On my way to the Phils!!

[Jaystone]

Hello Everyone,

It has been a long time since my last post due to being extremely busy.   But I finally found some time.   I finally met someone nice through DateinAsia..and I am on my way to see her-as a matter of fact, I am in South Korea now waiting for my connecting flight!  I will be seeing her late tonight in Cebu.   I can hardly wait!!!!

Let me tell you a little about the young woman I will be seeing.  Her name is Mira, 32 years old with no children and lives in Ormoc City in the Leyte Province.  She was working in the computer industry until last year.  She was layed off and was supposed to take on a new job in Dubai, but she turned it down to raise her niece and nephew while her sister works in Tokyo.  She is raising her sister's  children for the next 2 years while thier mother was working.   That alone impressed me, giving up a career to raise her sister's kids.  She still lives with her parents who work are fisherman and also raise chickens.   She has another sister nearby and another brother and brother-in-law working in Cebu.  She also has a younger sister who married a pinoy who lives in San Francisco, and a married cousin in Dallas, she also another cousin who lives in England with her husband, and she has yet another cousin who getting a visitor from Australia.

Like I said earlier, I met her online and we have been chatting every day via phone and web came since late August.   What really won me over was her sincerity...she is honest, nice, of course beautiful and she really has taken interest in wanting to know about me and not what I have....I have really enjoy her company and she likes mine.....communicating her as been relatively easy as well.   She has a computer at home with internet access and that makes communicating with her with no problems.   Another thing that impressed me about her was the fact that she calls me! Every day!  She has magicjack at home but at the time she started calling me I did not realize it!  But it impressed me that she goes out of her way to communicate with me.   She also  has not asked for any money at all!  She even declined it when I offered  to help pay for the internet access for all the time we chat online-we chat at least an hour every day.  Whenever the internet is down in her area she still calls me through her cell phone.  She finally took money from me to pay for the boat ride for her mother, sister and cousin to meet me at the airport-and that was like pulliing teeth!!

I will be going into detail the trip progresses but I will be in the Phils Dec 27th thru Jan 5th staying at the Sabin Resort in Ormoc City.    My flight started Dec 25 leaving Detroit Metro Airport taking Delta to New York.  From New York I connected on Korean Airlines from JFK to Seoul.   I arrived 5am and my final flight is not until almost 8pm!! Wow.  I never had a layover that long.  Guys, this trip is pretty exciting-I never flown internationally before and the trip has been interesting to say the least.   Korean Airlines is very nice-beautiful flight attendants, online entertainment for movies, TV and music(in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese) for free and the food was decent.   What impressed me the most was the use the English and english signs everywhere. ...I thought I was in the Phils already....They also had an onboard navigation of your flight path as part of the in-seat entertainment system.   We went through Canada, across the Artic Ocean north of Alaska, through Russia and China and gave a WIDE BERTH to stay out of North Korea territory finally Seoul, South Korea.  Guys, the airport is state of the art-from what I undertand it was recenlty updated only a few years ago and it shows-internet access, resting areas, plenty of Korean and foreign restaurants(KFC and Burger King for example)they even a small area with free use of thier own computers!  Most impressive.  Also, unlike American airports.   People walked away from thier carryons without worry someone would steal them-try doing that in the US!  I was the only black guy on the plane and I only seen one other black guy who was on his way to Laos at the airport.   I did not feel uncomfortable, but it was weird nonetheless.  The Korean women are totally hot here and I could not help but stare.....wow....stunning to say the least.  I can't wait to see how hot the pinays are!!!  The people are very nice and felt safer here than I did in Detroit and New York.  Ironically, I also met a woman from Michigan who was on her way to Indonesia to see her brother who teaches english-small world!  We had a very nice a long converstation and she is returning to same day I am....we will definetly catch up....she is hoping for the best for me when I meet Mira.   By the way....it was snowing like crazy here in Seoul.

Ok.  I am signing off for now...I want to get some sleep in before the final flight to Cebu.  Sorry for the long post but I wanted to get everyone up to speed.   I will be giving reports as the trip progresses and I will be posting pictures when I get back.   I will try to give a day-to-day report to help guys out who are thinking about doing the trip.   So far it was well worth it! 

Till next time!

Jaystone

[Ray]

Have a safe trip Jay and keep us posted...

Did you bring a ring?   

Ray

[z_k_g]

Have a safe trip and think with your big head not your small one!  The pinays are very beautiful and sexy, you want to make good decisions!

Enjoy the Philippines!

Zulu

[stevjulietb]

Best of luck and enjoy your trip!

