Hi, I'm Matt Wilkie married to April Wilkie Not the best photo but the latest! originally from the UK but moved out to be with my wife in 2007. Have done a bit of full-time living as well as transient expat life, to be honest prefer transient because it gives a bit of flexibility in getting stuff to the Philippines as well as being able to meet other people from a western culture (yes being in the Philippines can become hard work sometimes! I enjoy political debates and very hard to get anyone up to date on politics never mind those outside the country). Well anyway we live in Cebu I have just returned from a stint in Oman and our two children here were more than happy to see dad back although my daughter in the UK will have to wait until the start of next year before I get back there. Anyway just wanted to introduce myself and say a big hi! I'm also over at LiveInThePhilippinesForum.com btw.
Hello Matt Wilkie, a big welcome here from me too. Looking forward to hearing about life out there. The longest I've been in Philippines was just a few months but loved it so much I want to get back asap. My dear wife has a slightly different strategy so maybe another couple of years UK yet Just as long as she can keep me I can agree. Hehehe I also enjoy a political debate, however I often play 'devils advocate' as I have no fixed affiliation to any party. Look forward to learning from you.
Hi Micawber, my biggest issue with politics these days is often its skimmed and people take the politicians at face value instead of questioning all options. Won't hark on about it here as it will go completely off topic..lol Hopefully see you in the land of sunshine sometime, I have to admit going in and out is the best for myself as being here full-time does start to take its toll with bordem. Was odd going back to my old lifestyle but enjoy the work abroad mixed with the relaxing of RP.
Welcome Matt (here). Bought our Emirates tickets yesterday = PI, V HK, here we come for Christmas. Fare BHX-DXB-MNL = £933.45 Fare '' '' - HKG = £575.15 So 2 nights hotel in HK and Cebu? tickets for (free) the same price as MNL direct.? Cheers, Tom
Now the feeling well first option :- lots of delays and staying in Manila 24hrs to get a flight to Cebu! OR Booked my own Cebu Pacific ticket from Hong Kong, got a Qatar flight from Muscat(Oman) into Doha(Qatar) short wait and onto Hong Kong then home. Pretty much a straight run except for a 3hrs wait in Hong Kong. Cost.. completely free as part of my expenses to get me home but was believed to be more than Emirates into Manila but there was no way I was sitting in the Manila airport for 24hrs or having any interest in visiting Manila after traveling since 3am the day before I arrived. Generally I try to book my own tickets 2 weeks before I fly and just keep looking daily until something sensible comes up. I think the HK is always on the discount list for air couriers, but you will need to book with a creditcard (with the person flying as the named card holder) or pay over the counter/at ATM for a Cebu Pacific flight.
So far its had adjustments to the gears as the cables begin to wear in. Besides that running well, still stuck without number plates and borrowing my father in-laws the other night to go to a restaurant (Chinese made bike). I know I made the right decisions after the vibrations through that left the fingers numb and a burning sensation in the old meat and two veg on the fuel tank..lol
back after being away a while. Hadn't disappeared but more of a ponder and keeping busy. After the recent events in the Philippines though looking to call it a day here full-time and heading to the UK. If I was single I would probably just go mobile and go no fixed abode. But the cost of living in the Philippines is increasing to a level where its matching the UK but without the benefits. To get the standard of living I want for the kids it means heading to the UK. The recent typhoon and the inactivity of politicians except in the corrupt sense was the icing on the cake. So will be upping roots and heading to the UK in the next 3 weeks. Hopefully with the family being in the UK before next Christmas.
Welcome back Matt. Sorry to hear your on your way back to blighty as you seemed to be making real progress in philippine life and generating income, which is the hardest thing to do. But I'm thinking along the same lines as you also. To maintain a reasonable standard of living in the PI its not far off UK prices in the larger town / cities. It is not the cheap option it once was. As you say as well after the typhoon and evdent corruption / ineptitude of politicians there has really put a downer on it all for me. If you couple that with trying to provide a good education for your kids I honestly don't think its really viable to stay. Obviously these are my thoughts and probably different to those already living here for a number of years. I'm of the opinion that we will be in the phils for the minimum amount of time required for what we need then we will head back to blighty where I think I'll be able to provide a better standard of living / education for my family. Matt, I hope it al goes well for you and am sorry things havent worked out as you'd hoped. Of course never say never, you may return......and I may still be out here!!!
