Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa

[Peter Lee]

By this time Maricel was driving the bike good enough to go into heavy traffic and we drove to the Airport.  We sat on the grass and chatted for an hour and said our good byes.  Our eyes got misty but no real crying, coz we knew we would be together again soon.  I talked to Maricel on the phone trying to use up my load on the phone all the way to Manila.  She was going to her parents in Mindanao Lano to wait for me.  She had the ATM card and was going to see if it worked anyplace close to her home.  I know that she lives in a place that has no email or cell phone coverage.  I was surprised when she called the other day.  She said with the bike she climbed a mountain road 30 minutes drive from her home to get into a coverage area.  She also has to travel a long distance to get to the email café.  
Back on the plane I had thoughts of staying in the Philippines forever.  Once in Orlando airport and driving home I can see the difference.  The highways the long stretches of endless roads so rare in the Philippines.   I missed Daytona and I was glad to be back, but dreaming about a white sandy beach was relaxing.  I am looking forward for my next adventure with my wife this time.
Well that’s the trip, I don’t know if it will help anyone but it is at least a conversation piece. I wrote it like it happened so there is lots of room to say I was wrong many times what I did.  It helps reflect on my past mistakes so I can correct them for the future.   I need help on getting some pictures out for you to see.  Please advise me how best to do that.  I am home now and very lonely for my wife.  But you have all been through that and can help me with some ideas on how to cope with that.   I plan to go back in Feb 2004.  Any ideas on getting the best rates from Orlando Florida to Cebu?  It is in prime season.  
Don’t go to Palawan in the rain?  Nonsense, I will miss the rain, it was in its way romantic, we huddled together wet and cold on the bike.  The hot food tasted better after a long wet ride.  The rainy mist was touching our face and it felt special.  We swam in the ocean in Palawan in the poring rain and the ocean was so warm and the rain cold from the mountains.   We would stop the motorbike when it rained and put the ponchos on.  It was always fun and we laughed at how stupid we looked in those see thru yellow ponchos.  We would see the rain coming from the mountains it was a beautiful sight.  It gave us time to prepare for the onslaught of rain to come for the first 20 minutes.  Even the radio had a special plastic cover so it would play in the rain.   On the ferries it would rain suddenly and the tarps would have to be untied for them to come down.  Later after the rain the tarps would have to come up.  It was a time when everyone would work together without saying a word. Back in Cebu the air was always clean after a good rain, a welcome relief.  So the rainy season was not all as bad as I thought it was.  I was gone for 54 days and left with $5,000 US dollars.  I came home with $2000 which I used for bills that were pilling up back home.  So $3,000 for the whole trip food and hotel rooms for two, ferry boats for two and the bike gas.  That was about $45 per day for 50 days if you don’t count the motor cycle.  On another note, I found it hard to email back home coz mostly there was no e-mail café’s.  See you all soon, Peter and Maricel Lee.
Page 25 last page

[Howard]

... in response to Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 20, 2003

P,

Congratulations!  I wish the two of you the best of everything that life has to offer

I enjoyed your report... keep us informed of your progress

Keep the Faith!

H

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Re: Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Howard on Sep 23, 2003

Thanks Howard,
There is nothing like getting married after the honeymoon.  Absolutly no stress at the wedding ceremony.  I even forgot the ring and we had to hold hands instead.  She knew I was the most stubborn guy in Cebu and I was sure she was "my way or the highway" girl.  Life would never be borring that's for sure.  But now I truly miss her, she was a true trooper through the whole thing.  She has not seen the US yet so she is still trying to talk me into staying and retireing in the Philippines.  Oh well

[Dave H]

... in response to Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 20, 2003

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your very interesting and informative trip report! Congratulations on the marriage and much happiness!

Dave H.

[Peter Lee]

... in response to I Enjoyed It!, posted by Dave H on Sep 22, 2003

Hi Dave,

I am glad that trip post is over, I need a rest.  

I just finished chating with Maricel on yahoo.  She is in Ozamis to see if the ATM card she has from me is working.  I have $20 on it to see if will work there but no luck.  She will have to go to Cebu each time she needs money.  Maricel is still trying to talk me into retireing in the Phillippines.   She hasn't seen Daytona Beach yet.  "How we gunna keep her down on the farm after she sees the States?"  We both liked Panglao and Bohol on our 54 Jouney.  It was the cleanest and most organized Island of them all.  

