STILL CALL TACLOBAN LEYTE HOME AFTER VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

INTRODUCTION

I have been living the he Tacloban area continuous for approximately three years. I am married and have a young daughter.

 I have not worked during his time because of a serious illness. With the help of my sister I made the journey back to Australia for three weeks. I wanted to see my sister, son and two grandchildren

Three years does not seem such a long time but changes in Australia were significant.

PHILIPPINE IMMIGRATION  

Having been in excess of six months in the Philippines you need a clearance to leave the country. This was done at the immigration office in Tacloban City . It is recommended you apply for this clearance a week in advance before travel. I had the clearance processed within an hour on the same day. I must admit the immigration office in Tacloban offer a very good service.

TRAVEL WITH PAL AIRLINES FROM TACLOBAN

I hear many complaints about PAL Airlines and have had a few myself. The main complaints have been ground staff although the PAL Office at Tacloban airport are very good. I must point out I have always found the cabin crew and service on board very good. The advantage of flying with PAL from Tacloban to Sydney Australia is your luggage is booked through and when you arrive at Terminal 3 in Manila you have a free transfer shuttle trip to PAL International (Terminal 2). You do not have to worry about getting a taxi to terminal 1 and immigration is so much easier at quicker at this terminal.

THE FLIGHT TO SYDNEY

The flight to Sydney from Manila is approximately 8 hours. What amazes me is the first 4 hours of travel is through Asia then you cross the Australian Continent near Darwin then another 4 hours to Sydney. It makes you realize how big the Continent of Australia really is!

Passing through Australia Immigration was very quick and efficient. I thought being out of Australia for three years I would be asked a few questions. We live in the electronic age and it is believed when they scan your passport they know your life history.

First Stop Lithgow NSW, just the other side of the Blue Mountains.

The travel to Lithgow is via train but you first must obtain a travel Opal Card. You put credit on this card and tap on before you board a train and tap off when you reach your destination. I was sceptical but found the use of this card was very quick and efficient. When you Tap off at your destination your remaining credit on the card is displayed. I found the train service has improved so much over the years.

I meet my son at Lithgow railway station and drive to a small town called Wallerawang 20 km away.

It is great to see my grandchildren. Kids grow and change so much in 3 years.

Lithgow and surrounding areas is what one would call a Coal Mining Town.  Most of the mines have closed down. One major coal powered Power Station has also closed down with one remaining. It is the age we live in and the shift to clean energy options.

LITHGOW NSW A COAL MINING TOWN

PHILIPPINE FOOD VERSUS AUSTRALAIN FOOD

In the Philippines my diet has been fish and chicken and rarely pork. Beef in the Philippines is not the best quality and if you buy imported beef it can be expensive.

My son is a great cook and the first meal is a baked dinner. Roast beef, baked potatoes and mixed vegetables with gravy. I had not had a meal as nice as this in many years.

One thing I missed was the simple beef sausage, it’s just me. Also the Australian meat pie and sausage roll. Australians take this for granted but for me it was a real treat after all these years.

Simply in Australia you will tend to eat more beef. Medical claim too much red meat is not good so the Philippine diet of white meats maybe be healthier in the long run. But I do miss Australian food.

ROAST BEEF BAKED DINNER

TRAIN TRIP TO NEWCASTLE NSW

After a week with my son and grandchildren it was time to visit my sister who lives in Mayfield in the Newcastle area. Travel is by train again. Three hours to Sydney and then a change of trains to travel north to Newcastle, another 3 hours.

This trip I had not made in many years. I spent most of my younger years in Newcastle and the Central Coast. So the trip was not boring as I was reminiscing during this trip.

I was happy to see my sister and had a great time in my 5 days in the area.

Newcastle was an Industrial City with Steel works (BHP) and a State Dockyard. These Industries have closed down but Newcastle has risen to a prosperous and trendy City.

PRICE OF HOUSING IN NEWCASTLE

To buy an old house in an outer suburb of Newcastle will cost $600.000 AU or approximately 20,000,000 peso (unbelievable). For the rich you can buy an apartment overlooking Newcastle harbour for $2M AU or approximately 38M peso. This was an area years ago that was run down and not considered a good place to live.

