Chapter 12
SUBIC OR BUST!		 Friendly girls.jpg (31491 bytes)
OVERVIEW

Prior to the evacuation of the U.S. Naval Base in 1991, Subic was smoking with more bar girls than you can imagine. (The Mamasan at Tahiti Club told me, more than 10,000 girls were tested for VD when the GI's were present. That should give you a working idea of how many prostitutes were available). All that is now in the past. Almost all of the girls are gone and the bars are all shut down. What was once possibly the world's largest red light district is now practically a ghost town (in terms of night life, that is). However, there is a bit of action left over from the bases and for a two to three day exploration, Subic is worth a visit.

GETTING THERE

The Swagman hotel offers round trip bus service to Subic (from both Manila and Angeles City). Their service is called Fly the Bus. From Angeles, it's a two to three hour ride, depending on traffic. The price is 300 pesos one way or 500 round trip. The bus departs from the Swagman hotel in Angeles (they will pick you up at your hotel), daily at 10 a.m. and from Subic (picks you up at your hotel) at 12:30 noon. Depending on the number of customers, you'll either ride in an air conditioned van or small bus. If you ride in the van, try to get in the front seat as the air conditioner woks the best. If you sit in the far rear, you'll be cramped and sweat to death.
WHERE'S THERE?

Not to confuse things, but when you arrive in Subic, you will not actually be in Subic. You will arrive in an adjacent town, Barrio Barretto. Behind Barrio is a larger town, Olongapo, and up Barrio is a smaller town, Subic City. Subic city is the best place to bar hop. Barrio Barretto is really the only place that has hotels for tourists (near the beach that is and close enough to the best bars), and Olongapo, well, you won't need to go there unless you want to do some half ass shopping or eat at McDonald's. In short, you will be staying in Barrio Barretto and partying in Subic City. See map.
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No matter where you go in the Philippines, the girls are always smiling and very friendly. Subic is no exception.