Angeles City

[QUOTE=Goferring;2249232]+1. I just use a fee free travel debit card. Cheap withdrawal at any ATM and no risk of the loss / theft of my travel kitty.[/QUOTE]This happens in 2014 my Bank (Standard Chartered Bank) informed me they are going to block my VISA card and replacing by new one. That made me surprised and relieved too. They told me a hotel (I'm not going to mention the hotel name) in Angles tried to charge my card where as that time I was visiting Hong Kong and as usual using my card. It was true a month before I stayed that hotel and they charged my card. If I use my card definitely they will know my card number and info but how come it is possible since my card is with me.

The Bank answered clone card may produce.

[QUOTE=PuteNut;2249248]Where does this info come from? The PH entry card clearly states 10 K US (or equivalent in other currencies). Local PHP currency limited to 10 K PHP.

Probably low, but be aware some airports deploy canines trained to sniff out cash. No idea if PH deploys them (probably not) but I'm sure they (customs, not the dogs) would love to part you from the 15 K if found. 10 K USD is a good limit when you fly.[/QUOTE]You can travel with more than $US 10 k, you just have to declare it and have a good reason for having that much cash on you. I once came into Canada with about $20 k US on me. I had a valid reason, documents showing where I got the cash from and why I had it and all they did was verify the amount of cash. Since I had left from Afghanistan where they did not have a restriction in place on leaving with cash I also had to convince them that I didn't have an export document from Afghanistan. You also will have to declare the cash when you leave home and keep trhat documentation with you. I also had a few hundred in about 5 other currencies, they asked the conversion rates and added it all together. When I deposited the US cash in my bank they asked for the source of the funds and I showed them the same documents I showed Customs plus my Customs declaration and never heard about it again. It took so long I almost missed my connection.

When got my SRRV I was told that I could bring US cash for the deposit ($20 k) but would have to show the Customs declaration for the cash. I decided transfer was easier and safer than letting Philippine Customs see and document that some guy was leaving with that much cash on him on a late evening arrival.

I see you having 3 choices:

1) Don't declare the cash, take a risk of getting it confiscated and a paying a fine in addition.

2) Declare the cash, have a good explanation ready, have documentation on the source of the cash and take the risk of having people know you are carrying that much cash with you when you leave the airport. (A slight risk but a risk never the less.).

3) Travel with less than $10 k US, 9,900 will be legal, and transfer in additional cash as needed or take cash from ATM's as you need.

Personally I'd go with with option 3. I'd keep ready US cash less than about $5 k and then use a remittance service (I have used [URL]worldremit.com[/URL] with success but there are lots or sites available.) or simply use ATM withdrawals. I have found that an ATM withdrawal, even with exchange and fees comes out pretty cheap to safely transfer cash to here.

Also you should note that outside of the airport currency exchange booths, making an exchange is difficult. You will have to show ID, they will ask the source of the funds and sometimes why you want to convert to local currency, they will record the serial number of the bills and get you to sign the record sheet etc. All that for a bad rate of exchange and the risk of losing the cash en route.

Don't get travelers cheques, they don't work here as they consider them the same as personal cheques and if they even accept them they will make you wait 30 days for them to clear before releasing the cash.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2249179]Always have a way to call your credit card toll free number. Seems like even with travel notice to my credit cards (2) they cut me off for the slightest reasons and I have to call them to reactivate the cards.

[/QUOTE]On my first trip to phil I booked my airfare using AMEX, a couple of weeks before flying I called AMEX to tell them I would be out of the country and wanted to let them know so my card would not be denied while in country. Customer service rep told me there was no need to call because I had booked my flight with AMEX card, we already know you were going there, In future don't bother calling us, so I don't call anymore, Card is always accepted everywhere I have used it. Primarily at upscale hotels and upscale restaurants. I use cash everywhere else for credit card safety. My ATM card from my credit union works here too because I told them I would be in country specific dates and they flagged it. No need to carry huge wads of cash. BTW, This month the exchange rate was best at the manila airport currency exchange just past baggage claim, converting $ to PHP was 18% better than in USA At LAX airport on same date.

