19-09-2004 22:28									#121
	Remove this text

Ben, we can have you met in Cebu and brought to the dock. Dolores has an uncle in Cebu. He might hit you up for a few pesos though... Plus you'll want to reimburse him for his taxi rides.

Alternately you could fly into Manila on Philippine Airlines (PAL) and catch a connecting flight straight into Tagbilaran. More expensive but alot less hassle and we will meet you ourselves. If you do this route definately use PAL, other wise you don't only have to change planes, >>you have to change airports!<<. PAL has their own terminal so they do both international and domestic in the same building.

Zkribbler wanted to ride the Supercat or we might be going that route. Might not be though.

	19-09-2004 22:31									#122
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From the previous page:

"If you're joining us you might want to print this page.

In case one of our planes is late going into Hong Kong...

Talk to the airlines and get another flight into Cebu.

In Cebu you might have to go through customs. If the guys at customs start going through you bags give them $5. This is the way of things. If you don't they might confiscate something. If I'm there I'll take care of it for all of us.

Before you exit the airport you should change about $100 at one of the little banks. They post their rates. For this you should get aprox 5400P. It's 55 P/to the USD but they don't give this. Get a few hundred in small bills. 50s 20s and 10s. Alot of 10s if you want to help the poor that you will meet. A 10P is not even 20 cents so no big deal and they will be very grateful.

When you exit the Cebu airport you will need to grab a taxi to the docks. Once you pass the security guys a bunch of free-lance porters in regular street clothes will ask if you want a taxi and offer to carry your bags. The majority will take you to a taxi and accept a tip. They get something from the taxi driver too. There might be some rip off artists among them but I've never had anything stolen. If you use one give him 50P. We don't recall what the taxi to the docks costs, but ask the driver first and you should get a fair price. On the ride ask which dock the Supercat to Tagbilan leaves from and go there. Confirm at the Supercat desk that you're buying tickets to Tagbilaran. This will cost you around 1000P, or almost $20. Once in Tag, grab a tricycle to the bus depot. My guess is maybe 150P. They'll drop you in front so just go through to where the buses are and find the Dory Bus to Jagna. (Pronounced Hagna) If you have a seat don't get up and wander around, it will be standing room only by the time you leave. The driver or helper will stow your bags before you board. If it's too full you can always wait for the next one. The trip to Jagna will last about an hour and 20 and cost maybe 30P. If you don't get your change back right away don't sweat it. When they get change they'll give it to you. I've only had to remind the guy once. They'll drop you in Jagna at the market. You're tired so don't forget your bag. Give this guy 10P. There will be tricycles around but they might get occupied before you can retrieve your bag and be ready. They will be back...
When you have him show him a paper with 'Jotojot family' and 'Pondol' written on it. If that guy doesn't know go to the next. Most of them know the house but I once had one from out of town that didn't. This might cost 20P because of your bag. Once at the house, you win!

I've PMed our phone # to most of those traveling with us, make sure you have it. I don't want to post it. Call us from anywhere and we'll either advise you or try to meet you...but if you're just behind us we might not be home yet to get your call, so please print this and bring it. "

Very well written. Insightful and interesting.

	19-09-2004 22:35									#123
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quote: Ben, we can have you met in Cebu and brought to the dock. Dolores has an uncle in Cebu. He might hit you up for a few pesos though... Plus you'll want to reimburse him for his taxi rides.

That's not a problem. I don't know yet when I will be going, as I haven't set a date yet with my folks, but I know it will be sometime in October.

Could you get me in touch with your travel agent? This way I can know whether it matters when I go in October with respect to the price of the ticket.

quote: Zkribbler wanted to ride the Supercat or we might be going that route. Might not be though.

I'll have to consider PAL, but I have travelled on ferries fairly frequently as the only way to get to Vancouver Island for a reasonable rate is on the ferry there.

Besides, it would be cool to be on the water,to get a chance to see the islands.

	19-09-2004 22:44									#124
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"Besides, it would be cool to be on the water,to get a chance to see the islands."

I'll ask you how "cool" it was after you've been traveling for 24 hours.

Btw, we can do this. We can grab a WG&A or Negros Navigation ship for maybe $30. You get a cabin of your own and 2 meals a day...though they are very basic. There's eaterys too. A cruise to Manila takes about 32 hours. Another $30 to go home though.

You can look at the ships. Search WG&A and Negros Navigation. Look at the schedules from Tagbilaran to get the ship name and then maybe the'll have a pic under 'our fleet' or something like that.

In fact I'll have to go to the VA in Manila sometime, that might be the time to do it.

	19-09-2004 23:13									#125
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quote: I'll ask you how "cool" it was after you've been traveling for 24 hours.

Granted. I'm just looking at the cost, to fly again from Manila.

Besides it looks like I'll have incentive to get up early in the morning.

