Leyte #2

[Jim]

Here are the highlights of our journey through Leyte. Leyte is considered the sixth most important island.
(1) Luzon with Manila, and Subic Bay
(2) Cebu Island with Cebu city, the second largest in the Phils.
(3) Mindaneo with Davao
(4) Negros with Dumaguete and Bacolod
(5) Panay—Iloilo and Boracay (premier vacation beach)
(6) Leyte with Tacloban and Ormoc

I’ve been to the top 5 and this was the next place to visit since Jessa has relatives here. She has her paternal grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins. In all between Manila, Bicol (also on Luzon) and here she has about 100 relatives so we have a few trips coming. She’s only been to Leyte twice, 1998 and 2004 so she’s only seen most of these people two times.

Renting a car in Tacloban is definitely third world. There are almost no cars available for self drive (most include the driver) and NO ONE takes credit cards. The head of the tourist bureau help me search for an hour with ten phone calls in my behalf and then chaufering us around. He then refused to accept a tip and since Leyte and Tacloban are promoting tourism encouraged me to but my complaints about no credit cards or self drive rentals in writing so he could share my suggestions with the Tacloban community. The horrible parts of this are than the car is not in particularly good condition and there is NO insurance. I had no choice for what I wanted to do. We needed to rent a car and this was the ONLY deal so we took it despite the inconvenience and risk.

The we started on our mystical five day adventure from Tacloban (North East coast), south to Abygog (near where her family lives), then across the island to Baybay on the west coast. And then north to Ormoc. Finally across the morth shore to Tacloban and the return home. In Abygog, we didn’t stay at the best hotel in town,; we stayed at the ONLY hotel in town. At $17.50 is was overpriced. The absurd thing is that they only could rent us a room for tonight. How they can possibly be sold out for tomorrow (or any night) is beyond my imagination.

We went into four houses, there aunt/uncles and her grandparents. The provinces in the Phils have a level of poverty I haven’t seen before. Her grandparents main room for socializing is an 8x8 npa hut in from of the house. Made on bamboo with a thatchered roof and open sides, it has benches on two sides and a table. The main house was described as “unfinished” which is an understatement. The main room has a floor of small rocks. This is considered an upgrade as two houses we visited had dirt floors. There are block walls with openings which serve as windows, The only furniture were two tables and a videoke maching.

I gave on aunt $110 to prepare a feast for a family reunion the next day and the food was great. There were seven delicious dishes, beer and coconut liquor which apparently is Leyte moonshine. There were thirty relatives there and it was great fun. Jessa really enjoyed seeing her relatives.
Visiting an aunt, we were told of a “foreigner” staying nearby and shortly Koen (from Belgium) and Analyn appeared to visit. He had come in January and met a girl who he broke up with on a visit in May. That afternoon, four men and a girl passed him several times on a motorcycle. Long story short, they are engaged. She absolutely adorable and they appear totally in love. In the Philippines, it’s definitely raining women. Several of Jessa’s cousins want me to introduce them to a foreigner.

[Salmon]

Thank you for your post. I love the Philippines and Leyte is on my list!
I am also interested in visiting Dumaguete City because I hear the people are very friendly.

Salmon

[Jim]

I've been there twice. It's a beautiful city. Valencia (a suburb) has some INCREDIBLE views of the coean and neighboring islands.

[Sailover]

How does real estate compare? What does an ocean front home cost? Nothing fancy, but my own beach is the ultimate goal for life. (with a woman that wants to share, not TAKE it!)

[Jim]

My goal is similar. I want a great view. It could be beach property or on a hill with a view of the ocean or nice surroundings. And definately someone to share it with.

The someone to share it with (that you trust) is a prerequisite in the Philippines since foreigners can't own land. We can own a house and lease the land it's on. The situation is complicated and it's take a little time before I understand it completely and feel safe with it.

There are 1000 inhabited islands in the Philippines so great property at low prices is surely available with a thorough search. I would never live in Subic Bay because it's inundated with foreigners who push up the price of prime property.

The typical new subdivision here has postage stamp sized lots. I looked at a place called Subic view which has a GREAT ocean view. A 200 sq meter (2150 sq feet) lot costs $23,300. They showed me a 200 sq meter house (3 stories) for about $150,000. I'd like to build about two thirds that size and it would cost $125,000 for house and lot.

It's really reasonable compared to the US and a less popular destination would be lots less. But then there is financing. There are no 30 year mortgages or even close here. It would probably need to be paid completely in ten years. I'm not close enough to want to talk to a bank about it.

[Sailover]

If you are married in the Phils, do you own property jointly or is in your wife's name only? As far as location, I would prefer the more remote areas away from the crowds, but I suppose that health care has to start being part of the equation as we get older. When I was in Hawaii last year I saw places that featured views from Heaven. But the term 'richer than God' also seemed to be on each of the real estate signs under financing.
The Colombian Caribbean is still somewhat affordable, but the beaches are not very attractive in general. Dark sand and muddy water until you get away from shore.

[Jim]

If I’m married in the Philippines, the land can still only be in the wife’s name. There are ways to protect myself partially in the event of a divorce but the bottom line is, it’s a big step because foreigners don’t win disputes with locals…at least almost never can a foreigner count on protection by laws and fairness.

The Philippines has places which are gorgeous (although Hawaii has more spectacular scenery) with prices much lower. I have found that being a day’s trip from good shopping is a necessity as well. A three hour trip each way can get you some foreigner friendly things that you “can’t live without” but mostly living on local stuff works well if you are flexible. I could live with being an hour away from a decent hospital. When I choose a more remote location, a car will become a necessity.

The Philippines has tons more beach perimeter than Colombia with 1000 inhabited islands and you can travel safely almost anywhere

Originally Posted by Sailover

...nothing fancy but my own beach is the ultimate goal for life. (with a woman that wants to share, not TAKE it!)

Sail-O,
Check out Brazil, but you must speak passable Portuguese to fully enjoy the country and for obvious health and safety reasons. Nuno's Brazil Travel Guides

Also, the Caribbean, pick your island....but stay westerly; Corn Islands, San Andres, and just off the coast of Belize, a lot of islands for sale: http://www.caribbeanislandbrokers.com/islands-for-sale

I hear Isla Curacao is the best for your money: http://www.tourism-curacao.com/curac...fo/beaches.htm

Curacao has everything you want; clean, safe, nice people, beautiful island women, quick flight to Florida, white sand-blue water.....but no Calenas. No, it's not a perfect world!

Sorry Jim. Back to your dedicated topic!

[Sailover]

Just answer me one thing. Are any of those places affordable to the common man? (whose retirement money was wisely invested in Lincoln Savings and Loan.)
I am having to start at the end, which doesn't leave too many options. I have to find a place that is third world affordable.

[John Wayne]

On this side of Nicaragua land is leased, and I like that, as long as your lease is paid no problem, kinda like property taxes, and the terms of the lease is between the Indigiouns Indain land office and the person be it forien or domestic, I have a piece here to the north and west of the airport that I rent for $240.00 a year, and about the same in town taxes to the improvments I have made to the place, Home, fencieing, trees planted well septic system etc...It is about 300 feet square....

Oh I took a 15 year lease and got a discount for paying it in full, minuim is a 5 year renewable lease, and I have NEVER heard of someone getting their land taken away....

The Corn Islands are similar.....