I still dream about the resort for sale there and torn between that and Daytona.  Both are nice in different ways.        
I don't know much about getting permanent residant status when married to a Filipina.  
Anyway it is fun to dream about staying in the Philippines as long as you have an escape plan to come back anytime you feel like it.  
The foreigners were very frindly there and liked living there.  All the utilities and cable TV were so cheap, property tax on the resort was $55.  I pay over $10,000 now just on property tax each year.  It is comming due in December, makes you think a lot.  

[Humabdos]

... in response to Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 20, 2003

Reading it made me home sick for the Philippines :-(
Too bad more kano's don't travel like that when they go to meet their g/f. So many people end up in Manila or Mactan I.
never getting to see the "real" Philippines like you did. I hope some of the board members will be inspired by your adventure and get out of the five star resorts at Mactan and see some REAL sand!

You really get to know someone when you travel together. Too bad you got Maldito and couldn't wait... also think you should sometime down the road give her a better wedding. ((just my .02)

My first trip lasted almost five months and covered from North Luzon to Camiguin Island, Like you when it came time to go I wanted to stay longer.

Hum

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Great report Bruce!, posted by Humabdos on Sep 22, 2003

Hi,
Well we discussed this marriage thing over and over.  She wanted a civil wedding.  Her folks are in Moslem country her reason for a civil wedding was it seemed a waste of money to her.   Maybe she thinks a lot of her older married sister that she doesn't want to out do her.  I tried many times to give her chances for a white wedding.  I know it is a problem and i will have to deal with it in time.  Meanwhile I used all the time with her i could before we got married to see if it what we really wanted. So far I have not regreted what I did.  But time will tell.

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: Great report Bruce!, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 22, 2003

Is she a Moslem? My wife Sallie is from a Moslem area of Mindanao also but she is Baptist. Sounds a bit fishy to me...
Hum

[Mita]

... in response to Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 20, 2003

Hi Peter,
Congratulations on the wedding.  You finally made the plunge!!!  Your Maricel sounds like a real darling.  Be happy and remember every step we take in life has its risks - and now you can't ever say you didn't give it a shot.  
 
Thank you for posting your trip report - it was great.  Too much personal detail than most of us would have wanted (LOL!) but we all  felt like we were on the trip with you and Maricel.

Congratulations again and hope you have a long and very happy life together.

Mita

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Re: Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Mita on Sep 21, 2003

Thanks Mita, but the  personal stuff is part of life.  We all have it.  I don't mind sharring it coz there are no real secrets.  We or close family and friends all have had similar problems at one time or another.   I told it like it was and I am sure I made my mistakes.  No use hiding what I did coz i have to live with it.  The journey is not over yet till we are together again in the US.  I feel I can get more help and suggestions by telling the real story.
I am hopeing that being open will get me more help and suggestions for future problems.  I feel I have a real keeper with Maricel.  Thanks for the good wishes.

[Kreeger]

... in response to Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 20, 2003

Peter, I have been dreaming about that type of trip for 3 years now. I grew up in south Florida (Miami) and was riding and motorcycles since I was 7. Every time I went to the Phils to visit my honey, I had to rent a bike... I just never had the time to travel as far as you did. It's on my agenda and maybe I will use your route... I printed all the pages of your report just for that purpose

About the visa... I have a timeline for my K3:

April 23...Got married (filled out the bio-data form)

May 12...Filed the I-130 and the I-129F for the K3

June 4...1st NOA

July 18...2nd NOA

August 6...I-129F approved!

Sept 12....appt for physical in Manila (passed)

Sept 26...appt for interview! (still waiting)

Her best friend will be getting married on October 26, so I will attend that and bring her home after (if all goes well with the interview). Thanks again for the great write-ups.

Joe

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Very inspiring trip report..., posted by Kreeger on Sep 21, 2003

Hey Joe thanks for the time line.  

