Returning to Baguio and Ilocos Sur

8 peso? come on that's nothing. In fact most of the time it's 10peso, and seniors get a break. I'm glad too cause I'm a senior. Good luck.

8 peso? come on that's nothing. In fact most of the time it's 10peso, and seniors get a break. I'm glad too cause I'm a senior. Good luck. - @stuleer

Was just an example of how she tries to save money whenever she can, like when she is the electric pulis, turning off lights and pulling plugs.

stuleer said to mugtech . . . 8 peso? come on that's nothing. In fact most of the time it's 10peso, and seniors get a break. I'm glad too cause I'm a senior. Good luck.

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mugtech replied . . . Was just an example of how she tries to save money whenever she can, like when she is the electric pulis, turning off lights and pulling plugs.

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Reminds me of the days of shopping with my Filipina wife in the states. Walking down the aisles of a grocery store she would agonized over picking the canned corn by the price. 31 Cents Vs. 33 cents.

But, buying shoes is another story, never looking at the price tag.

@Enzyte Bob

But, buying shoes is another story, never looking at the price tag.

I wasn’t aware Imelda remarried. Oh Bob you devil

              We had a nice family Christmas Eve Lunch out in the parking lot beside our house.  All the families brought something, got to see most of the local family except brother Demi's family did not come from Burgos.  It was fairly reserved except some of the guys set up a card table with alcohol available.  Only saw men drink, a couple got toasted as they do every Christmas, tried to tell funny stories.  I guess they were funny stories as many laughed while I thanked them for not trying to speak English when drunk.  Things were calm by 5 PM as the carolers started making the rounds.  Got rid of all those one peso coins, they were thankful

            Since we do not have a tv hook up here I have done a lot of reading.  Finished the Harlan Cohen Think Twice.  When I saw the book in Baguio I immediately thought of the Dylan song Don't Think Twice Its Alright.  Was a good story of a sports agent and his friend from college one in a long series of books.  Finished also a Brad Thor novel involving the Federal Reserve, not much good to say about the institution.  Now I got my hands on another Brad Thor which includes clandestine operations in North Korea.  Some very ugly descriptions of North Korea and the treatment of the people.  It will be good to get back to Baguio and see some news and NBA action.

Last week, I found a pre-loved book kiosk in a smallish mall just outside of MOA, right MerryMart is. They got a lot of good titles including Ludlum, Grisham, Foster, and a boat load of others. All in that 120 sq.m. of floor space roght in the hallway. It is awesome. There's so much to choose from. I am glad they still make printed books. I am not much of a fan of ebooks. Fuggedaboutit.

Correction: 120 sq.ft. not sq.m.

           I had checked out MOA previously, we usually stay at a nearby hotel before flying out of Manila.  Do not expect to be there until right after Easter, probably will not be looking for books at that time.  Perhaps next year☺

Yes, Hotel101 is right there at spitting distance from MOA. That was where we stayed at. The hotel could have spent a little more money maintaining the rooms. I felt safe walking between the hotel and MOA at 10pm-ish. The other direction is totally a different story. The hotel security is pretty good.

In retrospect, Shore condos may be a better choice.

Gents may I suggest an alternative hotel, The Belmont opposite Resorts World Manila in Newport. Its adjacent to the airport with a connection to Terminal 3 via 'Runway Manila' an enclosed air conditioned footbridge (with escalators) that links the back of the hotel to T3 via a side access point. No queues for baggage security You enter on the 4th floor of T3 where all the restaurants are located. I have stayed there twice and it really is the airports best kept secret. Comparably priced with Hotel 101 with a great rooftop bar to watch aircraft take off at night.

The vast majority of international flights leave T3 (with the exception of Philippine Airlines) although I understand that Ninoy Aquino's new management, San Miguel corporation have plans to reallocate the airlines to different terminals. There is of course the inter terminal transfer service.

@mugtech

Off topic a little but can I ask why the move from Vigan to Baguio? Yes curiosity killed the cat.

Cheers, Steve.

