darkmancomes

Hi PH Got fed up reading the things others write about matters that really do not concern them. Anyway the best of luck to you and your good wife in your new home it looks the bee's knee's I envy you both in a nice way. I hope it brings you all that you both want in life.

Tell me more I am aware of the principle but how does it work on the ground?

Thats interesting maybe you should contact them as I booked through the Etihad web site on a special and got airmiles! Just a thought

Hi Just interested to know how you came to the conclusion that there are no airmiles on offer with the under £400 flight? I have just booked similar flights i.e special offer and they will have airmiles added after I travel!

Hi I have been looking this past month or so trying to decide the same issue (when to book) I do it every time and really its a poker game! I have been around all the sites looked at differnt routes to travel there and most of the web sites. Well I booked yesterday for end of April10 returning in a month and the best price all things considered was with Etihad direct on their web site. My reasons £454.45, good times no long stop overs, no charge for credit card booking and of course the airmiles(which I wish were more flexible i.e transferable) I hated booking so early the main reason is that they all require the money up front so they are getting my money and the use of it! By the way I would normally use net flight but when I asked for a price match they were not interested so I voted with the keyboard!

Think the airlines and travel agents are trying to scare us into parting with money before we need to in order to keep them afloat! The pricing at the moment does not make sense??? I check Netflights on a daily basis and they have all of a sudden jumped from £369 to £450 in a matter of days. It is my humble opinnion that the prices will level out agin in Jan Feb for the April may runs.

I was once told about 2yrs ago now I think, that there was 35000 beds for tourist in Pattaya. Bearing that in mind and the current global financial crisis I think we as tourists that still go there are in the "buyers market" and are spoiled as such. Not forgetting that there are people on different budgets etc it must be remembered that Asia by nature is a country where you can bargain for anything so the same for hotel prices. I have been going to Pattaya for some time now maybe three four times a year my first place to stay as recommended by friends was flipper lodge and yes I went back a second time but have since discovered better and cheaper. That's life we live and learn and get experience of places we go. I now prefer to stay on soi Bukaow as its quieter cheaper and if I want to visit the soi's its only a short walk. I have now got used to a particular place and I email them get the rate go there no deposit and if I decide to extend my stay beyond that booked I expect and will get the same rate as I booked at otherwise like previously mentioned there are plenty of other places who will want my trade. One thing I would suggest to the person starting the topic is that to give consideration to a westerner as a manager it would smooth out lots of problems that I have witnessed in the past. Also if genuine I for one appreciate that you took the time to ask the members of this forum for their opinnion. It is a big audience and one that has experience in such subjects.

The posh mall below mike mall I think its the plaza well something like that has a japanese resturaunt and serves kobe. Just in reference to the others the minium of three weeks hanging before butchering is recommended for tenderising beef. Also I will send it back to the kitchen if its anything other than blue thats the way to get the real taste and tenderness out of your steak! Tust me beautiul! Although it tests the resturaunt as unless its well hung it oozes blood! Also a lot of chefs cannot cook it blue! Its not just a case of slap on the pan seal and turn no it has to be gently heated first! So now you know!

Hi E Yes I have travelled on the 380 from Lon to Dub Jan past excellent plane nice leg room and the meals are good. Its such a bright and airy cabin the fact that the side walls are straight unto they almost reach the ceiling adds to this I think. The staff are apparently specially trained and serve only on the 380 (according to one I spoke with) they were very friendly. Its a great way to travel and very comfortable. Although on saying that, well you still have a long journey so good luck! Its a big bird!

Its a pity the flight times dont suit my connecting flights otherwise I would give them a go! As they dont it means staying over in Heathrow and that out weighs any saving made!

In the current financial climate, its pot luck ! I have been doing this for sometime now and I find that its swings and roundabouts, there are cheaper flights to be had at all times providing you do what I would never do have long stop overs. Also you are going to hit the increased passenger tax so as another member stated maybe better looking at an Amsterdam departure. Good luck anyway.

The way you described is the best time wise with cebu pacific. Although why not fly from Bkk to clark with cebu and have a ball overnight there then fly down to Cebu from there next day? The only other way I think is to use airasia fly from bkk to KL and accorss but have not looked at any of the timings. As regards getting about the Philippines cebu seeem to have the monopoly. They are a crap airline mind you and there are many references on this forum alone to backit up I certainly can with their lack of customer care! But I will stop ranting thereas I am getting annoyed thinking about them!

Yes but am I right in saying vidman your ps has to be chipped to play the copies? If so anyone got the info on where to buy the chips?

