Retirement is time to enjoy life - when you finally see the fruits of your labor and the hard work has paid off, and now you can do whatever you please for the rest of your life. That’s all well and good, but many of those dreams also depend on one crucial factor: good health. Too many people approach retirement and beyond fearing what might happen to their health, rather … [Read more...]
Why I Ultimately Left the Philippines
There are lots of articles out there about how retirement in the Philippines is amazing, and how, after a long and diligent life of hard work, expats find their little slice of paradise in the tropics, where they can live it up drinking cocktails and visiting tropical beaches until they shuffle off this mortal coil. There aren’t too many articles detailing the cases in which … [Read more...]
I Never Chose to Live in the Philippines
People have many different reasons for choosing to live in the location that they do. I'm originally from the UK but now live in the Philippines and have done so for the last twelve years. However, the truth of the matter is, I never really chose to live in the Philippines... ...it chose me. If that sounds a bit rich and a little bit 'hippy-dippy', then let me … [Read more...]
Staying Safe in Mindanao
This post is actually a response to a comment we had on RTTP asking for an honest and true account of what it's like to live as an expat in two specific areas of Mindanao, Iligan and Cagayan. I thought the response deserved more attention and so have decided to publish it as a post. It should be noted that Mitchell's response is specifically for these two areas and is based … [Read more...]
Christmas in the Philippines
"Maligayang Pasko Sa Inyong Lahat" or Merry Christmas to Everyone! The typical Filipino does not need much of an excuse to celebrate and party. Christmas in the Philippines is no exception. The manifestations of the onset of Christmas start here as early as September. That is when you first notice the street vendors and stalls selling their Christmas lighting and … [Read more...]
Fatboys, Fatboys, Whatcha Gonna Do?
I am not an official Bacolod Restaurant Reviewer but I enjoy passing on information to other foreigners when I find a gem. My family and I very recently discovered a gem while dining out for lunch. Fatboys Restaurant, across from the Triangle in the Chinatown section of Bacolod City known as Shopping. If I go to a restaurant and it is not worth a crap, I don't pass that … [Read more...]
Email From A Retired Expat
Today I am relaxing, I did not sleep well last night but I am still awake, and for the first month of my retirement I can tell you what it is to be stress free. I still work some when I am in the USA, but not nearly as much or as hard as before. I have learned, more correctly I am learning, to enjoy my pensions, set a little aside for a rainy day and to enjoy each day to the … [Read more...]
How To Have More Money For Fun!
From what I have gathered from many conversations and discussions over the last several years, many people around the world are looking for ways to save money and cut their cost of living expenses. In the Philippines, there are a number of ways you can cut the cost of living and I am not referring to just tightening belts and dropping down in your quality of lifestyle! Rather, … [Read more...]
Lift Up Every Stone!
As I have often related, there are more Filipinas than some may realize who do not have any interest whatsoever to living in the USA, not even for 5 years to qualify for her American husband's Social Security benefits. No, not for any amount of money, as they are perfectly happy living in the Philippines! My wife told me early on, as our relationship blossomed for 20 months … [Read more...]
Everyday Is A Fiesta!
One of the aspects of the Philippines that really captured my attention 28 years ago is the Filipino’s love of celebrations, parties and festivals. This fabulously exciting atmosphere in the islands has only grown stronger over the years! I don’t know any other place on the planet where people can have so much fun with so little! If you could be a Filipino for one day, you … [Read more...]
Things I Used To Do
Getting up early to do something for someone else was once my way of life but now, I only get up early when I want to, not because I have to! I love the smell of work in the morning is something that I never really enjoyed but it was a requirement for a number of years. What kept me going morning in and morning out was that, while I felt like I was being used, I was also using … [Read more...]