested in an arranged philippines vacation complete with full time local GF (different options provided) plus supervised traveling to all the popular red light districts. "

great idea riza, you would find a boatload of pebites (sex tourists) interested in a guided/protected tour if you led it

just need to disguise it as something innocent enough so the press never got wind of it, wouldn't do to have it splashed all over the newspaper

 

[golferjohn]

great idea riza, you would find a boatload of pebites (sex tourists) interested in a guided/protected tour if you led it

just need to disguise it as something innocent enough so the press never got wind of it, wouldn't do to have it splashed all over the newspaper

AirR&R or Vacation Rentals by Mamasan

 

[Riza]

great idea riza, you would find a boatload of pebites (sex tourists) interested in a guided/protected tour if you led it

just need to disguise it as something innocent enough so the press never got wind of it, wouldn't do to have it splashed all over the newspaper

AirR&R or Vacation Rentals by Mamasan

Lol, I think I would keep it very low profile, just for regulars and known perbites.

 

[BaconNeggs]

Anyone who thinks other countries are dangerous hasn't been to Surrey.

 

[Warl0ck]

Anyone who thinks other countries are dangerous hasn't been to Surrey.

Interesting name.

I've did work internationally & trust me Surrey is not that bad of a place compared to some jurisdictions.

I've also been considering Columbia, which I know is very much in the opposite direction.

REALLY do your homework on Colombia man. Cities like Bogota or Medillin are incredibly dangerous for gringo's. In the north areas like the "Darien Gap" is controlled by FARC who are insurgents against the government. I speak professionally when I say many businessman who go there to work get a full security detail. Kidnappings, etc are common. As a side note, keep in mind that in South America it's common for women to give men Rohypnol with the goal of them passing out so they can rob them. If you do go out into the nightlife guard your drink at all costs. Bartenders, doormen, etc, all work together to help rob you.

 

[CanineCowboy]

I've been to Colombia, and the above is not so true. Bogota has safe neighborhoods and you just have to take a registered cab at night. Medellín, I walked and took their SkyTrain system at night.

Phillipines, no problem, just use common sense.

Also don't forget Bali, for an easy vacation - although it is very touristic - like Thailand. Both have sold their soul.

 

[Sucre]

Philippines is completely safe as long as you stay on main island which contains Manila and Angeles, or the island which contains Boracay, with probably the best beach in the world (fly in from Manila) - the issues are in the south most island (the one that contains Davao) as that island contains a Muslim minority , and like the middle east there have been some terrorist issues - its not an area any tourist would travel to anyway and the rest of the country is almost 100 per cent catholic, with perhaps the friendliest woman in the world (some will say Thailand has that honor, but English is an official language so almost everyone speaks it, some better than others, and in Thailand only persons serving tourist speak English. I have never had any issues with pickpockets (maybe if you stagger drunk, but then you would be a target anywhere in the world, still probably less so in Philippines, than most countries ) -

Further I suggest there is less issue with or cabbies in Philippines then Vietnam or Thailand, especially from airport - some of the worst overcharging i get in airports is out of Calgary. In any countries many taxis will overcharge but cabs in Philippines are a fraction of here so even if they do its minor) / if talking overcharging I just returned from Vietnam another place on your list and they have sort of an airport taxi mafia so it costs $40 us to get downtown by taxi (a distance less then from Richmond airport to downtown) but once downtown taxis are very cheap - to get about its a couple of dollars and maybe $5 to 10 to return to airport by normal taxi - I never experienced that type of rip off in Manila. Ask for meter and its $10 downtown (same relative distance as the Vietnam airport, but more traffic so slower or 3 hour drive to Angles by taxi for $75. The other taxi union is Bangkok airport where price out is double as price back and every taxi or tuk tuk in Bangkok tries to rip you off.

Vietnam is great and cheap once you are there. Lots to see and do, provided English is not strong there, less so than Thailand which has a tourist culture. Thailand is also great once you are there, except the king died so there is a year of morning - some say its only 3 months - but whatever, I was there in December and most sites were closed and for some reason the land of smiles had less smiles. Less tourist things in Manila as too much traffic

But I warn you, its like the fitto lay potato chip commercial from years back, you cannot eat just one - Its addictive and you will not want to leave and will not be able to wait to return.I think that applies to both Philippines and Thailand. If you recall Tantalizeme, famous at this board for years; well you do not hear from him here anymore as he now returns the the Philippines every few months, having first explored all the other hotspots of SE Asia, including Thailand. In the last 2 years he is probably is spending as much if not more more time in the Philippines, than in Vancouver. A friend of mine scared of his wife and rejected by all woman possible here decided to accompany me in October to the Philippines. He has since returned twice more and is returning again next month, as finally the woman treat him like a king. He even willing to divorce his wife to retun - so yes i created a monster by inviting him

The easiest to get to is Philippines by direct flight. Bangkok is next easiest, Vietnam requires a visa. All are worth going to, provided that Everyone will assume you are going there to meet woman, and all woman will scorn you. Since they will assume that anyway unless you go with our wife, you may wish to spend a few days in Angles if you go to the Philippines or Pataya if you go to Thailand.

 

[summerbreeze]

In Vietnam I always take a limo to my hotel. Pre booked from the hotel in advance.

Safe, ac, cold drinks, snacks, music.... driver speaks English. While everyone else is sweating
In a hot cab with a driver who doesn't know 2 words of English.

$100 vs $40 to $50 It worth it.

