If You Were Me ?

[Classic Dry]

I am a 68yr old man, living alone here in Australia, and working full time. To date I have only spent 2 weeks in the Philippines,

and though I found it extremely enjoyable ( read my blog ) it left a lot of questions unanswered. ( I was only a tourist after all. )

I'd like to go for a longer period, to get a better idea of how it might feel to live there,say 6 weeks.

I know it's not long enough but it might have to do for now.

I know most, if not all, the information I'm asking for, is scattered about this forum, but I'm asking that you consider and

advise me, from your point of view, how best to utilise my short time there.

For instance, bearing in mind my objective ( how it might feel to live there )

Where would you stay ? --- Geographically.-----Type of accommodation ---- You might suggest an actual place.

What would you see? For an insight into Philippine culture.

Would you stay in one place, or move, say every 2 weeks ?

Although I'm not actively looking for a partner at this time it, might be pleasant and useful to have a ( traveling/sightseeing) companion.

Or maybe you think the possible problems associated with this, would overide the usefulness.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Old55]

Only you would know if Philippines is the right place to live. Six weeks is a fair amount of time. I'm not sure just what you want to know but in six weeks you should have a better idea whats up.

A lady travel companion could be very helpful but again only you would know. For sure there are many nice Filipinas there but I'm not sure how many would be willing to travel with a Foreigner they only met.

Perhaps you could spend some time in Baguio's cool weather and then some place like Palawan? Or are you scouting places to live?

Maybe the best plan is no plan at all just relax and go with the flow and don't forget to have fun.

[Brad616]

Yea, I would go, and pick two places and stay for 2-3 weeks in each place . You could meet a fililppina online and surprise them with a visit to there hometown; that is what I did with my future wife , not that your looking for one, but it was pretty neat to see the look on her and the famiy and neighbors faces :lol:

Alot more knowledgeable people on here about exact locations and accomendations

Good luck

[scott h]

You know classic, I gave this matter a lot of thought before i posted and....I do not think I would retire and move to the PI if i was not married to a Filipina, or if I was single had a serious GF waiting for me. For me a lot of the attraction of living there is not only the lower cost of living, but also the sense of family and friendship that comes with the culture. I am afraid that if i moved there by myself, any friendship I developed would be tinged with "here is my friend the Kano!" (reading between the lines that means "and he has money"). That and being a perminate tourist, with no real roots to the community could get pretty lonely. As it is now, im my Barangay, the people know me, the reaction is "there goes Scott, he is married to Marita and they live on E Salvidor street". I am accepted as a member of the community and not just as a wallet. (not that we are not hit up to help sponser every fiesta, quincenera, graduation, babtism, wedding and funeral that occurs, we will never escape the conception that becuase we are expats we must have money). Also if I was by myself, what would I do? Granted there are 7,102 islands to explore, but alone? Or a series of "guides". When I believe that any "guide" that would show me the local sites is actually only assisting me becuase of the "Kano=money factor". Another point, as I read more and more posts, blogs, stories and articles on expat sites it seems that the happy and successful expats have a significant other of some type. I believe that part their success in aclimating themselves to the PI is in part due to the partner to assist over the bumps and potholes that come with what you must admit is a foriegn culture to most of us. Finally there is the "what do I do tonight?" Being a perminate tourist would get expensive I think, and I really havent seen any local "pubs" in my neighborhood to hang out and watch the game at. I suppose you could meet with other expats, but guess what? they are married or in a relationship with Filipinas. I would bet my bottom dollar that sooner or later the wives would apply the pressure not to hang around with a single guy, becuase in their minds single=girlfriends, who have friends. If you havnt seen a jelous Filipina wife your lucky!!! Believe me it is not pretty.

But you ask, "what would you do". I think i would get back online, and look for that special someone to spend your golden years with. I would suggest a Lady in 30-40's maybe with kids, maybe with out. Maybe separated maybe single. But definatly they are looking for someone to be with. I know you have been down this road before and might be a little gun shy, but now you know what to look for.

Well i have ranted long enough. I'll by just wishing you good luck, and swing by and see us sometime when we move there soon. I promise my wife will not get jelous (or not very anyway)

[sjp52]

Your first few trips can get expensive. When I went for my first time, I booked a hotel in Cebu ( I think it was the diplomat ) for a week and toured around that city and then I booked a place in Bohol for 5 days and then Boracay for 5 days and Camiguin Island for 3 days and CDO for a week. Other places I would like to check out are ; Baguio ( for the cool weather ), Samal island near Davoa City ( nice beach ), Coron ( beautiful beaches but expensive ) and Dumaguete City ( heard it was a nice town ). Right now my home town is CDO because my wifes family lives there but I don,t plan on living there forever

You would be wise to connect with a good Filipina to help you with all the hassles that come with the Philippines. I think you can find a nice place to settle down and enjoy the easy going life style that the Philippines offers. The big thing for me is avoiding the heat that is why I want to check out Baguio. Good Luck with your search

When you go to these places to check out you need to get out and about and see what they have to offer for houses to rent and hospitals and stores. One of the biggest frustrations in this place is dealing with the business,s ( poor quality stuff ) ( not much of a warranty ) ( out of stock ) ( people that do not know what their talking about ) ( people ripping you off ). The rules here are totally different from the rules you are use to in your country as you may already know from your first visit. Takes time to get use to them.

