Letter from Manila - A nupdate!

Not too much going on between sporadic doctor visits for me nasty little rash, and otherwise solid work, but one or two things up and coming to look forward(?) to.

1) A couple of months ago, the government announced that, from the end of December, all highway tolls would henceforth be cashless.

"What a good idea," I hear you cry. Well yes, it would be if the two major operators were geared up in any way shape or form to process the applications and fit the little transmitter thingies. Of course, they weren't and a major shambles, as you'd probably expect, ensued. This isn't helped by the fact that the two operators have different systems, meaning double the shambles and criss-crossing the city to obtain both.

I'd never previously bothered as I use highways rarely, so just paid cash, but it looks like I'll have to dive in sometime. Maybe this coming weekend? Who knows...

2) It's coming up time for the annual fun and games that is vehicle registration. That needs to take place sometime between 4-8 January. Last time I was late arriving and it took bloody hours, resulting in severe dehydration. This time I'll be there at 07:30 on the dot!

Oh, and we'll be applying for Tania's provisional license at the same time as well.

Fun, fun, fun!

3) Theoretically, according to my latest work schedule, I demobilise for a month in February - my first proper time off for three years - and, as the lease on this house is due around April, it'll be used for hunting accommodation. I may have mentioned before that Madam has agreed on a move away from the bright lights of Manila proper for somewhere a little quieter, so I'm actually quite looking forward to this one.

Destination will be driven by education, so we've got an idea where to look. Just need to find an agent in that locality who actually understands that when I request 3/4 bedrooms, some ground (for 7 dogs to cause mayhem in) and ample parking, that's what I want, not a single studio apartment with no car space.

When I was looking to move up north a few years back, one agent dragged me up there to show me three houses that weren't even in the right town!

So I've no illusions this time will be any different.

The only small thing in my favour is I do have a pal who lives down where we'll be looking and he seems to know just about everyone, so I'm hoping he can find me someone who a) listens and b) has some vague clue about what they're doing.

Should be a laugh at any rate.

I was just looking back at something I wrote in 2013 when it was finally decided that my then company wanted me here full-time.

It catalogues the fun of finding an apartment after six months of living (all found - so no big hardship) in a rather nice hotel. I'm surprised then I didn't just get on a plane back to Kuala Lumpur. It would have been easier.

It also becomes immediately obvious that absolutely nothing has changed in the intervening years when it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your weary head. Absolutely nothing!

This next will be the sixth. Most have been one year lease. This one's been two. They edge ever closer to what we actually want, especially as work/schools change.

The next one will be closer to where I may think about buying.

Slowlee, slowlee, catchee monkey.

And to yourself george!

Cheers guys.

Plan did not, erm, go to plan.

By 08:30, I found my battery was flat and we'd had an earthquake. A good start to Christmas morn.

Still, it has given me the opportunity to try my all-singing, all-dancing CITEK MXS 5.0 charger, what I purchased at great expense for this very type of occasion.

I'll wander down in a minute, it'll have had 24 hours. Let's see!

In that it didn't blow up, yes, all good. Fully charged, de-sulphated, re-gassed and whatever else the box of tricks does. Anyway, it was showing a green light and that's good enough for me!

So Madam is at a friend's house this weekend and I decided that this morning, I'd attempt to gain one of the Highway RFID's at least. Amazingly, Tania hauled herself out of her pit at 06:45 this morning and asked if she could come with me. When I'd got over this strange combination of Tania and before 2PM I said, "Of course," one, because she's good company and two, she'd come in handy just in case we hit any linguistic impasse.

Checking out the internet, as usual gives completely differing answers. I'd intended to head to Balintawak toll centre so checking out Dept of Transport site told me it was open 8am onwards but I needed to make an appointment. Last updated November. The suppliers of the RFID site also tells me that Balintawak is open from 8am but is walk-in. Updated two weeks ago. Finally the NLEX site, who operate the highway, and Balintawak, tell me it's walk-in and 24 hours. Updated 5 days ago.

Full of uncertainty, we say, "What the hell," and set off, chatting happily. A miniscule sign is spotted telling me I can purchase my RFID here, so we head for it. Two chappies are inside a shelter with laptops. There's nary a punter in sight.

"Good morning, I'd like to buy an EasyTrip, please."

"You got an appointment?"

"Erm, no, the various websites were a bit conflicting."

"Yes, they are, aren't they? But you need an appointment."

"But I haven't got one and I've just driven from the other end of Manila to get here."

The other, who'd remained silent up to this point piped up, "Hang on a second, we'll make one for you."

Which is what he did. Went online and booked me an instant appointment on his laptop which, luckily, I was instantly able to attend.

With that little bit of Philippine bureaucracy over, I gave them some money and they issued me with an RFID. I then sailed through the barrier with a sneer at those still grovelling around to find 54 Peso in cash.

One down, one to go. Next weekend, I think.

Oh, and the real reason Tania accompanied me? She wanted breakfast at McDonalds. Of course.

We kick 2020 out before most of you, not a bad thing.

May 2021 bring something better to us all.

Got plans for this one, so, new year, new things.

Happy new year!

Hope all goes to plan George - Our best wishes for 2021