The Truth Will Out

[BrettGC]

The Truth Will Out

 

Well I arrived back in Australia yesterday after 10 days with my lady, Arlyn.  Had a great time meeting her family and friends and of course time spent with her.  Many tears at NAIA but it was a very productive trip in addition to the social side of things.

 

The truth will out?  Well on this trip she revealed to me that she owns 2 apartments and 2 vans (upscale taxi service) in Butuan.  I can’t blame her for being a little reluctant to reveal all on my first trip given that her first husband tried to rob her blind.   She also told me her true age; a LOT younger than advertised.  She was worried that because she was outside my advertised limits I’d call it off.  Was never gonna happen, I was already in, hook, line and sinker with this beautiful lady – and here I was thinking that she was just really well preserved lol (rose coloured wishful thinking on my part methinks – in the end, it doesn’t matter).  In the time since my first visit she’d moved from Manila to Angeles to be closer to some of her family that live in Luzon and her uncle had gotten her a job with Angeles Electric – Nepotism is alive in well in PH, suits me fine, I’m not a fan of Manila.

 

Bit of a timeline of the trip:

 

Arrived in Manila on time!  Immigration was particularly slow this time around – even for Manila -  I think every flight to Manila on that day had arrived just before mine.  Tip for new players:  If you need to travel outside of Manila, do not arrive on a Friday afternoon after 330pm, you can add at least an hour your transit out of the city.  After immigration, (they didn’t ask me for a forwarding ticket this time they were so busy) shifted my wallet from the customary back pocket to the front,  wandered out the front with the intention of grabbing a taxi to Pasay to catch the bus to Angeles (Dau).  I’d never been there in April before, it was 37C, humidity at about 80%, with the sun blazing so when a guy approached me whilst I was having a smoke offering a ride to Angeles for 4.5k I talked him down to 3k and gratefully accepted the ride.  I verified his credentials with a local police officer who was smoking nearby, he made a phone call and a shiny new Camry with the authorisation stickers for all 3 terminals on the windscreen (seriously guys, look for this, be anal about it, some of the horror stories are true).  I actually got my best exchange rate for the whole trip at the airport strangely enough; 40.5p/1AUD. 

 

After a slow but uneventful trip to the motel in Angeles (we wanted at least one night of privacy before the family fun) Arlyn was waiting in the lobby for me.  Much hugging, tears and laughing were had.  Quick shower and… then out to dinner, couple of drinks, some dancing then back to the motel.  Woke up the next day, grabbed a trike to her place, picked up some flowers on the way and then met her mother, son, cousin (nanny/maid), uncle, best friend, various and assorted Ate’s, - still not sure which are family and which aren’t – 2 of the neighbours, her landlady (Ate Bet – pretty sure she’s not actually family) and the dog.  Presented her mother with the flowers and settled in for the weekend. 

 

I discovered the upstairs shower wasn’t working but the toilet was, the downstairs toilet wasn’t working but the shower was.  I fixed them to much joy and celebration and Uncle Bobby promptly went and bought me a couple of San Migs as thanks.  Next day there were many San Migs sitting at the door with requests from other residents of Holy Family Phase 1 (the compound Lyn lives in) that I make a visit to their CRs.  I didn’t have the heart to tell them I don’t drink beer (I’m gluten intolerant) but went and fixed what I could anyway.  With all this excess beer Lyn suggested we hire a Karaoke machine and have a party and BBQ that night.  Now here’s the thing about Lyn, she’s a very strong, independent woman who I had to fight at every turn to let me pay for anything.  So we eventually agreed that she’d pay for the Karaoke machine and I would cover the food.  That night was pig on a spit, much singing, drinking and fun.  It slowly began to dawn on the women present that Uncle Bobby and I are a bad combination – in a good way of course – I think the fact that Lyn and Ate Ai (Bobby’s wife) had to drag us off to bed, still drunkenly singing and declaring undying BFF status to each other, when the roosters starting crowing and the sun was just appearing on the horizon, really hit home for them lol.  Oh, I bought 2 goats that night, I don’t really remember doing it, but apparently owning goats is a good thing.  Still scratching my head over the fact I’m now the proud owner of 2 goats, but there it is. 

