Davao

I hope to be well and back soon.

Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]Hope you're over the worst of it. A lot of your dedicated readers--at least me--were wondering how you were making out.

Chief 69

I've spoken to DS several times since the onset of his illness, and I'm happy to report that he's sounding pretty much like his old self, which means I hope that he's well on the way to full recovery. He did mention to me yesterday that he's anxious to get back out here where the air is pure and the women are willing, and I'm hoping that it's sooner rather than later.

Some of you may remember a post I made several weeks ago about the imminent opening of a call center at the Damosa Gateway on Lanang Road. I'm pleased to report that it's now open, and the surrounding eating areas, gathered under an adjacent, single-roofed facility called the "Market Basket" are thronged with nubile young things every lunch hour. I'm talking about dozens of tables of young women thrilled to be able to practice their English. Usually, when I eat from one of the small stalls in the facility, I am the only white guy among hundreds of Filipinos, at least 60% of whom are women under the age of 25. Guys, this is a serious hunting ground for those of you who are interested and who have no qualms about initiating conversation; a sort of "cold call" if you will. The place is un-airconditioned and fairly basic, srving lunches for about Php50, so no one is going to confuse it with Claude's or De Bonte Koe, but then again, the latter don't offer these amenities either.

Directly up the street from Damosa, there's an enormous new KTV with, I'm told, dozens of women and very high prices. It bills itself as an exclusive sort of establishment and I do not ever plan to go there. But it's new and it's probably pretty good for those of you who want to spend a bit of dough getting drunk and laid with good looking women.

GE

Guys,

I did not realize GE had so many posts. I think the lnch tables at the Market Basket would be a good place to have a few fruit drinks while scoping out the ladies. Can always head to someplace nice for a real meal afterwards. You don't come here for the food but the abundance of pussy. Like Ground Zero after 5:00PM.

GE tells me he has met quite a few guy from the ISG Boards in the last few weeks. I rarely meet anyone and I would venture to say he has met more in the prior month than I have ever met. He gives me detailed accounts of his Meetings, usually puntuated with "Slayer you would not like this guy at all".

What has me wondering is the fact that with few exceptions, these guys are staying in places both GE and I do not deem suitable for living in, even for a few nights. He mentioned a place near an Italian Restaurant we occasionally visit. My comment was, "that is in a very bad section of the City". GE replied, "you would not walk inside the dump. It is a fucking shithole". Wow!

I do not understand this proclivity to stay in squalid pension houses and apartells with no amenities an NO security. As both the Kid and I commented, "why even bother to make the Trip if you must live in utter poverty?" We have found decent places for $20-$25/nt that are clean, safe and in decent locations.

If money is tight, you will be spending a lot of time in your room. You need a clean, decent place with cable tv, cinemax, HBO, a swimming pool and a restaurant. Your dining out will be at the Market Basket and Ground Zero. You can eat and hunt pussy at the same time.

I wrote an Article in 2004 on the ancient Davao Board covering where to go to eat good food reasonably and where to stay. Many new places have opened since then. If GE and I do not mention a Place here it is because we find it uninhabitable. End of Story!

We do check out the Places posted here and if we do not comment, it is because doing so gives credence to someplace better off forgotten. I stayed at Red Knights Garden and The Efficiency Room is okay and you should be able to get it for $ 18/Nt on a few weeks stay. You then have cable tv, HBO, Cinemax, swimming pool, restaurant, security and laundry service (very reasonable).

Three to four months before your Trip consider holding a garage sale, selling on Ebay or Amazon.com or getting a part time job. You should be able to earn an extra $ 2000 minimum which will go a long way towards improving your Trip, even on a two month stay. You could then actually dine out in the evening, drop by Hotlegs I,II or III or Rizal Promenade.

The Idea of taking a Trip is to get away, relax and have fun. Not seeing how far your $20 can go.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer]Guys,

I did not realize GE had so many posts. I think the lnch tables at the Market Basket would be a good place to have a few fruit drinks while scoping out the ladies. Can always head to someplace nice for a real meal afterwards. You don't come here for the food but the abundance of pussy. Like Ground Zero after 5:00PM.

