My Trip Report

[thekfc]

Hi guys & gals, I arrive safely, thank.

My trip report will be a little late coming in & updating due to a lot of running around, traveling & brownouts. But it will be worth the wait.

I started the report 2 days ago but there was a brownout (there was also one yesterday too).

I had a 10am flight. I got up early & saw that there were problems on the highway so I left
home about 6:30am but I got to the airport a little after 7am as the traffic problems was already cleared.

Boarding my flight, I met a friend, his wife & his mom, they were on their way home to HK. We chatted a  bit - more about that later.

The flight to HKG was good, left on time & got there early - the food was good.

The HK to Manila flight wasn't that good for me because of turbulance & a full stomach. About 20 minutes before we landed we caught turbulance - We didn't catch any from the JFK to HKG leg. Me having a full stomach & turbulance do not mix. There is a reason why I do not ride rollercoaster & merry-go-rounds. But nothing came out - I just had an upset stomach. 

Coming through customs was a breeze plus I had my luggage tagged as priority luggage so they were the first set of luggage to come out.

Ahya was waiting for me downstairs with one of her nieces & a cousin I have never met. We went Ahya's place, say our hellos & then I crashed.
I didn't get any sleep on either flight - chatting. There were people outside having a party & singing & stuff - I slept right through the noise. 

On Sunday, I met some of our sponsors. One of our sponsors is family friend of Ahya's - he is a Judge.
I also met a few of her cousins & friend, eye candy is not the correct word to discribe them - it wouldn't do them any justice.

I also went to see the venue but I couldn't tell the "real" condition/temperature of the place as they had a brownout earlier. I did notice that they had 2 fans by the alter area - and not all the way up in the ceiling.
I have a choice of 2 different reception area - the rooftop & if it will rain, then indoors. I did stress my concern with them about the temperature & sweating.

Just about everything have already been prepared by Ahya & her sisters so there isn't much left for me to do - other than show up.

I also bought the wedding rings on Sunday, I paid 3,000 pesos (about $65) for the pair - 18K white & yellow gold, engraved & they also have a stone. Try finding that price anywhere in the USA. More details to follow.

The family are all coming in from the province & we have to go meet them. Also we will be doing a litte traveling the next few days - so the report will be late coming in. The next report may not be until July 5th - that is the date we will return back Manila.
 

[Capstone]

kfc,

It sounds like so far so good. What day is the wedding scheduled to take place? Have a great time!

[robert angel]

Sounds great, Kfc. Seems to me that reading trip reports is about the most favorite thing on here. I even sometimes think of going back and recounting some of mine, but most of the details are quite similar.

[z_k_g]

Hi guys & gals, I arrive safely, thank.

Great!!

I also met a few of her cousins & friend, eye candy is not the correct word to discribe them - it wouldn't do them any justice.

Pictures! Pictures! :-)

Sounds like things are going great!  Keep the reports coming!!

Did I mention pictures?   

[stevjulietb]

KFC...Zulu wants pics!  Best of luck and have fun and we want pics too! 

Steveb

[piglett]

I also went to see the venue but I couldn't tell the "real" condition/temperature of the place as they had a brownout earlier. I did notice that they had 2 fans by the alter area - and not all the way up in the ceiling.
I have a choice of 2 different reception area - the rooftop & if it will rain, then indoors. I did stress my concern with them about the temperature & sweating.

When i got to the church @ about 8am it was already getting hot.
to be honest with you we did have a couple of fans by the alter but once things got underway i didn't even think about the temp. Having never been married I was a a little nervous & i couldn't really tell you if it was really really hot or not in the church that day.
Also it's only for about an hour so have things kick off early in the day & it will all be good.


best of luck
piglett

[Dave H]

Hey thekfc,

Good luck to you and Ahya! I look forward to your trip report!

Dave

[thekfc]

Hi guys & gals, I m on my honeymoon now. I am staying at the Bohol Tropics Resorts. It is a very beautiful place - I will tell you more about it when I get back to Manila.
I am on a (free) public computer at the resort & people are waiting to use it.

The wedding was on Wednesday June 30th.

[thekfc]

Here are a few pics (just a teaser) - they are a bit small. I will have better one when I return.

[thekfc]

More Teasers

[thekfc]

More

[thekfc]

We are about to go visit the Chocolate Hills & also see the Tarsiers.

Will update later.

[Gato4Astrid]

Nice photos and  congraulations!

[piglett]

well done KFC we will look forward to hearing about the whole deal when you return.


piglett

[Ray]

Congratulations KFC and best wishes to you and your lovely bride!

Ray

[stevjulietb]

Best wishes

Steveb

[thekfc]

We just got back from the day trip - it was wonderful.

We opt to go with a tour group instead of a private tour - good decision.
Not only was it cheaper (1500 peso/person to 2500 pesos/person) but we also got to interact with the other people on the group - Koreans, Japaneses & Filipinos from Canada (the son making his first trip to Phil & the mom first trip in 20 years).

We visited the oldest church, the site of the Blood Compact, saw the Tarsiers, The chocolate Hills (Ahya said that this is the only place that she do not want to return to - it was HOT!!!!) & a few other places.

We are staying at the Tropics Resort - very beautiful place. Instead of one building, you have a few houses/cabins spread over the place, they also have 3 swimming pools & an outdoor Jacuzzi. We also get free breakfast. For food we go out. There is a Jollibee & a few other places about 2-3 minutes away (7 pesos on the tricycle).

