General Info

[QUOTE=Jarango;2990481]I am looking at air fares and am thinking of returning for 59 days to get medical treatment and the odd root and 3 some. As I am getting on in years (70+) my sexual needs are modest and my medical needs are on the up.

My question is this: what is the ideal length of time to stay?[/QUOTE]Do you want to come and travel or stay in one place? When you say you have medical needs, do you mean that you are coming for specific treatment and therefore need to stay close to a specific hospital or are you just less mobile than when you were younger?

If you're physically able, the Philippines is an easy and cheap place to travel around. You could do the island and beaches, the big cities, war history. What ever interested you. If your not looking to bang three times a day, then you could just connect with women as you go, a few days at a time.

If you're moving around, then you could stay longer. If staying in one place, then you could become bored and might want a shorter holiday.

I find the 30+29 days the magic number but I do travel around a lot and am several decades younger than you so mobility isn't a problem for me. I do allow a couple of days for flight changes, cancellations etc so typically keep it to 57 days. This is also short enough that I can pre-book casual lawn mowers, pool cleaners etc at home so I don't come back to too much of a shambles. Remember your day of arrival counts as day 1 not day 0.

Enjoy G.

PS. Each to their own but I wouldn't worry about travelling with someone. I find it more than doubles my costs, limits my spontaneity and basically complicates everything. Much easier to just find someone to drop around within an hour or a day of arrival as needed. I should add that I'm very comfortable with my own company so that may be different for someone who needs to be around others 24/7.

[QUOTE=Jarango;2989787]I reckon there wil be a significant uptick in petty crime with Duterte in the Hague,. Davao? I guess you can keep it now.[/QUOTE]No change in Davao. Dutere family still sound Davao.

Interesting will be the political divide between Marcos and Dutere. It will be some nasty politics ahead.

Prices are up everywhere. I had assumed that the cost for transportation would be higher this trip. A couple of years ago when they changed the terminals from 1 to 3 for international arrivals, everything changed. My options that I saw it were to use the official airport taxi, the fake airport taxi, take a long walk dragging my luggage to get a regular taxi, or use grab. Taking the walk and possibly getting into a sketchy cab did not seem the best idea since I usually arrive with a good amount of cash. Finding the exact pick up point for a grab and then waiting there being constantly pestered by touts wasn't high on my list either. I don't mind paying a higher rate for the official airport cabs as they have to pay a fee to work that location, as long as the price isn't ridiculous. In my mind even if I paid double it was worth the peace of mind, and most importantly my time and sanity. I mean you just paid a huge sum to fly for a day or so, a bit tired, a bit hungry, a bit edgy. If I paid an extra 5 bucks to save myself the anxiety, then to me it is worth it. The official airport taxi stand (if you can find it) is probably the safest bet but it is not always easy to find, and the que (not in customers but time) is super super long. If you are familiar with the PI, then you know how long it takes to be serviced here. The last time I used the official airport taxi, I was 4th in line but took 25 minutes to get me going. You stand in line and watch 1 customer at a time be loaded in and all the talking back and forth, god forbid you are behind a family with a shit load of luggage. Therefore it was the fake airport taxi. These fake airport taxi's look exactly like the official yellow airport taxi's but I don't think they are or maybe they are but don't que for customers at the kiosk, or maybe they are in que, but the wait is so long that they just grab customers at will. Don't really know for sure. In any case all the "fake airport taxi's" have a standard rate, it is 600 pesos. I am not sure if the standard rate is standard for everywhere, but they all say the same thing, that it is a fixed rate of 600 pesos. I was going to malate and the fee was 600 pesos, I did ask if I was going to makati what the fee would be and they replied that it is a fixed rate of 600. I would assume that if I was going to rizal, antipolo or bulacan the rate wouldn't be the same but I did not inquire. In any case 600 pesos if it is in your budget and time is more valuable than a couple of bucks then it is a good option.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2990512].[/QUOTE]At my stage, people slow down to a crawl. I am not at that stage and I saw people in much worse shape in Walking St. It is a long way to go unless I am getting value for money and I don't need too much stress or drama. Medical is just getting overhauls; I find Angeles good for that, teeth cleaning etc. I spent far north of $3000 on it last time, around Christmas. BUt I wil not be get8 ng healthier in the future and the docuitr said that. From here on it is downhill.

Angeles suits me in that when the urge gets me, women are there on tap though, like everyone else, the mechanical nature of it is a bore. , and not a very long one.

I would have no problem picking up an ordinary woan who sees me as a 50%+ meal ticket and I got some offers last time. But Anglees is not as ronantic as, say the Greek islands, Venice or Naples.

A lot of travel does not suit me either, It suits me to sit in Angeles and bone when needed. But 59 days equals a lot of siittng around. And, at my age, I don't have a lot of 59 days left and that is an issue as impiortant sutuff happens back home.

