Leaving after a decade.

[kekalot]

On 2016-08-23 at 1:05 PM, jeca22 said:

I feel how you feel. My plans are to turn my back on Thai for 1 year minimum as of next month. Try a few highly recommended cities (by long term expats) in Philippines such as Davao & Cebu. Developed, cosmopolitan, and some very nice ladies. The men are no different than Thai men but at least they speak English although I'm a ladies man. Time will tell....

 

I also wish to hire a team of Filipinos so may as well go to the source rather than hiring the limited Thai based Filipinos.

 

I am assuming that you are not talking about Cebu city itself here cause .. just no.

 

If you have not been there yourself, don't trust the internet, it's not a nice place. city is about 6km wide from Punta Princesa to Mandaue, the roads are in bad shape, beggars, kid beggars (including the kid gangs who surround you and some pickpockets), jeepney pickpockets, armed guards at every medium size shops,  touts trying to sell you cialis/sunglasses/maps every single time you walk around even if you saw them 50 times before?

 

the food is not great, it's greasy and well below Thai or other Asian standards (never saw a filipino restaurants in America yet) and first time i blew my nose and it came out grey and I've been to Beijing.

 

can't talk about Davao, but Cebu city was more recommended than Davao back then and, no.

of course, outside the city centers it's a different story, obviously.

[kekalot]

5 minutes ago, MyFrenU said:

Is that Boxford and Cornbridge finishing schools in Patpong I & II then?

 

heh, that reminds me of that Stamford international university near where I live

it pretends to be this prestigious university not to be confused with Stanford, but in reality named after some random Singapore university which is the only reason why it's international

 

 

 

[MyFrenU]

55 minutes ago, kekalot said:

 

heh, that reminds me of that Stamford international university near where I live

it pretends to be this prestigious university not to be confused with Stanford, but in reality named after some random Singapore university which is the only reason why it's international

 

 

 

I used to go past it on the Airport Link to Thap Chang when I lived there,it's between Ramkhamhaeng and Makkasan isn't it as I remember from a year ago?

[kekalot]

1 minute ago, MyFrenU said:

I used to go past it on the Airport Link to Thap Chang when I lived there,it's between Ramkhamhaeng and Makkasan isn't it as I remember from a year ago?

 

quite possible, there is a branch in Cha-am tho, which is where I live.

[jeca22]

5 hours ago, kekalot said:

 

I am assuming that you are not talking about Cebu city itself. If you have not been there yourself, don't trust the internet, it's not a nice place. can't talk about Davao, but Cebu city was more recommended than Davao back then and, no.

 

 

Tired of Thailand after 13 years. Tired of speaking Thai. I can't be anywhere too underdeveloped nor overly developed. I think Cebu City is the right mix. Some very nice ladies there too. I'm tired of Thailand. End of.

[MyFrenU]

6 hours ago, kekalot said:

 

I am assuming that you are not talking about Cebu city itself here cause .. just no.

 

If you have not been there yourself, don't trust the internet, it's not a nice place. city is about 6km wide from Punta Princesa to Mandaue, the roads are in bad shape, beggars, kid beggars (including the kid gangs who surround you and some pickpockets), jeepney pickpockets, armed guards at every medium size shops,  touts trying to sell you cialis/sunglasses/maps every single time you walk around even if you saw them 50 times before?

 

the food is not great, it's greasy and well below Thai or other Asian standards (never saw a filipino restaurants in America yet) and first time i blew my nose and it came out grey and I've been to Beijing.

 

can't talk about Davao, but Cebu city was more recommended than Davao back then and, no.

of course, outside the city centers it's a different story, obviously.

Have you ever actually been to Cebu and how long for?Mandaue isn't the nicest part but I knew foreigners,teachers at Cebu International School living there on a sub-division that was nice.
Ayala Mall is very nice and not far maybe 1km from Mandaue and S & M Mall is right next door.Banilad and Talamban are nicer areas away from the centre,with shopping centres and plenty of bars and restaurants including a very good Thai one where Singha beer is cheaper than in Thailand called Krua Thai in Banilad.
Everyone is super-friendly much more so than Manila and the girls are famous for being some of the hottest in the Phils,it's an absolutely fantastic place and I love Cebu City!
The surrounding islands have some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the World like Banytayan,Malapscua,Camotes etc. and beautiful Bohol with the Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills.