@mugtech
Off topic a little but can I ask why the move from Vigan to Baguio? Yes curiosity killed the cat.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

          Part of it is my wife's desire to escape the family, she feels they are ungrateful. We still have a very nice house in Manueva which we are staying here until 12/31, then going back to Baguio.  I like the weather and the options in Baguio better than Vigan.  Reminds me of a veterinarian friend from Allentown, PA who married a Filipina one year younger than his American daughter  His wife is from Mindanao, but a few years ago they retired to Cebu to avoid her family.  He put up a sign in Cebu proclaiming. "Friends welcome any time,  family by appointment only"

I hear you mugtech. Same for me with most expats I have met over the years so it's not a Filipino thing. The old saying you can pick your friends but can't pick your relatives. That's why many choose to live at distance as we do.

Cheers, Steve.

         On Monday, 12/31, we attended a birthday party for a nephew at his home in Narvacan..  First time I heard that name thought it sounded like a new addiction treatment.  Turns out the name resulted from a misunderstanding by the Spanish of the locals.  Not uncommon in those days.  In 1575 an expedition from Vigan stopped on the shore and asked an Ilocano what was the name of the place.  The native did not understand the question and replied "nalbakan" (Are you shipwrecked?). The Spaniard decided he heard Narvacan, and the name stuck.

            After the party we stopped in at the Narvacan Mall.  Cannot recommend it.  The JTS Superstore was not as good as the ones in Vigan, was small and crowded, not many choices.  Inasal is the only fast food in said mall plus a place called Turk.  Turk had 4 items listed on the menu but 2 of them had "not available" written across them.  So it appeared the choices were a chicken wrap or a beef wrap.  Heard someone order a chicken wrap, they were told "not available".  Would explain why the lone employee kept making beef wraps, even when no one was placing any orders.

@mugtech

         On Monday, 12/31, we attended a birthday party for a nephew at his home in Narvacan..  First time I heard that name thought it sounded like a new addiction treatment.

🤣

               On Tuesday we planned to return to Baguio, but we wasted the whole day, did not leave until 5:45PM.  When we got to Candon, IS, we did not take the bypass but rather stayed on the national highway so we could stop and take pictures of the Christmas lights.  Wanted to be sure it was dark, then it was decided we would stop for a Greenwich pizza in San Fernando, La Union.  We used to bypass San Fernando also, but not this trip.   When we got to the Greenwich restaurant it was 8:08PM.  They told us if we ordered pizza it would be an hour or two wait to receive the order.  We went to the nearby Jollibee instead with its open 24 hours light flashing.  There was a security man sitting in front of the door proclaiming they closed at 8PM.  Told him they should unplug the open 24 hours sign.  He chose to ignore me.  So we continued down the national highway until the left turn to head to Baguio, knowing there was a Mickey D's there, and it was open..

           I was surprised that once we pulled out of the golden arches it was only 65 minutes  until we were home.  There were few people on the road, the worst thing about such night driving is the motorcycles and tricycles with no lights and no reflectors.  Walked in and turned on the tv, no signal and no wifi.  Seems the wife got an e mail saying we were disconnected and they would have to visit our house to fix it.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

@mugtech The water provider Primewater cut off the water service right before Christmas. I was told they were repairing water mains. So it is a scheduled shut off at Christmas. What in the world??? There was no water in San Fernando, San Juan and another city. The Airbnb we stayed at did not have a deep well. Kinda ruined our vacation. We were right on the ocean so we need a lot of water the bathe ourselves after taking a dip in the ocean. We were not able to find another place for the size of my party. We had to fetch water by 5 gallon pails from the neighbor. We headed back to Manila earlier.

Regarding night driving in San Fernando and San Juan, I noticed the same scooters, motorcycles and tricycles running without lights too. I am not sure where they lost their common sense that they cannot be seen very well without their lights on. I was told that if a car and scooter had a collision it is going to be the car who is at fault.

@mugtech The water provider Primewater cut off water service right before Christmas. There was no water for San Fernando, San Juan and another city. The Airbnb we stayed at did not have a deep well. Kinda ruined our vacation. We were not able to find another place for the size of my party. We had to fetch water by 5 gallon pails from the neighbor. We headed back to Manila earlier. - @Jackson4

          At least you got to see all the Christmas lights.

