my cagayan De Oro adventure

[Heruamen]

   So i am finally here , and i still keep pinching myself.  I have been here for six days now, and my girl has completely irreversibly spoiled me.  I have been pampered like royalty by her.  Our home here is very nice and it will be difficult to leave here.   Cagayan De Oro is a beautiful city with lots of nature.  But I have only seen the nature from the plane since we rarely ever leave our bedroom.  We have gone to the mall a lot though, just to buy things for the house.  For those guys who are still single if you come to the sm mall in cagayan de oro you will feel as if you died and went to heaven because there are literally many angels casually strolling thru the mall.  I stay in a two story 3 bedroom rental in Xavier estates subdivision. Its right around the corner from sm mall and anything we could possibly need is so close by. Lots of security around this place but after all this is mindanao but i feel no danger here. The vibe is so different here, and the people seem so much happier and social.
            When I got off the plane in Cagayan and saw my darling Karen the first time she was way more beautiful than what i saw in the webcam.  She was very shy at first but later we could not keep our hands off one another.  When I first landed in Manila i felt an almost immediate dislike for that place.  It was just something I felt and the people seem different there then in Cagayan. I landed in Manila at 10pm but my domestic flight to Cagayan was not until about 4:30am so i was in manila about 6hours 3 of which i spent sitting  in a hard plastic chair waiting for the centinial airport to open.  I had no idea until the day before my flight that there was more than one airport in Manila.  On my chicago to tokyo flight I had been adopted by 4 wonderful Filipina matrons who watched over me like mother hens until I got to Manila.  One even had her brother and niece take me from Ninoy Aquino airport to the the domestic centinial airport so I didtnt have to catch a taxi.

[Heruamen]

  Here are some pictures of me and my girl and her family.  The picture where she is alone is in the dining room of our home

[stevjulietb]

Great Pics H-man, best of luck to you both.

Steveb

[Heruamen]

   When I landed In Cagayan I was really struck by all the natural beauty I could see from the plane just before we touched ground.  I saw my girl waiting there for me wearing what i asked her to so i could see her easily.  She looked great and was so much more petite than i thought, which is great for me since I am a short guy. We went straight to the house which was about 6 or 7 minutes from the airport.  I got really comfortable there and we didnt go anywhere that day.  She cooked me rice, vegetables and chicken adobo which was so good.  It reminded me of jamaican curry chicken.  Our plan pretty much was to talk and get to know one another the first day and do no more than embrace.  however we ended up getting more intimate than planned.

[Heruamen]

oh here are so more pics that i meant to send in the last post

[thekfc]

Heruamen...I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your stay.

These are some great pics.

You are already spoiled...hehe.

Everyone tell me I have to try the chicken adobo....they all tell me one word...masarap.

You are a short guy? I wouldn't notice it from your pic.
I am short black guy myself- 5'6" about 160lbs - I want to go down to about 150lbs ( I think I am fat - which everyone tells me I am not - hehe, where did I hear that before). 
Everyone I talk to tells me that the don't like manila & to avoid it - I will take that notice.

Enjoy yourself & your stay and keep us posted.

[Heruamen]

thanks kfc.  I am 5 foot 6 and i hover between 1701b and 180lb depending on the cardio i am doing.  My girls cooking combined with the fact that i have not worked out good since i got here, has totally destroyed my six pack abs hehehehe.   Today I shall remedy that since I have found a nice gym.  I did purchase a cheap punching bag.  i Would have paid 100 dollars in the states for it but here i only paid 19 usd.  I tried to workout with it but i keep knocking it down.  They dont seem to have good strong s hooks around here.

[Ray]

Hey Heruamen.

I enjoyed reading your report.

There is really one airport in Manila with two separate terminals. You arrived at the international terminal and the domestic flights operate out of the nearby domestic terminal.

That was always an advantage of using Philippine Airlines from the left coast. PAL arrives at and departs from the domestic terminal. Arrivals are normally early AM, like 4:30 – 6.00.

You were lucky that you only had to wait until 4:30 AM. I can remember when the domestic terminal didn’t open until 6 AM and the first flight out was at 6:30 AM.

Have you had a chance to visit the Lemketkai (sp?) Mall in CDO yet? It’s smaller and outdoors but I found some pretty good tacos there.

If you have a chance, you have to also visit Cebu City and Manila during your trip, at least a couple of days each.

Also, nearby Camiguin Island is a great overnight trip or even day trip if you start real early. Rent a ride to Balinguan and catch the ferry to Camiguin. They used to have a direct ferry from CDO so that may be an option too, but with a longer boat ride.

Enjoy your stay in The City of Golden Friendship and keep in touch.

