Travelling to Philippines

May I suggest to check Northwest airline, [url]www.nwa.com[/url] website and go to the link Travel Planner, they have 1-800 number to make Hotel reservaion in Manila especially near the US Embassy. But US Embassy is far from ICAB (2 hours away with traffic). And for gift ideas, I think, they would be glad to receive anything filipinos are appriciative, but if you can include souvinier from your state of residence,like mug, t-shirt or swetshirt I think they would like to have that. (Me and my husband are both filipinos. We are curretly adopting a relative) Goodluck to you and to your husband, please keep us posted here and we need to start a new thread "Success Stories"

Thanks for the info and ideas....those are great. You mentioned that you are adopting a relative, have you travelled to the Philippines often to visit family? Any recommendations as to restaurants, places to see?

Actually, I'm adopting my teens niece and nephews. These are children of my late widower sister, she just passed away last Dec. (she's 39 yrs.old). That is when this adoption circus started. Oops, I want to mention too that I have 3 toddlers at home. If you can get a hotel near the US Embassy, you are in the center of tourist belt, where in there's a lot of restaurant to choose from, but for some other reason that you might not like it don't worry they have Pizza Hut nearby. And I guess you would look for night life too, their's a lot of club their. But please have somebody to show you around (from the hotel or you can ask your Social Worker if she can assist you). Also, the historical Luneta Park is just walking distance from the Embassy. I don't know what else to tell you. Please enjoy your stay thier. and I hope that you know already that the trip from the states (east coast) to Manila is 24 hrs. :o We are from Virginia Beach, VA.

I know the flight and the time difference from the East Coast might be a little difficult to adjust to...do you know when you will be travelling? Thanks for the tips...the more info we have the smoother the trip will be. :)

We possibly go back to the phils. if the children are ready to pick-up. We really don't know how fast the process for the relative adoption. We are just hoping to get them late this year. If just in case we're travelling sooner, I'll send you an email (or I'll use the private message board).

You know what, somebody from the other thread post about the group from Yahoo.com that are adopting from the philippines. I've check it out and it's so cool, what I mean it'is very current news about their experiences in the phils. especially the travel that you might be interested. I hope you still got time for this after adopting your son(?) (When you're in Yahoo Homepage, in the search box type adopt-philippines,then click on the no. 1 in the list, sorry for the wrong grammar). For booking arrangement please check this out, [url]www.asiatravel.com[/url] click on Manila Hope to hear from you soon.

I adopted a 9 year old boy and brought him home last may 2002.. Michael turned 10 last week. Manila airport is a zoo. On your exit be prepared to pay a ticket tax. I was not informed on this and it was a good thing I had a few pesos left over. I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel. reserved on line at 72.00 for an excellent suite. Bring an extra suitcase , the clothes are really inexpesive. Also to mention. I am a single guy and from what I was told the first to do what I did. They can not recall any other single men adopting from that area. I had a great time there. I plan on going back soon to adopt a 6 year old good luck charlie

Hi ! Welcome to the club. How long does it took you, for the whole process? What paperwork do you have now, like Decree of Guardianship(?) Wow it's nice to read your post. Again, Bless your heart

My husband and I are trying to adopt an infant baby girl that was just born today and we are trying to go with a private adoption...the birthmother is a friend of our friend who lives here in the United States but all her family is still in the Philliphines.... In calling airlines, Northwest told me that have a special fare for you and whoever you're bringing over there with you for the adoption process.... It's a special toll free number from Northwest...just tell them you need the number that handles the discounts for adoptions...they quoted us 60% off the regular ticket price, plus what's great too is that there is no limit on these seats...in other words, typically for a sale on a ticket, they only have a few seats available at this discount price and once those are filled then too bad, even if there's still room on the plane... But with this, it can be the last 2 seats left in the entire plane and they'll give them to you because you are adopting!!! Wonderful huh? God is good! Blessings to all! Melody