        ..on New Years Day wife called PLDT to be told that there was a problem with our connection. And they would have to send someone out to the house on Thursday to fix it.  Wife hung up and announced we would have no tv or wifi all day, might as well go to the SM Mall.  Then at 10 AM the guy who had installed our set up a month ago showed up and by 10:30 AM we had tv and wifi again.  Did not matter, the wife announced we were going to the mall, but we did not leave until noon.  Got to watch most of the Cleveland Caviliers beating the Lakers.

           When we got to the mall we wandered around a bit, checked out Fully Booked, nothing new in that store.  Finally got up to the used book store called Booksale.  Struck pay dirt with a 1998 David  Baldacci novel called The Winner.  Sounds like it involves some kind of lottery scam.  I have read most of his 21st Century noveks, this was a great find at 160 pesos for 500 pages.  Since I give the wife $1,200 a month and she pays all the bills when we are in the Philippines I always agree to the places she picks to eat, cause she is paying.  So on this trip she picked a Japanese buffet in the mall called Tong Wang.  Sounded like slang for oral sex, but the sushi looked good.  There was a sign which said Adults 728 pesos on week days, 778 pesos on weekends and holidays.  It was a Wednesday holiday, but the wife got her senior citizen discount.  Under the prices it said Special 50% discount for anyone 75'years old or older.  Got out my PA driver's license, was told anyone really means any Filipino.  The food was good, and it included all kinds of drinks including tea. Iced tea, coffee, fruit juice and San Miguel on tap.

              Found out by reading the placemat Tong Wang is available all over the Philippines. Listed were Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Feliz, SM Mall Bacoor,  MOA, Davao, SM North Edsa,  CDO Downtown Premier,, SM City Bacolod,  SM City Legazpi,   SM City Iloilo, Robinson's Place Manila, Robinson's Antipolo, and Venice Grand Canal Mall.  The Japanese do not waste any parts of the pigs or fish, most all the organs are available many different ways.  The only thing missing was pigs feet.

@mugtech

Finally got up to the used book store called Booksale.  Struck pay dirt with a 1998 David  Baldacci novel called The Winner.

You certainly did. It was the first (that I read) and best novel in my opinion and he has written a fair few. How he executes the lottery scam is devilishly ingenious. I'm amazed that a big film studio has not bought up the movie rights. Enjoy

So on this trip she picked a Japanese buffet in the mall called Tong Wang. Sounded like slang for oral sex, ,.......

......

       Found out by reading the placemat Tong Wang is available all over the Philippines. Listed were Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Feliz, SM Mall Bacoor, MOA, Davao, SM North Edsa, CDO Downtown Premier,, SM City Bacolod, SM City Legazpi, SM City Iloilo, Robinson's Place Manila, Robinson's Antipolo, and Venice Grand Canal Mall. The Japanese do not waste any parts of the pigs or fish, most all the organs are available many different ways. The only thing missing was pigs feet. - @mugtech

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We were at BGC for our last week in PI. We celebrated New Year's Day on High Street at BGC. The wife and I are back in the US yesterday night. Our two sons are touristing in Japan. I saw a Tong Yang restaurant at the Venice Grand Canal Mall but we did Itallianis instead. We had a very nice date decades ago at Itallianis in Makati when we were dating. I will tell my wife we should do Tong Yang. 😊 . We avoided eating at some restaurants since my younger son and my wife had food poisoning (different days) although all four of us were eating the same food. I had to bring my wife to the Makati Medical Hospital emergency department.

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We were at BGC for our last week in PI. We celebrated New Year's Day on High Street at BGC. The wife and I are back in the US yesterday night. Our two sons are touristing in Japan. I saw a Tong Yang restaurant at the Venice Grand Canal Mall but we did Itallianis instead. We had a very nice date decades ago at Itallianis in Makati when we were dating. I will tell my wife we should do Tong Yang. 😊 . We avoided eating at some restaurants since my younger son and my wife had food poisoning (different days) although all four of us were eating the same food. I had to bring my wife to the Makati Medical Hospital emergency department. - @Jackson4

            Have not had any food poisoning so far, but when first got to our Baguio house this year I got the runs.  Wife and I compared our consumption and the only difference was I drank water out of the tap, while she only drank boiled water.  I now only drink boiled water, been healthy ever since.  Never had that problem in Ilocos Sur.