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2249290]You can travel with more than $US 10 k, you just have to declare it and have a good reason for having that much cash on you......[/QUOTE]How hard is it for a frequent but non resident tourist to open a bank account in PI? Will the money still be there after the account is dormant, due to returning home, for say 6 months?

[QUOTE=Goferring;2249323]How hard is it for a frequent but non resident tourist to open a bank account in PI? Will the money still be there after the account is dormant, due to returning home, for say 6 months?[/QUOTE]I have done this with an international bank not a local one. I have PHP and US $ accounts but the pesos account needs to remain 'active' otherwise they 'block' access to it after a few months. The US $ is fine but the pesos one can be a headache at times. I tend yo use the dollar one and have both ATM cards so I don't have an issue.

PM me if you need ore info G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2249323]How hard is it for a frequent but non resident tourist to open a bank account in PI? Will the money still be there after the account is dormant, due to returning home, for say 6 months?[/QUOTE]Most likely not too hard. I opened mine while still on a tourist visa with no problems. Some people on a different Philippine forum (general living here not mongering) have said that some banks ask for an ACR card which you can only get after a while in country.

However like a lot of things here, if one bank says it is not allowed, try a different one.

I opened mine at the HSBC Makati branch and have had a HSBC account at home for years. Don't know if that helped with the account opening but it is easy to transfer funds between home and here.

[QUOTE=ForkTruck;2249294]<SNIP> No need to carry huge wads of cash.[/QUOTE]I have been saying this for years FT.

I have travelled throughout SE Asia and the Pacific for work-related reasons in the past 10 years and I have had zero problems with getting local cash out of my HSBC accounts using my ATM cards on arrival.

I also always note that the exchange rate that I get using ATMs for cash and also my HSBC credit and debit card transactions is several percentage points better than any of the money changers.

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2249290]........Also you should note that outside of the airport currency exchange booths, making an exchange is difficult. You will have to show ID, they will ask the source of the funds and sometimes why you want to convert to local currency, they will record the serial number of the bills and get you to sign the record sheet etc. All that for a bad rate of exchange and the risk of losing the cash en route.........[/QUOTE]I never experienced such kind of question all my travel time. Generally I don't change in local currency for not more than 1 k USD / Euro. It is more or less peso 50 k. This amount is safer and can be carried conveniently. Do we need more than that for few days?

Happy hunting.

On the bus ride back from Subic I was writing with an Massage girl on wechat. She wanted 2500 for ST.

I bargained her down to 1500 for ST and 500 p for back and balls Massage.

Later she arrived at my room. Damn she was an real hot 19 yo cutie. The body was the hottest besides my DIA favourite.

But she was not the brightest one. I told her several times I'm from Europe. But she always said I'm American because she does not know what Europe is. Her English was also not the Best.

OK showering was several because she was (of course) shy.

She First, then I showered.

On the bed she was in her towel and I started to touch her a bit.

Then she said me I'm so handsome and had so nice blue eyes.

Then I slowly unwrapped her. She was so hot! These nice teeny boobies, her flat stomach and these sweet light hairy pussy.

I complemented her for her flat stomach and said you have no baby. She said no but she would like to have one. And wanted that I make her one. She would like that. I said maybe next time haha.

But then I wanted to fuck her and she said she does not like BJ. Very sad. But she played with my dick and I was 90% hard and entered her hairy pussy in Missio.

I don't know why but before she asked if I have a big dick, because she does not like big ones. I said I'm average, you can handle that.

And she was not that tight so I don't understand that?!

Anyway I started fucking her and she was enjoying it.

The view on her was really nice. I wanted her closer and wrapped my arms around her shoulders for a better fuck. Then she asked if I'm tired (like I said she was not the brightest haha).

Then she said she would like Doggie and I agreed.

Her ass was really cute with a good grip and she was enjoying that also. Not long and I finished.

Then we cleaned and she massaged my back. That was so so.

