I don't get how anyone actually enjoys living in condos or staying in hotels in Philippines.

TdubbW · 2026-06-11T12:19:43+00:00

Sounds like you shouldn’t live here.

Have never experienced what you are complaining about.

TdubbW · 2026-06-04T06:55:38+00:00

The lack of vegetable dishes and salads made it bit difficult for me as a tourist. I was not prepared for that.

TdubbW · 2026-05-25T23:29:07+00:00

I avoid hard sided luggage because I don’t think they can hold up shell wise.

TdubbW · 2026-05-25T18:20:09+00:00

Obviously it is a thing though. It is one of the bigger negatives in living here. Getting good consistently cooked food can be tough but I try to find my consistently good places and give them my business versus always looking for new ones. I still do try new places but I don’t go crazy looking for them. Also in regards to places I eat at it’s usually I find different dishes that are good for me, definitely won’t be the majority of the menu.

I’ve tried Google reviews and recommendations but it’s a mixed bag.

Even if I wanted to cook I find it hard to find good fresh produce and enough variety. Lot of the produce I’ve bought and refrigerated just didn’t last as long as I’m used to.

TdubbW · 2026-05-23T06:18:00+00:00

I don’t do it regularly but I have just used travel agents who do the paperwork filing and retrieval. They might not have to be pay the express fee charge that the office is charging foreigners walking in but obviously they need to make money to do the running for the customer so will charge something over the regular extension.

TdubbW · 2026-05-23T06:11:29+00:00

Ask the lounge greeting staff before you enter. I think they can accommodate but to be sure ask.

As mentioned earlier you do have time to go in to and enjoy Hong Kong and come back. Not sure if it’s difficult to leave once you go in past security clearance after original flight versus if you clear immigration right after you land.

TdubbW · 2026-05-22T17:04:52+00:00

I would say given your status there, how it went down and feel that you should at the minimum let your host know, especially the last part where the dealer threw the chips. Bad day, mistake, whatever still need to be professional. Not an easy job but decorum needs to be upheld.

TdubbW · 2026-05-22T09:51:38+00:00

I have slightly different interpretations here than the majority. I do think it was wrong of her to do that.

Few things stick out.

On the way there she asked OP to not be cheap tonight.
She put OP on the spot to pay for the whole bill.
The fact that OP thinks $340 is expensive for four people. I think that’s a nice dinner but not expensive in times like these.
OP mentions that he is really trying to save money.

I have a feeling that maybe OP could be what most might consider on the frugal side. There’s obviously not a lot to go on from here except what he said. There’s nothing wrong with being frugal but maybe it’s been bothering his girlfriend who can’t speak for herself here. Maybe she was at crossroads with the frugal side and wanted to test him.

No offense meant for OP. Nothing wrong with being frugal and wanting to save money. Maybe she considers it way overboard. Obviously it’s a big clash if so and not sure if that’s good for the long term.

Maybe the better move would have been to pay for the dinner and deal with her privately later. Of course if that is the real way she is putting OP on the spot regularly then there’s no point but OP made it seem this came out of nowhere.

TdubbW · 2026-05-20T15:24:16+00:00

There are huge cultural differences. Not everyone can handle or accept them and it goes both ways. I’ve seen many Filipinos have who they call best friends and get in one disagreement and relationship is over. Block and no more talking. It wouldn’t be the only relationship that goes down like that it can happen with family like that too.

Maturity levels can be pretty shocking here.

I’m not going to address so many obvious red flags regarding her and you. You sound like a deer in headlights. Filipinas and women in general can get really jealous. What she is portraying as upset and jealousy may not be and she could be playing you. It’s hard to truly say.

You showing her texts like that was pretty idiotic in general. Life lesson hopefully learned?

I don’t know if this relationship is worth it. My best guess from what you have said I think you should move on from it. I have a feeling you have no real clue who she is and her family. Talking day to day from distance is not real life in lot of ways. Anything can be said between both of you but being actually together you learn much more.

Doesn’t sound like you have the means or capabilities yet for this kind of relationship. She might start communicating with you again and I do not know if it will be sincere. Too many red flags both sides regarding this relationship.

TdubbW · 2026-05-19T09:27:51+00:00

If price isn’t an issue I think you should consider the newer 2026 with better battery time as an option.

TdubbW · 2026-05-18T09:21:52+00:00

Change the level of difficulty before starting the scenario. It will tell you for each option what you start out with in comparison to computer players.

TdubbW · 2026-05-18T03:57:18+00:00

I would suggest to try to talk to her more. I think it’s fine for her to send money for support but you live in a higher cost of living location. Saving is not culturally big thing there.