          Yesterday we were looking for a hotel where a friend was staying at Camp John Hay and we saw a turnoff for Paterno Street.  And I'm thinking never heard anything about Joe Paterno or Penn State concerning the Philippines.  Turns out it was Pedro Paterno Street.  He was born in 1857 in a wealthy Filipino family, went to Spain to study for many years, came back to the Philippines and began writing history and novels.

            When the revolution started he was used as a go between for the Spanish and the rebels.  He was also accused if writing history and novels which shed a dim light on Spanish rule, but he had many friends in high places, was never charged.  He was seen as a turncoat.  Later after the US took over he became an advocate of the Philippines joining the USA as a state, even before Arizona.  Today his writings are mostly ignored and he died in 1911 of cholera.

            We returned to Ilocos Sur on Tuesday, since that is the day our license plate does not allow us in Baguio.  We took off at 9 AM and 10 hours later we were in Manueva, took the scenic route.  Our doctor friend came with us and we explored some of her family history in La Union province.  We stopped in at Santiago Cove in southern Ilocos Sur to admire the swanky hotels.  I chose to stay in the van and read my book.

           The Vitalis Villa told the ladies they would have to pay 200 pesos each to tour the place.  They then said they came to eat in the restaurant.  They had salads, and it took 90 minutes for the whole process.  They left without leaving a tip.  Shortly after we got home in Manueva both ladies got sick to their stomachs.  Wife seemed better the next morning, but she and the doctor both had a deep cough and sore throats.  So we did nothing Wednesday and Thursday as the doctor stayed in her upstairs bedroom most of the day.  The doctor was ready to take the Santa, Vigan tour on Friday and we got to JB Bar and Seafood Buffet for lunch at 1:15 PM and wasted 90 minutes there.  The buffet is in suburban Vigan and first opened last year.  I liked the Sushi and wasabi especially, but our first trip this year they had the Sushi and no wasabi.  On Friday having no wasabi was not a problem, because they also had no Sushi.  I put in My bid to not return.  There were only two other tables occupied when we arrived and no one else arrived after us.  The music was mellow, sounded like the same music we heard before, including s female singing Take It Easy , not changing the words.  So it was a lesbian love song.  I like the Eagle's version better..  Speaking of the Eagles, I will be getting up early Monday morning to follow the play by play of their game against the Packers on line. Hope it has the same results as their opener in Brazil against those same Packers.

@ Mugtech

You lead an exciting life and what a dilemma with no Wasabi, no sashimi here without soy and wasabi.  Our life here is somewhat boring compared to yours and glad you enjoy your novels, I simply watched the surfers and the paragliders on the beach, the kids playing volley ball and our caretaker cooking a delicious lunch, playing with the dogs and kicking back big time, golly my life is droll. You must lead a busy life. Enjoy.

Cheers, Steve.

@ Mugtech
You lead an exciting life and what a dilemma with no Wasabi, no sashimi here without soy and wasabi. Our life here is somewhat boring compared to yours and glad you enjoy your novels, I simply watched the surfers and the paragliders on the beach, the kids playing volley ball and our caretaker cooking a delicious lunch, playing with the dogs and kicking back big time, golly my life is droll. You must lead a busy life. Enjoy.

Cheers, Steve. - @bigpearl

          I do not drive, so that takes some of the excitement out of things.  We own a Nissan van which seats 15, more with kids, but our nephew, who used to be a driver for Partas Bus pre pandemic is our driver.  A lot of our events I feel like I do a lot more reporting than participating.  This Wednesday and  Thursday I took a 40 minute walk each day,read books for hours and tried to follow news and sports online and also checked out threads on Cruise Critic and scouted possible future cruises.  Not that I needed one, but I now have another reason to avoid LA.