Sky above 10°N 124°E at Sun 2004 Oct 10 23:04 UTC

	20-09-2004 00:42									#126
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Cool

Sent you a PM Ben. Same # of flights plus Travel Agent ph#.

	20-09-2004 00:43									#127
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I've always wanted to see the Cross, and most of the Southern stars.

	20-09-2004 02:32									#128
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Dolores and I want you to point it out to us.

Ben...Oerdin and his Dad might be joining us in October too. He asked for some info earlier this month and though I haven't heard anything yet, he might be calling when he gets back from Iraq.

Theben, are you bringing Bunnygirl I hope? She's welcome too of course.

	20-09-2004 17:17									#129
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Bump...copy the above directions.

	20-09-2004 20:03									#130
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Lancer,

Could you e-mail me your phone number in the Phils again? I know I have it somewhere...but it's the "somewhere" part that has me baffled.

	20-09-2004 20:14									#131
	Got spare money?

quote: Originally posted by Lancer Theben, are you bringing Bunnygirl I hope? She's welcome too of course.

Why would he bring his sister-in-law?

	20-09-2004 20:48									#132
	Got spare money?

quote: Dolores and I want you to point it out to us.

I could also direct you to the site, but it's kind of hard to figure out how things work, since you need to be able to convert from where you are to GMT and then to Philippines time, as well as to figure out how to enter in the date so that the generator understands.

It makes lots of sense from the astronomer's perspective, but it takes some getting used to.

Now, the cross, I posted the time that the cross will rise in the morning in October. September's one of the more difficult months to see the Cross from the Phils, but it should rise in the east at around 6 in the morning, and set at 5pm.

So you might have to wait until October to see the cross.

The cross is the little constellation of 4 stars in the lower left of the map I posted.

quote: Ben...Oerdin and his Dad might be joining us in October too. He asked for some info earlier this month and though I haven't heard anything yet, he might be calling when he gets back from Iraq.

Cool. If Oerdin plans to go, then we could hook up and go together.

That would be fine for me, since I'm pretty open, especially towards the end of the month.

	20-09-2004 23:05									#133
	Inflate your Upload Space

Sorry Che, yet another senior moment.

Zkribbler, will do. Maybe I'll just call you.

"So you might have to wait until October to see the cross. "

Perfect!

Ben, you might want to PM Oerdin and work it out with him. If you guys travel together you will save $ on cabs and such by splitting. If you go through Cebu we only have to have one group met instead of two. That said, I'm not even sure he'll be making the trip.

Theben, post if you've seen the instructions on how to get to the house please.

	21-09-2004 05:12									#134
	Put an end to popups!

No, I can't say that I have.

	21-09-2004 05:33									#135
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Ok, this is it...

"If you're joining us you might want to print this page.

In case one of our planes is late going into Hong Kong...

Talk to the airlines and get another flight into Cebu.

In Cebu you might have to go through customs. If the guys at customs start going through you bags give them $5. This is the way of things. If you don't they might confiscate something. If I'm there I'll take care of it for all of us.

Before you exit the airport you should change about $100 at one of the little banks. They post their rates. For this you should get aprox 5400P. It's 55 P/to the USD but they don't give this. Get a few hundred in small bills. 50s 20s and 10s. Alot of 10s if you want to help the poor that you will meet. A 10P is not even 20 cents so no big deal and they will be very grateful.

When you exit the Cebu airport you will need to grab a taxi to the docks. Once you pass the security guys a bunch of free-lance porters in regular street clothes will ask if you want a taxi and offer to carry your bags. The majority will take you to a taxi and accept a tip. They get something from the taxi driver too. There might be some rip off artists among them but I've never had anything stolen. If you use one give him 50P. We don't recall what the taxi to the docks costs, but ask the driver first and you should get a fair price. On the ride ask which dock the Supercat to Tagbilan leaves from and go there. Confirm at the Supercat desk that you're buying tickets to Tagbilaran. This will cost you around 1000P, or almost $20. Once in Tag, grab a tricycle to the bus depot. My guess is maybe 150P. They'll drop you in front so just go through to where the buses are and find the Dory Bus to Jagna. (Pronounced Hagna) If you have a seat don't get up and wander around, it will be standing room only by the time you leave. The driver or helper will stow your bags before you board. If it's too full you can always wait for the next one. The trip to Jagna will last about an hour and 20 and cost maybe 30P. If you don't get your change back right away don't sweat it. When they get change they'll give it to you. I've only had to remind the guy once. They'll drop you in Jagna at the market. You're tired so don't forget your bag. Give this guy 10P. There will be tricycles around but they might get occupied before you can retrieve your bag and be ready. They will be back...
When you have him show him a paper with 'Jotojot family' and 'Pondol' written on it. If that guy doesn't know go to the next. Most of them know the house but I once had one from out of town that didn't. This might cost 20P because of your bag. Once at the house, you win!