Steveb

[thekfc]

Have a safe trip Jay.

You are finally getting to experience an Asian airline services first hand. US domestic & Asian based - no comparison. I haven't flown Korean Air.............. yet but have flown on their main rivals. I have heard that Incheon is a very nice airport - someday I hope to make/write a comparison between it, Narita & HKIA.

I have MBC America, one of my current favorite drama is playing on there, I saw the report of the snow & at first I though that they were talking about the northeast until I saw the street signs.
Luckily you got out when you did as JFK & the other Airports in the NYC area are all currently closed because of the blizzard. 
The route you took  - that is the route that most of the Asian airlines take when they fly directly to Asia from JFK.

Enjoy your trip & keep us posted.......will be keeping an eye at the trip report section.

Also, if you see a guy running around in a purple thong.......tell him we all say hi

[Jeff S]

Hey Jay - welcome to Asia and international travel. Not sure what guys expect when they travel, but you aren't in a third world banana republic. All the major Asian cities are advanced, modern, safe, low crime, have bilingual English everywhere and are extremely service oriented. It sure isn't like flying the cattle cars of the US.

It sounds like you have a real sweetie there. Best of luck on your adventure.

[Jaystone]

Hello Everyone,

Sorry I have not been updating as I had originally planned.   I have not really had access or the time to post on the computer.   I am in South Korea now and on my way back to the States.   The trip has been a complete success and it has been everything I imagined and more!   Mira is everything I am looking and more!!!! I plan on going back sometime late this summer.    I have to sign off now, getting ready for my plane ride back home.   I will give a detailed day-to-day report once I am home with pics!  I have a lot to tell!   It took a long time to save for this trip and it was well worth it!!!

More to come!

Jaystone

[thekfc]

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

We will be waiting for you "play-by-play"

[Dave H]

Hey Jaystone,

I guessed I missed this thread with all of the Christmas and New Years activities.

I am glad that you and your lady had a great time together!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dave

[z_k_g]

More to come!

Jaystone

Great, we're waiting!!

Zulu

[Dave H]

Have a safe trip Jay.

You are finally getting to experience an Asian airline services first hand. US domestic & Asian based - no comparison. I haven't flown Korean Air.............. yet but have flown on their main rivals. I have heard that Incheon is a very nice airport - someday I hope to make/write a comparison between it, Narita & HKIA.

Hey thekfc,

Incheon is a very interesting airport! It is like stepping off the airplane and into a shopping mall. They accept most major  currencies at the cash register. Although, I was less impressed by the friendliness, manners, and attitude of most people! However, I did meet a couple friendly young Koreans working at a snack bar.

Dave

[thekfc]

Hey thekfc,

Incheon is a very interesting airport! It is like stepping off the airplane and into a shopping mall. They accept most major  currencies at the cash register. Although, I was less impressed by the friendliness, manners, and attitude of most people! However, I did meet a couple friendly young Koreans working at a snack bar.

Dave

A few people have told me that. Hopefully, I may get to do a stopover within the next 2 years. Ahya will be traveling soon (next month) and she may be going through Taoyuan.

[Jaystone]

Hey everyone, here is the start of my report.   I apologize in advance-I have been busy since I have been back.   Here goes:

Day 1-2 in Cebu.

Before I left for my flight to Cebu, I actually ran into someone else who also came from Michigan.   She was on her way to Indonesia to see her brother who is a principal of a school down there.  We exchanged emails.   The flight to Cebu was smooth and painless and the going through customs was a breeze.  My flight came into Cebu shortly before midnight.  As soon as I passed customs to pick up my luggage, a porter was already waiting for me asking me who I was meeting, did I need a cab or anything else.   I told him I was meeting my girl and her family, before I knew it, I was being escorted outside and he pointed my girl out to me.   Man, was I surprised!  She was a little bit smaller than I expected, but she every bit a beautiful as I anticipated, and even more beautiful than I anticipated!  Wow!!! I hit the jackpot!!  Mira saw me right away and ran across the street, almost getting hit by a car to meet me!  She gave me a kiss and we embraced for what seemed like forever.   At that moment in time, I could not have been more happier.   I was also greeted by her mother and her sister.  They made me feel welcome.   We were picked up by her brother-in-law in a car, who owns a tailor shop in Cebu.  I tipped the porter 500 pesos, during the ride to Cebu, Mira held tight during the entire ride….she would not let me go.  We talked all during the ride to the hotel, and her brother was giving me a brief tour of Cebu even though it was dark. 

