After I finished my duties at the recent Horizon's Unlimited meeting in Chiang Mai, I went to Manila for a little vacation with Dr G. We researched the urban jungle and visited some high ranking officials from Kawasaki at the factory in Alabang (south of Manila). Greg stayed on to do some motorcycle touring and I headed back home to Thailand after 5 nights.
I broke my rule about not using taxis waiting in front of hotels. It seems like the security guy at the door was in cahoots with the taxi driver as he was only too happy to help me put my bags in that taxi. I asked the driver, before I got in, if he would use the meter and his response was “of course!” I heard him start the meter when we left and then he tossed a towel in front of the meter so I couldn’t see it during the ride. As we were pulling into the airport, he started fingering the meter and I heard several beeps.
We pulled up to the terminal; I got out with my bags and asked how much. He shows me the meter which said 570 pisos. The ride should have been about 100-150 pisos. I took out my camera and took photos of the front of the taxi, the back of the taxi, the license plate and stickers in the window and his face as well. Needless to say, he was intimidated by the BBQ camera. I said “wait here, I have to go get police to help". He tooted the horn and said “no, I discount for you!”. Every taxi in Manila has a phone number to call or sms if the driver refuses to use the meter. This guy must have thought I was going to call.
There weren’t any police in front of the terminal so I went inside. Didn’t find one there either so I simply went through security and checked in. Free taxi ride – pretty cool.
Throughout the 5 days we were there we used many taxis. Most drivers would quote a fixed price only (because we were rich white people). We only used taxis that agreed to use the meter. Even then, they would often beg for a big tip after the ride was finished. Strange, they all seemed to have a little Jesus on their dashboard. WWJD?
Would I go back? Yeah, when Kawasaki gives us free bikes to ride across South East Asia. I'm proud to say that I live in Thailand. Yes, there's some dual pricing here but it is the exception, not the norm. Manila is a real hole. Everywhere we went there seemed to be people (men) just hanging out on the street. They'd eye you as if they were sizing you up. "Is he drunk enough to roll easily?" "Is anybody watching?" It felt as if I was walking the streets of Tijuana at night (for you Alan).
I get stared at a LOT in Thailand but when I make eye contact with a Thai and smile, they always smile back. Thais stare at me because I'm a freak - I'm 2 meters tall! The Filipinos stare for different reasons.
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