The balls massage was nice and she tried to finish me with a handjob.

I said no, because I want to fuck later in day an other girl.

So I gave her 2000 p and she asked when she can come again for baby making.

I said I want to have a BJ. She said she will try next time but she can't do it good because her friends are lesbian (I don't understand that. Or means that she is lesbian?

In the evening a 22 yo WeChat Girl arrived who was going on my nerves several days (I should now, this is not a good sign).

She arrived chubby, with tattoos and drunken.

Ok. She said she already showered, so I showered alone.

On the bed she gave an bad BJ. No feeling and she was always shaking her head (I was already annoyed by that.

Than I fucked her missio, while she was playing with her pussy during that.

Later doggy, but I was not really aroused by her so I started getting softer.

Then she sucked me, but give up because she had no Power anymore.

Second try was a long handjob. She really does not arouses me but I finished.

Damage was 1500 p. But no comment to the sex we had.

She left and I immediately blocked her on wechat.

Tomorrow I will Start my day with an 27 yo single mom from DIA.

I hope this will be better.

[QUOTE=KabulGuy;2249376]Most likely not too hard. I opened mine while still on a tourist visa with no problems. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2249352]I have done this with an international bank not a local one. I have PHP and US $ accounts but the pesos account needs to remain 'active' [/QUOTE]Ok so it sounds like I can open an account and transfer money in.

Sxxxx raises a good point in a PM though: if the SHTF can I transfer it back out to a western account?

Cheers, G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2249531]Sxxxx raises a good point in a PM though: if the SHTF can I transfer it back out to a western account?

Cheers, G.[/QUOTE]I do all the time back and forth but put most in your foreign exchange account.

I travel for months at a time and never carry more than $500 US with me. I usually end up going home with the $500. I use two ATMs that refund ATM fees and charge no conversion fees. That way I can do a double dip when I need big cash. But usually one is safe back in the hotel / airbnb if I get robbed.

There are a bunch, Schwab (seems to be the most popular), Capital One and Fidelity. Schwab express mailed me a new card in the Atacama Desert when I stupidly left my card in the machine. The new Chase Sapphire Banking Card has no fees but they provide NO fraud protection in a bunch of countries of course including the PI.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2249232]+1. I just use a fee free travel debit card. Cheap withdrawal at any ATM and no risk of the loss / theft of my travel kitty.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2249531]Ok so it sounds like I can open an account and transfer money in.

Sxxxx raises a good point in a PM though: if the SHTF can I transfer it back out to a western account? [/QUOTE]Depends on which Shit is hitting which Fan. Take Venezuela for instance. You would have been screwed.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2249641]Depends on which Shit is hitting which Fan. Take Venezuela for instance. You would have been screwed.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;2249556]I do all the time back and forth but put most in your foreign exchange account.[/QUOTE]Thanks guys. It looks like something worth investigating.

The "shit" I was talking about would likely be from my side: had enough of a certain country, an emergency home side that necessitates repatriation of cash, that type of thing.

I'm comfortable operating in struggling economies and basket cases (Venezuela, Zimbabwe etc) don't happen without warning over night.

As an aside, I know several guys who made serious coin during times of upheaval by bringing money in during times of collapsing currencies and soaring deposit interest rates and pulling it out 12/24 months later when the dust settled. Not for the faint hearted but they essentially lived off there profits for several years.

Apologies for wandering too far off the thread's topic, G.

I will keep it short.

Today I fucked two average DIA single moms for each 1200 p.

Nothing special. They did what they where paid for.

But they two had baby damage.

I will from now om pay more attention on quality than on quantity.

At evening my favourite 20 yo from DIA arrived and I fucked here again.

She is so nice and here pussy so tight. Always a great fuck (I will upload here pics when I'm at home).

She promised me that tomorrow she will sleep with me.

For tomorrow I will meet one good wechat girl again and also these 19 yo old cutie from wechat who I meet yesterday.

For this time she promised we will shower together and she tries to give me an BJ.

Seems Like another great day is comming.