Making the Trip -- Finally!!!

[xcited]

Hey Guys,
     I know it's been a while since I've posted here, but I have been really busy with work, life, and chatting with my Filipina.  Well, the trip is booked for Aug 15 - Aug 25 and I am really looking forward to it.  I have taken the advice of those on the board and picked up little gifts for her relatives -- nothing too expensive (Dollar Store, Target, WalMart).  The plan is to arrive in Manila spend the first day or so there (she lives in the Manila area) then visit her family in Laguna.  After that we will go to Bohol then maybe Tagatay and back to Manila for my flight home.  If anyone has other suggestions I am wide open to hear those too.  I don't know if I will be able to post while I am there, but will post when I get back.  Also, I wanted to thank all the guys on this board for their insight and help.  I really believe this will be a great trip and hope for the best. 

     So far I will say she seems to be the kindest, most sincere girl I have ever met.  I was introduced by a friend who is married to a Filipina and has met this girl in person.  He thought the same thing, except of course he thought his wife was better.    I have been watching for the "Red Flags", but other than a very minor bit of jealousy (more like curiosity about any women I work with or who are friends), I haven't seen any. 

     Any last minute general advice or trip advice would of course be appreciated.  Also, any ideas of how to keep myself busy and/or entertained during a near 20 hour trip?


Thanks!!!

Xcited

[Marshall K]

If you are lucky, maybe your plane will have a personal movie player.  If not, bring one.  Good books help.  I usually start with a double Jack Daniels and a beer back.  Vicodin for the back.  Have fun!
Marshall

[Bob_S]

any ideas of how to keep myself busy and/or entertained during a near 20 hour trip?

I second Marshall's idea about the personal DVD player.  Check your flight on the Internet to see what amenities they offer in-flight.  Older 747s typically have the big screen that everybody watches together.  777s and some airbuses have personal entertainment devices which make the personal DVD player unnecessary.  If you DO get the player, get a back-up battery.  A fully charged player usually only has enough juice for 1, maybe 2 movies.  Unless you know how to sleep on long flights, that won't be enough.  I usually bring a couple of paperbacks, something I've been meaning to get around to reading one of these days.  If this is your first big trip over there, you can spend the time reading one of the "Culture Shock" books or a Lonely Planet guide.

[Staggo]

Good luck...but if you are the same size as me, go to the counter and ask for exit row seats. If not for that I think I would have died inflight lol. The flight is not all that bad even in coach. I was in regular seats from Manila to Japan.  I did not die.  Even though the food in Toyko almost killed me by the time I reaced LAX lol

[Dave H]

Hi xcited

Congratulations on your upcoming trip! It sounds like you have everything in order.
I third Marshall's idea of bringing a personal DVD player and as Bob mentioned get a back-up battery. We got one for about $100 at Brandsmart with the exra battery. It has been  a lifesaver with our young daughter(5 y/o in Sept)...and me.  Our daughter has made 2 trips to the Philippines and 1 trip in utero.  We haven't had much of a chance to travel with our daughter being young. My wife's family is from Bohol and we are thinking of building a house their in the near future. I'm sure you are planning on seeing the Chocolate Hills, floating up the river on the dinner boat and seeing the tarsiers. Panglao Island (near Tagbilarin) is very nice. If you are feeling very adventurous check out Marimar and his...her huge python Prony. I'm going to see if she can make me a snake skin thong when it sheds again.  I'm sure guys know other great areas to visit in the Philippines.

Have fun!

Dave

http://youtube.com/watch?v=m0aR6cnZOWE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KfJlXCqOXb8

[xcited]

All -- Thanks for the tips, I have access to a portable DVD player and external battery so I will take that.  Also, I have already read the latest "Culture Shock" book and it was VERY good.

Dave - your videos and obsession with "Lady Boys" still worries me, but it is funny.   

Final questions (hopefully):
     Do I need a special power converter so I don't fry my electronics?
     Do I need any shots before I travel?
     I know PDA is not acceptable, but how do I greet her at the airport?