@mugtech

Enjoy. I drive now and again especially in Manila as the better half that does most of the driving around here isn't aggressive enough to deal with the fools in Manila but getting better these days, no road rage from me simply assertive,,,,,, works every time.

Yes L.A. Very sad indeed and a very tragic time and event for all in the affected areas, let's hope the insurance companies don't declare bankruptcy and this is going to cost billions.

Cruises? Thought about them and have heard some good reviews from friends but many would never do it again, perhaps the wrong cruise company? I know you love your cruises mugtech and happy you enjoy picking the right ones.

In the mean time I simply enjoy what we have here. Not bothered to read the hundreds of books we shipped here and are still in the original boxes, life here offers plenty of other distractions.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Enjoy. I drive now and again especially in Manila as the better half that does most of the driving around here isn't aggressive enough to deal with the fools in Manila but getting better these days, no road rage from me simply assertive,,,,,, works every time.

I doff my hat to you Steve. From the north you will enter the Manila metro area on the notorious Edsa highway. Just the name puts dread into Manilians even if they are just passengers.

I think its a combination of not just the lack of traffic enforcement but the 'Latin' temperament of most Filipinos. Even here in the UK Filipina's drive fast. My ex Filipina GF Aileen used to meet me on my return from Asia at London Heathrow airport in her Mercedes sports coupé. The M4 highway heads west parallel to the airport runways. Most aircraft take off into the prevailing westerly wind. On one occasion Lyn was driving ( and rabbiting) at such a speed that it seemed we were overtaking the departing planes 😬

Doesn't bother me in Manila, try Athens, Paris, Rome etc. My hate would be Mumbai or the likes.

Chill but be assertive as required and for years driving in major cities Ben finally got the drift and these days he does 95% of the driving, I chill even more though I have no idea how he would go in Athens, I think that was my worst city and glad to eventually escape but returned 2 weeks later and the same bedlam, for me the city is the worst and no intentions of returning. Manila is easy and mostly give and take, wait your turn and go for it,,,, they hit the brakes in time as we do.

Cheers, Steve.

I think its a combination of not just the lack of traffic enforcement but the 'Latin' temperament of most Filipinos. Even here in the UK Filipina's drive fast. My ex Filipina GF Aileen used to meet me on my return from Asia at London Heathrow airport in her Mercedes sports coupé. The M4 highway heads west parallel to the airport runways. Most aircraft take off into the prevailing westerly wind. On one occasion Lyn was driving ( and rabbiting) at such a speed that it seemed we were overtaking the departing planes 😬 - @Lotus Eater

I think you'll find this behavior everywhere. Here in the midwest, there's quite bit of aggressive driving by those in their big black dodge ram v8 pickup trucks belching black smoke out of the outsize exhaust. A lot of them has a huge flag on a flagpole on its bed. You know what I'm talking about.

@Jackson4

A lot of them has a huge flag on a flagpole on its bed

And a red baseball cap on the dash? 🤣

@Jackson4

No Jackson we don’t know what you are talking about?

@Jackson4  A lot of them has a huge flag on a flagpole on its bed .. And a red baseball cap on the dash? 🤣 - @Lotus Eater

And shotgun racks in the back window?

BP writes, "Athens, I think that was my worst city and glad to eventually escape but returned 2 weeks later and the same bedlam, for me the city is the worst and no intentions of returning."

In a taxi in Rome, with cars coming straight at us from all directions, asking the driver about the traffic lights? His answer, "Signore qui a Roma i semafori sono solo un suggerimento" .. Sir, here in Rome, traffic lights are just a suggestion.

         Found out we will not be going back to Baguio for another two weeks, wife had some maintenance and repairs to do on our rental property here in Manueva.  We were shopping yesterday before her hospital appointment, bought al ok kinds of paint and other stuff for about 15,000 pesos.  Gonna have some family do the work for another 15,000 pesos.  We stopped in at converge in Vigan and the wife signed us up for tv and wifi, installed later this week, at a total cost of 1349 pesos a month, 50 pesos cheaper than Baguio.  There are 52 channels, was assured one of them is Philippines NBA.