[jayboy]

 

I don't have kids. 

 

If I did, though, I'd have no qualms sending them to schools who's graduates have attained places at universities like Oxford or Cambridge - or do you think they just let anybody in who pays, too?

Of course you are right on every count.There are some first class international schools in Thailand providing an education comparable to first class British schools.

But they are very few and very expensive - though actually not as expensive as the best UK schools.

I have a problem with the likes of Shrewsbury, Harrow etc because their financial objective in Thailand is to make profits for their already prosperous UK parents - mainly to fund scholarships for clever but disadvantaged British children.That's fine but I dont really feel the need to support that objective through payinghih school fees here.

Lots to be said for schools run on non profit basis - which is the basis Eton, Winchester, Westminster etc are run ie the top British public schools that the Thai independent sector apes.

To be fair the very high fees here for the best schools are no problem for the upper middle class client base.

[kekalot]

3 hours ago, MyFrenU said:

Have you ever actually been to Cebu and how long for?Mandaue isn't the nicest part but I knew foreigners,teachers at Cebu International School living there on a sub-division that was nice.
Ayala Mall is very nice and not far maybe 1km from Mandaue and S & M Mall is right next door.Banilad and Talamban are nicer areas away from the centre,with shopping centres and plenty of bars and restaurants including a very good Thai one where Singha beer is cheaper than in Thailand called Krua Thai in Banilad.
Everyone is super-friendly much more so than Manila and the girls are famous for being some of the hottest in the Phils,it's an absolutely fantastic place and I love Cebu City!
The surrounding islands have some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the World like Banytayan,Malapscua,Camotes etc. and beautiful Bohol with the Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills.

 

I went there in August 2013 with the intention to stay for 2 months, Thailand for 2 months and then Vietnam 2 months and make a decision based on that.

I had read online that Cebu was one of the nicest city to go to (out of Manila, Davao, etc) not unlike what you are saying and it was my first time abroad at that time

 

the plan was simple, rent a small room/appartment, live simple life like a local, walk to all the places, interact with locals, try the food.

 

I was not going there to look at two malls, even tho Ayala is indeed nice and SM City mall too (first time I hear anyone call the place "S&M" lol)

I have zero interest about restaurants, bars, shopping centers, malls, price/quality of beer and I am sure the girls you are mentioning being famous for being hottest are working girls? no interest in that.

 

so even leaving home with a very happy, positive attitude and an open mind there is no way you can be so blind to not see the issue about that city

 

if you are curious, I lived on V Rama Ave not far from Queensland, which is pretty central. the short 15 minutes walk from there to the Fuente Osmena circle was absolutely impossible to not see 100% of what I said in the previous post above. including a walk over this lovely place bridge about halfway on B. Rodriguez:  Guadelupe River  << worth a click

 

maybe you can't tell what the white stuff that is zoomed in is.. well it's quite literally trash (and feces) and I had to run over this bridge half the time because the smell almost made me sick every damn time.

 

It made me question myself if I had made a TERRIBLE mistake and left me wondering if if Thailand and Vietnam would be the same

sure, there were beautiful girls around, sure there was nice malls, they were friendly people but seriously man, just because you are willing to settle for Cebu city doesn't mean it will meet any other people's standard

 

I met a girl there, she was nice but holy hell she was jealous.. and it's okay to be jealous if there is a reason.

but there was no reason for her to be jealous and she kept nagging me until after 3 weeks I had enough, I changed the dates on my Thailand ticket and got the hell out.

 

I have been in Thailand now for 3 years and have visited almost all the provinces, except a few in the South.. driven around over 20,000 km in motorcycle on long trips (try that in the Phils), lived in central, in Bangkok, in Isaan for a while, lived in the north in Chiang Mai, lived in Pai for 3 weeks.. never been to Pattaya or Phuket, never will.

 

I have NEVER even seen a place in Thailand that was even remotely as bad as Cebu City.