That is it for now -- really appreciate the help.


Xcited

[Bear]

1) yes.  I put my laptop converter to 220vac.  same plug. you can buy a universal kit at Radio Shack or Fry's.
2) no
3) let her make the move.  But I think asking her now what is expected and acceptable is a good idea.  Take it from someone who learned the hard way, PDAs can hurt ya.  I saw some girls dressed pretty slutty and was told their husbands wanted them to dress that way and all the chika was they were what they looked like.  Holding hands is okay. 

The Bear Family

[Dave H]

Final questions (hopefully):
     Do I need a special power converter so I don't fry my electronics?
     Do I need any shots before I travel?
     I know PDA is not acceptable, but how do I greet her at the airport?

Hey xcited,

Lady boys are like a bad song...as hard as you try, you can't get them out of your mind! 


You can buy power converters in the Philippines if needed. Check your electronics. My laptop, portable DVD player, Video Camera, and travel iron are all 110/220 compatable without doing anything. Some require that you move a switch from 110 to 220. Most Philippine electric outlets take plugs that are similar to the old US non grounded, twin flat blade plugs, with both blades the same width. A 110 US plug would likely fit into the Philippines outlet enough to blow up your electronic equipment. I have never tried it, but I have heard of 110 radios, TVs, etc., being blown up.



Don't forget to bring a supply of prescription medicine, if you are taking it on a regular basis. It wouldn't hurt to bring a pain killer/fever reducer like Tylenol or Motrin. Benedryl is also quite useful for allergies both internal and external. Mosquito repellent can also prove handy. Mosquitoes that bite in the  daytime can produce Dengue Fever and those that bite at night may cause Malaria if you are in infected areas. Don't drink the tap water, water sold by street vendors, or fountain soft drinks. Drink quality bottled water (Wilkins, Absolute, etc.) from stores. Canned and bottled soft drinks are fine. Don't use ice you don't make yourself. If not you may get a profuse case of diarrhea called amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery). I even used bottled water when I brushed my teeth. I also avoided eating foods from street vendors as my stomach is no match for those of Ray, Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmern.

Dave

Check out parts 1 through 6:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4XlQB0YlNk

[Ray]

ted,

I wouldn't be too concerned about the PDAs while you're in Manila. Things are different if you're in the smaller cities (like Tagbilaran) or out in the provinces, but Manila is pretty progressive and they're not so anal about public affection there. Remember that Manila held the world record a few years back for the most couples kissing in public at the same time on Valentine's Day.

I probably wouldn't stick your tongue down her throat at the airport, but she just may be disappointed if you at least don't greet her with a good hug. Holding hands and hugging in public is no biggie in Manila.

Are you flying to Bohol or taking the ferry? Personally, I won't sleep on those overnight inter-island ferries. I want to be awake when if it starts it's descent to Davy Jones' Locker...

Have a great trip!

Ray

[Dave H]

Are you flying to Bohol or taking the ferry? Personally, I won't sleep on those overnight inter-island ferries. I want to be awake when if it starts it's descent to Davy Jones' Locker...

Have a great trip!

Ray

Hey Ray,

Right, no point in making it an unplanned "dive trip!" I would fly from Manila to Cebu by jet. Check out Cebu for a few days, then take the Super Cat ferry to Tagbilarin. Or fly direct from Manila to Tagbilarin.

Dave

[Bob_S]

It wouldn't hurt to bring a pain killer/fever reducer like Tylenol or Motrin. Benedryl is also quite useful for allergies both internal and external.

Now, when a person travels to Japan, it is often advisable to bring a supply of American strength cold an flu medicine just in case.  Not because such OTC medicine is not available there, but because the OTC meds in Japan are titrated for their petite bodies and as such are weak as p!ss when it comes to helping our big American frames.  Would you say the same rule applies to the Phils?

