Phiilippines Vacation "Who wants to go ?"

[ginapeterb]

Hi Folks,

Well I wish everyone a good September, as Forum Mod pete ships out to the Philippines ! hey if I didnt go..I couldnt complete my rough travel guide for you all...wishing everyone a pleasant September, and hoping you all get what you want in this life...its too short...not to go for it when you have the chance...my advice is simple

For all you British Guys out there...if you get the chance to find love with a filipina...go for it..you will never regret it..well you might...hahahahaha

Don't worry about the money issue...if you have it ! spend it..you wont regret it and you might just have the time of your life.

I will be back on 9th October and look forward to reporting back on some of the great places to go "in Country"

See you all soon.

Best wishes

Pete

[Admin]

Off to the land of Sun, seas, sand & beautiful women. :)

As Pete points out, it doesn't have to be a dream, it came true for myself, Pete, and 1000's of others.

We are here to make the proces as simple and enjoyable as possible.

[gm47]

Good luck Pete, looking forward to your reports on your return, have a good time.

Gerry

[Admin]

I don't mind the flying, it's the sitting around in airports that annoys me. You'd think they'd supply a free Gameboy or something ;D

[ginapeterb]

Ok Im back guys...Pete returns from the land of terminal fees...San Miguel...and local indigenous females...I will be spending some time this week writing my personal travel reports...and hopefully some more humour about the Philippines and Philippine life....because there is plenty to be had...ok watch out then this week..see you all soon...come on I need time to get back into work...so bare with me.


Pete

[ginapeterb]

Just a quick one, I am thinking of shipping out to go "In Country" around December 10th is anyone else going ?? if so, shall we all meet up at Nigi Nigi noos noos on Boracay, see you all there, on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm.

All the Brits meet for skittles at Nigi Nigi Noos Noos, Tuesdays 2pm, there is a few beers available, and everyone can have a good time, who is up for it ? hahahah

[Admin]

Have you won the Lotto? :o

Your getting as bad as me going to Singapore 4 times a year for 3 weeks a time, before the lovely came over here.

Mind you, we still go back twice a year.

We are supposed to be visiting the US, but by the time our goverment have sorted out a UK passport for the missus, probably 2006 now!! The US goverment also now say I need a Bio-passport!! Pain in the ass if you ask me, although they'll probably want a picture of that as well :o

[ginapeterb]

I hear you Keith, yes I get the lucky ticket out of here, hopefully by tomorrow I should know, watch this space.

[Admin]

You'll have to get this new 'gambling' hobby sorted, so you can move there :) You only need learn how to use a betting exchange, I do all hard work of producing the profits :)

[ginapeterb]

Ok Keith yes I get the lucky ticket out of here, no freezing cold weather and the goods dont turn up, no piffy piffy weather, s... crappy mornings, trips to Asda, waking up to nice warm mornings, I will think of you..when I look out of the hotel bedroom window...ooooohhhhhhhhh can you see it ? yes I will be shpping out once again, lock stock and 2 full suitcases of Cadburys selection boxes and M and M's wish me well, but hey its another 19 days, and 1 hour 55 minutes...to get to Gulf Air's Business Class lounge...see you over the skies above Middle East.

[Admin]

One of my other members is off to Oz first week in January, so will the last person in the UK please turn the lights off ;D

[ginapeterb]

Yes I haven't heard if anyone is going "in Country" for the xmas..is it only me..I can't be the only one going ?

The must be someone else going out around this time...anyway..just to put a taster your way you lot out there....I got the Exectuive Suite at the Sugarland Bacolod City, Negros for only 995 per night..the room has a King Size Matrimonial ! Mini Bar, cable..shower separate...Bath Tub hahahahahaah get some use out of that....bubbles..hmmmm Fax machine..PC heheheh...not baad for 995 per night..hmm just about a Tenner a night for this level of comfort..and the room has a lounge suite..and at special request..a chrstmas tree. hahahaha. anyway.I will be thinking of you all when I wake up and look out of the window and the glorious sunshine...sounds like a wonderful life.