I've PMed our phone # to most of those traveling with us, make sure you have it. I don't want to post it. Call us from anywhere and we'll either advise you or try to meet you...but if you're just behind us we might not be home yet to get your call, so please print this and bring it. "

	21-09-2004 05:36									#136
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

Theben, if your plane is late getting into SF you might need this. Please print it. You know I've never spelled your name wrong, no 'Thebans' from me. If you want this to continue, print it...

	21-09-2004 06:33									#137
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

Last minute tip. I think I remember a shower in Hong Kong airport. I just had a couple of beers with a friend that went with us last time. He remembers one too. Unfortunately I didn't have what I needed in my carry on to take one...

	21-09-2004 07:12									#138
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

quote: Originally posted by Lancer Bump...copy the above directions.

BK's starmap? Am I gonna haveta use that to navigate my way to yer place?

	21-09-2004 08:52									#140
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OK, we have a plan for Cebu-Tagbilaran. Dolores, her Dad, and brother (Danelo) will go and buy a van in Cebu while we grab the first available Supercat to Tagbilaran with another of Dolores's brothers (Boney) and the luggage. (We have tons of luggage, boxes, etc) We'll be met in Tagbilaran by an aircon van for us and a truck for the luggage. The aircon van will cost us between $10 and $15 each, I'll pay the truck that carries the luggage.

An hour and 20 later we're home.

Dolores & Dad will follow on one of the next Supercats and the van will be delivered a few days later.

The new van will save us all $ on transportation.

	21-09-2004 12:35									#141
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I am so major league f*****d!

My passport has gone missing. It's not in the place where I always keep it. It is not in my luggage. It hasn't slipped down into someplace where it shouldn't be, 'cause I've checked. It isn't anywhere where I would have possibly moved it too. I've been searching for hours and hours.

The plane leaves in 24 hours.

i am doomed.

	21-09-2004 15:33									#142
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Dude, keep looking.

	21-09-2004 18:43									#143
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Found it.

It's weird how the mind works. I have a very distinct memory of seeing the passport in its original spot, maybe a month ago.

But after searching, searching, searching, I gave up and went to bed, trying to think of alternative solutions. Can the passport office do a one-day emergeny replacement???

I slept for about five hours...nightmares, nightmares, nightmares...most involved a government investigation into the company that has issued the passport (Yeah, I know, in real life, it's the government that issues it). For some reason, the government needed my genuine passport to prove its case of fraud against the company.

Then I roused about 6.a.m. While I was still 95% asleep, I remembered that I had created a special folder for it in my file cabinet, maybe six to eight months ago. Or was it a panic-induced pseudo-memory? I went to the cabinet, and there my passport was, filed under "C" for "Critical Documents"...along with my birth certificate.

Filing a passport under "C" --whoever heard of such a dang fool thing.

I don't know about you, but I'm going back to bed. My plane leaves LAX at 2 a.m. tomorrow morning and I need my beauty sleep.

	21-09-2004 20:22									#144
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Zkribbler, I'm so glad I just caught this drama now! I read your post on losing your passport and groaned...

Then saw the outcome...the dream... Dude, what a relief. Give thanks for that dream!

Now, I'm going to go clean out my underwear.

	22-09-2004 12:18									#145
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We expect pictures! You shall not be too busy to post on 'Poly!

Those of us too poor for such a splendid gathering still wish to participate, vicariously.

	25-09-2004 11:29									#146
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You'll have to wait, as all good things come to those who...?

	25-09-2004 11:46									#147
	Tired of ads?

Hey, enjoy your trip everybody!

	06-10-2004 06:32									#148
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Zkribbler should've posted by now.

BenK, oerdin, Lancer would like to know if you guys are still planning on coming to Jagna. The I-net cafe near his house stayed closed thru the 7th so he'll be checking in after then.

For those concerned, the only danger I had to face while there were the food (anything with water in it is suspect, but Lance and Dolores use bottled water so it's OK) and avoiding marriage, with which I barely escaped the island single. Apparently white people are considered beautiful by their standards and even an old fart with a mug as ugly as mine had to fend off women by the score (only a slight exaggeration!). Anyway I had a great time- even though I spent most of it with a knuckle-dragging right-wing neanderthal like Lancer - and plan to come back next year. I heartily recommend the trip to anyone willing to have a good time.

	06-10-2004 06:34									#149
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And we have tons of pictures, but you lot will have to wait until I get home or Zkribbler links some from his digital camera.

	06-10-2004 06:43									#150
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quote: BenK, oerdin, Lancer would like to know if you guys are still planning on coming to Jagna. The I-net cafe near his house stayed closed thru the 7th so he'll be checking in after then.

The trip is good.

I don't know the exact date, but that will be determined when I go home for Thankgivings. I leave Thursday.

I found a flight, Vancouver - Taipei - Manila and then Manila - Tagbilaran, so I won't be taking the ferry from Cebu.