 

that lady I left back in Cebu city thinks it's the best place ever too, no offense but I think both of you need to travel more if you think Cebu City is great. you obviously did because you mentioned Bohol and other places (which I have not been to) but .. maybe stop living in fancy places and only visiting malls, restaurant and bars when you are in Cebu city?.. or open your eyes.

 

not everyone goes to places to live in a hotel, goes to fancy ayala a few times, go to restaurants and bars and then leaves. it's very easy to tell you have not walked around much from the way you talk about the place.

of course man there are nice places in the Philippines, I know that.. but Cebu City? please.

[Rimmer]

A troll post has been removed

[MyFrenU]

4 hours ago, kekalot said:

 

I went there in August 2013 with the intention to stay for 2 months, Thailand for 2 months and then Vietnam 2 months and make a decision based on that.

I had read online that Cebu was one of the nicest city to go to (out of Manila, Davao, etc) not unlike what you are saying and it was my first time abroad at that time

 

the plan was simple, rent a small room/appartment, live simple life like a local, walk to all the places, interact with locals, try the food.

 

I was not going there to look at two malls, even tho Ayala is indeed nice and SM City mall too (first time I hear anyone call the place "S&M" lol)

I have zero interest about restaurants, bars, shopping centers, malls, price/quality of beer and I am sure the girls you are mentioning being famous for being hottest are working girls? no interest in that.

 

so even leaving home with a very happy, positive attitude and an open mind there is no way you can be so blind to not see the issue about that city

 

if you are curious, I lived on V Rama Ave not far from Queensland, which is pretty central. the short 15 minutes walk from there to the Fuente Osmena circle was absolutely impossible to not see 100% of what I said in the previous post above. including a walk over this lovely place bridge about halfway on B. Rodriguez:  Guadelupe River  << worth a click

 

maybe you can't tell what the white stuff that is zoomed in is.. well it's quite literally trash (and feces) and I had to run over this bridge half the time because the smell almost made me sick every damn time.

 

It made me question myself if I had made a TERRIBLE mistake and left me wondering if if Thailand and Vietnam would be the same

sure, there were beautiful girls around, sure there was nice malls, they were friendly people but seriously man, just because you are willing to settle for Cebu city doesn't mean it will meet any other people's standard

 

I met a girl there, she was nice but holy hell she was jealous.. and it's okay to be jealous if there is a reason.

but there was no reason for her to be jealous and she kept nagging me until after 3 weeks I had enough, I changed the dates on my Thailand ticket and got the hell out.

 

I have been in Thailand now for 3 years and have visited almost all the provinces, except a few in the South.. driven around over 20,000 km in motorcycle on long trips (try that in the Phils), lived in central, in Bangkok, in Isaan for a while, lived in the north in Chiang Mai, lived in Pai for 3 weeks.. never been to Pattaya or Phuket, never will.

 

I have NEVER even seen a place in Thailand that was even remotely as bad as Cebu City.

 

that lady I left back in Cebu city thinks it's the best place ever too, no offense but I think both of you need to travel more if you think Cebu City is great. you obviously did because you mentioned Bohol and other places (which I have not been to) but .. maybe stop living in fancy places and only visiting malls, restaurant and bars when you are in Cebu city?.. or open your eyes.

 

not everyone goes to places to live in a hotel, goes to fancy ayala a few times, go to restaurants and bars and then leaves. it's very easy to tell you have not walked around much from the way you talk about the place.

of course man there are nice places in the Philippines, I know that.. but Cebu City? please.

So you've no interest in bars,restaurants or shopping centres well that's weird,you don't like eating then?
You didn't visit the pristine beaches on the surrounding islands so what did you do then?
I think I know you rented a Cheap Charlie room in a bad area and walked around the worst part of the city for 3 weeks and now you know everything?
Then were disappointed when the Filipinos didn't fall at the feet of the mighty Bhwana,offer you a chauffeur-driven Mercedes S-Class to get around you seem like the sort of person that would be miserable anywhere I'm afraid.
The Filipinos are the happiest,friendliest people you could hope to meet anywhere in the World so if you had a bad experience there you need to take a long,hard look in the mirror and realise that's exactly where your problem lies!
I think people can make their own mind up about your Cebu "adventure"!

