rustyfox
Australian expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
13
Contacts
3
About me
Australian, In a relationship
Lives in Calamba, Calabarzon
Speaks English, basic Russian
Registration: 15 December 2016
About
Occupation
I am Retired.
My expat journey
Calamba, Calabarzon, Philippines
Dalby, Queensland, Australia
Returned to Australia for health reasons.
Disability pension.
Home!!
Living abroad gave me an insight into how things are done. While I'd always thought that we did everything better in Australia, e.g that drivers didn't behave like those in Ukraine and China, on returning I found that things weren't that different after all.
Beijing, China
Principal of an English language school.
Teacher of English
A wonderful country full of wonderful people. Even when they're cheating you they're friendly and smiling! Not that many people tried to cheat me. The sights were incredible and the history was evident in so many places.
Nothing much! It was amazing. Probably the biggest thing for me was that the 'Chinese food' was very different to what I'd eaten in Australia. Beijing food has a lot of chilli, while the typical Chinese food in Australia is Cantonese style (Hong Kong and nearby areas).
Kiev, Kyiv City, Ukraine
Teaching English in schools and a university, Director and Principal of an English language school.
Teacher of English
So many things - the people, the food, the sights, the snow in Winter, the flowers in Spring and the colours in Autumn.
Traffic is bad if you're driving. Road rage isn't just an American sport - I got shot in a road rage incident! Corruption on all levels from traffic cops to the politicians. Road surfaces in the city are terrible, because the money to fix the roads ends up in politician's pockets. Overall though, the good far outweighed the bad.
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Activity
Imagration dress code by Guestposter98645
Hi all Well just did my visa extension but this time a new security guy...dressed in t-shirt dirty pants tells me that next time I am to make sure I am dressed in long pants Now I did have on a buttoned shirt as well as shoes and shorts So my ...
I was not really aware that Man needs pants, i did go there few times, every time I always have jeans and polo short sleeve, and yes shoes but this is my own dress code, and they nerve ask me to have long sleeve shirt, Maybe we Australians are ok ... Read More
Imagration dress code by Guestposter98645
Hi all Well just did my visa extension but this time a new security guy...dressed in t-shirt dirty pants tells me that next time I am to make sure I am dressed in long pants Now I did have on a buttoned shirt as well as shoes and shorts So my ...
Hi Pup. I was turned away from BI in 2002 because I had shorts, long socks and shoes, and a short sleeved business shirt - normal business dress (as worn by politicians in the parliament!) for the Northern Territory in Australia where it is ... Read More
Traffic in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in the Philippines, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend ...
We live in Calamba City, Laguna. Traffic is terrible, with tricycles outnumbering everything else about 10:1. The roads are generally very narrow, being the same width as they were 50 years ago when Calamba was a village. The road weren't ... Read More
Online shopping in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Shopping online can be far more convenient and offer greater choice than going into shops, be it grocery shopping or retail. Are there options for online shopping in the Philippines? Which sites or apps do you use most ...
I prefer AliExpress to Lazada too. Lazada make plenty of excuses, always apologise profusely, bur rarely take any action. When things go wrong, as they usually do, refunds take forever to be approved and even longer to be deposited into my bank ... Read More
Online shopping in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Shopping online can be far more convenient and offer greater choice than going into shops, be it grocery shopping or retail. Are there options for online shopping in the Philippines? Which sites or apps do you use most ...
Hi Vipul, Welcome to a Guju in the Philippines!! I lived for 20 months in Ahmedabad. Read More
Online shopping in the Philippines by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Shopping online can be far more convenient and offer greater choice than going into shops, be it grocery shopping or retail. Are there options for online shopping in the Philippines? Which sites or apps do you use most ...
I use Lazada as a last resort only. GalleonPH is a rip off. They charge extortionate shipping fees, AND charge extra if you pay by PayPal - against PayPal's rules, but PayPal don't enforce it. AliExpress is okay, but as has been ... Read More
The Philippines' most expensive cities by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What are the most expensive cities to live in the Philippines? What are the costs of things such as rent, utilities, weekly groceries, dining out, etc.? What is the lifestyle like in these cities, for expats and locals? What are ...
Hi bob18 - We've had the talk many times, and she's coming around slowly. Most of the problem is that not only is she very close to Nanay and her two sisters (father died when she was 9), but she doesn't know what the rest of the ... Read More
The Philippines' most expensive cities by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What are the most expensive cities to live in the Philippines? What are the costs of things such as rent, utilities, weekly groceries, dining out, etc.? What is the lifestyle like in these cities, for expats and locals? What are ...
It's where my wife is from and she doesn't want to move away from her family. I'd much rather be living on Leyte, Cebu or Negros - I've been to all three and like them all. But I love my wife even more... so it's here for some ... Read More
The Philippines' most expensive cities by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What are the most expensive cities to live in the Philippines? What are the costs of things such as rent, utilities, weekly groceries, dining out, etc.? What is the lifestyle like in these cities, for expats and locals? What are ...
For no apparent reason, Calamba City seems to be much more expensive for shopping than elsewhere, including Manila. There is virtually no expat community - and costs may be part of that reason. Renting is much more expensive than other places, ... Read More
Rude passport control in NAIA by eduardo001
Hello. I living in the Philippines since June 2014 with tourist visa. Last night I arrived from Thailand with all legit documents and ticket to third destination, and had issue with passport control in airport. One young police officer asked me: ...
After living in India for almost 2 years, the food here is heavenly! Where I was in India was maybe the worst state (Gujarat) to live in - alcohol free zone, and almost no meat available, and then only goat and chicken. And they put chilli into ... Read More
Rude passport control in NAIA by eduardo001
Hello. I living in the Philippines since June 2014 with tourist visa. Last night I arrived from Thailand with all legit documents and ticket to third destination, and had issue with passport control in airport. One young police officer asked me: ...
Hi Eduardo, There has already been a lot of good advice here. I've done a fair amount of travelling, in and out of some countries, living in others. I've been to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, ... Read More
Cost of living in the Philippines - 2017 by Priscilla
Hello, Before moving to Philippines, it is important to investigate the cost of living in the country. As we did in 2015, we give you the opportunity to share your experience and tell us more about products and services average recorded ...
Guys let's not get into a pissing contest talking about doctors and medical care. I'm from America and it's much worse care there by physicians. Many are privileged kids from privilege families and they don't know Jack about what is ... Read More
Cost of living in the Philippines - 2017 by Priscilla
Hello, Before moving to Philippines, it is important to investigate the cost of living in the country. As we did in 2015, we give you the opportunity to share your experience and tell us more about products and services average recorded ...
Can anyone on this forum tell me the price of these drugs in Manila please? Paroxetine (Seroxat) 20mg or 10mg Depression Ropriniol 2.5 mg for Restless Leg Syndrome Enalapril 5mg for High Blood Pressure HBP Simvastatin 10mg HBP Bendroflumethiazide ... Read More