Beating a dead dog...

[Sunwolf]

Well, I have soent the past half-hour or so reading your enlightening replies to my questions and I guess I have a few things to say.  Not particularly bad things, just...well, THINGS.

    First.  Where in the world are you guys getting this 'it only costs $650 to go to the Philippines' business?  The cheapest price I can find is $1,800!  I live in New York State and the Philippines is on the other side of the world.  That may be why the airlines seem to want a large percentage of my yearly gross just to fly me there and back, I don't know.  This is why it has taken me a couple of years to scrape together enough to go this summer.  BTW, yes I DID search the entire internet for the best deals on airfare, and I keep searching.

   Next.  Another one of you seems to be implying that only rich people should marry filipinas and I don't apparently qualify financially.  I would be getting by quite well if I didn't have to keep socking away money for the trip, passport, inns, etc.  So if she did come here I'd be able to support her all right.  I'd insist she work, and she says she wants to, so we're in agreement there.  One thing DOES bother me, though.  I got the feeling that if she comes here, she's going to leave the kids in the Phils with her parents, which mystifies me to no end.  Anyway, it appears that it will just be she and I, both working, so there shouldn't be any problem with us supporting ourselves.

    Last, but not least.  'Japaukis', huh? Well, I have to admit that Paul has put his finger exactly on how she describes what she does and where she is.  She seems to move a lot, too.  No sooner was she in Japan on December 7th and then on January 4th she moved somewhere else.  She moved 4 times in the 6 months she was in the Philippines last time, too.  She just told me this week that she had moved.  I get the distinct feeling that she's in some kind of trouble and wants me to rescue her from it.  That's a lot to expect from a man she's never met, no?  I think so.

    Finally, to answer the chap who asked if it was too late to change my travel plans; In a word, "no".  I haven't booked any travel yet.  I was going to wait for my taxes to come back before I did anything.  I WAS involved in getting my passport, though.

    I have to say that I am glad that I asked those questions.  I was getting into that mode of thought where I believed that everything was secure and I could trust her, but now I am more scared and skeptical than ever!  I'm still not sure of what I am going to do, but my plans are, at present, now on hold.  Thanks to everybody who helped me out on this.  You have all been very helpful, even those with voices that I did not want to hear.

    A special thanks to Paulv and Bear.  Both your opinions, though kind-of opposing, clarified things for me more than the others.  Take care.

The Sunwolf

[Bear]

... in response to Beating a dead dog..., posted by Sunwolf on Jan 10, 2002

Go to www(dot)asianfare(dot)com and you'll see lots of fares from $650-750.  Plus phone cards for $0.128/min. or less.  I spent 3 weeks in Marbella Mansion (Davao) and Palarrzo Pension House (Cebu) in their best rooms and averaged only $14/day with breakfast, phones, cable, a/c, hot water, etc.  The only time I felt cheated was when I went to Virgin Beach Resort (owned by Ron Perry of Farm Tours), they charged 3 times what everyone else charged with absolutely no accommondations to speak of - and I mean none.  Did have nice blue water though.

As for Paulv and myself being apposed in opinions I think he is slightly more skeptical but very realistic and I think he has an excellent literary ability - not so good in person (lol) (just teasing).

Oh and he and his Filipina, Anna, were my "Mom and Dad" at the reception and the "best man" and "maid of honor" at our wedding.

Bear

[The Sunwolf]

... in response to Re: Beating a dead dog..., posted by Bear on Jan 10, 2002

Thanks for the website and advice Bear.  You are really too helpful.  If we lived near each other I'd invite you over for coffee.  You seem like good people to me.  Thanks again.

The Sunwolf

[shadow]

... in response to Re: Beating a dead dog..., posted by Bear on Jan 10, 2002

I have always gotten very good airfares from Ron Perry, and this trip I was thinking about staying at VBR for a few days. Obviously your opinion of the place isn't so good. Can you please elaborate? Thanx. Larry.