Edited September 6, 2016 by MyFrenU
Typo...

[kekalot]

7 minutes ago, MyFrenU said:

So you've no interest in bars and restaurants,well that's weird you don't like eating then?
You didn't visit the pristine beaches on the surrounding islands so what did you do then?
I think I know you rented a Cheap Charlie room in a bad area and walked around the worst part of the city for 3 weeks and now you know everything?
Then were disappointed when the Filipinos didn't fall at the feet of the mighty Bhwana,offer you a chauffeur-driven Mercedes S-Class to get around you seem like the sort of person that would be miserable anywhere I'm afraid.
The Filipinos are the happiest,friendliest people you could hope to meet anywhere in the World so if you had a bad experience there you need to take a long,hard look in the mirror and realise that's exactly where your problem lies!
I think people can make their own mind up abput your Cebu "adventure"!

 

nothing I have said was a "personal" bad experience, they hard hard facts about the place, not opinions. facts

 

I don't eat at restaurants because I cook and eat street foods, I don't go to bars because I am not a drunk. not even sure why this needs to be explained?

 

maybe because you are just unaware that this is ONLY about downtown Cebu city, not anywhere else in the Philippines? nothing to do with anywhere else.

I said nothing bad about the friendliness of Filipinos, I think you just read and understand what YOU want to understand.

 

pay attention.

Edited September 6, 2016 by kekalot
..

[bannork]

17 hours ago, Franky Bear said:

 

 

No no you get in because you're a born genius. Again, you're not convincing anyone. The schooling from top to bottom is awful.  Again, the worst school in the uk will still be better than the best school in Thailand. 

the worst school in the uk will still be better than the best school in Thailand.  5555555, utter tripe. There are Thai  kids in Mattayom who go on exchange programmes to UK and US schools and end up tutoring their Western peers in Maths. 

[MissAndry]

16 minutes ago, kekalot said:

 

I don't eat at restaurants because I cook and eat street foods, I don't go to bars because I am not a drunk. not even sure why this needs to be explained?

 

 

I was in Olongapo for a week, impressed that there was no rubbish in the streets like Thailand (it was still a run down tip, but in a nice way). Went in 3 Filipino (1 very good), 1 English fish and chip (good), 1 English breakfast (very good) and 1 Mexican (very good) restaurant. Didn't go to any more because I kept revisiting the good ones.

Drank a lot on my terrace by the sea, gin and tonic was very cheap, alcopops, also cheap, and assorted San Miguel beers also cheap. Was too tipsy to want to go to many bars but my 'NGO friend' was sort of working, and she kept dragging me around with her to talk to 'dancers' and the other bar staff mama-sans, waitress and massage staff (quite interesting in a shocking sort of way, no customers anywhere apart from a few Koreans working at the container docks)). Everyone was surprisingly nice, even the local 'street loonie lady ' would wave and smile at us, along with the American and Nordic men who seemed to be running all the girlie bars. The guys even bought us drinks!

Edited September 6, 2016 by MissAndry

[Franky Bear]

7 minutes ago, bannork said:

the worst school in the uk will still be better than the best school in Thailand.  5555555, utter tripe. There are Thai  kids in Mattayom who go on exchange programmes to UK and US schools and end up tutoring their Western peers in Maths. 

Have a lovely day

[MyFrenU]

20 minutes ago, kekalot said:

 

nothing I have said was a "personal" bad experience, they hard hard facts about the place, not opinions. facts

 

I don't eat at restaurants because I cook and eat street foods, I don't go to bars because I am not a drunk. not even sure why this needs to be explained?

 

maybe because you are just unaware that this is ONLY about downtown Cebu city, not anywhere else in the Philippines? nothing to do with anywhere else.

I said nothing bad about the friendliness of Filipinos, I think you just read and understand what YOU want to understand.

 

pay attention.

So the Philippines's second largest city with a population of 5 Million out of 100 Million has a bad area then?
What next for your revelations,the sky is blue and the grass is green?

[MissAndry]

17 hours ago, Franky Bear said:

 

 

No no you get in because you're a born genius. Again, you're not convincing anyone. The schooling from top to bottom is awful.  Again, the worst school in the uk will still be better than the best school in Thailand. 