Sr Lancelot made the valid point that he likes talking to the young Pinay hookers, listening to their dreams for the future etc and much prefers it to listening to middle age grumpies back home. Fair enough but younger ladies back home are on differnet wave lengths in all imaginiable ways.

I have pulled women all over Asia but their mates say, why are you with grand the. Ageism is as big a curse as is getting old.

I will probably go for the 59 days.

[QUOTE=Transporter;2990518]Prices are up everywhere. I had assumed that the cost for transportation would be higher this trip. A couple of years ago when they changed the terminals from 1 to 3 for international arrivals, everything changed. My options that I saw it were to use the official airport taxi, the fake airport taxi, take a long walk dragging my luggage to get a regular taxi, or use grab. Taking the walk and possibly getting into a sketchy cab did not seem the best idea since I usually arrive with a good amount of cash. Finding the exact pick up point for a grab and then waiting there being constantly pestered by touts wasn't high on my list either. I don't mind paying a higher rate for the official airport cabs as they have to pay a fee to work that location, as long as the price isn't ridiculous. In my mind even if I paid double it was worth the peace of mind, and most importantly my time and sanity. I mean you just paid a huge sum to fly for a day or so, a bit tired, a bit hungry, a bit edgy. If I paid an extra 5 bucks to save myself the anxiety, then to me it is worth it. The official airport taxi stand (if you can find it) is probably the safest bet but it is not always easy to find, and the que (not in customers but time) is super super long. If you are familiar with the PI, then you know how long it takes to be serviced here. The last time I used the official airport taxi, I was 4th in line but took 25 minutes to get me going. You stand in line and watch 1 customer at a time be loaded in and all the talking back and forth, god forbid you are behind a family with a shit load of luggage. Therefore it was the fake airport taxi. These fake airport taxi's look exactly like the official yellow airport taxi's but I don't think they are or maybe they are but don't que for customers at the kiosk, or maybe they are in que, but the wait is so long that they just grab customers at will. Don't really know for sure. In any case all the "fake airport taxi's" have a standard rate, it is 600 pesos. I am not sure if the standard rate is standard for everywhere, but they all say the same thing, that it is a fixed rate of 600 pesos. I was going to malate and the fee was 600 pesos, I did ask if I was going to makati what the fee would be and they replied that it is a fixed rate of 600. I would assume that if I was going to rizal, antipolo or bulacan the rate wouldn't be the same but I did not inquire. In any case 600 pesos if it is in your budget and time is more valuable than a couple of bucks then it is a good option.[/QUOTE]All that has changed at Terminal 3. Grab and Super Taxi have their own kiosks and exclusive pick up spots. Just line up and order your ride.

Airport White and Yellow taxis do not have long lines now with Grab and Super taxis there now. Just make sure they use their meter.

[QUOTE=Transporter;2990518] I am not sure if the standard rate is standard for everywhere, but they all say the same thing, that it is a fixed rate of 600 pesos. I was going to malate and the fee was 600 pesos, I did ask if I was going to makati what the fee would be and they replied that it is a fixed rate of 600. I would assume that if I was going to rizal, antipolo or bulacan the rate wouldn't be the same but I did not inquire. In any case 600 pesos if it is in your budget and time is more valuable than a couple of bucks then it is a good option.[/QUOTE]I booked a Grab having arrived in T3 and booked as soon as I saw my luggage on the carousel. Got outside to find Grab pickup changed again and had to make my way to a carpark. Fare was 340 into Malate at 6 pm. I think the longest part of the trip was getting out of the carpark. He took the expressway without asking which added 140 p to the fare. Was at my condo at 6.20 pm in peak HR traffic. Pretty good result I thought.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2990509]If I may say so, you are beginning to sound like a crusty old man. Look and sound a little more positive and aim for more positive new adventure.

Personally about 30 days is enough for me. A week in AC then Boracay for 5 days and back to AC for a week. Then 5 days in Alona and back to AC. Sometimes I take a girl with me or not.

Next time I try a break to Vietnam and back to AC.[/QUOTE]I mention Frank Sinatra as he modulated his singing with age. It is a fact as you get older, you wear down. Many old friends pushing up daisies now and exertions show your age. I have done several very strenuous things over the last few years whwere I outshone guys half my age but body parts give out and there is no escape from the ravages of time. I like Angeles as I cang et quick medical overhauls. For me, that is a big plus and, increasingly, a necesary plus.

New adventure is a risk / reward trade off. I was supposed to go on a major through hike next week but my leg has been saying no for 30+ days already. I have footballing friends who now have to drag their legs after them, the knees being kaput.

Right now, I am getting odd jobs done and making a list of more to do. Then, my diary is clear and it looks like 59 days. I don't fancy Borocay but a few bonking raids outside of Angeles might keep the spirits up.