Before flying out, I had decided to book a hotel for the night because there were no ferries going to Ormoc City till morning.   I booked one night –one room for Mira and me, and one for her mom and her sister at the Days Inn in Cebu near the airport.   Noel dropped us off and would pick us up in the morning.  After checking in, I  tipped the porter 500 pesos.   Even though we were both tired, Mira and talked for most of the night, getting to know each other.   We finally went to bed, and she held me all night like a vice grip!  I could barely breathe!  In the morning, we went down, to the dining room and met with her Mom and sister for breakfast.   We talked about our plans for the next week and I got to know her mom and family better.   During breakfast, I saw another American with his girl.   We acknowledged each other briefly.   After breakfast, we took some pictures while waiting for Noel.  He picked us up, and on the way to the ferry, he showed my around town pointing out some of the sights.  This was my first time in the Phils and looking cityside I was surprised by all the activity going on…and this was a Sunday! Everyone out and about…traffic was terrifying-if I ever lived there….I don’t think I would ever drive a car!  Before going to the ferry we dropped by Noel’s tailor shop for a brief tour….he was living their while his wife was working in Tokyo.  His kids are the ones Mira is raising.   What a hard working family!   I was impressed.   Noel made me a shirt as a gift.   I was really grateful for that.  So grateful, I told him to make me two more shirts to have ready before I went back to the states.   I paid him 200 pesos for the shirts and gave him more money for picking us up and taking us to the ferry.   After dropping us off for the Weseem Express ferry.   We watched television and played games on my iphone while waiting for the Ferry.   Well.  That is the report for Cebu.  I will be posting my Ormoc adventures shortly.   


Jaystone

[william3rd]

Sounds like an auspicious start!!!! Congratulations!!!

[thekfc]

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad you enjoy yourself Jay.
You meet her family & got to know each other more/better - that is key.

I too felt the same way when I first saw Ahya in person - I had to take a second look just to make sure. 

And yep, a Sunday is just as busy as or busier than any other day of the week. If you do not know what day of the week it is, you wouldn't know that it is a Sunday - totally different culture & atmosphere.

Keep the report coming.

[Ray]

Jay,

They must’ve thought you were Santa Claus with all those 500 Peso tips!

[euforia51]

Gotta say, I love hearing about a good trip to someplace exotic at Christmas. High five ... glad the first was a success and may there be many more!

[Jaystone]

Jay,

They must’ve thought you were Santa Claus with all those 500 Peso tips!

I know Ray, Mira actually got on my case for that...she called me Black Santa Claus!!!

[Jaystone]

Gotta say, I love hearing about a good trip to someplace exotic at Christmas. High five ... glad the first was a success and may there be many more!

Thanks!  It was one of the most exciting trips I ever did!!  I plan on going back late this summer.

[Dave H]

I know Ray, Mira actually got on my case for that...she called me Black Santa Claus!!!

Hey Black Santa Claus,

If I would have known that you were handing out 500 Peso tips, I would have met you in Cebu! Sometimes Filipinos would say to me, "Hey Joe, Advanced Merry Christmas! Where's my present?" I always told them that they had mistaken me for my brother... "Santa Claus" and that you would be coming soon!  

I'm happy that everything went great for you and Mira!

Dave "The cheap Claus brother"

[piglett]

Dave "The cheap Claus brother"

Hey Dave you have really stepped over the line .......well done
this is oooh so wrong

pig

[Jaystone]

Hello Everyone….I am back.  On with the report.

Day one in Ormoc City

I left off my story being on the Weseem Express Ferry going from Cebu to Ormoc City with Mira, her mom and her sister.  Her brother-in-law dropped us off.  The ride was about 2 hours.  Mira and I played games on my Iphone and Mira gave me a lecture on generosity in the Phils…I gave away too much money tipping porters at the airport and the hotel in Cebu 500 pesos…it should have been closer to 50-100 pesos.  At that point I decided to le her handle the financial stuff since I was a newbie in town.  We feel asleep for the rest of the trip.  We finally arrived a the port, and we grabbed our bags and got off the ship.  Mira and I said our good byes to her mother and sister-they were going home and we were going to the resort.  We gave them cab fare to go home-we would meet them at their home the next day, and right away we were swamped by buys looking for fares in their motorcycle cabs or maxicabs…we had to clutch our bags to keep people from taking them to their rides.  Fortunately, the resort we were using had shuttle serice and they were right there to pick us up.  The trip to the hotel was only about 15 minutes….and going through Ormoc City was just like Cebu..lots of people, heavy traffic and lots of activity.  Wow.