 

I've worked in some really nasty council estate (Oxford, Cornwall and London) schools in the UK. MaeRim and MaeJo government schools are infinitely better.

[kekalot]

1 minute ago, MissAndry said:

 

I was in Olongapo for a week, impressed that there was no rubbish in the streets like Thailand (it was still a run down tip, but in a nice way). Went in 3 Filipino (1 very good), 1 English fish and chip (good), 1 English breakfast (very good) and 1 Mexican (very good) restaurant. Didn't go to any more because I kept revisiting the good ones.

Drank a lot on my terrace by the sea, gin and tonic was very cheap, alcopops, also cheap, and assorted San Miguel beers also cheap. Was too tipsy to want to go to many bars but my NGO friend was sort of working, and she kept dragging me around with her to talk to 'dancers' and the other bar staff mama-sans, waitress and massage staff (quite interesting in a shocking sort of way). Everyone was surprisingly nice, even the local 'street loonie lady ' would wave and smile at us, along with the American and Nordic men who seemed to be running all the girlie bars. The guys even bought us drinks!

 

I have no doubt about that, I also reckon I read one of your previous similar comments this thread or some other yesterday (remember the avatar).

Obviously there are nice places to go outside the major city centers, was never even a doubt about that.

 

I was actually considering going back to the Philippines maybe next year when my Non-O expires

I heard good things about Dumaguete from a close friend and Iloilo and other places (can't recall at the moment) but you won't see me stay in Cebu city that is for sure, unless it's visit to my 3 friends I have down there.

 

I don't even like Hua Hin and avoid going there like the plague!

[DennisF]

4 minutes ago, MyFrenU said:

So the Philippines's second largest city with a population of 5 Million out of 100 Million has a bad area then?
What next for your revelations,the sky is blue and the grass is green?

I am informed the sky is grey in the UK.

[Franky Bear]

3 minutes ago, MissAndry said:

 

I've worked in some really nasty council estate (Oxford, Cornwall and London) schools in the UK. MaeRim and MaeJo government schools are infinitely better.

You're a teacher. Don't take this the wrong way but you have zero respect from me so your view on this subject is void.

 

[MissAndry]

6 minutes ago, Franky Bear said:

You're a teacher. Don't take this the wrong way but you have zero respect from me so your view on this subject is void.
 

Only for a few years, didn't like it. Being a housewife, and just looking after three, was much better pay for far less effort. Not to mention the great voluntary redundancy package at the end of my 'housewife' era.

Edited September 6, 2016 by MissAndry

[Franky Bear]

7 minutes ago, MissAndry said:

Only for a few years, didn't like it. Being a housewife, and just looking after three, was much better pay for far less effort. Not to mention the great voluntary redundancy package at the end of my 'housewife' era.

[DennisF]

1 minute ago, MyFrenU said:

Actually I'm here now and today it is blue,after many days of constant rain or drizzle.That horrible,Chinese-water-torture phenomenon that only exists in this sceptred (septic) isle!

After todays 90 day fiasco, I am looking forward to a SHORT time there!

 

I use the term short time in a globally accepted sense, not Thai centred!

[AlexRich]

8 minutes ago, MissAndry said:

Only for a few years, didn't like it. Being a housewife and just looking after three was much better pay for far less effort.

 

And she did well from the divorce! 

[MyFrenU]

10 minutes ago, DennisF said:

After todays 90 day fiasco, I am looking forward to a SHORT time there!

 

I use the term short time in a globally accepted sense, not Thai centred!

It really is weird here  the good,old British summer.One day it is 25 even up to 30 degrees and like the Mediterranean as it's supposed to be for the next three days or so I think?Then it's winter again cold ,wet and miserable I honestly don't know anywhere else in the World where the weather is just so poor!
Even as you fly into Britain and cross the English Channel you can see a thick,low-lying cloud formation covering the whole island,despite central Europe being absolutely cloud-free and beautiful sunshine all summer!
(It's my first one for 16 years and probably the last one ever,there really is nothing here for me or anyone that knows better!)