THIS APARTMENT IN NEWCASTLE CITY NSW COST AROUND $2M AU OR 38M PESO

VIEW FROM THIS APARTMENT OVER LOOKING NEWCASTLE HARBOR

I miss the surf and amazed at new water sports

With my sister we visited all the beaches from Knobbys beach to Merewether. Just watching guys surfing and people enjoying being in or near the water brought back fond memories.

Kite flying is now popular around Newcastle with training schools. We watched one guy on his first flight. He was very hesitant taking off from a cliff but when he did he was flying like an expert.   

THIS GUY WAS A BIT HESITANT ON HIS MAIDEN FLIGHT

THEN THIS GUY WAS FLYING LIKE A PROFESSIONAL

COST OF LIVING IN AUSTRALIA

Rents are high, electricity is a major cost. The cost of food has risen but if you shop carefully there are always specials.

If you go to a shopping mall and decide to have lunch well you will not get much change out of $40AU or 1500 peso.

I still smoke and should not but the price of Cigarettes in Australia now which are loaded with Government tax is $35 Au or 1300 peso a packet. A good reason to give up smoking!

I like a beer too but also a bit expensive. I was always doing comparisons on this trip to Australia. To buy 3 long necks 700 ml each would cost about $18 say 700 peso. In the Philippines I can buy 10x one litres of San Miguel Pilsen for the same money. But in Australia it is all about Government tax.

A FEW BIG DISAPOINTMENTS IN AUSTRALIA

I have mentioned that I have been recovering from a serious illness and unable to return to work. I made enquiries at Australia Centre Link. I asked if I should die would the Australian Government pay an allowance for my 2 year old daughter’s future. The answer was simple NO. My daughter would have to be residing in Australia which is not possible at this time. I have payed taxes to the Australian Government for over 40 years and have never claimed any social security benefits. But rules are in place. I was very disappointed.

I also made enquiries about Medicare Coverage as when you are out of the country for a number of years your Medicare Card is cancelled. So I asked a Centerlink representative for Medicare what I would need to do. I would have to return to Australia and show I have sold all property in the Philippines and closed all bank accounts etc. Ok rules are rules but this young rep made me felt that I must beg for coverage. I explained being treated here in the Philippines for a serious illness the cost was $100,000 Au or 3M peso. That is money the Australian Government did not have to fork out as came out of my insurance here.

Then I asked about Disability Allowance and they said you would have to be assessed in Australia at my own expense. The cost would be a few thousand dollars which I cannot afford.

Life is a journey and you have to take it as the CARDS fall. The Australian Government is cracking down on social security benefits. As mentioned I have paid taxes for over 40 years. I have no criminal record and one traffic ticket in a life time. If I resided in Australia and was a crack head, with a criminal record and no hope of employment I would get benefits, including medical care and a weekly allowance.

Here in the Philippines I applied for Phil health as a foreigner for 17,000 peso a year. It is not the best coverage but it was given with no questions asked.

AUSTRALIA OR THE PHILIPPINES

Australia is great with a good standard of living. I miss family and the food and at times the life style. In the Philippines I have found what has been missing in my life eg Love and happiness. I have a loving wife with a beautiful 2 year old daughter. The life here is simple but satisfying. Time has gone by and really do not have the finances to go back to Australia. But here I am content and happy.

MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE DULAG AREA

 MY FINAL THOUGHTS!

I see life as a journey and you start off on a straight road with many side roads. These side roads are an option and when you travel these side roads it is and adventure, a new beginning and different way of life.

I have ended up here in the Philippines. Although you do not have all the luxuries of a western culture I am content and happy living in the Tacloban area.

Have a nice day from:

Robbie in and around Tacloban

Twitter @robertmva

More pictures below of my journey to Australia

KNOBBYS BEACH NEWCASTLE NSW

MEREWETHER BEACH NEWCASTLE NSW