            Got a lot of reading done yesterday, expect to do a lot more today.  Asked the wife what is on the schedule for today.  Said she going to go to the rental property to watch them paint the place.  I like the book I'm reading, beats the hell out of watching paint dry.

@mugtech
Finally got up to the used book store called Booksale. Struck pay dirt with a 1998 David Baldacci novel called The Winner.

You certainly did. It was the first (that I read) and best novel in my opinion and he has written a fair few. How he executes the lottery scam is devilishly ingenious. I'm amazed that a big film studio has not bought up the movie rights. Enjoy - @Lotus Eater

            Finished The Winner yesterday, it is one of his best.  Now I have only 3 novels left and over 3 months to go.  Thought I would get some relief with the tv and internet package, according to an email, supposed t get hooked up yesterday.  Never happened no explanation.  My other books are in Baguio, and since we will be here for at least another week, I dipped into my reserve history books and pulled out David McCullough's Truman,  1106 pages including bibliography and index.  Got it 10 years ago when I joined a bookclub, was one of my "free" books, provided I buy 6 at regular book prices.

            I picked this book and 1776, not the musical but also a McCullough book about   that year in the American revolution.  Before we took a cruise through the Panama Canal I was told on Cruise Critic that his The Path Between The Seas was the best book to read about the history of said canal.  It is a great read, written before it was given back to Panama.  In 1776 he said Washington's army was saved by a divine wind which prevented the British fleet from cutting the army off in its retreat from long Island to New Jersey.  Said God was on our side.  Sounds like the Japanese code of  calling the suicide planes kamikazes, which also means divine wind.  Taken from an incident many years ago when a storm prevented an enemy fleet from invasion of Japan.

           Stuck in Manueva for at least another week, I started playing the card game hearts again on Playok.  My brother found the site back in 2010 after he retired at age 58 from teaching math.  His research indicated it was the best place to play hearts.  It was a family game we played as kids and even later as adults.  Play ok has a lot of different games,  have played their Oh hell and spades, but hearts is the best.  You get points when you win and lose points when you come in second, third or fourth.  Everyone starts at 1200 points and games are set up to match players of equal abilities.  The first goal is to reach 1350, then 1500, 1650, 1800  Games are set with a minimum of one of the scores to join. In a 1500 game all players will have at least 1500 points, but usually not more than 1650 points.

          I set up multiple players with the names of US presidents, recently I played Gwashington through Abelinc, the first 16 presidents.  I won with Tjefferson, AndyJackson,  whharrison, Milrdfil, and Abelinc. There is a time limit, usually 7 or 10 minutes per player.  I try to play mostly 7m75 games,  meaning each player gets 7 minutes total to play and the game ends when someone reaches 75, the low score at that time is the winner.  I limit myself to two games a day, they usually play in about 15 to 20 minutes.  To maintain their status each player is required to play at least once a year.  Most of the players are from Europe. the US and Cansda, with a few from Brazil.  Very few players from Asia.  Not unusual to play a game with a Frenchman, a Pole and a Russian.

@mugtech

Thank you and all 75+ travelers for not having shoe bombs.  LOL.  this is a crazy world.

Safe travels.

         So tomorrow is the peaceful change of power in the USA, they moved it to inside the capital building because of terrible Weather predicted.  So I thought I would add to the festivities by asking a US president trivia question.

What do the presidents elected in 1840,, 1860, 1880, 1900, 1920, ,1940 and 1960 all have in common? No other president can claim this.

          .Hint:  When William Henry Harrison (Tippecanoe and Tyler too) was elected in 1840 he was the oldest man to take office at age 68 until Raygun was elected in 1980 at age 69.  Harrison defeated Martin Van Buren, after having lost to him in 1836.  About the only thing most Americans know about Van Buren is a gang in NYC named after him in the 1997 Seinfeld episode "The Van Buren Boys".

Even Bard could not answer this.

All 20 years apart?

Even Bard could not answer this.
All 20 years apart? - @Enzyte Bob

No other president can claim this.