If I had to do it again I would get a 150cc instead of the 110cc i went on.  The mountain roads had me in 1st and 2nd gear many times.  Now when I left the prices for bikes went down again and there are good deals on new bikes with good power.  I never had in mind to sell the bike when i left.  I planned on giving it to a family member in need.  But the trip would have been more costly had I taken a plane.  So the bike payed for itself.  Ferries were so cheap and instead of paying a Hotel room and waking up next morning to catch a plane, I woke up in a different island.  So I would save the hotel room fare also.  The gas tank only held 4 liters and sometimes i wished it could hold more we were so isolated in someplaces.  But sory, sory stores were everywhere and they always had that 1 liter coke bottle with gas for 23 peso.  Any time you want to meet I am in Daytona Beach.  till later thanks

[Ray]

... in response to Da Trip Page 25 Last phooowa, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 20, 2003

Thanks guy, I enjoyed your trip almost as much as you did (LOL). I liked the monsoon rains also.

That was an interesting touch, getting married in the middle of your honeymoon, but an efficient use of your time I guess :-)

Ray

[Peter Lee]

... in response to Excellent Report Peter!, posted by Ray on Sep 20, 2003

Well Ray it was more than making the most of my time.   I wanted to put the motorbike to the test, check the motor to see it would hold up under extreme conditions.  I liked the new bike as soon as I saw it.  But you really don't know till you test it out and in time see if is the bike you want to keep for life.   Maricel also had time to check out the bike on the trip.  When she was ridding it the 3 to 4th gear would stubbornly hang up from time to time.  Adjustments had to be made but now it is working fine for both of us.   The bike was in both our names so we shared the same problems.  I miss my bike and the feel for the road.  But like that song all the Filipinas know so well, I had to do it my way.  LOL   I plan to go back in Feb; I am not sure what we will be doing next.

Ray since I gotcha, I just wanted to talk to you about our situation.  She is in Kapatagan in Mindanao in Lanao del Norte.  No phone unless she climbs mountains for coverage area and no e-mail café without a long jeepney or motor bike ride.  She hurt her knee the other day getting water from the spring that she says is 10 to 15 minutes walk away and slipped in the mud.   Her job before she went to collage in Cebu was to get the water everyday.  She is doing it again and she thinks it is fun.   Now she wants to buy some piglets and she says it takes about 3 or 4 months till they can be sold for a profit.  Piglets cost about 1000 peso each and she ask me permission to buy some with the money I left her.   I left her with $400 and $200 is gone for her travel and fixing the damaged light on the bike.  I had to special order the parts in Cebu and she had it fixed after I left for the US.   She really loves Cebu city coz she wants a little business.  I told her to stay with her parents till I see her in Feb.  The piglets sounds like a small investment and gives her something to do.  Her parents approve but she wants my permission before she buys the piglets.  I think it sounds like a good idea unless any one has a better one.   She just doesn't want to sit around doing nothing while she is waiting.  She has a friend who is married to an Australian in Cebu and she is waiting one year already.  So she is thinking she is going to wait for a long time.  Any ideas?  Dad has 2.5 hectares of coconuts, mangoes, papaya, rice and a modest house on the highway.
Bye, Peter Lee

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Excellent Report Peter!, posted by Peter Lee on Sep 21, 2003

Well Peter, I got your analogy! But I don’t want to know anymore about that hang-up between 3rd & 4th gears (ROFLMAO!). Sounds like maybe you did need that Viagra after all? I guess as long as the young lady was fully aware that this was a “test drive” only at first, then I won’t shoot you just yet :-)

As far as your wife staying with her folks and raising pigs, well, that’s sounds all nice and homey and all, but just what is your plan anyway? Are you trying to get her visa so she can come here or not??? If you file the papers for her visa today, she could very possibly have her visa in hand by the time you arrive there in February. Raising pigs is a relatively inexpensive business venture to get into, but how in the hell is she going to work on her papers while she’s isolated in the middle of Moslem Mindanao with no outside communications. What is she going to do, ride the bike to the top of Mt. Apo every time she wants to talk to you? How do you contact her, Western Union? Carrier pidgeon?

If you are going to be working seriously on this visa stuff, then she should be working on her passport, CFO seminar, getting all her NSO documents in order, obtaining NBI clearances, etc., etc., etc.... She can’t do that while she’s raising pigs in the boondocks Peter! All that stuff can much better be accomplished from Cebu or Manila.

Have you started working on the I-130 and I-129F petitions yet?

Did you bring back signed G-325A’s (2) and ADIT photos?

What are you waiting for Peter??? The K-3 petitions have been going through very quickly recently and she should have her visa in about 4 months or so after you file the I-130. Time to shyt or get off the pot...

Ray