[Admin]

Isn't tropical strom 'Pete' due about that time? ;D

[ginapeterb]

Well I hope not Keith...or I'm in trouble.

[Admin]

Have you visited a shanty town yet, I had a little wander in Davao, and apart from the smell, the people are as welcoming & friendly as usual. Don't give them anything though, you'll never get out ;D

[ginapeterb]

Yes keith Ive seen a few...I think what shocked me the most, is the one's in Manila, they are very close to the railway, under the skyway over pass, and I think what shocks me the most is you see the Executive appartments, but when you look down from them yoou see the shanties, no matter how much they pay them to move out, they still come back, and I think to assume that people will just move out for money, is wrong, because these people are so used to the life they have, they don't know anything else.

But I agree the smell some places is unbearable, especially the pollution in Manila, but its interesting you brought this one up, I haven't been to Davao, as yet Keith, although my travels won't take me down there, Its a place I have thought of going, so tell me more Keith when you have the time.

Just give me a few pointers ok

[ginapeterb]

Well I havent heard from anyone who is going in country with me around 2nd Week of December, hmmm am I the only one going this year, there must be others, only 8 and a wake up to go.

[Admin]

I think everyone is trying to get out not in ;D

[ginapeterb]

I will be going to the Philippine Embassy again tomorrow to try and get my visa, hmmmm geeeeze whats a guy to do to get in...when everyone is trying to get out....if they ask me about my intentions, like "So you are looking forward to a better life" what should I say ????

[ginapeterb]

Magandang Umaga ! UK...well here we go again, its only 7 days now and a wake up.... time moves slow when you are waiting to ship out...

[ginapeterb]

Well...its is 2 days 2 hours and 24 minutes and 43 seconds just then....mark.

That is the time until I head down to London's Heathrow Terminal 3 to board the flight that takes me to go "In country" once again, last couple of days at work now, before shipping out, I am hoping all the Forum has a good Christmas, I will be having my first one in the Phils...so looking forward to it, and its been a great pleasure moderating the forum this year writing articles.

Been great also working with my colleague and co moderator Keith at Admin, also thanks to Keith this year for hosting the site at his expense.

Thanks a lot Keith, well done and look forward to next years hosting and support from both of us.

[peterdavid]

Well...its is 2 days 2 hours and 24 minutes and 43 seconds just then....mark.

That is the time until I head down to London's Heathrow Terminal 3 to board the flight that takes me to go "In country" once again, last couple of days at work now, before shipping out, I am hoping all the Forum has a good Christmas, I will be having my first one in the Phils...so looking forward to it, and its been a great pleasure moderating the forum this year writing articles.

Been great also working with my colleague and co moderator Keith at Admin, also thanks to Keith this year for hosting the site at his expense.

Thanks a lot Keith, well done and look forward to next years hosting and support from both of us.



Have a good time there. Xmas in the Philippines is an experience in itself, if gaudy lights and endless carols in the malls are your thing, you'll have a ball. The Philippines Xmas seems to begin about June and go on until February. They love it.

This will be my first Xmas in the UK for 3 years - it all seems rather drab in comparison, although it is a welcome change to buy children's christmas presents knowing that their build quality will mean they don't all break down by 4pm on the 25th.

[Admin]

Thanks Pete, the site will be here until the day I..aarggghh.................................................................................................... :P

Don't start me on Xmas. A Religous cult get together, that has been over commercialised at our expense. Humbug :)

[ginapeterb]

Thanks for all those wishes of fun, from Peter and Keith, certainly will be enjoying myself, walking around SM with the carols and all that, you are getting me going now with all of this Christmas in the Philippines routines.

Cant wait to go, and looking forward to it.