[Bear]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the PDAs while you're in Manila. Things are different if you're in the smaller cities (like Tagbilaran) or out in the provinces, but Manila is pretty progressive and they're not so anal about public affection there. Remember that Manila held the world record a few years back for the most couples kissing in public at the same time on Valentine's Day.

"Lovapalooza" (I think that was called) was for a cause to get the Philippines in the record book.  It was not "PDAs" but kissing for a "cause".  It included movie stars and public figures trying to change how the world sees the R.P.

Like I said make your lady feel comfortable and discuss it with her and let her make this decision.  In private she'll be much more receptive, (more than enough to meet and exceed your expectations).  If she is someone who is against PDAs like my Honey was (even at the wedding) you'll cause her discomfort that might comeback and bite ya.  In my case her cousin went around telling all Honey's family and our sponsors she was a slut for kissing me, in the privacy of our Manila Hotel suite, in that sponsors presence.  Like all lies it went from "kissing" to "having sex" in a few days and I had to watch my Honey spend days crying over the attitude she was getting from people.  It also caused me to have to spend days repairing the rumors because all the sponsors were quitting us.

Trust me, in the Philippines, PDAs are better left undone.  In a country where women spend the majority of their time talking their chika and insulting/criticizing each other for whatever reason they can, why risk it?

The Bear Family

[Staggo]

I agree with Bear... As someone just back from there, I wanted to grab Lang as soon as I saw her. I settled for a kiss, but my arm was around her the whole time. She kept saying that everyone was watching, and I took that the que that I should be very careful.  When we were together alone, everything was great. Even in public, I do not respond well to what others see as being "right". But as a foreigner in another country, I just went with what she told me.  PDA is still frowned upon, and there it can ruin a good girl's reputation. I understood this and acted appropriately. But I also know that it is hard to restrain yourself from greeting your love with the feeling that you have built up. But remember always when you are there, you are in another country with different rules.


Staggo

[Dave H]

PDA's are accepted more in the big cities. Especially if she is not from there and no family members are with her. The smaller cities in the provinces tend to be more conservative. I met my wife in her hometown, with plenty of relatives around. When I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac, a small cheering section erupted! I turned around to see who the celebrity was behind me.  I was surprised to see that there was no one behind me. My wife was so embarrassed and had wanted to come with only her brother. Not going to happen in the Philippines if family and friends find out about it. I got away giving a brief hug to my future wife after hugging her sister, whom I knew in the States. My wife got teased about it all the way to my hotel and for days afterward. 

Dave

[xcited]

Thanks all -- I will avoid the PDA and follow her lead.  From what I have seen about the plan so far, she will be meeting me at the airport with her Aunt and her female cousin.  They will take me to the hotel, then all of them will go home.  The next morning she will come over by herself for breakfast and I have a feeling it will be REALLY early in the morning. 

She lives in Manila, but is from the province and even if PDA is more acceptable in Manila I don't think she will participate.

Dave -- I would have loved to have seen the reception at the airport.  You ARE a rock star, you just don't know it.


Xcitd

[Dave H]

From what I have seen about the plan so far, she will be meeting me at the airport with her Aunt and her female cousin.  They will take me to the hotel, then all of them will go home.  The next morning she will come over by herself for breakfast and I have a feeling it will be REALLY early in the morning. 

Hey xcited,

I hope it all goes down that way! Don't be shocked if a half dozen more relatives show up and spend the night at your hotel.  It happens all the time, even if your lady tries to stop it.

Dave -- I would have loved to have seen the reception at the airport.  You ARE a rock star, you just don't know it.

Xcitd

I still have the sign they held up. My wife was so embarrassed!  I am probably as big as a rock or movie star in the Philippines!  Very soon, you will be soon! 

Dave

[singlefather no more]

Guys,

"PDA is still frowned upon, and there it can ruin a good girl's reputation. I understood this and acted appropriately"

ummmmmmmm what the heck is a PDA ?

singlefather

..

[michaelb]

Public Display of Affection. In other words, getting all kissy and touchy where people can see you.