I'm traveling to Manila for 15 days the end of May to visit family -

[onecent]

anyone have any tips???
I am confused about how I can access my bank accounts there. My son acts like they don't have normal banks. I do know it is very difficult to send him money or gifts because I have to send everything fed ex..which is expensive.
Do I need to take Travelers checks? and What kind?

I am 62 years old and haven't seen my son in quite awhile and am looking forward to traveling. I lost my husband last summer, so this is going to be (I hope an event I can enjoy)....
Enjoyment is evasive sometimes...

Weather?
Humid and hot? Hot, I hope.
Any restaurants to recommend...going to Cebu I know that much.
Is this the proper forum to ask these questions?

Any websites you can recommend.

I love my son, but getting him to answer any of my questions, is like pulling teeth.
Thanks for any ideas you can give me.
Penny

[Parche]

1. Phillipines!!!

That is our specialty, we sell tons of tickets to there, as our owner is from there..

http://www.tourism.gov.ph/

http://www.discoverasia.org/Philippines/tipsforvisitngcebu.html

She says it is nice in Cebu in May, not to humid, Cebu is big, so there are lots of restaurants around

PM me if you have any questions that are not answered by the links!!!!

:woohoo: :hi:

( I am also a history buff, and Phillipines has lots of history ) 1941-1945 my specialty..

:hi:

[cloudbase]

2. I was in Cebu a bunch of years ago.

I spent about a month there on a merchant ship docked at Lapu Lapu City on Mactan Island (where the airport is) but it's a cheap jeepney ride into Cebu proper. I recall seeing a Citibank there, and there are no doubt others as well. Plenty of good and cheap restaurants. The Cebu Palace Hotel was the height of luxury at the time, and it was really cheap by U.S. standards. Check out the Magellan Hotel, too. There was an expat bar named "Our Place" but I haven't got a clue if it's still there. A really good Chinese restaurant was the "Snow Sheen." Again, I don't know if it's still around. I don't know what the exchange rate is now, but at the time I could get 20 pesos to the dollar, 22-23 if black marketed.

Keep an eye on your stuff-the thieves are everywhere. The customs guys are all on the take. Plenty of official corruption, but the people are great.

Enjoy your trip.