[Admin]

You are aware that on Xmas day they still sacrifice a foreigner :o :o

[ginapeterb]

The things I have to do for England, as long as it doenst involve taking my clothes off....well its only 1 day 4 hours and a wake up

I will be thinking of you all...flying high about the clouds, winging my way out to Abu Dhabi....

1 day more to go...not much on tomorrow just putting some final touches to my suitcase, sorting out my digital cameraa kit, getting a few Cadbury's selection boxes, M and M's hmmmm typical Pasalubong gifts....geeeeze so much to think about and some socks.

[ginapeterb]

For you British Guys...here is a preparation check list for your next visit out to the land of sun, sea, s.... and cute babes.

A good place to start is as follows, think about the following items:

1. Toilet Paper (moist if possible) 1 Box at least
2. Sun Shades
3. Flip Flops
4. Shorts..Slacks..cotton shirts..shoes...
5. Sun Bloc
6. Moisturizing Lotion
7. Lip Balm
8. Mosquito Repellant
9. Digital Camera and Baterries charger...SD Card..Xd card, MMC Smartmedia card...Film...etc etc.
10. Money Belt
11. Money...(not travellers cheques)
12. Shorts cotton...plenty of spares..for swimming..walking around in...its hot.
13. Shaving cream..razor..wet toiletries
14. Books to read on long flight.
15. Anti-Dhiorrea medicine (for Gloria's revenge)
16. Salt Tablets
17. Any other Medications you take in UK...take them with you...and extra if needed.
18. A Small first aid kit. (Very good idea)
19. Saline pods (for treating infection and washing a cut or bite) (very useful) (Consult a Pharmacist about this)
20. Innoculations against Hepatitis A Hepatitius B, dengue fever, Black water disese, chaga's disease, anti malarial
(against the antropheles mosquito), watch out also for
sand flies.

Urgent note:

It has been put to me that a Dutch national recently went swimming in the inland rivers of Mindanao, dont do it, he had a very niasty appointment with a nasty little creature, that swam up his shorts and up into his pereneum, in other words up his wedding equipment, my sources say it was extremely panful, and he was in agony, I repeat again.


DONT SWIM IN THE INLAND RIVERS, THEY ARE FILTHY AND LOTS OF BUGS AND NASTY LITTLE THINGS ARE SWIMMING AROUND IN THERE.

Also if you are swimming off the waters of the lower islands, such as Boracay, or Crocodile island, I was bitten 2 or 3 times by jelly fish, they sting like hell, and spoil your day out, carry some anti inflamatory ointment or something to ease the pain ok, just warning you....!!!! hey listen to me, dont listen...you have been warned.

If you are concerned about tropical diseases in the Philippines consult your Surgery locally, the Nurse can give you a series of injections against most infections, you don't want to spoil your trip in country to see your girl, and be sick.

Things to do on arrival


1.Try and take an unlocked mobile phone, and buy a local sim card pack for either Smart or Globe so you can have a local moible number, then if you want to go seperately from your girl, and meet her late, you can contact each other.

2. Go to SM and change some money, there is always one about, in the town, the rate is better local.

3. Take your girl to pharmacy for family planning, (she probably isnt used to this, so get her into the habit of buying sufficient supplies to last your trip that is if you are sexually active with her - stop LOL you lot, this is serious, an unwanted pregnancy is not the evidence of relationship you need right now)

4. When you get to your hotel, if it has a minibar, get concierge, or porters to come and clear it, go to seven 11 or Robinsons, and get your own cans of coke, snacks, mangoes, patoto chips, and fill it with your own gear.

5. Make sure on arrival you have your Pasalubong for your girl.

(Pasalubong is talked about in Philippine customs, but for you lot who dont read, its the giving of gifts, you must have Pasalubong for your girl, and preferably her Mother)

Things to take for her, can be jewellry, (not mobile phones) buy her a new mobile phone the next day, (if you can stretch to it) perfume, like Burberry, Channel, expensive top class ones if possible, she likes fashion clothes, take her shopping and make a fuss of her, buy her new gear, jeans, trousers, blouses, bags, shoes, wont cost you the earth, the Philippines is a great place to shop for things.