 

Monday was off to Subic for a couple of days.  Amongst her many business interests Ate Bet runs a couple of vans around for tourists.  So with one of her many toy-boys driving, off we went (she’s a bit of an old player and a great laugh).  Ok, having a nanny/maid is a great thing most of the time but the downside is you have to pay for them too if you’re off anywhere – so we got a room at Sheaven’s Resort, as well as a “drivers room” for Ate Dai (the nanny).  There was one uncomfortable moment when Ate Dai complained to Lyn that her room had no air con; Lyn gave this short shrift and basically told her to shut it (hence me calling her the short angry one in other posts).  Sheaven’s is great, a little on the expensive side but it’s just been fully renovated and has a great family atmosphere with no  “sexpats” staying there which is unusual given what Burreto has become.  Great food with a large variety of Filipino, Western, Indian and other cuisine available in the restaurant and room service 24/7.  The manager, Sam is Sri Lankan and a great guy who couldn’t do enough to make his guests stay a pleasure.  Had a great couple of days in Subic (sorry I didn’t catch up with anyone there, but was otherwise occupied) with only one incident marring the trip.  We were walking along the main road, just doing some window shopping, I had Wesley (Lyn’s son) on my shoulders, holding Lyn’s hand, and the nanny in tow.  Now all bias aside, Lyn is extremely attractive and dresses accordingly.  These two Aussie guys came up to Lyn, despite the fact we’re obviously a family, and asked her how much for her to go with them and leave me.  To say Lyn went off her nut is putting it mildly and without going all macho bulls*&t about it this pair of wankers were very lucky I had a 2 year old on my shoulders.  They backed off very quickly, tail between their legs only to be dressed down by a nearby shop keeper as well.  Lesson learnt by them I hope.  The rest of the stay was great with me diving in the mornings, then family stuff in the afternoon.  I even managed to teach Lyn to swim a little.  She was a demon the jet skis and I suspect I was hustled a little when she challenged me to a race which she won – she only revealed later that she’s done a lot of jet ski riding – I jokingly put it down to an unfair weight advantage, she’s only 42kg dripping wet, and was duly smacked lol.   I had a chat to the owner of the Blue Rock Resort who I knew in passing from years ago about the Aussie that was killed in the restaurant there a few weeks ago.  He explained to me that the guy had a wife and 3 girlfriends on the run at the same time and it seems someone’s brother had had enough, just walked up to him and shot him in the back of the head.  That’s why I mentioned in the other post, be very careful with your Pinay’s heart, you never know what her family’s background is.

 

   http://www.news.com.au/world-news/australian-resort-manager-shot-dead-in-philippines/story-fndir2ev-1226614129953

 

 

After a discussion over who should pay for the mini-bar in the room - I conceded – it was a quick trip back to Angeles, with a different toy boy driving and a couple of days of routine and planning.  Achieved a lot, worked out that we’re going to build a house on a decent sized lot in Butuan, mainly to cater to my western idiosyncrasies.  Going to try to put in solar power and a water filtration/purification system at least and an outdoor Jacuzzi so I’m not showering 4 times a day in the humidity, but we’ll see how that goes.  I agreed to buy into the van business and we plan to expand it by at least 6 vans in the next 12 months.  We agreed to keep our individual properties separate to be used as a fall-back if the van business goes t*t* up. 

 

We did an overnighter at Poracay resort near Angeles with Ate Ai, Kaya Bobby and family (6-8 kids, still not clear on which ones are actually theirs lol).  Yet another toy boy was driving this time.  Very basic facilities by western standards but we had an absolute ball!  Various pools, boat rides, zip lines; much fun with a large group) Lyn and I in one villa, and the rest crammed into another.  I offered to pay for another one for them but they weren’t having a bar of it.  We hired the obligatory Vidaoke machine for the night, invited people in neighbouring villas to join us, consumed far too much Jamiesons, and sang far too loud with security coming to turn the machine off at midnight lol. 

 

Back to her place the next day for a day together, by ourselves, everyone mysteriously disappeared.  Saturday used Ate Bet’s van again (toy boy number one was back in fashion again) to go to NAIA.  Many tears at the airport.  What was remarkable this time was it was only about 30 mins from the time I arrived at the end of the Singapore airline queue to the moment I sat down in the departure lounge.  Funny incident going through security; most of you know my job here, so I’d bought a couple of “products” with me, they spotted them on the x-ray, took them out and quizzed me as to what they were.  Given the industry I work in at the moment I gave them very vivid descriptions of their purpose without batting an eyelid and a wry grin on my face.  Everyone had a good laugh, including other nearby passengers.  For those yet to, and others that haven’t been to NAIA for a while, the terminal fee has dropped to 550p.  An another Aussie was unaware of the fee at all, I paid it for him, he shouted me dinner on his card.

 

Things I learnt this time:

Bring your own toilet paper – I can’t get the hang of the whole pail thing.

They leave food out for days and still eat it – they thought I was crazy putting it in the “ref”.

CRs are a toilet, use of which is optional when there’s a shower in there too.

Washing machines are optional – they have one but the maid hand washes most things.

You could make a fortune in PH installing in-line filtration into their water mains – Pinoys being Pinoys, you’d have to remind them that they need cleaning/replacing every few months.

The week after a new property is built, the dirt fairies arrive during the night.

Being polite and friendly will get you everywhere there, even when refusing a hawker.  It gives me the sh%ts to see the way some expats treat people like dirt.  It’s their country, the onus is on us to fit in, not the other way around. 