GE tells me he has met quite a few guy from the ISG Boards in the last few weeks. I rarely meet anyone and I would venture to say he has met more in the prior month than I have ever met. He gives me detailed accounts of his Meetings, usually puntuated with "Slayer you would not like this guy at all".

What has me wondering is the fact that with few exceptions, these guys are staying in places both GE and I do not deem suitable for living in, even for a few nights. He mentioned a place near an Italian Restaurant we occasionally visit. My comment was, "that is in a very bad section of the City". GE replied, "you would not walk inside the dump. It is a fucking shithole". Wow!

I do not understand this proclivity to stay in squalid pension houses and apartells with no amenities an NO security. As both the Kid and I commented, "why even bother to make the Trip if you must live in utter poverty? " We have found decent places for $20-$25/nt that are clean, safe and in decent locations.

If money is tight, you will be spending a lot of time in your room. You need a clean, decent place with cable tv, cinemax, HBO, a swimming pool and a restaurant. Your dining out will be at the Market Basket and Ground Zero. You can eat and hunt pussy at the same time.

I wrote an Article in 2004 on the ancient Davao Board covering where to go to eat good food reasonably and where to stay. Many new places have opened since then. If GE and I do not mention a Place here it is because we find it uninhabitable. End of Story!

We do check out the Places posted here and if we do not comment, it is because doing so gives credence to someplace better off forgotten. I stayed at Red Knights Garden and The Efficiency Room is okay and you should be able to get it for $ 18/Nt on a few weeks stay. You then have cable tv, HBO, Cinemax, swimming pool, restaurant, security and laundry service (very reasonable).

Three to four months before your Trip consider holding a garage sale, selling on Ebay or Amazon.com or getting a part time job. You should be able to earn an extra $ 2000 minimum which will go a long way towards improving your Trip, even on a two month stay. You could then actually dine out in the evening, drop by Hotlegs I, II or III or Rizal Promenade.

The Idea of taking a Trip is to get away, relax and have fun. Not seeing how far your $20 can go.

Dragon Slayer[/QUOTE]Well said but one man shit hole is another man castle. I personally just look for a nice clean place I don't really us the amenities so I rather not pay for them but hard to find a nice clean place with good decor without the amenities. The Red Knights Garden look like a really good place I would like to give it a try if I every get out there. I like to buy you and GE a drink it you are willing just to say thanks.

Hahaha. He is definitely coming back to his prior self.

Nice to hear from you DS, even though you never met me either. So when are you scheduled for Davao? Maybe I to should consult GE before inviting you for a bottle of Bordeaux.

On places to stay:

I long time rent a place, but there is always the option of renting a good furnished apartment for short time visits. For 10 000 a week you get a big and good place. A Diamond club member pay approximately 2500 a night at Apo and I would say that the feeling of home in an apartment makes up for the proximity to the pool, rest, etc. PM me if you need a number.

Cheers Barba

Guys,

I am still home resting and trying to get better. I have lost a ton of weight. I am going to re-schedule my Trip to the Phils so I can get back to Davao. I can continue to recover there with an abundance of lovely ladies willing to assist me. Besides, I need to get the tailor to take in all my pants from the waist, hips and legs. Look like clown clothes.

My beautiful Jobeth, now 20, gets the Slayer "Florence Nightinggale Award" for efforts aimed at making me feel better. She is constantly providing me with graphic cybersex and phone sex. Goes into minute detail on what she wants to do to my dick and how she will suck it. Girl should be writing
"Jobeth's Erotic Tales". Knowing how good she is at fucking and blowing makes me want to return quickly.

I have a few ladies in Cagayan de Oro and General Santos that I want to meet. I will take a couple day trip to CDO and stop in Gen San on the return. Bring someone back for a couple days to Davao.

No word from the Kid this past week. Did not return my phone calls. Must be busy drinking after work with his cop pals. First things first for the Kid. Doubt if he got his plane ticket. I had always done this for him but i am done playing his assistant. I do not plan to see him in Davao even if we are there at the same time. He spends all his time drinking and smoking. I will not be drinking this Trip so no point hanging with "drunk guy".

