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Post by chris on Oct 4, 2015 16:30:32 GMT 7
Farinas Bus Denis the "Run Long" ex Cubao or Sampaloc. It's the deluxe long distance bus, very comfortable. Partas let's you off in Vigan Market while Farinas drops you on the highway, but we can cope with that.
Travel overnight so you arrive 7 AM. Saves one night in a hotel.
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Post by Denis-NFA on Oct 6, 2015 1:35:45 GMT 7
Farinas Bus Denis the "Run Long" ex Cubao or Sampaloc. It's the deluxe long distance bus, very comfortable. Partas let's you off in Vigan Market while Farinas drops you on the highway, but we can cope with that. Travel overnight so you arrive 7 AM. Saves one night in a hotel. Checked it. Farinas is the go. I checked some of the history. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fari%C3%B1as_Transit_Companyen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partas
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Post by Banjo on Nov 6, 2015 19:21:01 GMT 7
Philippines airport bullet-in-bag scam hits travelers (CNN)As if airports weren't stressful enough, a new "bullet-in-luggage" scam in the Philippines is piling on fresh hell for passengers. Travelers from all over the world are said to have been targeted by airport security staff who allegedly plant live ammunition in luggage in order to extort money. Unlicensed possession or purchase of firearms and ammunition is illegal in the Philippines. CNN Philippines reports that police have recorded 30 alleged cases of the scam, known locally as "tanim bala," between January and November 2015. Manila International Airport Authority says there have been five alleged cases in the past two weeks. Government officials say the matter is being investigated, but presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma Jr. insists the cases are isolated. Passenger vigilanceThat hasn't stopped protests reportedly being staged by members of Hong Kong's expatriate Filipino population. Nor will it help improve the reputation of Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which -- after being crowned the world's worst for three years in a row -- only recently managed to haul itself off the bottom of the list. Worried about flying into the Philippines? CNN Philippines has published some tips for avoiding the scam. These include using a hard case and avoiding luggage with external pockets, wrapping the entire bag in cling film, and calling in witnesses, lawyers and airport supervisors if security insists on going through any bags. Eric Apolonio, a spokesperson of the Civil Aeronautics Association of the Philippines, advises travelers to keep an eye on their luggage at all times -- even as it goes through the airport security X-ray machine. Read the full story at CNN Philippinescnnphilippines.com/news/2015/11/02/How-to-avoid-being-a-victim-of-tanim-bala-laglag-bala-scam-airport-extortion-scheme.html
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Post by ding on Nov 7, 2015 5:29:56 GMT 7
My retirement plan - if we still have an age pension in a few years - is a small island in Batangas. So Vigan sounds not too far away for a visit. But I'm still locked into Aus for a few years it seems. :-(
In the mean time my partner and I have built a couple of kubos on her family's block on the island, a Chinese copy of a Honda motorbike and a 20 foot banca with a roof that can get me to Puerto Galera or Batangas easily. I just need to find a cheap way to ship my 24 foot trailable yacht to Batangas.
It would be nice to eventually sell the 26 footer but for a while it will probably stay on a mooring as an emergency home in Aus in case i need to be here,
But if I could live permanently in the Philippines, and just scrap life in Aus I would. I worked out that it is the cost of owning and running a vehicle that eats most of my pension.
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Post by bangalorebiker on Nov 7, 2015 5:41:44 GMT 7
well well well what do we have here a scam by airport security in Philippines ? "My God" no never could this happen, i hope the administrator Mr banjo will delete this terrible post as he has done so many times before to my posts telling the other members of this forum about the scams and take off the rose tinted glass's when in regard to how wonderful and great fun it is in the Philippines, oh hang on a minute old mate Banjo posted this himmmmm well i guess he will not be deleting his own post now will he.
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Post by bangalorebiker on Nov 7, 2015 5:45:24 GMT 7
My retirement plan - if we still have an age pension in a few years - is a small island in Batangas. So Vigan sounds not too far away for a visit. But I'm still locked into Aus for a few years it seems. :-( In the mean time my partner and I have built a couple of kubos on her family's block on the island, a Chinese copy of a Honda motorbike and a 20 foot banca with a roof that can get me to Puerto Galera or Batangas easily. I just need to find a cheap way to ship my 24 foot trailable yacht to Batangas. It would be nice to eventually sell the 26 footer but for a while it will probably stay on a mooring as an emergency home in Aus in case i need to be here, But if I could live permanently in the Philippines, and just scrap life in Aus I would. I worked out that it is the cost of owning and running a vehicle that eats most of my pension. oh those rose tinted glass's are they not magical, wonderful things they may be, now why would any sane person want to bring his boat to the Philippines then pay heaps of import tax's, better buy one here for a few thousand dollars sell yours in oz,buy one here with a life time warranty all fiberglass, want to know more then pm me
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Post by warren1969 on Nov 7, 2015 6:18:01 GMT 7
well well well what do we have here a scam by airport security in Philippines ? "My God" no never could this happen, i hope the administrator Mr banjo will delete this terrible post as he has done so many times before to my posts telling the other members of this forum about the scams and take off the rose tinted glass's when in regard to how wonderful and great fun it is in the Philippines, oh hang on a minute old mate Banjo posted this himmmmm well i guess he will not be deleting his own post no Bangalorebiker, The rose tinted glasses need to come off for most south east Asian countries in general. The scam's and corruption are rife throughout most Government departments. Unfortunately this is part of living in this part of the world we have to bite our tongues and accept we are no longer living within the comfort of Australia. But I think the rustic charm and wild west feel of the area is one of its charm’s and we as pensioner’s living in a foreign land should be thankful that we have an opportunity to live reasonably comfortably on the meagre budgets that we have. If we live our lives with a level of common sense would be very rare to fall into one of the scam’s that are constantly rearing their ugly heads and recycling themselves over and over.