To me Cebu is a "little" Manila with less of the craziness. But Bohol is beautiful - complete contrast from Manila.
The difference between Bohol & Manila/Cebu is night & day.

There are some, a lot of very beautiful houses in Bohol.  Think of Bohol this way - You have the big city (NYC, Boston, LA, Manila) & the laid back/"retirement" places (Key West, Venice, Bohol).

The only thing that would prevent me from moving t a place like Bohol is that all my life I have been a big city guy, a technology/electronic guy, the one to test things out & I would be missing my "gadgets".

Guys I have to leave now - the public computer is outdoors & the mosquitoes are biting.

I will continue when I return to Manila - we will be taking the Super Cat to Cebu & then fly back to Manila in the evening.

[thekfc]

The Wedding was on June 30th.

Everything was prepared before I got to the Philippines.

There were many "influential" people/sponsors in my wedding party. A Judge, a few government workers, a head pastor, etc. I was surprise that her family knew (and are friends) with that many "high profile' people.

The wedding was at 4pm & me and 3 of the guys got there around 2pm. While waiting we all fell asleep/took a nap. We woke a little after 3pm & got dresses then the rest of the wedding party started to arrive. 2 of the guys went down to greet them.

When it was time I was guided to the hall & given instructions on what to do.

There was someone who introduced everybody as we walk down the aisle. Ahya was beautiful in her wedding dress. I am very happy (well everyone too) that I opt to have this kind of wedding.

The color theme was green. The bridesmaid wore a green dress (we bought the materials & the dresses were made) & the groomsmen wore a green shirt/t-shirt under their barong. The place was decorated in green & white, the wedding cake was also green & white.

It wasn't that hot in there - I was nice & cool until.......they had to turn the fans off when it was time to light the candles at the alter. I quickly started heated up & took out my 'towel". 

We had the reception in the hall.
The food was good, great. Beef, pork (a whole pig), chicken & fish. Whomever the chefs were - they did a great job.

After eating, there was a picture taking section with bride & groom. After that we cut the cake & then the wine. I also had a bottle of Godiva Liqueur at the reception.

Then we went home & started getting ready for the honeymoon.

Also, it rain during the wedding -  prosperity and happiness for the newlyweds.

[thekfc]

We left early the following morning.
We gave most of the cash we had on hand to family members from the province. Our intention was to get money at the ATM at the airport - bad idea.

There were 5 ATMs (BPI, BDO, etc) at the NAIA airport in Manila - none of them were giving out cash to Visa/Plus, MasterCard/Cirrus, etc. People were furious. Ahya manage to use her "local" card to take out 100 pesos so we can cover the departure tax (200 pesos/each).

When we got to Cebu guess what - same problem.

So we took a taxi & check in at our hotel & ordered dinner placed n my card.
The food at the hotels are expensive - about 4-5 times what you would pay outside. But we were tired & didn't want to go out.

The following morning we went to Citibank & I withdrew cash.
We had lunch & I treated Ahya to a movie - Tom Cruise's "Knight and Day".

We spent 2 days in Cebu. We stayed at the Castle Peak Hotel. the rate for our room  1,688 pesos (about $35 US) per night.

Then we headed to Bohol.

[thekfc]

The first hotel we went to Buen Billa (or something like that) was a disaster. The first room they gave us - there was a leak in the ceiling, the 2nd & 3rd rooms smell like mildew.

We checked right out & checking in at the Bohol Tropics Resorts. It is located less than 5 minutes from the ferry. It is gated - you come up to a gate & the guards let you in.

We got what you call the Terrace room - it is a row of houses/rooms & we are close to the front desk. We have a great view overlooking the ocean/river.

The rate 2,350 pesos (about $55 US) a night. It is well worth it. We get free breakfast of our choice both days that we are/were there. The food there are  expensive(all hotels are) but it is good.

As for hotel - you get what you pay for. Do not skim by going to the cheaper price hotel....unless that is what you want. Do a little reading/research first. It is also great to have reservation in advance.

[thekfc]

We decided to go with a group than with a private tour. Cheaper & more interaction.

If you want a group tour - make the reservations in advance as it is not a huge group & it get filled pretty quick. I think the largest tour group were 22 people. 

In addition to the places I already mention before, we had lunch on a floating boat. Everything is included in the tour _ transportation, entrance fee, food, etc.

I will mention this again as Ahya want me to. She is not going back to see the Chocolates Hills - too hot. We had to climb over 200 steps to get to the )better) viewing area, and at the top it is hot. Everyone, I mean everyone was sweating.  I was wondering why the tour guides all stayed at the bottom & let us go up - the heat.
 

[thekfc]

We are about to get ready to leave.  We are about to pack, then take a shower (again), then check out & go to the ferry for a 10:30am boat ride to Cebu. Then spend a few hours in Cebu before heading to the airport for our afternoon flight to Manila.

I left the camera cords (and my DSLR - big mistake, I needed it in Bohol) in Manila so I cannot post more pics until we get back. The pics I posted before were pics one of the niece took & forwarded to my email.

I will update when I get to Manila. 

[Dave H]

Hey thekfc,

Congratulations to the new bride and groom!

Dave

Dang, I was hoping that we would be neighbors in Bohol! I am off to Cebu, it looks like I just missed you.  

[z_k_g]

PICTURES!!

 

Congrats KFC!!! AWESOME TRIP!!

Beautiful bride also!!

[Ray]

I really appreciate a member who will take the time to post a trip report during his honeymoon... 

Thanks kfc!

Ray