Where is everyone at ?

[piglett]

still trying to figure out why plane tickets to Sanya are so dang expensive :/. Maybe it's just because I'm looking at western websites. Well, we'll see.

will Seattle to shanghai work for $468.20 ??

http://www.asaptickets.com/cheap-tickets/economic/delta-air-lines/2009-05-29/2009-06-08/roundtrip/1/0/0/468.20/SEA/asia/china/SHA.html?line=%28800%29+677-2943&clientsource=URL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%


or if you would perfer you can fly into Beijing for $610.08

http://www.asaptickets.com/cheap-tickets/economic/american-airlines/2009-05-10/2009-06-24/roundtrip/1/0/0/610.08/SEA/asia/china/BJS.html?line=%28800%29+677-2943&clientsource=URL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%

i think you said that you lived near Seattle so i did the search with that as a starting point

Hope you have a great trip
piglett

[Capstone]

will Seattle to shanghai work for $468.20 ??

http://www.asaptickets.com/cheap-tickets/economic/delta-air-lines/2009-05-29/2009-06-08/roundtrip/1/0/0/468.20/SEA/asia/china/SHA.html?line=%28800%29+677-2943&clientsource=URL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%


or if you would perfer you can fly into Beijing for $610.08

http://www.asaptickets.com/cheap-tickets/economic/american-airlines/2009-05-10/2009-06-24/roundtrip/1/0/0/610.08/SEA/asia/china/BJS.html?line=%28800%29+677-2943&clientsource=URL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%

i think you said that you lived near Seattle so i did the search with that as a starting point

Hope you have a great trip
piglett

I have never had any luck with asaptickets - those advertised rates have never been available when I try to book it - that or either the advertised rates include none of the taxes at all and so they hit you up for another $300-$400 when you try to book.

[jm21-2]

Yes, I'm near Seattle. Haven't used asaptickets before.

I think I'll let her advise me, haha. I talked about airplane ticket prices with her a bit, noting that HK seemed to have the best rates and was close to her, and she advised me to take a bus to Shenzhen and then fly out with her to Sanya. It would save me a lot of money doing things her way it looks like. I think I can probably get away with a really nice 2-week vacation (a couple days in HK, a couple in Shenzhen, and a week or so in Sanya) for under $2k. It seems that things like SCUBA gear and boat rentals are really expensive though.

Thanks for all the advice!

EDIT:
I'm a little confused about the Chinese visas. I would be going to HK then the mainland...is that two entries? And if then I went from the mainland to HK when I went to fly back, is that a third entry? So would I need a multi-entry visa instead of a double-entry?

[Capstone]

I'm a little confused about the Chinese visas. I would be going to HK then the mainland...is that two entries? And if then I went from the mainland to HK when I went to fly back, is that a third entry? So would I need a multi-entry visa instead of a double-entry?

Hi jm,

You don't need a visa to enter Hong Kong - US citizens can stay for up to 90 days without one and enter.exit as many times as they want. You will need a Chinese visa however whenever you cross the border to Shenzhen. If I were you I would go ahead and get a multi entry visa for China - it is good for 1 year and you can enter China as many times as you want during that time and it costs the same amount as a single entry visa does. If you don't live anywhere near a Chinese Embassy/Consulate then you will need to use a visa service to obtain your visa for you because you can not mail in your application to the Chinese Consulate, they require that someone actually hand carry it to them. I have used www.mychinavisa.com with very good results - I mailed my passport & visa application to them and then they sent my passport with the newly obtained visa back to me in about a week.

Also mychinavisa.com automatically applies for a multi-entry 60 day stay visa for you unless you specify otherwise since it costs the same as a single entry visa.

[jm21-2]

Thanks so much for the advice Capstone! You've saved me a lot of time researching this stuff.

[Howard]

Hey Piglett

The weather is finally nice here so I have been spending most of my free time cleaning the garage and converting our office into a playroom for Howie.  I figure if I give up my office - a large portion at least - I can have the livingroom back!  I'm getting loopy watching the Disney Channel and Blue's Clues DVDs   NEED ADULT TELEVISION!!!  LOL  Man, I never had my own TV as a kid.  Howie will have his hooked up soon here and he's not even two yet!  He's so cute when he's watching "his" programs though   I guess I am a pushover!  LOL

Gerlie is working and taking care of me and Howie when she's not.  We try to spend the weekends together as a family, but sometimes I have to work   The Michigan economy is KILLING us, but we're finding a way to get by.  GOD I wish Obama would appoint Jen Jen to SOMETHING!!!  I guess she was a front runner for a Supreme Court nomination, but pulled out because she had so much unfinished business here as governor.  I guess she wants to bankrupt all of us small business owners before she considers her job done here.  Shouldn't be too much longer 

Oh well... the family is good, so life is good.

I still check in here every couple of days.  I post when I feel it's appropriate.

Hi to all!

Keep the Faith!

H

[Bear]

I figure if I give up my office - a large portion at least - I can have the livingroom back!

They got you fooled!!  They are EXPANSIVE in nature.  Warning!!!! Hide your tools!

I'm getting loopy watching the Disney Channel and Blue's Clues DVDs

Insanity is hereditary.  We get it from our children!

GOD I wish Obama would appoint Jen Jen to SOMETHING!!!  I guess she was a front runner for a Supreme Court nomination, but pulled out because she had so much unfinished business here as governor.  I guess she wants to bankrupt all of us small business owners before she considers her job done here.  Shouldn't be too much longer

I love that government attitude.... 

"Lets see we are all broke! What can we do?  Oh I know! Spend more money and raise taxes!"

Even here in Texas where things aren't as bad as elsewhere these idiots today voted to raise electrical taxes to pay for new electrical service/improvements.  We can starve to death but we'll have electricity; if we pay the 20% increase in our bill!  (Who needs a job?)

If I didn't have t-ball I couldn't afford entertainment!!!  Oh well I can hug on Honey! 

Hey kids!!! Let go of her she's mine!!!

The Bear Family

[piglett]

I love that government attitude.... 

"Lets see we are all broke! What can we do?  Oh I know! Spend more money and raise taxes!"

Even here in Texas where things aren't as bad as elsewhere these idiots today voted to raise electrical taxes to pay for new electrical service/improvements.  We can starve to death but we'll have electricity; if we pay the 20% increase in our bill!  (Who needs a job?)

Wouldn't you think in tough economic times it would be a good idea to try to cut spending
& maybe freeze the may of all state & city employees ??
I think in many parts of the country the guy made of straw from the wizard of oz is running the show
you remember the guy who said   "if i only had a brain"   

Bear please make sure the "cubs" get the best education possible because they are going to all have to get great jobs to pay back all the money the government on all levels is spending like a drunken sailor

Howard this request go out to you too
little Howie has a whole bunch of work ahead of him 

piglett
             

[KBD]

Just checking in here...me and my girl are doing just fine! I'll be returning to PI this August, late August. Anyone here know how hard it is to obtain a 180 day visa??

[Shadow_mas]

Shhh.... the baby is sleeping.
Just had my inlaws over and it was a tiring but good experience.

[Ray]

Just checking in here...me and my girl are doing just fine! I'll be returning to PI this August, late August. Anyone here know how hard it is to obtain a 180 day visa??

I belive that the maximum stay allowed under a tourist visa is 59 days. You can have your stay extended up to a maximum of 1 year.

You can go with no visa and extend after 21 days or get a 59-day visa through a Philippine consulate before you go.

After you arrive, check with some local travel agents. Most major travel agents can handle the extension for you for a reasonable fee.

Ray