Jon Richard sets a foot into the world of Filipino mystery!!

[Maria B]

jon,

U may visit Philippines for 21 days without a visa....then if you enjoy your stay u may extend arrange a 38 day visa waiver extension (P3,000 plus) I don't know how much it is now. I'm from Cebu & my husband just had it process through my Dad's office (travel agency for Php1,500, year2008). You may check the bureau of immigration in Manila.

You may bring Traveller's cheque & have it change to Philippine National Bank of HSBC.
Cash is always convenient. Check always the exchange rate through Tele news, newspapers or nearby exhange rate store on £sterling pounds vs. Php1.
Credit cards is okay but must be expensive & u might have a surprise bill lols!
Declare enough money with you at the Heathrow airport (or any airport) enough for your travel. I forgot. How much we declare when we went for a holiday to visit my family in the Philippines last year. But if you have more to bring, make sure that you have a bank statement with you that shows it's your money. In our case, I brought my husband's business card & the heathrow airport police let us go
It's really your options.
Hope you have fun & enjoy the sun, sea & white sand. Month of August is not the bad to visit. One thing you always enjoy is the sun is always there. Always have water with you. Don't stay too long under the sunshine especially at 12 noon. Try our tropical fruits like mango, banana, pineapple & watermelon. Tastes like heaven. lols. Just like the Cadbury here it's so yummy compared to our Cadbury choc. Even Kitkat tastes heaven here compared the one in the Philippines. I will not talk a lot & leave u all the mystery behind.
Good Luck and have a good stay in the Philippines.

[Maria B]

sorry for some mistype words. I guess I need a cuppa. lols x

[Maria B]

What do filipinas prefer as gifts. ??
You girls out there.........your thoughts please!!
I don't see Chanel no 5 replacing insect spray !!!

Hiya Jon,

it really depends on what the lady's interested in. If she loves chocolate. I agree w/ the Cadbury Jean Paul Gaultier if she's into scent but Chanel 5 is not bad. Kate Moss smells heaven too. If she's into clothing, give her the Next or River Island website for her to choose. If she's petite she's ok with size 8. Cellphone/Shoes/ bag/ watches....oh bloody helll, sorry about the long list hahaha. But this is only an idea. Nothing to worry. You may ask her & find my list as options. For sure she will love chocolate. MMMM cadbury roses too

[grahamw48]

Keep the chocolate cool.

Rowntrees/Nestle chocolate factory is located in my town (York), so I can tell you that a different formulation and packaging is used for exports to foreign (hot) countries. That's partly why the candy you buy in the Phils tastes different.

Our factory is also responsible for the invention and manuacture of the biggest selling chocolate bar in the world...Kit Kat, plus of course, Aero, Polo mints and many other famous brands.

[Maria B]

Keep the chocolate cool.

That's partly why the candy you buy in the Phils tastes different.

----------------------------------
Hiya Graham,

I agree...the milk itself made the choc in the UK tastes so heavenly. One reason is that the products is mostly from the US. As part of our history, we were once under American Regime so you will not be surprise of some american products displays from the shop. But my hubby is a brummie and Filipinos are fond of Cadbury & Nestle as well. Now I can identify a Cadbury or a kitkat/ aero/ polo if its a from the Phils. or from the UK

[grahamw48]

Well if it's a British- made one you brought on the plane, you'll probably be needing a drinking straw.

[Maria B]

Well if it's a British- made one you brought on the plane, you'll probably be needing a drinking straw.

lols. If it's from England, it must be good I love english tea & trifle too...now we're having fish & chips for dinner

[Jimbojac]

Chocolate perfume and more chocolate and as suggested Cadburys.
A friend of mines wife saw a bar of Cadburys i had in my case last year in Manila and nabbed it, i had no chance of ever getting it back!

[Maria B]

Chocolate perfume and more chocolate and as suggested Cadburys.
A friend of mines wife saw a bar of Cadburys i had in my case last year in Manila and nabbed it, i had no chance of ever getting it back!

[grahamw48]

lols. If it's from England, it must be good I love english tea & trifle too...now we're having fish & chips for dinner

That's funny, because I've just cooked Chicken Adobo for me and my boy.

Also, we have dozens of packs of 'Lucky Me' Pancit Canton', because my son only likes that brand.

[Maria B]

That's funny, because I've just cooked Chicken Adobo for me and my boy.

Also, we have dozens of packs of 'Lucky Me' Pancit Canton', because my son only likes that brand.

i luv lucky me pancit too. but we have english set up at home & my husband only likes lechon but during my first trimester, I was craving for all Filipino foods. & I've got to cook Filipino foods although the taste is different. Must be the meat or the water & the sauces & my husband got no choice but to eat it

[jon richard]

thank you all so much for the advice thats been given so well..Lots of choc then in a n insulated package..Declare money hundreds of gifts and ill buy my clothes when i get there as my baggage allowance was used up!!!!! can see its going to be fun on here thanks everyone

[Englishman2010]

thank you all so much for the advice thats been given so well..Lots of choc then in a n insulated package..Declare money hundreds of gifts and ill buy my clothes when i get there as my baggage allowance was used up!!!!! can see its going to be fun on here thanks everyone

Baggage allowance In time you will learn that isn't for you, it is exclusively for gifts for your lady and her family Good job it's hot out there, all you need is a pair of shorts a couple of T-shirts and some flip-flops

[jon richard]

getting the picture thanks Englishman.