Hi Sid I always use the one just around the corner from the small everyday market on soi Buakhow as you go towards central road a couple of girls and men in there the girls do a great job 70 bt

Whatever you probably know best as you seem to have the most time to spare to check out these things! I will just carry on with life trying my best!

Have been away for a day or two and yes I recieved in my mail today the truth. however did it cost any of you that are complaining any money? I WAS MERELY DOING WHAT i THOUGHT WAS RIGHT AND PASSING ON THE INFORMATION I BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT TO HELP ANYONE. The mail was sent to me in good faith and I passed it on.

I agree with the information about the vitamen b when I visit LOS with my friends they are always complaining about being bitten by mossies but I dont get bothered by them .Tell lies I have been bitten once or twice around the ankles where I have no hair . Anyway I put it down to the fact I was quite hairy but as one of my other friends pointed out he is also. So anyway I use on a regular basis vit B timed released at home and rest from it when in Thailand. So I think its possibly a combination of both.

jUST RECIVED THIS INFORMATION TODAY AND IT CERTAINLY LEFT ME THINKING ! ITS FROM A LEGAL SOURCE AND WELL WORTH PASSING ON TO YOU ALL. This is pretty good info. Never even thought about key cards containing anything other than an access code for the room! ?? HOTEL KEY CARDS Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card? Answer: a. Customer's name B. Customer's partial home address c. Hotel room number d. Check-in date and out dates e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date! When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense. Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process. But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT! The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader. For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip! If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.

Ok Lads Contacted these people today at Barclaycard and yes the offer is correct but is not avaiable on Bkk or Manila routes certainly Spain usa etc ah well worth a try! Sorry.

Hi Lads Have been planning my next trip to LOS and Phil and whilst looking for the cheapest flights etc (eyes going square at computer) my friend informed me that we as both Barclary card holders are entitled to a 7% discount off the cheapest airfare we find if we tell them about it and use the card to book! I will be looking into it more tomorrow and report fully on it.

Hi Bob Ok having done it several times 4 days is about right considering there is nothing to do in AC during the day but drink,pool sit or screw. The only airline is cebu pacific who have an offer on at the moment for june july travel I think. They are the only one who fly direct to clark from BKK,but and yes the but! I rate them as the worst airline ever. The reason is they often re route to manila no reason given they seem to be above giving a reason! They also are fond of cancelling a flight but not telling you until they get you at the airport! No arguments with either of these two senario's given as I have had the experience twice and my friends aslo. Infact I am just back from the far east and had such a flight cancelled and ended up staying a further 2 days in Ac and ended up getting our own accomodation as the one given us by Cebu was abissmal , just watch this space and I will name and shame later and include the result of my correspondance from cebu pacific. Anyway I hope this helps if you require any further info on the matter you can pm me and I will be glad to help.

Hi I have stayed in both many times until I tried elsewhere i.e Eastiny Plaza and that wee gem Bella vista between the two soi's. Flipper house is having a new wing built as stated and is very noisy and also it could do with a refurbishment. Flipper house is too expensive for what it is especially as they look a premium for the newly refurbished rooms! Eastiny Plaza always have a special rate (which you can bargain with them) its normally around 1100-1200 icl breakfast! also even you are not staying there they do a great buffet in the evening for 195 bhat all you can eat and its good! Now as for the Bella Vista its around 700-800 bf incl but there is no pool. Its a good little hotel and handy to the action.

Hi I can speak from experience of Oct 08 past when my bags should have left LHR enroute to manila via abu dabi with Eithad. I arrived in Manila and waited with two other friends but no baggage appeared, so and this is the vital point! I went directly to a member of Eithad ground staff and reported the non arrival of baggage and in about 10 mins they were able to tell me our bags were still in LHR ! So we filled in a form and it includes details of where you are going and what hotel you will be at when the estimated time the bags will arrive. Ask them to keep in touch with you via email and then they will arrange to have it sent to your hotel. Then when you get home complain like hell! KEEP ALL RECIEPTS OF EXTRA EXPENSE INCURRED YOU WILL NEED THEM FOR CLAIMING BACK FROM THE AIRLINE COMPANY. There is a form you will have to complete and send back with these reciepts and you will eventually get appx £80 or thereabouts. I have been fighting with them and annoying them on a very regular basis since my return in Nov and the matter is just getting sorted in their finance office as I write!

Hi Lads I have recently flown on the 380 with emirates in cattle class. LHR to Dubai then onto hkg on smaller and return. It is an excellent aircraft with great legroom and most helpful staff. I thoroughly enjoyed the 380 definately worth the wait. Never had the problems with the baggage though as I was just connecting. Got talking to one of the crew a very nice young lady who told me that they all have to be specially trained for the 380 and once trained stick to it.