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@mati_steve

I’ve never flown out of Cebu on an international flight. Would imagine immigration is quicker than Ninoy Aquino.

Presumably you are connecting with another flight on the same day? If so what is the time differential between the Davao flight ETA and the Taipei flight departure time?

May I enquire if you are flying Starlux airlines to Taipei?

@Lotus Eater

Thank you.  Yea, I fly out of Davao into Cebu (terminal-1) and my international flight (Eva Airlines) out of terminal-2 is 2 hours later.  I see that the two terminals are next to one another, but you still need to either walk (10-15 mins) or take a shuttle (every 15-30 mins).  I'm guessing I'll need to go to the ticket desk as well in terminal 2 to get my continuing flight tickets, unless Philippine Airlines will handle it all in Davao (I'm assuming no, but not 100% sure).  So 2 hrs may be absolutely doable or a slim margin, depending on several circumstances.  My Filipina GF also said that domestic flights in the Philippines are not very reliable when it comes to meeting scheduled times, which certainly doesn't help.  I can always get a flight the previous night for $30 USD to Cebu instead and just hang out at the airport for 12+ hrs, but that would be the last resort.  She also suggested we both go to Cebu and spend a couple of days there together, which may even be a better option.

@mati_steve

2 hours is tight. The Davao flight might be delayed especially given the appalling time keeping record of the national airline. Eva Air are the complete opposite. As I understand it if the connecting flight is with the same airline and you miss the 2nd leg you are covered, otherwise no dice. I doubt Philippine Airlines will have this arrangement with Eva but perhaps worth a phone call.

Whichever way you slice and dice it you are going to be stressed out. If you miss your Taipei flight no travel insurance will cover you as the T&C's will state that you have to make reasonable efforts and time allowances to connect with your flight unless of course the Davao flight is cancelled due to inclement weather etc.

Your GF's suggestion seems a sensible option. Just a thought; my Filipina neighbour here in Bath has a Filipina friend who with her British husband relocated from Bath to Lapu Lapu about 18 months ago and have purchased a hotel. Lovely couple. Of course Lapu Lapu is close to the airport without the need to cross into Cebu city itself. Feel free to PM me if you would like their contact details. I'm sure they will give you a competitive rate!

Hope you get it sorted, mati_steve .. you've got an expert here on your case 😎

Meanwhile, here's some info that might help later, and others soon, maybe now?

There is a 4 star hotel easily within walking distance of Mactan Cebu Airport that I have used 3 times, maybe an overnight stay there would be a good idea. I believe it is called The Mactan Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

@Cherryann01

Did you partake in a ‘flutter’ on the tables?

@Cherryann01
Did you partake in a ‘flutter’ on the tables? - @Lotus Eater

No I never visited the casino but I am sure our American friend Bob may have had a dabble, I just always found it to be convenient to get a good nights sleep and a good hot shower before travelling onwards. 

@Cherryann01

I am sure our American friend Bob may have had a dabble

It would not surprise me if he met his other half while playing Bkackjack. Vegas has the highest % of Filipina’s as a proportion of the population than anywhere stateside.

Back in the Philippines the Casinos go out of their way to hire tall attractive Filipina’s as croupiers for obvious reasons. So even if you are not a natural punter you may well pull an attractive date..

Ah Ha. . . .My exploits at the Casinos, Philippines, Canadian & Las Vegas.

If you're addicted to gambling or pot smoking Las Vegas is a terrible place to live.

There once was a casino named Terribles. They have gasoline stations in Nevada, California, Utah & Arizona. They have 2100 employees & close to $400 M in sales. What a name for gas stations "Terribles", would you want a tank of Terrible gasoline? In Nevada they have slot machines in their convenience. Most supermarkets have slot machines. Pokies for you Aussies.

Nevada was once a territory, not enough population to be a state. To get an influx of people so it became easy to get a divorce, they had legal prostitution & gambling. Everything Illegal in other states was legal in Nevada to get the population.

I'll skip ahead to Manila Casinos. I only visited twice, two different casinos about six years ago. Gambling is quite different. There was only two blackjack tables, their slots (pokies) were completely different from Las Vegas.

In Vegas video draw poker machines are popular, booze is free for those gambling,  top line

entertainment and dozens different restaurants. The gaming floor has all kinds of card games, for Chinese Pai Gow Poker and their favorite game Baccarat.

Women: I dated several SEA women, two Thais and two Filipinas, I was not looking for SEA women, I had know inkling about SEA women or interest. I wasn't looking for a girl friend or wife. I happen to be sitting next to a Filipina at a blackjack table and we struck up a conversation. We dated a few times and she introduced me to her girl friend who eventually became my wife in 2007. In 2018 we moved into her house in Pasig City.

I have a lot of stories about Casinos, but I would wear my keyboard, maybe another time.

@Cherryann01
I am sure our American friend Bob may have had a dabble
It would not surprise me if he met his other half while playing Bkackjack. Vegas has the highest % of Filipina’s as a proportion of the population than anywhere stateside.
Back in the Philippines the Casinos go out of their way to hire tall attractive Filipina’s as croupiers for obvious reasons. So even if you are not a natural punter you may well pull an attractive date.. - @Lotus Eater

The Filipina's on reception and opening the doors for guests at the hotel are very attractive and taller than the average. I remember they wore slit skirts with lots of thigh on view when they moved.

Bob would probably frequent the casinos in manila for a free spam dinner since he can not seem to find it at Landers and obviously misses it.

@Lotus Eater

@PalawOne

@Cherryann01

Thanks much for all of your input!  I think I'll take my GF's advice and just spend 2-3 days in Cebu with her.  I was there last year for an hour on a parked plane (haha), so didn't get to see much.  My layover in Taipei is 6 hrs, so no problem getting onward from there to Houston.  Can't wait until I can just stay planted in PI - this halfway-across-the-world traveling is for the birds.

@Lotus Eater
@PalawOne
@Cherryann01
Thanks much for all of your input! I think I'll take my GF's advice and just spend 2-3 days in Cebu with her. I was there last year for an hour on a parked plane (haha), so didn't get to see much. My layover in Taipei is 6 hrs, so no problem getting onward from there to Houston. Can't wait until I can just stay planted in PI - this halfway-across-the-world traveling is for the birds. - @mati_steve

Funny you mention Taipei, Davao and Cebu because I am seriously thinking of spending some time in Davao in the next few months and if I can, I like to stop off somewhere on route to the Philippines. Taipei has been on my radar for some time and I would love to spend a few days there but that depends on several factors including flight timings and price.

I have been friends on Facebook with a lady near Davao for a few years and at one time we were going to meet for a romantic break, about 2 weeks. I decided to go see another woman at the time but we have always kept in touch and she has invited me to visit just as friends. We have been chatting almost daily recently with the odd video call although she does have a boyfriend from Pakistan who works in Hong Kong, which is where they met. Long story short, he is seeing another woman in Hong Kong and she just goes along with this. She is now working in Davao City and I am seriously thinking of going to spend some time with her. She actually video called me before Christmas while at her works Christmas Party and confessed her love for me. I reminded her the next day what she had said and she was embarrassed haha. She suggested we get one room together (2 beds) and she will show me around, see some waterfalls, chill by the beach, meet her family and just chill out together.

Maybe I will finally be able to answer the question posed in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally - can two people of the opposite sex who are attracted to each other just be friends without wanting more.

Funny you mention Taipei, Davao and Cebu because I am seriously thinking of spending some time in Davao in the next few months and if I can, I like to stop off somewhere on route to the Philippines. Taipei has been on my radar for some time and I would love to spend a few days there but that depends on several factors including flight timings and price.
I have been friends on Facebook with a lady near Davao for a few years and at one time we were going to meet for a romantic break, about 2 weeks. I decided to go see another woman at the time but we have always kept in touch and she has invited me to visit just as friends. We have been chatting almost daily recently with the odd video call although she does have a boyfriend from Pakistan who works in Hong Kong, which is where they met. Long story short, he is seeing another woman in Hong Kong and she just goes along with this. She is now working in Davao City and I am seriously thinking of going to spend some time with her. She actually video called me before Christmas while at her works Christmas Party and confessed her love for me. I reminded her the next day what she had said and she was embarrassed haha. She suggested we get one room together (2 beds) and she will show me around, see some waterfalls, chill by the beach, meet her family and just chill out together.

Maybe I will finally be able to answer the question posed in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally - can two people of the opposite sex who are attracted to each other just be friends without wanting more. - @Cherryann01

Hahaha.  You should do it!  I was in Davao for 3 days last September.  Stayed with my Filipina GF at the Seda Abreva.  It was a nice hotel, which had good breakfast bar.  It's right next to a mall, which we went to a couple of times.  We also spent a day across the water at the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort and had a blast.  I was only in the PI for a week, so I'm hoping the 3 weeks I'm there this time and can get to see and do a lot more.

BTW, thanks for the tip on the casino/hotel right next to the Mactan-Cebu airport.  I think that's where we'll stay before I head back to the states.

@Cherryann01

and she has invited me to visit just as friends. She suggested we get one room together (2 beds)

Sounds like a plan Cherryann.

When a Filipina says 'we can be friends' there is a 90% chance she wants to date you. When she suggests a room with 2 beds there is a 100% chance that she wants to have a bonk with you probably on the 1st night.

I would respond by suggesting a large king size bed rather than 2 singles but placing the abundant pillows that hotels place on the mattress down the centre. Easily removable. Just don't get into bed naked as that might come over as assumptive and embarrass her.

As for 'Harry Met Sally' it will be a bonus if you can rival the orgasm Sally feinted.