Is there much baggage theft...????
What are the customs people like about laptops and things

[Englishman2010]

getting the picture thanks Englishman.

Is there much baggage theft...????
What are the customs people like about laptops and things

I'm sure baggage theft goes on at most airports and hotels in the world at some times. I've been to the Phils 7 times and never had a problem with anything being stolen, but it's still wise to be careful and keep your baggage locked with a good quality padlock or combination lock.
I've taken a fair amount of surplus old electronics equipment out there (laptops, cameras, phones...etc) and never had a problem. If you're taking brand new boxed equipment you might have to declare it but if it's second hand and as long as it's only one of each item, it shouldn't cause you a problem.
Be on your guard for helpful Police and Security guards looking for tips or souvenirs. they can spot a white man 100 yards away and will bend over backwards to help you, and will usually ask you for a tip at some point. It's at this point that I suddenly forget how to speak English (BTW, I've found it helps to tell them you are Norwegian, as it's a pretty safe bet they can't speak the lingo)

[sars_notd_virus]

Is there much baggage theft...????
What are the customs people like about laptops and things

my bf who's now my husband keeps it with him (rucksack) whenever he goes to the Philippines

[grahamw48]

Take valuable stuff in your carry-on, though personally I've never had anything go missing (touch wood).
Customs normally very straightforward...often don't bother at all (inbound to Manila).

Travel light regards clothing...very cheap to buy there, and good quality.

Shoes above size 9 can be hard to find though.

Bear in mind that the average man there is around 5'4".

[Jimbojac]

getting the picture thanks Englishman.

Is there much baggage theft...????
What are the customs people like about laptops and things

Never had a problem Mate.
Even though it is very third World by our standards the airports are full of rich Japanese and Koreans etc and many high income Fillipinas will have all the gadgets too so its certainly not rare to see them, just watch your gear outside the airport but there is always security and police about. Make sure you grab a metered taxi and most of the decent hotels have security too and you will feel safe. Just keep your wits about you at all times in Manila, there are scams etc but generally i have a good time in the main parts of town with no worries really at all. The golden rule is to not act like a tourist but a guy that "has seen it all before."
Enjoy!

[Jimbojac]

Speaking from experience myself and also for the majority of forum members here.
Your lady friend will be very protective of you and will be anxious that you have a good time and she will know all the pit-falls inside out of a foreigner { kano} being in her country thats why you will be really looked after i am sure by her and her family.

[jon richard]

Thanks guys and girls
sounds as per normal i may have imagined a little too wildly, sounds quite civilized!!
thanks for the quick responces

[sars_notd_virus]

What do filipinas prefer as gifts. ??

I dont usually require a particular gift,...am more than happy to see my bf now husband safely arrived but when we get home his ''special luggage'' needs to be unpacked

[jon richard]

thanks jimbo sort of had that idea and hoped it would be like that with the lady..
Sound remark
Ta

[jon richard]

you mean the dried fish....

[Englishman2010]

sounds as per normal i may have imagined a little too wildly, sounds quite civilized!!
:

If you stick to the tourist areas around Makati and MOA you'll find it very civilised and Americanised. These areas have feel of Singapore or Hong Kong mixed with America about them, very civilised and you can easily forget you're in a third world country

[Arthur Little]

had just thought of trav. cheks

...

Mate!! do not take travellers cheques. Hardly anywhere cashes the things

And also because the ONLY place I know of that DID - and MAY still do - is 'Metrobank' ... and they'll charge "an arm and a leg" for the privilege!

[Arthur Little]

Anyway, Jon ... a somewhat belated from me. Folk of our generation are rather "thin on the ground" here (as is my "thatch" - on top!). It's quite a mission you've set yourself ... and you have my best wishes !!!

[Arthur Little]

Now I can identify a Cadbury or a kitkat/ aero/ polo if its a from the Phils. or from the UK

... these commodities cost a small fortune in the Phils ... because they're imported!

[tone]

Jon

Enjoy your travels I don't think I can add anything other then best wishes really. I've been to Manila a few times now and have always enjoyed it there but I rarely speak out in public for avoiding unwanted attention and I always let my Mahal do the chit chat!
I've carried a lot in my luggage and hand luggage never had a problem and my first trip I had xbox 360, two laptops two iPads pretty expensive camera and had no issues.

Have a good trip I'm heading over around 20th august and will be in Manila for a few days.

Tone