Hope to be in Davao soon.

Dragon Slayer

[QUOTE=Dragon Slayer]The Idea of taking a Trip is to get away, relax and have fun. Not seeing how far your $20 can go.[/QUOTE]Well said DS, and thanks for the excellent info on where to stay and do.

Im planning a return trip to Phils with a mate later this year. When planning our first trip to Makati and Cebu I was looking at decent (expensive) hotels until he started to whine about the cost and put a cap of $100 a night on accommodation. After a short search we actually booked reasonable 4* hotels in both cities for around $55 per night and found them very good value for money.

Due to recent Financial Investments etc our next trip may see my mate on an even tighter rein as far as the spending power goes, so I have suggested we budget things carefully. Not for me, but to avoid him suffering any embarassment if we suddenly take a liking to expensive things (girls included).

From your info I have suggested a figure of $200 per day all inclusive. We want to come ''down south'' this time and armed with as much info as possible from the Forum we plan to have ourselves a well budgeted good time.

After all, a trip is to enjoy, not squeak about the extra few $$$ the finer things in life may cost.

Cheers, F/Fifty

Fifty-fifty,

You just cited the very reason I do NOT travel with anyone EVER!. Why the fuck should I have to hAVE MY TRIP BASED ON THE NEEDS OF SOME OTHER GUY? Especially as I am ALWAYS the one with all the ladies who have available friends. I tolerated this shit for way too fucking long with the pathetic nerd in my own city that I refer to as "Bone Collector" (more skeletons in the loser's closet than at the county morgue). We never got together in my City but whenever I was taking a Trip to Asia this pathetic, skinny, ugly looking wimp would ask to "tag along". I once asked him, "Bones, why don't you go with some of your wimpy friends you hang with here?"

I got smart four years ago and refused to have anything further to do with Bones. It was a very smart move. Consider travelling alone if your friend is a "budget johnny". This is also why I hesitate to meet guys from ISG. I get the "next day reports" from GE who relishes in meeting these guys. He invariably afterwards describes the "meeting' as npleasant and that the guy complained about prices at Henny's De Bonte Koe Restaurant in Davao. This place is nice and inexpensive. About one third of what it would cost in my City for a similar meal. No reason for complaining about prices ever. Cannot afford the rent, don't live there!

In Makati City I stay at a nice, private Hotel for P 3000/nt ($69). I need to book a few weeks in advance as it fills up quickly. Food for two (I am never alone, not with my Jen there) sets me back another $ 50-$70/day. Not a budget place but nice and near good restaurants. I am NOT travelling to see how little I can spend and I have no use for guys who do this.

In Cebu City you should spend about 40% less than in Makati and in Davao City you should spend 30% less then in Cebu. Your money will go a lot further in Davao City. Plenty of women also and far less foreigners than Manila or Cebu. If I had kept quiet about this Place, there wold be no foreigners here. I often wish I had done this.

Dragon Slayer

I guess it's no surprise that I agree with DS yet again. However, for $200 a day, you should be able to have a great time here, though you will probably not be staying at the Marco Polo as this would take up more than half the daily budget. Assuming you spend about $70 a day for a hotel, you can eat at Henny's or Claudes, even if accompanied, and have enough left for the music spots or the bars later in the evening.

I've never traveled with another guy and I would never do so, as I wouldn't want my itinerary, my impulses or my schedule affected by the desires of another person, but that's a personal idiosyncrasy and I'm sure that others are more generous. I guess I'm at a stage of my life where I simply do not want to conform to someone else's schedule, nor do I expect someone else to conform to mine. Of course, it's different for me as I live here and I do not have to pack a lot of experience into a few days to ensure I get my money's worth. At any rate, most of the guys coming here--and for that matter most of the guys on this board--are probably younger than I am with significantly more energy and more curiosity.

