Going to Cebu to be with Honey. Your thoughts and advise please??

[Mike&Gina 7]

Hello, hello & greetings VJ'ers!

First of all I am STILL mad and jealous.....many petitions filed in May, June & July are being approved rapidly. Mine which was sent on April 4 must be down on the floor in the stack they use to hold the office door open because they cant afford a door stop? Or is it in the stack that is underneath and holding up the window air conditioning unit or computer monitor?? Or maybe its on Suzie's desk, who just happens to be gone for the next 3 months on maternity leave?? Or maybe it was Suzie's kid - little Johnny, who spilt his 64 ounce rootbeer soda all over my folder, and now they have all the individual pages hung up outside on the clothes line trying to dry them out and make them legible?? I just hope my fiancée honey Gina can accept me with no hair or fingernails since I have pulled them all out of my body!! Sorry Honey!

I lived in Cebu from December 2012 till April 2013. I priced bicycles there in the stores and they were expensive - 20,000 PESOS and more, and they are small, or built for small men. I am a big man 6 feet 2 inches tall, 240 pounds. I want to ship my bicycle over there from here in OHIO. I just got off the telephone with FEDEX and they want $1,000 dollars from me to ship it there.

Soon, I will be a "SNOWBIRD" and leave Ohio for the warm confines and climate of Cebu. I will be living there from October 2013 until April 2014 when hopefully Gina will have her K-1 VISA approved by then? And the weather warms up back in Ohio so she wont freeze there.

Now, here's where you folks come into play, and I need your advice, and guidance....and thoughts..... (be nice!). First of all, what do I do about getting a bike to Cebu cheaply, or getting one in Cebu cheap and a big frame bike?? Fly it on the airplane over there on my flight with me??

And now, about my 6 months in Cebu and The Philippines........what's the best way to kill, enjoy, or "last" the 6 months there before dying from emphysema - the excessive exhaust fumes?? Haha! Already been to Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Iloilo, and all around Cebu including TOPS Mountain, Sinulog, all the Malls, Larshon, Kawasan Falls, and the Crimson & Plantation Bay resorts. Tell me, or give me other ideas, or places to see, or places to go there, things to do etc......give me your experiences of what made your stays there fun, happy, exciting, memorable, and survivable!! Thanks & God Bless!

[madtownguy 164]

You could almost ship it over in pieces LBC. The frame probably wouldn't fit. Maybe find a machine shop to alter or make one for you. I love my bike rides too so understand that desire. Did you check about bringing it on the plane? under the plane... Good luck!!! I can't wait to be a snowbird myself.

[Cha n Nel 1]

Hey Mike,

I'm a Cebu native, my wifeis the petitioner. As for sending the bike...what I can advise is you may need to disassemble it and put it in a balikbayan box and have it shipped by a balikbayan box shipper and maybe bring some of the parts with you on the plane. My wife sent her parents stuff from household items, canned goods, and etc...it only costs 50-70$ but it takes 1-2 months since they use a ship but at least it gets there at a cheaper cost regardless of the weight. Although I'm not sure how to send it back stateside if that is if you want your bike back....prolly sell it cheap then buy another one once stateside again.

Stuff to do...have you tried:

1. Dive with the whaleshark in Oslob?

2. Bantayan island (a wwwaaayyyyy cheaper alternative to boracay)

3. Camotes Islands

4. Siquijor island

5. Take an international flight to hongkong, singapore (hunt promo fares at cebupacific's site)

6. Bohol's EAT Danao (dunno if you tried ths)

7. Yellow submarine

8. Moalboal

That's what i can think of on top of my head....

[LeeandJoy 0]

I would leave the bike at home first of all....I think you can find a bike that will fit your needs . It sounds like you have been to a lot of places here, but you might want to try Bantayan Island...Camiguin Island.... or one of many other small islands to visit. Or you could hop a flight to Hong Kong or Singapore...they are cheap to fly to and your fiance might enjoy if she has her passport already. I have lived here more than 3 years (Cebu) and still have both lungs, so I think you'll survive the black smoke....

[LSnBigBear 61]

I lived there on two occasions. First I found with no work I went crazy at age 45. First time was an Ex Pat. Second time started my own businesses. Unless you drink, golf, snorkel or travel off the island you may get bored. If you go to Taliban Cebu City there are a few foreigner Pubs there that have Lawn Bowling Leagues and other types of get together type events. One suggestion is go to Hong Kong as it is cheap flight and no Visa required for your fiancée. Did you go to Baguio in northern Luzon? If the heat gets to you Baguio is up in the mountains 5-6 hours from Manila and cool with great art work etc. Boracay is just another resort island like Palawan and Bohol. Nice beaches and over priced IMO. Strolling around Manila/Makati is nice as well as out in Alabang/Manila if you want a western flavor for restaraunts. Being a big guy like me you may miss the Outbacks, Toney Romas etc. lol

I did some volunteer work at orphanages and a church as well. Like I said unless you drink and sit around Pubs or Mall walk then the above is it that I know of.