Any wedding plans yet?   

Ray

[thekfc]

My weight also hovers between 155 to 170lbs. The lighter weight suits me better because I have a small frame, so I want to go down to about 150lbs.
I haven't been to the gym in a while because when I used to go, I just couldn't get a machine or time was limited. In NYC, everyone seems to go to the gym at the same time & the ones close to my job will cost you 2 arms & a leg. 
But I did the next best thing - I bought a recumbent bike - so I can just sit at home, be on my laptop or watch tv & just peddle away.

[Heruamen]

I did go to the lemkitkai mall but i like everything about the sm mall much better.  The limkitkai was so crowded.  It was the Cagayan fest though.  Okay everyone who warned me about driving was right in what they said about how people drive here though.  I still want to drive but i dont think my budget will allow.  I might try to get a scooter thought everyone seems to ride them, and it was a long walk from my house to the gym.  Where I live is not the heart of downtown its more like a suburb. When we rode thru the heart of downtown i felt like I was in the real Philippines, because there was so much activity so much life, so much color.   I love my girls family and i have gotten especially attached to her 3 year old niece Samantha. When she is with me in the mall everyone keeps asking is she my daughter, because her complexion is like mine and she is always riding my back.

[Heruamen]

   Also the food is really good.  My girls cooking, her moms cooking, and every eating place i have gone to my mouth explodes with flavor.  Thank god i found a gym or i would get fat for sure.

[Dave H]

BAM!!! That's what I'm talking about!

Hey Heruamen,

It looks like you are in Heaven! You are a great looking couple!
I have to agree with everything you said! I will IM my phone number, but give you some time to "adjust" before I visit. 

I stand a towering 5 foot 8,  which makes me a somewhat of a giant around here!  The gym down the street from my house costs $6 per month. I really need to join.

Congratulations!

Dave

[Jeff S]

Yes, sounds like you're in heaven H-man. Congrats!

[Bear]

I'm jealous man!!  Wish I could visit again.  Maybe next year.

The Bear Family

[soltero]

Thanks for posting so many great pics! It is really good to hear you are having an excellent time! I am going to copy the post I placed in the other thread here to be sure you see it! 

  I have been in Cagayan De Oro for about 1 week and I love it.  I just got my internet up yesterday so I will be posting a more detailed trip report.

Hey Cuz! Glad to see you are there and loving it. The tiny pic of you and your girl looks great (what I can see of it)! You two look great together, and she is a DOLL! I sent you an email about a week or two ago and I didn't get a response. I don't know if you have figured out how to use the PMs here because I have sent you some and no response there either. Let me know if I did or said something to piss you off! 

I don't use the email addy that you have anymore, and I need to know how to get my new one to you. I would like to get some pics of your trip if you can send them to me, and I need to get your contact info again. Let me know if you are straight with the PMs now so that I can get you that info.

Have a great trip, and I hope to hear from you soon...

[Heruamen]

    I got your email and i attempted to send you an email 1 or 2 days ago complete with pictures but I dont think it went thru i got that Mailer Daemon thing.  I will try again though.   YOu said what little you could see of the pictures?  I guess i will have to try to send them again thru email.   Last night we went out on the town in the heart of the city.  It was really awesome.  I rode in a motorbike contraption that has a square connected in the back with seats.  It was the first time i rode anything other than a taxi.  We were invited to a nice eating place by everyly and Annette to celebrate Everly's birthday.  They treated us and we ate like kings.  The streets are really lively here at night.  I ate so much that i felt like bursting.  And i was in the company of 3 beautiful ladies.

[Dave H]

 
But I did the next best thing - I bought a recumbent bike - so I can just sit at home, be on my laptop or watch tv & just peddle away.

Hey thekfc,

I miss my recumbent stationary bike and road bike! I had to leave them at my brother's house in the US. Those things are the best! I would pop in an interesting DVD and ride the recumbent stationary bike for and hour or two before I realized it. I am looking for another in the Philippines.

Dave

[Dave H]

I rode in a motorbike contraption that has a square connected in the back with seats.  It was the first time i rode anything other than a taxi. 

Hey Heruamen,

You rode on a tricycle. It is one of my preferred methods of transportation. We call the type you rode on a "long haul" around here. It usually goes on longer routes. It has the motorcycle mounted in the middle of the box. The box is larger and carries more passengers than the standard tricycle with a side mounted box. I am thinking about having a tragically built for private use. It is much more maneuverable and easier to get around in the city than most vehicles (other than a motorcycle or scooter). Now you need to ride the king of public transportation vehicles in the Philippines...The Jeepney! 

Dave

Try to find a seat inside, unless you want a really wild ride! 