DS' comments to the contrary, I probably meet about one out of three guys who PM me and the experiences have been decidedly mixed for me, and probably for them as well. Again though, I would not change my plans to accommodate someone I don't know. If I'm going to eat at De Bonte Koe, for example, and someone wants to meet us there or to drop by for a drink, fine. If he doesn't want to eat there because it's too expensive, or for any other reason, also fine, but I'm still going to go.

The great thing about hanging around with DS is not only that we're good friends, but we like doing pretty much the same things---good restaurants, fine wines, intelligent company and companionship----and so there's no hassle when we're together. Also, DS has been here so many times that he's not a tourist any more and knows exactly where to go and what to expect when he gets there.

One of the nicest aspects of Davao is that you really do not need to know anyone here to have a great time. So long as you're reasonably presentable, and have a bit of game, it's so easy to meet people, expecially women, that no one need be alone for very long.

GE

Hey DS and GE thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

The reason I travelled with this guy last time and I will do again is that, he is a very good friend of mine and we do share similar tastes, not only in girls but life in general. We both work in the same environment, although his position is somewhat opposite to me.

Basically he is a good mate and his style of budget is bearable, he isnt a cheapskate, but prefers not to spend money on expensive hotels, especially as we rarely avail ourselves of any facitlities other than Bed & Bathroom. He does splash out on good restaurants and good times wherever he goes and it is a style that I have learned to like too.

When it comes to funds, he has actaully more than me, but mine are more readily available, so its swings and roundabouts really.

I have Davao on the top of my list, mainly for the reasons that you guys say, but moreover we are both looking for that somewhere a bit different than your average big dirty smelly Phils city like Manila and to a certain extent Cebu have become.

The $200 a day budget is flexible, but from what you guys say it looks like a very good time can be had on it, so Davao here I (we) come.

Thanks,

F/Fifty

Guys,

Davao is a very reasonable City. You will spend a lot of money here ONLY if you hang out in the expensive CLubs like Roman Plaza, the new Karaoke in Lanang (Aquarium?) or get into buying ladies drinks and taking out the women from the Hot Legs Clubs or the others. Claude's and the Marco Polo Restaurants (3rd & 4th floors) are the only really upsacle dining places here. Even these are very reasonable compared to what you would pay for similar in Hong Kong, US cities or the UK. Pass on the bottle of wine and the price at any of the three is fine.

You can easily get a room here for under $50/nt that is very nice. Then Red Knights Garden and a few other places we know are half this price or less and fairly decent. The squalid dumps many of the guys end up staying in are pathetic. Again GE and I cannot come up with any plausible reason why a man would come here on holiday and stay in these slums.

In any event dining out is very reasonable. Around Ground Zero there are about 7 filipino barbecue places that open at 5 PM. They all stay open until 01:00AM and one until 03:00AM. All are inexpensive and have typical filipino food and inexpensive bottled beer.

Dragon Slayer

I have a confession to make –I’m a budget traveler. It would be nice if I had $200 a night to spend, but I don’t. I am able to stay two months a year in the Philippines by saving ahead and carefully budgeting my money. I have an Australian pensioner friend who lives in the Philippines on $600 a month. Admittedly, he doesn’t live high on the hog, but he enjoys himself and has young women.

I look to spend about 600 pesos a night for a hotel, and in Cebu I’ve found several places at this price that are clean, have air con, and cable TV. They don’t have linen tablecloths, but frankly, I’d feel uncomfortable in a place that did. My opinion is that after a certain threshold of comfort is reached, any extra money is wasted.

There are exceptions. I’ve spent the money ($100+) for Taal Vista Lodge and Maribago Blue Waters, which were well worth it. Maybe this summer I’ll spend the $100-200 a night for the Miniloc Island Resort in El Nido. My philosophy is that by not being wasteful with my money on a daily basis, I can afford to splurge if I feel like it.

But then again, I would rather drink a 3 peso glass of tuba by the road than to have a fine wine in a European restaurant. It’s not because I’m cheap, but because of my preferences in drinks and in experiencing life in the Philippines. I also stopped buying cheap rum and cheap coffee (I was raised by very frugal parents), so I see DS and GE’s point –there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to the finer things in life.