The Angeles expat lot keep thesmselves busy with pub quizzes, golf and the like, but my fear there is the guys in Walking St sitting there watching the world roll by. Here, many retirees hit the bars, drink between 3 and 7 pm, and are dead by 70.

I suppose the down side of Angeles is the bad infrastructure, the heat and the lack of something besides bonking to do. Formerley, I scuba dived, worked out in gyms etc.

[QUOTE=GDreams;2990687]I booked a Grab having arrived in T3 and booked as soon as I saw my luggage on the carousel. Got outside to find Grab pickup changed again and had to make my way to a carpark. Fare was 340 into Malate at 6 pm. I think the longest part of the trip was getting out of the carpark. He took the expressway without asking which added 140 p to the fare. Was at my condo at 6.20 pm in peak HR traffic. Pretty good result I thought.[/QUOTE]Expressway is worth it. Always take the expressway if you can. You probably saved 30 minutes.

[QUOTE=Jarango;2989202]The information I elided was good and to the point, thouygh the paperwork seems tedious.

You ask who wants to stay in muff land for a continuius 3 years. Many do. I do but I doubt I could hack it at this stage. I look at the losers' videos online and those who settle in and plod along, running small busienss and humouring their lady friends. Of ocurse, folk end up everywhere but the Phils is a palce you want to have your ducks in order or you'd end up nuts or worse. I don't think I could do three years. In a prison, yes but I the funny farm that is the Phils, no.[/QUOTE]True but just do a rotation. Not retired yet but soon and a few buddies do this. We are all from US where we have 4 seasons. When it gets cold around November leave, April maybe May return home. This gives you a nice rotation as allot of things here in summer I enjoy. Golf, working around the house various projects and yard work. After 4 or 5 months at home you will be ready to come back, more than ready. It seems to work best for them, think Ill do the same comments from others who may be doing this would be appreciated.

I have my airline tickets paid for for autumn. I guess I wil have to endure Pinays sucking on my dick. Oh well. What swung it was the alrtnratives or lack thereof. I like thea la carte medical services. Other pklaces want to stiff you from a distance.

[QUOTE=Jarango;2989202]The information I elided was good and to the point, thouygh the paperwork seems tedious.

You ask who wants to stay in muff land for a continuius 3 years. Many do. I do but I doubt I could hack it at this stage. I look at the losers' videos online and those who settle in and plod along, running small busienss and humouring their lady friends. Of ocurse, folk end up everywhere but the Phils is a palce you want to have your ducks in order or you'd end up nuts or worse. I don't think I could do three years. In a prison, yes but I the funny farm that is the Phils, no.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Locamotive;2990997]True but just do a rotation. Not retired yet but soon and a few buddies do this. We are all from US where we have 4 seasons. When it gets cold around November leave, April maybe May return home. This gives you a nice rotation as allot of things here in summer I enjoy. Golf, working around the house various projects and yard work. After 4 or 5 months at home you will be ready to come back, more than ready. It seems to work best for them, think Ill do the same comments from others who may be doing this would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]There are a few different options and permutations.

The obvious one is the pack up, sell everything stateside, cut all ties and then move permanently. The benefits are: lower cost of living; most guys find a partner and start getting laid again and; the all over quality of life is much better than just waiting to die back home. The downsides surprise many. What appears quaint as a visitor can be infuriating after a few years: the noise; the unreliable power, water and services generally; the constant manana attitude; medical services and response times can be a life and death decisions in one's 80's; endless pussy is great when you first arrive but actually becomes monotonous after a while. Jurango's 'losers' also run the considerable risk of losing a house and fortune to what was the love of their life. For a combination of these reasons many, many guys tap out after about five years and head home. Often, this is when they find that selling their major dollar assets and converting them to pesos wasn't such a great idea and that the cost of repatriation is much higher than expected or allowed for. Could you imagine selling your home 5 years ago, spending most of the proceeds, then trying to re-enter the market at today's prices? Many times guys go home completely broke. It's something you never read of nor see in glossy YouTube videos.

Coming on a roster is easy to organise. Philippines visas, while not as friendly as they were are still relatively low hassle, especially for repeated stays of a couple of months several times a years. There is the added cost of multiple flights and short term accommodation but these can be weighed against not buying her a house, supporting families, having kids at 70 etc. As we all get older, timing and destinations can be aligned with medical needs. There are checkups etc that are much better done overseas, some back at home. Some enjoy travel and moving around but some don't. It's an individual preference. Personally, I can travel intermittently for up to 6 months a year but more than that becomes tiresome and a job in itself.

I think the biggest thing is to realise that living is Asia is totally different to visiting.

Enjoy. G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2991070]There are a few different options and permutations.

