Here are a few thoughts on things to prior to travel, helpful things to take & hints that I hope you find helpful in your preparation for all of you who are yet to travel to the Philippines.
* The go-ahead call from the social worker saying you can finally travel can takes weeks, or more typically months. Use this time to get organised, because when you get the call you'll be wanting to travel a.s.a.p!
* Look at possible flight options on the internet (some flights don't go to/leave Philippines everyday). Some days are cheaper than others. We allowed 7 days in the Philippines - I think that is the recommended minimum stay. Print/write out your ideal itinerary so when you go to the travel agents you have everything worked out already.
* If possible, take a laptop computer. It means you can keep in touch with family back home while you are away. A lot of people use SKYPE, which is free to use.
* Convert you money to Peso's prior to travel - once in Manila you don't want to be trying to track down money transfer places. We did a budget before leaving and carried all the cash on us. Wear a money belt that goes around your waist, but UNDER your clothes. If you're travelling as a couple, then have a money belt each & split the money both ways.
* Take a spare set of clothing for each of you on the planes ... I took a sarong in my carry-on luggage which could double as a sheet if I needed it
* Prior to leaving, register your travel plans with your Embassy
*Take photocopies of all documents, passports etc. Keep the copies in a different bag to the originals, so if your carry-on bag disappears, at least you know your passport numbers, have copies of your marriage certificates etc.
* Take maps of where you are planning to go eg. we had a printed out map of where ICAB was - and the driver needed it! We also had a map/directions to SIL guest house. Manilla is a big city & drivers know a lot of places, but not everywhere. Also take phone numbers for places you're staying to - just in case.
* Take ziplock plastic bags!! They are great - use them to put food in, put notebook & pens in for your child, put dirty laundry in them if you haven't got access to washing machines.
* In the taxis the drivers are mad! Sit in the middle seat in the back with the child on your knee so they can see out the front window, to help them with carsickness. A lot of children have hardly been in a vehicle before so be warned. Once again, have a ziplock bag opened at the ready, just in case the child decides to throw up!
* Take heaps of photos at every opportunity you can. We didn't get many in Manila as it was raining nearly every day we were there, but we got lots on the island where we had beautiful weather.
* Take a list of questions to ask the orphanage - favourite foods, bedtime routines, who named your child (and any special significance of the name), any allergies, etc.
* I think the main way children have their 'bath' is with a bucket of water & a cup - they dip the cup into the water and then pour it over their head. So if they freak out at the sight of a shower, then that's why.
* Greenhills shopping centre was well recommended to us. Unfortunately the day we went was the time that the stallholders weren't there (which apparently happens for about 3 or 4 days every month), so I can't personally recommend it, but I have heard its good.
* Don't drink the water! I also made sure I didn't have ice in any of my drinks either (just in case) & use bottled water to brush your teeth.
* Don't take a pushchair. Use a front pack for a small child or a side pack for children older (up to about 3 years).
Also a 'Packing List' is posted under September 9th, 2009, for a list of suggested things to take when you travel.
The childrens cousin, Tayla, come over and stayed this week. The children all made a huge tent (including about 10 sheets/blankets) in the lounge which they were able to sleep in. The weather warmed up for a while so they were able to go outside & enjoy playing (and to eat an iceblock). They always have a great time together.
After leaving Gran & Grandad's house, we headed north a couple of hours & stayed with friends. Here we are at Lake Waihola where all the children had been paddling/swimming. Josh even swam out to the pontoon you can see floating in the lake (with the help of his noodle - those long foam things you can also see in the photo)
And the girls exploring around the rocks...
Brandi - still smiling despite the wind!!
This photo was taken quite a while ago at my friends house, when we went to feed her lambs one day. When the lambs are young she puts little woollen coats on them to keep them warm. When Brandi first hopped in to feed them she thought it was great, so I whipped out my camera to take a photo of her with her big smile ... but by the time the camera was on & I took the photo, the look of joy had been replaced by a look of "Help, get me out of here!! These lambs are going to eat me!!". So after the photo I had to quickly rescue her!