We finally arrived at the resort and it was beautiful-spacious, wide-open areas, waterfalls, several swimming areas, it was just perfect.  The restaurant was close by and the people were very friendly.  We checked in and we went to our room.  Mira took care of the porter this time!  The room was on the main level over looking the resort, very spacious with cable on the flat panel TV.  I was still suffering from jet lag, so we immediately went back to sleep and slept until early evening.  I woke up again after a few hours with Mira in my arms and I had noticed during my rest, Mira had unpacked by bags, laid out my personal items, and even laid out my clothes for dinner!  Wow.  I was impressed.   She had asked me earlier if she could do this…I told her that was fine, but I did not expect her to do it-she was as tired as I was!.  Well we then went down to dinner-there was a band playing mostly American music, a giant fish tank with all kinds of exotic fish, and place was set up in an open-air way.  It was beautiful.  We had the Filipino version of fried chicken, a fish soup of some kind, fried fish, and salad and rice…tons of it!  It was pretty good.  The one thing I did notice is that they cut up their chicken a lot differently there than they did do in the states.   I was able to see wings and legs, but everything else was unrecognizable.  I also noticed the pieces are cut up a lot smaller as well….I suppose so there would be more chicken to go around…it was like eating gigantic pieces of popcorn chicken with bones.  We could not eat it all and had a doggie bag to go.   We met a other foreigners-a german and an American with their wives.  During dinner, Mira and I did our favorite activity-communicating…getting to know each other more and more-her about my family and my self and I hers.  Her English for the most part was okay but there were times she had to really take her time to explain things to me…to help us communicate better, I taught her some sign language which I learned in college.   It was a fun way to talk!  We had lots of fun with it.  While we were waiting for dinner, we held hands the whole time.

After dinner, Mira and I went back to our room and I gave out her Christmas gifts-a used laptop, a sweater, mp3 player, pajamas, a necklace, perfume, an expensive soap and shampoo combo, a couple of shirts, a digital photo frame, and of course, Christmas candy.  She was overwhelmed-she knew about the computer but she as surprised about everything else.  Over the months, she had mentioned these things she needed and I kept notes….she was very happy and was also a little sad because she only gave me a card.  I told her that it was the thought that counts and that spending a week with me was present enough….she cried, heck, she made me cry a little.  It was a Kodak moment.  I also brought gifts for her family and we sorted them out-trying to determine who gets what basically.  We spent the rest of the day evening doing our favorite thing-talking-before going to sleep.  This was my first day in Ormoc.  I apologize the delay in sending this out, and the rest of my report will be coming out more frequently.  I am also having problems downloading pics…I am trying, but everytime I try to download the system saying that my pics are too large.  The pics I  am trying to download are from my iphone and a Kodac Easy Share.  KFC if you are out there, maybe you can help me with this.

To be continued!

Jaystone

[robert angel]

Great trip report Jaystone, I really enjoyed it-thanks for taking the time. Let us know how 'the meet the family dynamics' go, please. Wish I was over there right now, instead of here, where it's cold, wet and windy!

[robert angel]

Yea--500 pesos is a monster sized tip! For those lurkers out there (come on in to P-L right and proper, the water's fine!) the biggest denomination bill in the Philippines is 1000 pesos and 500 pesos, at about 44 pesos to the dollar, is over $10.

Then keep in mind that they estimate that about 30 of the 90 million or so people there make less than a dollar a day and Jaystone is really 'Jay Gatsby'!!

A 100 p. tip for any hotel staff, drivers etc., usually assures that they'll keep an eye out for you and help you in whatever way possible.

 I know you can't buy friends, but after staying in one place a while, I've had people who work  there introduce me to their family, give us gifts of food and just be really kind, appreciative folks.

 Heck, lemme carry dem bags, Jaystone!

[thekfc]

Nice report Jay.

Most of the photo programs gives you an option to resize pictures. If you do not have one install on your pc then you can use eithe Windows Live Gallery or Paint to resize:

To resize in Windows Live gallery:
~Select the photo you want to resize, and then, on the File menu, click Resize.
~In the Resize dialog box, select the size you want to make the photo
~Click Resize and Save

To resize in Paint:
~Load pics
~Click Image tab on the top
~Then resize
~Choose a smaller size than what you have

If the Resize option is not there - then choose attributes - then change the width & then height - then click ok

Don't forget to save the resize pics..


You can also use program like Image Resizer for Windows or Image Resizer Powertoy- they both easy to use & are free.  Image Resizer for Windows let you resize multiple pics at once.