The obvious one is the pack up, sell everything stateside, cut all ties and then move permanently. The benefits are: lower cost of living; most guys find a partner and start getting laid again and; the all over quality of life is much better than just waiting to die back home. The downsides surprise many. What appears quaint as a visitor can be infuriating after a few years: the noise; the unreliable power, water and services generally; the constant manana attitude; medical services and response times can be a life and death decisions in one's 80's; endless pussy is great when you first arrive but actually becomes monotonous after a while. Jurango's 'losers' also run the considerable risk of losing a house and fortune to what was the love of their life. For a combination of these reasons many, many guys tap out after about five years and head home. Often, this is when they find that selling their major dollar assets and converting them to pesos wasn't such a great idea and that the cost of repatriation is much higher than expected or allowed for. Could you imagine selling your home 5 years ago, spending most of the proceeds, then trying to re-enter the market at today's prices? Many times guys go home completely broke. It's something you never read of nor see in glossy YouTube videos.

Coming on a roster is easy to organise. Philippines visas, while not as friendly as they were are still relatively low hassle, especially for repeated stays of a couple of months several times a years. There is the added cost of multiple flights and short term accommodation but these can be weighed against not buying her a house, supporting families, having kids at 70 etc. As we all get older, timing and destinations can be aligned with medical needs. There are checkups etc that are much better done overseas, some back at home. Some enjoy travel and moving around but some don't. It's an individual preference. Personally, I can travel intermittently for up to 6 months a year but more than that becomes tiresome and a job in itself.

I think the biggest thing is to realise that living is Asia is totally different to visiting.

Enjoy. G.[/QUOTE]I did that, and so far in my 4th year I don't regret it a bit, actually I'm "scarred" of the reverse, when I have to go back "home", there is nothing for me there, is expensive, some things are more complicated than PH, the only joy I have is seeing my friends.

The alternative, was to continue to work until death, being invisible, expired. Even if I die tomorrow because of some medical emergency malpractice 3rd world bullshit, I won't regret it a bit, because here you feel alive, and that's more important than leaving in safety in USA, but dying in comfort at a slow precalculated rate.

Accurate and insightful report.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2991070]endless pussy is great when you first arrive but actually becomes monotonous after a while. [/QUOTE]Speak for yourself!

Kidding aside, this does happen to me. Couple of times a year I either cut way back on my normal schedule, or eliminate it completely for a few weeks. One of the positives of this place is that it puts you in the driver's seat (usually) on when / where. Those in P-prison rarely have such an option. One can stop, then pick right back up at anytime here.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2991070]I think the biggest thing is to realise that living is Asia is totally different to visiting.[/QUOTE]Have noticed that Covid was a breaking point for ISG threads here in Phils (and possibly elsewhere). Prior to covid, most of our posts were regarding short-term tourists coming to Phils. Tourists asked questions, old guard answered tourist questions or offered insights (Burgos, AC, LAC, Cebu mostly), and solid field reports showed up more often.

During Covid, some A-hole here posted a ton of BS regarding Grab, ECQ, and MECQ, Alert levels, vaccines, rapid tests, face masks, and face shields. He seemed to get laid a lot. F*cker.

Post Covid, fewer tourists returned to Phils than pre-covid, and more expats living here seem to have moved into the ISG neighborhood. Fewer solid FR's. Now we discuss where to get our teeth cleaned.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2991231]........

Post Covid, fewer tourists returned to Phils than pre-covid, and more expats living here seem to have moved into the ISG neighborhood. Fewer solid FR's. .........[/QUOTE]The Philippines Government didn't made the early visits after the scamdemic to easy, quarantine, certificates and tests, and so much bullshit and misinformation, that you didn't really knew where and what to look for. Most of the Latin America was a step ahead of the rest of the world, Mexico being the leader. When the covid test was needed to return to the USA, in the Cancun airport they were just touching your nostrils with an ordinary q-tip, then going behind a curtain, trowing the q-tip in the trash, and printing you a negative test result for about $20. Good business.

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2991148]I did that, and so far in my 4th year I don't regret it a bit, actually I'm "scarred" of the reverse, when I have to go back "home", there is nothing for me there, is expensive, some things are more complicated than PH, the only joy I have is seeing my friends.

The alternative, was to continue to work until death, being invisible, expired. Even if I die tomorrow because of some medical emergency malpractice 3rd world bullshit, I won't regret it a bit, because here you feel alive, and that's more important than leaving in safety in USA, but dying in comfort at a slow precalculated rate.[/QUOTE]After living away, the sticker shock is very real. For me it's not the big ticket items, it's the things that were ridiculously cheap but are no longer available: $2 taxi fares; $5 meals; weekends away for $100 etc.

Again, this is very true. Most prefer to die on their feet vs live on their knees.

Enjoy. G.