Originally Posted by JoeChrist

I just got back to the USA, after spending 6 months in Manila. It's really cheap to base out of Manila, and get cheap round-trip flights on Cebu Pacific and AirAsia airlines to and from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc...usually for around $200 round-trip each from Manila. If you stay off of the "tourist track" in Manila, you can stay for around $7 a night (non a/c room) to $15 a night (a/c room). I spent a month in a cheap hotel like that...miles from the nearest American. Going back in late June...to base in Manila, and hit Malaysia and Thailand while there.