[Bear]

... in response to Hey, Bear!, posted by shadow on Jan 11, 2002

nt

[outwest]

... in response to Re: Beating a dead dog..., posted by Bear on Jan 10, 2002

Asianfare.com is a food site

[Bear]

... in response to is that a joke..., posted by outwest on Jan 11, 2002

Its called Vantage Travel.

Bear

[Paulv]

... in response to Beating a dead dog..., posted by Sunwolf on Jan 10, 2002

From LA I routinely get air fairs to Manila for $450-$550 off-peak season and never spent more than $1250 peak-season. Many others I know have gotten cheaper flights flying courier.

Also, I live in LA and there are many, many recently arrived Filipinas here who are very marriage minded.  If I hadn't been introduced to my Angelic Anna, I would have worked the Filipina community here for awhile to see what I could find.

Paulv

[Pete]

... in response to Beating a dead dog..., posted by Sunwolf on Jan 10, 2002

Hi,

Regarding expenses and whatnot...it doesn't have to be
as expensive as youre making it out to be. If you're
calling airlines direct, you're going to pay through the
roof. Try looking into getting a consolidator fare (like at
gardenstate travel) or even cheaper, a courier flight, if
you don't mind bringing an extra package with you to
drop off at the airport at your final destination.

Gardenstate travel's website quotes a price for Manila
via La Guardia, Newark, or JFK as $770 now on Northwest.
If you're going to another island, I would suggest taking the
same airline both internationally and domestically, especially
if it's PAL (since it's the only airline whos domestic and
international flights are from the same terminal in
Manila). Other airlines force you to take a taxi a couple
of miles to the old terminal.

If you want avoid manila entirely and are going to
another island, you can go via a different route (like in
February Im taking Cathay Pacific the entire way from
NYC to Hong Kong to Cebu). I'll probably pay a little
more...but it's the convenience of not having to fly to CA
first and having to wait....then to manila and more
waiting...then finally to cebu...30 hours!! Not again
thanks.

Anyway, I'm digressing from my original train of
thought...you can travel and spend lots of money...or
you can travel and be moderate. In cebu for example,
some people stay at the Waterfront Hotel and spend
$40-100 day on their rooms...I stayed at the Northwinds
and spent like $22 a night with free breakfast. You
could even go cheaper for like $10 - 15 a day at a
pension house (hostel).

The bottom line is you don't have to be rich to be
involved in an international relationship but you DO
have to have a solid job and learn how to spend
wisely...priorities priorities priorities...

[Jimbo]

... in response to travelling from ny, posted by Pete on Jan 10, 2002

Paul,

I agree, Cathay Pacific's a great flight; JFK - HongKong - Manila or Cebu (refuel in Vancouver).  For me it was the All Asia Pass for $900. ($1000. now I think).  But I had to connect from Boston first (turbo prop).  It's an even better deal if you have other asian cities like Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in your itinerary, because the extra trips are free.

United is good also - connect to Chicago and then nonstop to HongKong (747 near-polar route, over Barrow) for around $800+ once they come down from the full fare in order to fill the plane (just monitor the price online and it will drop).

Northwest now goes from Newark nonstop to HongKong (the new 777 polar route with just two engines!).  With a Boston connection I think it's under $800.

Jim

[Stephen]

... in response to Beating a dead dog..., posted by Sunwolf on Jan 10, 2002

Hello:

Glad to have your input.  We're always glad to have new faces around here.

First, from here in California you can get a round-trip ticket to Manila for $650 to $700.  Of course, New York is going to be more expensive.  I would advise you to get some Philipino newspapers and look at the air fares in the travel advertisements there.

Second, I don't think that you have to be rich to go find a lady in the PHilippines.  I probably spend about $6,000 from start to finish.   That's a great deal.  Tess is worth much more that that.  I'm a very lucky guy.

Finally, remember that you get what you look for.  If you look in a bar for a lady you are likely to find one kind of person.  Take your time, and good luck.

Stephen