[DennisF]

2 minutes ago, MyFrenU said:

It really is weird here  the good,old British summer.One day it is 25 even up to 30 degrees and like the Mediterranean as it's supposed to be for the next three days or so I think?Then it's winter again cold ,wet and miserable I honestly don't know anywhere else in the World where the weather is just so poor!
Even as you fly into Britain and cross the English Channel you can see a thick,low-lying cloud formation covering the whole island,despite central Europe being absolutely cloud-free and beautiful sunshine all summer!
(It's my first one for 16 years and probably the last one ever,there really is nothing here for me or anyone that knows better!)

I built my business in the south, near Gatwick and lived 3 days ( sometimes 4 or 5!) in my Spanish place.

 

I have a small portfolio of properties in Spain so will use the sol as a more agreeable living place whilst I decide.

 

I do prefer tropical climates so South America/ South East Asia are my favourite places.

 

In the meantime I will enjoy spending time with my family.

[MyFrenU]

1 minute ago, DennisF said:

I built my business in the south, near Gatwick and lived 3 days ( sometimes 4 or 5!) in my Spanish place.

 

I have a small portfolio of properties in Spain so will use the sol as a more agreeable living place whilst I decide.

 

I do prefer tropical climates so South America/ South East Asia are my favourite places.

 

In the meantime I will enjoy spending time with my family.

At least Gatwick is near the airport,I'm out of here in a couple of months anyway just came to spend time with my ageing parents,.
Probably going to give Cambo and Vietnam a year or two to try them out,Thailand's a pain right now with visa rules constantly changing and the Philippines,well that's another story altogether with what is happening now,such a shame as I love the place and especially the people!

[DennisF]

1 minute ago, MyFrenU said:

At least Gatwick is near the airport,I'm out of here in a couple of months anyway just came to spend time with my ageing parents,.
Probably going to give Cambo and Vietnam a year or two to try them out,Thailand's a pain right now with visa rules constantly changing and the Philippines,well that's another story altogether with what is happening now,such a shame as I love the place and especially the people!

 

 

I agree about Thailand and the general population, I am seriously going to miss many Thai friends and my lifestyle here.

 

I suppose I have just become jaded with the so called powers that be and their transparent lack of intellect, forcing the populace into submission through  subliminal threats.

[SoiBiker]

16 minutes ago, MyFrenU said:

At least Gatwick is near the airport,I'm out of here in a couple of months anyway just came to spend time with my ageing parents,.
Probably going to give Cambo and Vietnam a year or two to try them out,Thailand's a pain right now with visa rules constantly changing and the Philippines,well that's another story altogether with what is happening now,such a shame as I love the place and especially the people!

 

Which rules are constantly changing?

 

People are always banging on about this, or how they 'bring in a new law every week' or whatever. They never really explain it, though. 

[MissAndry]

1 minute ago, SoiBiker said:

 

Which rules are constantly changing?

 

 

The one where they don't let you live here any more by doing constant border runs?

[MyFrenU]

5 minutes ago, DennisF said:

 

 

I agree about Thailand and the general population, I am seriously going to miss many Thai friends and my lifestyle here.

 

I suppose I have just become jaded with the so called powers that be and their transparent lack of intellect, forcing the populace into submission through  subliminal threats.

Yep they set a dangerous precedent also,blaming the foreigner for all of Thailand's woes,as if a hundred thousand sexpats in Chang vests drinking beer in Pattaya are responsible for rice harvests failing and the Thai Baht plunging along with the stock markets!
The Thai people swallow it all and it breeds resentment with them,scaring off tourists and making the situation worse it is a very vicious cycle they appear to be stuck in right now.
I don't think I'll be back in Thailand for a while 2-3 years minimum,to see if it's all blown over and things have improved,it's always a shame as the average Thai person hasn't really changed but the powers that be wage war against the lifeblood of the tourist industry,as a smokescreen while they rape and pillage the country's riches like a South-East Asian David Copperfield the master illusionist!
As the tank or private jet disappears the Thai people turn around in a haze of Yabba and Lao Khao,with seething hatred for the foreigner they think has just stolen them,not realising where they have really gone and that's the way the government has been playing it for decades now!