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Post by nomadic on Nov 7, 2015 9:07:54 GMT 7
Well give me Asia on a pension any day. Or probably even if i won the lottery also. After twenty years i have not a complaint other than the dangerous roads that i will never get use to. But one whine rather than dozens in oz means i have no desire to return. Better weather, food, prices and people for the most part make me very content within my mangled body. Only mugs get scammed on a regular basis. I have many tales of scam woes in the early days but no more. If someone buys glass for a few dollars in Bangkok after being told they can sell these diamonds for thousands back home then i say good luck to the seller. A fool and his money are soon parted.
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Post by Banjo on Nov 7, 2015 9:34:59 GMT 7
Well said Nomadic.
I recently reopened this thread after member ill feeling caused me to close it and would like it kept informative and civil. Condemning countries and whole races of people over a few scams or failed relationships achieves nothing, I spent most of three years in the Philippines and most of the expats there were truly happy people. Many who weren't were the victims of their own bad decisions.
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Post by ding on Nov 7, 2015 10:01:53 GMT 7
And for my part I agree in some ways about the idea of transporting a $1000 fibreglass 24 foot yacht to the Philippines. But it all depends on their idea of tax. If they tax it at 100% on its current market value - (about $1000), it is still worth shipping over. It is shallow draft. It will handle seas that even the bigger bancas can't handle, and more to the point, I am safer in it. I can also drag it up a beach like the local boats. It also sleeps up to 4 people and I can walk around in the galley. Something I can't do on our little 20 foot banca. And, unlike most yachts that make it over there, this thing floats in a foot of water.
And there's no way I could get a similar type built over there.
But the reality is, there's a luxury tax on anything to do with boats, and it might not be appraised at Aussie market value. If I can get it over there in my Filipino family's name, it might be possible. I have a few years of checking. Fortunately, the family is involved in the balikbayan business and transport and logistics. Unfortunately - not out of Australia. But they might have the appropriate contacts.
If I can't, I might just rent both yachts out to DSP people who want cheap accommodation in the Whitsundays for half a year at a time. :-)
The 26 footer hasn;t moved off its mooring since my brain infection and heart valve infection and replacement in 2011.
And bangalorebiker - I will PM you, I'm curious.
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Post by mulloway on Nov 7, 2015 11:07:46 GMT 7
There are very few fiberglass yachts in the Philippines. I saw a few at Subic Yacht club but wasn't sure how much they were selling for. Scuttlebutt was the boats are usually owned by Korean tourists who loose interest in them quick. I did meet one American guy who was living on his yacht near Subic. I love boats but I think those days are over for me .....
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Post by Banjo on Nov 7, 2015 11:09:33 GMT 7
As a kid my dream was to live on a boat. In later years I had a couple and realised how much work they were, especially if salt water was involved.
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Post by bangalorebiker on Nov 7, 2015 11:37:39 GMT 7
bloke way down on camiguin island builds fiberglass boats for local fishermen and any other person who wants a boat from a dingy to a 45 footer
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Post by warren1969 on Nov 7, 2015 11:58:05 GMT 7
Well said Nomadic. I recently reopened this thread after member ill feeling caused me to close it and would like it kept informative and civil. Condemning countries and whole races of people over a few scams or failed relationships achieves nothing, I spent most of three years in the Philippines and most of the expats there were truly happy people. Many who weren't were the victims of their own bad decisions. Banjo, I agree with you fully. I have been coming to and living for periods within the Philippines since 1990 till now. Over the last 25 years I have seen many a fool parted with their hard earned cash from many a bad idea or “business venture” or caper devised and all I can say is that the people bitten or stung soon learn the realities of life in a foreign place. Don’t get me wrong I love staying here in the Philippines I speak read and write the language, and feel right at home. All I was saying is that people need to keep an open set of eyes and ears.
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Post by Banjo on Mar 12, 2016 7:48:42 GMT 7
This Rough guide is 2011 but I still found it of interest. mega.nz/#!mgQFzQbK!Jh5gCiwor_VArnLCoLZoZL8xZ_I9djyuOBwl6444oQc
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