6. Make sure she eats well...take her to the mall, and take her to lunch and dinner regularly, well thats all i can think of right now, anyone want to add anything they can, if you have been through this routine, lets hear from you.

[peterdavid]

Blimey.

Will you be doing and buying all this for her when you get there, and if so, fancy loaning me some money :)

[ginapeterb]

Peter,

hahaha its expensive to court a filipina..di ba ? the first time I went out there, i spent 4000 US Dollars...
anyway..Peter check your privvate messages please.

[peterdavid]

Peter,

hahaha its expensive to court a filipina..di ba ? the first time I went out there, i spent 4000 US Dollars...
anyway..Peter check your privvate messages please.



You're not wrong. Peso may be tumbling against the pound, but it somehow never translates that way into the wallet.

Messages checked - have replied. Cheers.

[ginapeterb]

Magandang Umaga Philllliiiiiippppines, Good Mooooorrrrning UK well thats it folks, For all of you wanabbe's yes Im out of here, I got the ticket out UK this morning, this is last fan fare and good will message.

i will be thinking about, freezing cold weather, and the goods rarely turn up, council tax, expensive council parking, road tax, £4.00 a gallon for fuel, the white cliffs of Dover, and all that, Im just about on my way, early rise this morning, remember the song

We gotta get out of this place, if its the last thing we ever do, we got get out of this place, !!!

Well if the shoe fits wear it, ok folks, have a good 2004

See you back next year

[ginapeterb]

well no one took the bait and replied to my last message on December 10th 2004, well here it is I am back in UK for all it worth, and no the Tsunami didnt get me, I will be looking after the forum once again, so lets keep the comments coming, serious ones please.

Hope everyone has a good start to 2005 and look forward to seeing some good information this year.

[Admin]

Plenty of earthquakes in the Philippines though, Davao hit by a 5.8 last week, but you couldn't tell ;D

[ginapeterb]

Well Folks, looks like my next lucky ticket is ready, Saturday 26th March 2005 I head off for Keiths favourite destination, Singapore Changi !! aboard his favourite airline...Singapore Airlines.

18 Days to go and counting folks, yeah I know I did this before, and its a pain...but this time its for the big M Word...M stands for Mortgage, Motherhood, Marriage...take your pick.....

Watch this space for updates.

[Admin]

SIA have just upgraded me to Silve Krisflyer :), pity they've messed up my wife's air miles, she's still on the basic package. Idiots! Sort it out at the head office when we are there.

[Oishii]

Hi Guys,

I'm new here and wish I had found this site a couple of years back.

I need help. I am traveling to the beautiful country next Monday, yes the 21st. Lucky me eh? But, I don't want to have to come back here. I hate the weather and it plays havoc with my knees.

I have a beautiful fiancee there but, because my wife, whome I left 3 years ago refuses to divorce me yet, I can't marry her. I know that when I get there I get the 21 day visa and can extend that to 59 days, but how do I get to stay there for up to 2 years, until I can divorce my wife without her permision, without legaly overstaying?

I'll do anything, except sleep with the immigration officer.

Any suggestions guys?

Bye the way Pete, I'll be happy to attend your wedding.

[Admin]

Sleeping with the immigration officer never worked for me, but I'd try anything once :lol: :lol: :o :rolleyes:

Have you issued the divorce papers yet? If not, do it yourself at the courts, costs less than £100, so nothing to lose if she says no. Their are also ways around that, do a search on Google, you seldom have to wait 5 years.

[Oishii]

Hi Keith. Thanks for the advice. It's been complicated between me and my wife. The first time we split, we stayed friends and she talked me into moving back for financial reasons, for both of us. Now we are living under the same roof, even though not co-habiting, we can't divorce.