 

[Sucre]

Continuing my thoughts - if you just want a vacation, go to Hawaii or Mexico. Vietnam has best food in Asia by far; and there is cheap food and lodging compared to the west; There are red light areas - ask for the backpackers street in Ho chi minh city - lots of pretty young girls (all over age) ask $60 for sex short time, and $100 over night - they always play safe and condoms of course - massage is $10 hj is $20 tip.

Thailand Bangkok has much larger red light district so much better selection, and prices lower than Vietnam. There you can find anything as its a profession for so many and many are PSE. I was afraid to indulge there in more than Hj and bj as they were so aggressive. I went to a $5 massage and tipped $25 for the hj and bj, and returned and repeated with the same girl the next night. She was so happy that she asked me to return night 3, and said she would give me free sex. I did not as it was my first trip there and was taken back at how aggressive the girls were - They would literally grab you as you walked down the street, and so many lady boys - i learned if they were tall (over 5'4) and very beautiful they were lady boys - (as they had lots of make up and surgery - while the regular girls are shorter and no make up) I have been back since but never alone so have no indulged there, yet I am still grabbed even inf in company of a woman. And Pataya a few hours south of Bangkok (I was also there but with company) is just one big red light district. About twice as many bars and working girls as in angles city - main difference is that they are pros in Thailand and very good at sex and parting you from your money, and if you want kink, debauchery, hard core sex, and decent food go there

Manila Philippines has too much traffic and red light areas are smaller and more discrete than Thailand, provided Angles City which was site of former US airforce base has a gigantic red light area with an estimated 10,000 to 25,000 working girls, with prices being lower than thailand, but not that much cheaper. Bar girls will go home with you $40 to $80 depending on the bar. Some will stay the night at that rate others will only stay a few hours unless you promise more tips and if you do not find a girl in the bar you like or cannot afford $80 for the hot ones, Just walk down walking street at midnight and you will be approached by a dozen free lancers who will offer to spend the night with you for as low as $25, but most expect $50. Massage there is $6 to $10, but unlike here where all massage places insist you take a hj and tip $50 or so, most massage places do not do extras and a $2 tip is plenty. I expect its because there are so many willing to have sex, the ones that aren't do massage.

But the real problem there and i mean it in the nicest way, is that these girls are not professional prostitutes, rather they are normal girls, many of whom had babies as teenagers from local guys who then ran away. Wages are low, so they will work in a bar to feed their baby and perhaps parents back home who have no work. They are not slaves in any way. They come and go and usually are looking for a savior (meaning a foreigner in most cases) to marry or to send support. The second problem is unlike a western woman who felt deserted and trapped, they do not resent, but are happy and caring. Hence so many woman work here in health care and as nanny, as they genuinely care and are genuinely nice. Unlike going craiglist or other site here with phone phos and phone ages, and phone promises and upselling, most dancer girls in the bars are under 25, after that they are waitresses, of course both will keep you company and rink with you and both will go home and have sex with you. So in any bar at any time there are 5 to 100 dancers and 5 to 25 waitresses and over 100 bars, so you can see what they look like. You can have a drink with them for $5 to $8 for 15 min to 30 minutes - want more time buy them another drink. I f you want buy 3 girls at a time drinks, during which time you can see their character and friendliness, so no real excuse to get a lemon, and no old ladies, unless thats what you want. You will fall in love, its inevitable as too many are too sweet. and most will treat you like a real boyfriend. What you get there you cannot get here for any price.

The final problem is they are so poor and yet happy and not resentful. you will feel sorry for them - and as long as you treat them with respect, they are blind to colour and age and fatness and weight issues etc, so if you cannot find a girlfriend here, there you will have to fight them off - paradise on earth for middle aged guys. Of course be warned, they get jealous and possessive, so chose wisely and dont take advantage of them - you will return.

So in short, on reflection stay away from those places, if you don't go you cannot miss it.

 

[Uncled]

the issues are in the south most island (the one that contains Davao) as that island contains a Muslim minority , and like the middle east there have been some terrorist issues

No kidding. Last year 2 Canadian men were kidnapped and beheaded by Islamic extremists in the southern Philippines.:scared:

 

[BaconNeggs]

Most countries in my experience except Canada, USA, and for some reason Brazil have great and affordable women to attend to your desires.
They are kind and caring!
From Mexico and Panama, to Thailand or north in the Ukraine.
We Canadians miss out on exceptional service for the most part.
And if we do find it an hour in Vancouver will cost you the same as 24 hours in other places. These women truly love men and desire to take care of them.
As mentioned the problem is you will never want to go home.
And after you experience your first, then it becomes the tenth, and so on, as they are so eager and exciting you will never have enough.

 

[Warl0ck]

I've been to Colombia, and the above is not so true. Bogota has safe neighborhoods and you just have to take a registered cab at night. Medellín, I walked and took their SkyTrain system at night.

There are safe areas in nearly every country where tourists are generally safe. When I was there a security detail was non negotiable. Do remember going looking for pussy in a place like that is different than soaking up the sun at a hotel. You may not know the customs and the language. You can take a wrong turn walking and end up where you don't want to be. The real complicating factor is the police can be very corrupt and gringo = money. That's the case of many countries in Latin & South America.

If one insists on Latina females Costa Rica is a much better choice overall & also much safer. Or roll the dice and just drive across to Tijuana, Mexico. If you do drive just make sure you really research driving your car across the border especially if you have an outstanding loan on it.