[Classic Dry]

Well, Scott, I need to clarify. I am looking forward to a time when I'll be living in a comfortable home, and in a relationship with a loving partner.

It was a chicken and egg question really, which you, sjp52 and Brad616 have answered.

As Old55 says not many Filipinas would want to travel around with some foreign man they just met.

So, it would be silly to wait until I got there before looking, however casually.

The internet is the only way to go for me, but this might be limiting in choice of where I would like to live, as most ladies seem to want to live

close to their family.

Yes, Old55 I am scouting places to live, and Baguio, as suggested by you and sjp52, is looking good. I've seen earthdomes photos and read his post.

Although I'm healthy and active at present, I am cracking on now, so sjp52's reminder of hospitals is relevant.

Scott, I think the phrase " not actually looking " was a mistake, and I should be actively looking.

And thanks for the invite. I may take you up on that one fine day.

Thank you all for your advice and I'm checking out ladies on the internet right now ! !

It really is all about women isn't it. :yes:

[jode]

You don't indicate that you are hot to hook up with a filipina, which is the reason for 90% of the single guy trips here I believe. In that case I would travel alone. I have had my best adventures traveling alone. Of course there will be lonely and confusing moments, when you wish you had a partner to help, but those are the times which can lead to the best experiences.

There are hundreds here who would be thrilled to be your tour guide and translator, but they may also be an impediment to your experiencing real adventure. Having them between you and spontaneous discoveries that may be most rewarding.

The filipino people are good to travel amongst for that kind of experience, as they are generally kind and congenial and honored to be helpful. The smattering of english many understand and speak also is helpful of course. Most have great respect for you because you are older, your skin is white and they assume you have money.

Of course alot depends on your physical condition and temperment. At 68 even in reasonable good condition, you may be stretched to the limit physically and certainly psychologically at times. If you have a temperment to remain calm and confident under the uncertain times you will encounter, i think you could have the experience of a lifetime. If you doubt your physical and mental capacity for that kind of adventure then just get on agoda and make reservations at various hotels at various places. Hotels like to watch over the welfare of their guests and are helpful in ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of their guests.

In 6 weeks you could do a reasonable job of checking out 3 or 4 islands. If you opt for more adventure just travel very light and have no home base. Take busses between locations and utilize other means of cheap local transport to really get an idea of how the people live. Of course do copious research, have maps, ask questions, and do more online research, so you are not traveling completely blind. There are local festivals going on constantly year round in various places at various times. A fun way to go may be to try to co-ordinate your travels to hit some of these.

Wrote this as u were writing previous posts so it changes things. If your goal is to meet a nice filipina, then get phone numbers for several ladies at each place you decide to visit, and spend your time meeting and getting to know them. Good luck finding the one who agree's that your way is the way that is right for her. She will live wherever you are if she wants you, not the other way around. Plenty of ok, if it's all her way, women in Austalia, i am sure, if that is what you looking for.

Edited May 23, 2012 by jode

[cebu rocks]

You want to know what it would be like to retire in the RP best idea rent a house for 6 weeks .

This will give you a idea of retirement ie: power costs , shopping at the market for food ,entertainment ,etc

Moving around lots is a vacation and its easy to miss out on everyday life (boredom)

Not sure if your a city boy or your country folk but pick accordingly and try to plant some roots meet the locals and a few expats who live in the area

6 weeks is a good start in the same place may give you a different outlook . Maybe time to make some new friends and get a feel for day to day life .

[Classic Dry]

Jode, as you say, I'm not hot to hook up with a filippina, but I don't find the idea unappealing.

When I first considered my 6 weeks in the Phils, It was with the very ideas you propose.

And that's very appealing too.

When I was over there my friend suggested I buy a motorbike and go take a long look at the place.

Sort of Easy Rider does the Phils. He said he could find someone to ride along side me (a guy) Keep me out of trouble.

All these ideas have some merit.

cebu rock's suggestion is sensible, and well worth considering.

[MikeB]

When I was over there my friend suggested I buy a motorbike and go take a long look at the place. Sort of Easy Rider does the Phils. He said he could find someone to ride along side me (a guy) Keep me out of trouble.

Think long and hard before getting on a motorbike here. It may be a fun and cheap way to see the country but the rules and laws of the road mean very little. If someone does talk you into riding one be sure you have a credit card or cash with you to handle an emergency, the private hospitals will turn you away if you can't pay and you don't want to see the public ones.