[thekfc]

Now you need to ride the king of public transportation vehicles in the Philippines...The Jeepney! 

Dave

Try to find a seat inside, unless you want a really wild ride! 

I would love to ride in one of these - just to experience it............ once.

[soltero]

    I got your email and i attempted to send you an email 1 or 2 days ago complete with pictures but I dont think it went thru i got that Mailer Daemon thing.  I will try again though.   YOu said what little you could see of the pictures?  I guess i will have to try to send them again thru email.   Last night we went out on the town in the heart of the city.  It was really awesome.  I rode in a motorbike contraption that has a square connected in the back with seats.  It was the first time i rode anything other than a taxi.  We were invited to a nice eating place by everyly and Annette to celebrate Everly's birthday.  They treated us and we ate like kings.  The streets are really lively here at night.  I ate so much that i felt like bursting.  And i was in the company of 3 beautiful ladies.

If you got my email, then I need to send you another one and figure out what might be going on. I will be sure to include my other email address just to be safe. When I mentioned that about the picture, I was referring to the little picture that you set to appear under your name here. I forgot what they call them...icon, avatar...that one! I hadn't made my way to this trip report than, so I was very happy to see the pics you have been posting here and that you are having a great time! I am very glad that you decided to post such a great trip report and that you are loading it with pics of your adventure. Thanks, and I am very happy that you have found a wonderful girl and you are very happy! Take care, and I will send another email as soon as I post this!

[Cbear]

I would love to ride in one of these - just to experience it............ once.

Once is enough.

[Heruamen]

  Dave I saw a recumbent bike in the mall here in Cagayan.  It was at SM or Limketkai I dont remember which but i will price it for you.  I have not rode the jeepney yet but that will be next on my list.  YOu guys were right about driving here though. It the traffic part that gets me.  I have never seen such chaos.  The normal crazy driving they do I think I can handle.  Its that traffic downtown.  If i did drive I would avoid downtown during major traffic.  I really want a scooter though.  If i find a cheap used one I will get it but my girl is dead set against it.   Cuz I see your email and I will reply to it.  I am so glad you like the pics there.  Believe me there will be many more since we take so many everyday.  The digital  camera really is a great invention. 
    Hmmm i just woke up this morning to some great ?? hehehehe now i sitting on the edge of the bed while my girl is downstairs cooking a wonderful breakfast.  I will need it to recharge my battery hehehehehe.  She seems determined to make me fat.  She is so good at budgeting this food money I just leave it all to her.

[Dave H]

  Dave I saw a recumbent bike in the mall here in Cagayan.  It was at SM or Limketkai I dont remember which but i will price it for you. 

Hey Heruamen,

Thanks, I appreciate it!

I have not rode the jeepney yet but that will be next on my list.  YOu guys were right about driving here though. It the traffic part that gets me.  I have never seen such chaos.  The normal crazy driving they do I think I can handle.  Its that traffic downtown.  If i did drive I would avoid downtown during major traffic.  I really want a scooter though.  If i find a cheap used one I will get it but my girl is dead set against it.   

I would like to get my wife a scooter. Our friend has a Yamaha scooter which is very nice. I like it better than my Honda XRM 125cc. I have pretty much given up on driving anything on 2 wheels downtown. After my strokes, there is just too much information to process...balance, shifting with no clutch, crazy drivers, potholes, bumps, gravel, and other obstacles... A short hop to the mall or the bundok is not bad.

Hmmm i just woke up this morning to some great ?? hehehehe now i sitting on the edge of the bed while my girl is downstairs cooking a wonderful breakfast.  I will need it to recharge my battery hehehehehe.  She seems determined to make me fat. 

Enjoy breakfast!  I certainly enjoyed mine...

She is so good at budgeting this food money I just leave it all to her.

Congratulations! She sounds like my wife. After 9 years that is still the way I do it. My wife and her sisters are planning a Baptism for our son and a birthday party for our daughter. All I have to do is show up. I keep trying to give them more money...but they are still below budget! 

Dave

[Dave H]

Once is enough.

Hey Cbear,

If I ever build my dream jeepney I think you will change your mind. Aircon, DVD player and multiple monitors, great sound and lighting system systems, captain's chairs. wet bar with a ref full of San Miguel... 

Dave

[piglett]

Hey Cbear,

If I ever build my dream jeepney I think you will change your mind. Aircon, DVD player and multiple monitors, great sound and lighting system systems, captain's chairs. wet bar with a ref full of San Miguel... 

Dave

Dave i think that you have forgoten a couple of very important features.

1st ....the extra large hot tub
2nd ....a couple of topless towel girls.
3rd......a nice masage table   


piglett