 

Back in Aust now, feeling strangely displaced – missing Lyn terribly but aside from that the Philippines has really gotten under my skin.  Even without her I’d still move there.  It’s definitely  not for everyone but I’m looking for a slower pace to life and on the first 2 days this time around, I had to remind myself to stop being impatient – there’s a reason I’m moving there.  Arriving back in Brisbane I felt let down but it only strengthened my resolve to quit this place.  I love Australia but it doesn’t have what I’m looking for anymore.

 

 

Long post but hey, I love to share :P (to a point Jake :P:P)

 

Brett

 

:cheersty:

 

Edited May 2, 2013 by BrettGC

[FlyAway]

Good to hear you had a great time. Always nice to hear of good news.

[i am bob]

Didn't we just have an article about an Australian and a 14 year old?  hehe!  Seriously, your girlfriend looks very young but then I can not tell a woman's age if my life depended on it!  I have pictures of my own Special Someone where some she looks (to me) 30 and others she looks 12...  Scary!  Anyway, my point was you have done very well, my friend!  The way you describe her has me thinking you two will be happy for many many years to come!

 

Your entire post was fantastic too!  Found a few places to visit someday...  And a good reminder to our members (ok, more for anyone hiding in the shadows) on how to have a good time in the Philippines and not create any "Stupid Kano" issues.  I really enjoyed this!

[BrettGC]

Didn't we just have an article about an Australian and a 14 year old?  hehe!  Seriously, your girlfriend looks very young but then I can not tell a woman's age if my life depended on it!  I have pictures of my own Special Someone where some she looks (to me) 30 and others she looks 12...  Scary!  Anyway, my point was you have done very well, my friend!  The way you describe her has me thinking you two will be happy for many many years to come!

 

Your entire post was fantastic too!  Found a few places to visit someday...  And a good reminder to our members (ok, more for anyone hiding in the shadows) on how to have a good time in the Philippines and not create any "Stupid Kano" issues.  I really enjoyed this!

LOL She's 25 mate.  Same as you, I can't pick 'em either.

[Jake]

Oh, I bought 2 goats that night, I don’t really remember doing it.....

 

Hmm.....had to read that twice.  Aussie sailors are well known for doing their wild things.....he, he.

Well, Senior Chief another successful love story!  It's such an inspiration to realize your true nature.

You have that caring smile and compassion, in which your lovely Arlyn finally saw your inner soul.

And yet, as a Senior Chief retired from RAN, you walk softly but carry a big stick.  

 

I salute you sir!  Respectfully -- Jake

 

PS -- great looking family! 

Edited May 2, 2013 by Jake

[BrettGC]

Thanks Master Chief!  I often tell my kids "walk softly but carry a big stick" :).  It's not really that hard to treat people how you'd like to be treated and it takes less energy to be friendly and polite than rude and angry :)

 

PS Anyone want to buy a couple of goats?

Edited May 2, 2013 by BrettGC

[bootleultras]

Good for you Brett, looks like you've found yourself an angel :)

Great post, glad to hear another successful story and someone promoting the better side of the country we have taken to our hearts.

By the way spicy Kambing (goat) Caldereta is actually very nice, I actually tried it one night in a friends street party, very expensive too....... If your cooking 'em next time, drop me a line & Ill pop up to have a bite, promise the Jamiesons will be on me :dance:

[Jake]

Thanks Master Chief!  I often tell my kids "walk softly but carry a big stick" :).  It's not really that hard to treat people how you'd like to be treated and it takes less energy to be friendly and polite than rude and angry :)

 

PS Anyone want to buy a couple of goats?

Bah, bah.....sorry, but I want the ones that are still untouched.  Apparently, they have already been de-virginized!

One of these days shipmate, we are gonna sing the night away, although I can only fart a couple notes.  We will

be stumbling drunk on our ass and swapping a million sea stories.  

 

As long as you respect me in the morning, we'll be good to go.....he, he.  

 

Respectfully -- Jake  

[Bruce]

The truth will out? Well on this trip she revealed to me that she owns 2 apartments and 2 vans (upscale taxi service) in Butuan. I can’t blame her for being a little reluctant to reveal all on my first trip given that her first husband tried to rob her blind. She also told me her true age; a LOT younger than advertised. She was worried that because she was outside my advertised limits I’d call it off.

 

WHAT!!!!!!!!! She LIED to you??? DOWNSIZING LIES?????? Where have I heard about that before???? Oh , yeah... HERE. Well I hope Mike B doesn't see your post........ :hystery:

 

Nice looking woman... but who is the bald guy who keeps getting into the pictures? It really is distracting! :cheersty:

 

Were are the goats? And are they cute? :nudie:  

[lyno 47]

Brett what a great post I am so happy for you mate you have won the jackpot cheers lyno