An important point, though, if dining with someone with more or less expensive tastes than you, is either to excuse yourself politely or to just shut up and bite the bullet. To sit at a meal and openly ***** about the price is not only low class, but ruins the whole experience for everyone.

[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please [url=http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?]Click Here[/url] for more information.[/blue][/size]

Thanks Sergeant Ray, for an excellent and honest report. I agree that it's important to define what makes you happy and comfortable and then go with it, regardless of what "it is. One of the nicer things about this city is that it can cater easily to all levels of need, comfort or whatever. For example, I was told recently, by a member of this forum, that Casa Ruby on Diversion Road (and about which I posted several months ago) offers an excellent option for about Php700 a day for long-term stays. Sampigita, about which Bilbo Biggins wrote several weeks ago, offers rooms for far less. The Filipino restaurants on Camus St. And the immediate vicinity, about which Dragon Slayer has written, offer meals for less than Php100, and so it goes. I have lunch sometimes at the food stalls across the parking lot from my office for Php50.

Davao is truly a town for all seasons.

GE

Hello SergeantRay,

I am interested in the hotels that you referred to in Cebu for the budget traveller. Could you give names and whatever you have for contact details for these places.

Happy mongering

Gangles

Guys,

P 700/nt ($16 US) does NOT get you much at all. GE's comments to the contrary, you are getting next to nothing. If you are happy, so be it(even as a much younger, poorer man I tried these accomodations and hated them). Please note that in these cheap places there is NO SECURITY. NOTHING!. A phrase you can count on is "the cheaper the Place, the stranger the clientele". I can absolutely state this for a fact after two experiences in Cebu and Manila as a younger man. I tried, on the advie of ex-pats, a couple places that were very "reasonable" (horrfically bad).

The Place in Cebu had the most expensive room (I got it) for P650; rest were P250-350 and had only a fan and shared a restroom in the hallway. Had a little restaurant and bar. I would sit outside and meet some of the strangest, most bizarre travellers I ever encountered. I never stayed there again but i did drop by for lunch a couple times over the years. Not much has changed and the prices are the same.

I liked GoodEnough's comments, especially how only a few hours easlier he was telling me, "Slayer in Manila this Trip stay at the Dusit. You will love it. So what if it cost a fortune, you can affodr it". None of this One Man's Comfort Level............

I may indeed stay at the Dusit now that it is renovated. I had a memorable time there with a Lady 2 years ago. But I also like my regular Hotel in Makati with its location near Little Tokyo (love authentic Japanese restaurants). It sets me back only P3300/nt. Huge room and nice amenities. Get to practice my nihongo with the other guests.

In finding accomodations please note what i mentioned in an earlier post here. Three months before taking a Trip make a concerted effort via Ebay, Amazon, etc or garage sales or taking an extra job to bring in an additional $ 2000 -$3000. This will greatly enhance your travel experience.

Living in Davao on $600/Mo. Let's see now water, rice, beans, more rice, more water; an occasional red horse beer or bottle of tanduay rum(gross). My Profession has me dealing with Finacial matters. I determined that to live at a basic standard of living (I mean primitive) required $1000 per month. I send more than $600/Mo to each of the Mothers of my son and daughter. In the one case I built the house and there is no nanny any longer. Very small electricity and other fixed costs. In the other case I pay for a decent apartment, nanny and all food, medical, etc. She is a Professional on Staff at a Hospital in Cebu earning a decent (by their view, not mine) wage. Both constantly call or text me here in the US for more money.

In planning a Trip here do try to be realistic. My suggestion about three months prior works. You want to have a good time and also a drink or two with the Kid (he arrives last week in June), GE or perhaps (gasp) even Dragon Slayer. We do NOT do the food stalls or filipino joints (GE hates filipino food). After my illness I am certain we will all want to do it up big. No drinking for me but good food and good women for certain.

One final comment. Let me know when GE goes to eat at a food stall. I will pay you $200 US to see this!. GE balks at dining even at halfway decent places. Either first class or nothing!

Dragon Slayer