Good luck and enjoy. I live in S Florida now so I no longer need the Philippine Temps.

Take care

Edited August 6, 2013 by LSnBigBear

[Mike&Gina 7]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.....I plan to look into, and go to some of the places. Also found Metro Sports Complex near Waterfront Hotel where we can play some Badminton daily. I also need to find a basketball court and soccer "pitch" where I can show off my American "skills"....hahaha. One sport I found Filipinas are good at BUT, I DONT want to try is boxing. There's not enough money you can pay me to step in the ring with Manny Pacquiao. One day, I would LOVE to go to Manila with honey for her medical exam and interview at the Embassy "IF" the USCIS ever sees it in their hearts to approve our K-1 petition?! Maybe I have a better chance of seeing hell freeze over, or win the $400 million dollar Powerball jackpot tonight?! Hahahaha. Can you tell I'm alittle bitter about our petition being "ignored"?! Is there places to see and go to around Manila if we are ever there?? Baguio? Tagaytay? Olongapo?? Angelos City? Anywhere else? Thanks for all, and God Bless.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

5 months. Compared to a lifetime together, that is nothing. Be patient. But be diligent. We waited 17 months, and it was worth it. Did I want it to be 2 months? Yes. But we made it. As will you. Enjoy your time there, mine was limited to 17 days.

[Greenbaum 12,260]

Hello, hello & greetings VJ'ers!

First of all I am STILL mad and jealous.....many petitions filed in May, June & July are being approved rapidly. Mine which was sent on April 4 must be down on the floor in the stack they use to hold the office door open because they cant afford a door stop? Or is it in the stack that is underneath and holding up the window air conditioning unit or computer monitor?? Or maybe its on Suzie's desk, who just happens to be gone for the next 3 months on maternity leave?? Or maybe it was Suzie's kid - little Johnny, who spilt his 64 ounce rootbeer soda all over my folder, and now they have all the individual pages hung up outside on the clothes line trying to dry them out and make them legible?? I just hope my fiancée honey Gina can accept me with no hair or fingernails since I have pulled them all out of my body!! Sorry Honey!

I lived in Cebu from December 2012 till April 2013. I priced bicycles there in the stores and they were expensive - 20,000 PESOS and more, and they are small, or built for small men. I am a big man 6 feet 2 inches tall, 240 pounds. I want to ship my bicycle over there from here in OHIO. I just got off the telephone with FEDEX and they want $1,000 dollars from me to ship it there.

Soon, I will be a "SNOWBIRD" and leave Ohio for the warm confines and climate of Cebu. I will be living there from October 2013 until April 2014 when hopefully Gina will have her K-1 VISA approved by then? And the weather warms up back in Ohio so she wont freeze there.

Now, here's where you folks come into play, and I need your advice, and guidance....and thoughts..... (be nice!). First of all, what do I do about getting a bike to Cebu cheaply, or getting one in Cebu cheap and a big frame bike?? Fly it on the airplane over there on my flight with me??

And now, about my 6 months in Cebu and The Philippines........what's the best way to kill, enjoy, or "last" the 6 months there before dying from emphysema - the excessive exhaust fumes?? Haha! Already been to Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Iloilo, and all around Cebu including TOPS Mountain, Sinulog, all the Malls, Larshon, Kawasan Falls, and the Crimson & Plantation Bay resorts. Tell me, or give me other ideas, or places to see, or places to go there, things to do etc......give me your experiences of what made your stays there fun, happy, exciting, memorable, and survivable!! Thanks & God Bless!

There is a huge bike shop with name brand racing and mountain bikes at Ayala Center Cebu in the new wing where Globeline is locate 2nd level.

These pass two years August 2012 and August 2013 Cebu/Mactan has hosted the Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines.

Cost efficient way to send a bike though would be a balikbayan box but you may have to double box the frame. Contact one of the many balikbayan shippers and they can give you more information. You can also bring a bike on the plane under special items baggage.

For example on Delta for bicycles:

Non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats are allowed as checked baggage on most flights with the exception of some Delta Connection® carriers and other aircraft that may have different limits due to cargo constraints. Linear dimensions must not exceed 115 linear inches (292 cm) — no oversized fees apply. Bicycles over 70 lbs. will be charged the applicable excess weight fee. Bicycles over 100 lbs. will not be accepted.

You need to check with the airlines on their restrictions.