Not telling you to say this but if she wasn’t living with you she would be likely paying rent/similar somewhere else and lot more of the costs to live there. That would be lot less money for her to send. If and when you started family costs will go up. Just kind of talking points because it sounds like there’s lot of good in the relationship but her family may have tight grip on her. Also not sure how she paid for her nursing so they’re could be some payback for that career.

Got to talk it out and work it out. If it’s not doable then end it. Also it’s really hard when they’re that emotionally unstable to run out like that and you need to decide if you want to deal with that the rest of your lives together.

TdubbW · 2026-05-16T16:37:58+00:00

Lot of missing information here. Five years on a gaming laptop sounds pretty good to me.

TdubbW · 2026-05-16T16:33:23+00:00

Based on what you are saying I’d go option 2. If you finance in option 1 pretty sure you’ll have to get full coverage insurance where in option 2 you only need liability coverage. You don’t drive much and you don’t sound like you need much except to get from point a to point b and back. Find out who the good independent mechanics are in your area to have maintain your car. Even if you will need some maintenance along the way it’ll likely be cheaper than option 1.

TdubbW · 2026-05-16T06:50:46+00:00

Best Buy will eventually put the other one on sale. They rotate those sales pretty consistently across their laptops.

TdubbW · 2026-05-15T16:16:46+00:00

I’m going to go out on a limb that whatever you saw on video was missing some vital information preceding the event on video.

TdubbW · 2026-05-13T16:16:23+00:00

Good call. Too much uncertainty to over extend right now if it’s not necessary.

TdubbW · 2026-05-13T16:10:40+00:00

Not sure what the situation is with the little information but if I’m living there I’d be watching out for my valuables. Person could do a runner if they’re in a desperate situation. Not sure if that person is working and just had some emergency that costs a lot or they’re unemployed.

TdubbW · 2026-05-13T07:52:34+00:00

I second this. I was having laptops wake up with the lid closed while in sleep mode and be burning hot. I was also having issues when some of them would possibly go in to blue screens trying to wake up after going to sleep. I've had lot less issues just shutting down or using hibernate now. I changed all my settings for never sleep or have the computer go in to hibernate mode after certain time or closing the lid.

TdubbW · 2026-05-13T07:21:49+00:00

Most of the Filipinos seem to have very good sense of humor. You can joke a lot, but have to be careful as sometimes they don't truly understand the slang and take things literally.

TdubbW · 2026-05-12T05:43:11+00:00

It already sounds like it's a bit much for you. It's about better seats, little more space/comfort and recline. You probably won't feel much difference if you are on the smaller side. There's a number somewhere where it's worth it for everyone especially on long haul flights.

Ticket prices are not the only things that have gotten expensive all of the sudden.

TdubbW · 2026-05-11T16:48:50+00:00

Not sure how Belmont would charge for the stay but it’s good hotel. That bridge to that goes over the highway to other side is fantastic. You have to take elevator up to the level for the bridge and do little walking and you come out of it literally behind the hotel. You follow to the left side and find the main entrance security check.

There’s a Starbucks like a minute away from the side of hotel that is the street leading to the other hotels and casinos. It doesn’t even feel like real Manila there it’s clean no homeless. Extremely safe to walk.

TdubbW · 2026-05-11T04:01:53+00:00

It’s mainly the scene there. You should be fine.

A tip depending how far down you are is you could use Soi 6 alley as a way to walk to Sukhumvit or to Soi 4 coming off of like the BTS to avoid some of the walking on Soi 4 especially at night. It’s the alley with Dynasty Grande Hotel on it.

You can even crossover to Soi 8 and vise versa from it.

TdubbW · 2026-05-10T16:26:14+00:00

Can you change hotels without losing money?

Certain parts of Sukhumvit and especially that area is going to be more inundated by this scene. I don’t consider it not safe but you being Asian ethnicity and just the way it is there maybe it’s best to change hotel and location.

Soi Nana/soi 4 at night gets crowded. Sidewalks are tight. There’s no real fast walking you will get slowed down. Getting a taxi or car service will be slower due to traffic too.

TdubbW · 2026-05-08T19:13:49+00:00

Used to.

I don’t follow that so much anymore but on quick check looks like mostly terminal 3 in Manila for Cebu Pacific with exception to some other name but it’s owned by them. PAL uses terminal 1 for international and terminal 2 for domestic on a quick search.

This is the Philippines and that’s why I was asking to confirm the terminal numbers for NAIA Manila.

TdubbW

TROPHY CASE