Now I'm going again, this time to the Phil's, for good, I can divorce her with her agreement, after 2 years, or wait for 5, when it needs no agreement. I'm really counting on her divorcing me for dessertion. Fingers crossed.

I found out today that even if I can only get the extension of stay for 59 days, I can pop over to Hong Kong for a weekend and get another 21 days and extend that again. I've also got a Filipina soliciter friend looking into other ways for me.

Whatever happens, now I've found this site I'll keep in touch and maybe contribute on the odd occasion. It's great. You and Pete do a good Job. I wish I had found it when I first met my little woman. Things would have been a lot different now. There is so much info on here.

Take care.

Paul & Jasmin.

[ginapeterb]

Paul,

Keith knows that I have been going through same as you for over 18 months, I am a free agent now, and just about to get married in the Philippines to my girl, if you want to divorce your current wife, its not too hard, you can go to any solicitor and ask them to issue divorce papers on the grounds of your wife's unreasonable behaviour, (see my section on UK Divorce) defended divorces are rare, and are only for rich women, its unlikely she will be advised to defend, it will cost her a day in the high court and around £3000.00 and unless he is mega wealthy, she is unlikely to do it, however just be advised, you cannot marry your filipina babe...and you will have little or no life with her in UK, if you do not start divorce proceedings, unless you go and live with her, however you cannot run away to the Philippines and divorce your wife for 2 years and separation, or 5 years separation without consent, you have to be legally resident in the UK to do this, I know of many cases where Brits are living in the Philippines common law with filipinas, they cannot marry, cos they are married to women in the UK, I have just had 18 months of this, so trust me I know what I am talking about, the best you can do for your girl..is start divorce proceedings now, and hopefully if you havent got children, it should only take about 3 months, if you have kids, be prepared for the long haul.

Again read my section on UK Divorce.

Best of luck

[ginapeterb]

Just an afterthought there Paul, staying together for financial reasons is a disaster, if you are not living together as man and wife, for one thing, you will never be able to bring your Filipina babe to the UK as you will need adequate and suitable accomodation for her, the ECO's in Manila will not grant a visa for her, if you have nowhere to live, if you are dependant on your current wife for accomodation or are living to keep costs down, I cant see how you will achieve your quest to be with your girl.

Just a thought, hope it works out

[Oishii]

Thanks for the advice Pete, I may need it. I didn't know that you had to be UK resident to start procedings. I never thought of the unreasonable behaviour one. Could be a good move. Too late now though as I am already commited to leave for the Phil's on Monday. I have a 1 year return ticket. If the wife doesn't divorce me during that year, I will return and start procedings then.

As for moving back for financial reasons, that goes along with my earlier comment about finding this site 3.5 years ago. I needed that advice then. Hahaha. Never mind. I've learnt my lesson now and will no doubt learn some more along lifes highway.

Paul.

[Admin]

Have you tried bluffing? Turn up at the ex's with your cases and say, as we are still married I thought that it was only right we live together......."...and I put your name on a £15,000 load I took out, and as I won't be in the country to pay it the bailiffs will be coming here for the money" :D :P

I gave my ex a list of things I'd come up with to 'ruin' her life, she signed the divorce papers 3 days later :rolleyes:

[Oishii]

Thanks Keith,

I knew this site would be a mine of good, valuable advice.
If your marriage/divorce advice is that good, perhaps I should start looking at your tips.

Paul & Jas.

[Admin]

I don't give tips, I only offer professional information. Members have cleaned up over the last two days of the Festival. No surprise though, they profit every year :D

[Oishii]

Keith,

I didn't mean to degrade your advice, just a poor choice of word. Sorry.

[Admin]

I wasn't being bitchy, no worries :D I'm a scouser so always sound like a git! :P

I class TOMMO as a tipster, and newspaper journalists.

The Mail gave Tommo's tipping line a run for a month and it finished 76pts down on all selections :lol: And yet he advertises in the Racing Post and they are not supposed to allow losers!! :blink: