Letter from Manila - Santol - of course!

[georgeb]

Sept 23, 2020 9:52:13 GMT paul99 said:

Nostalgia is has rose tinted specs, SWMBO is of Maltese descent and has family over there, so summer holidays were mostly spent there. Reality is modern busses are air conditioned and comfortable, something those old ones weren't......

Similar here.

Jeepneys are probably the one thing that springs to mind when you mention the Philippines (okay, there may be others, but this is a family thread) but the truth is you'd be more comfortable riding in a shopping trolley. They are low, cramped, most have no windows, and are driven by lunatics. However, they do form the backbone of city public transport and millions do depend on them.

The government plans to phase them out isn't without its justifiable criticism. They want to structure the new franchises so only those with the ability to buy a certain minimum number of vehicles can apply, thus alienating the one man band who operate many of the current jeepneys, so many have objected to that.

But when you see them lurching down the street, sawing the wheel backwards and forwards in an attempt to keep them in a vaguely straight line, wonder as you stamp on your brakes to avoid one pulling blindly out in front of you, gasp as they completely ignore traffic lights, marvel at the canvas and rubber shreds that pass for tyres and splutter in the clouds of blue or black smoke they pump out, it's hard to dredge up a lot of sympathy.

I will admit however, it's a bit difficult to get excited by their replacement...



And there's nothing to say that the replacements won't be just the same after several unmaintained years!

[CaptainSlog]

Have a look at South African minibus taxis, they are similar to the business model of Jeepneys, being run on a shoestring, completely renegade and dangerous.

That is what I see is the future of Manila's mini bus replacements. At least the Jeepneys have character - best is to enforce vehicle safety and driving laws while keeping owner/drivers in jobs and the rolling art forms that many Jeepneys are.

The new proposal will see many losing their livelihoods while enriching the connected who get the permits to operate multiple vehicles.

[mylittletony]

Having ridden in a hiace minibus on Java with 15-20 people (seats for 8) and a side door that was held closed by an assistant, I can't see it being too long until the situation is back to normal.

Although it's a shame the one-man badns will be forced out...

[Frankenhealey]

Bahamas is the place. Buses floored in tea chest lids. Rasta driver smoking ganja and stopping for another 6-pack. Random routes. If the driver decides to go home then that's where you'll get off. It was great

[marinanut]

Just seen a notification of typhoon Goni heading your way, so far 180mph sustained winds! Keep safe mate!

[georgeb]

Yeah, Typhoon Rolly (as it's known here) made landfall at around 02:30 this morning.

He's now classed as a Super Typhoon, with sustained speeds of 215kph with gusts of 265. Best hang on to your hats!



According to reports, he's heading straight for Manila, although the Sierra Madre range will hopefully take some of the sting away. As usual, it's the east coast and islands which will bear the brunt.

We're expecting to see him sometime this afternoon.

[jamesd1972]

Stay safe all of you !
James

[Frankenhealey]

Oct 31, 2020 22:02:13 GMT jamesd1972 said:

Stay safe all of you !
James

^^^^^^^ What he said in spades!

[grizz]

Be safe, and look out for flying debris.

Look forward to hearing from you when the lights get turned on again.

[skinnylew]

Eeeeeekkkkkk hope it misses you and you stay safe.

[georgeb]

Well, that was an anticlimax.

Although there was severe flooding and damage only a few miles south of us, we only got a spot of rain and absolutely zero, and I mean zero wind.

Still, better than than six foot of water outside!

Good news is that the reported death toll is small and hopefully stays that way. Looks like they've got the evacuations working pretty well now.

Another one out to the east, but only a baby yet.

At least someone found a good use for a jeepney...

[Sweetpea]

When it comes to typhoons I'm of the opinion that an anticlimax is a good thing. And I say that as somebody who's never experienced anything worse than a stiff breeze.
Glad you are still with us!

[georgeb]

Sept 23, 2020 9:52:13 GMT paul99 said:

Nostalgia is has rose tinted specs, SWMBO is of Maltese descent and has family over there, so summer holidays were mostly spent there. Reality is modern busses are air conditioned and comfortable, something those old ones weren't......

I drove past one of the thousands of overseas recruitment places on Sunday and a large sign said, "150 Bus Drivers wanted for Malta." That's a lot of drivers in one go!

Well, we survived another last week. This typhoon wasn't as bad as the last, but the compounding effect made things worse. We had flooding in the street and no water for two days, but that was all for us. The poor souls who were battered last time had no time to recover before this one marched in, with expected results.

Anyway, enough of that. I noticed, reading through the skate bike thread, we appear to have a new member, dieter who, from his post appears to live in China. Now, writing as someone who lives somewhere which regularly throws little stones at the Middle Kingdom, whilst also trying to borrow billions of Dollars, it would be great if he could take the time out to describe living there.

So Dieter, if you're up for it, feel free to post here. Thank you.

[skinnylew]

George it's been nearly a month everything ok over there?

[grizz]

Morning George.

As mentioned, you have been quiet on here, but for those who worry, I know you posted on here 5 hrs ago.

And that you are alive elsewhere.

I guess some of us do see certain threads as a daily fix.

L0ok after yourself.

[georgeb]

Hello everyone!

Apart from me feet playing up again, all's well, thanks.

The main reason it'd been quiet is that, well, nowt really has happened and the few things that have were Range Rover related, so got stuck over there.

I've basically been sat at my desk 12-15 hours a day, moving only for loo breaks (Ate Crazy keeps me supplied with tea) which is, to be honest, less than interesting to you girls and boys.

Three things are up and coming though...

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 and it took bloody hours. This time I'll be there at 07:30 on the dot!

3) Theoretically, according to my latest work schedule, I demobilise for a month in February 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 beds, some ground (for 7 dogs to cause mayhem in) and ample parking, that's what I want, not a single studio apartment with no parking. Should be a laugh at any rate.

Watch this space...

[wildrover]

Good to see you are weathering the storms, typhoons, cyclones and Philippine life in general.

Given the sh1tey  rosy state of affairs here I would gladly exchange the left coast for the impending doom of a Philippine style cashless toll system.

Good luck with the house hunt - I hope you find something with space for the dogs and automotive projects

[eurogranada]

Hope the feet play nicer this time!

[Frankenhealey]

Was rather hoping for some Xmas pics of the Ace Hardware Girls but I suppose my disappointment is mitigated by that you are all safe and well after the latest blow.

[skinnylew]

Great to hear all is well. This thread is one i keep open in my tabs all the time so when i realised it hadn't been updated i thought i'd give it a nudge.