@Alma **************

Hi Alma I’m not sure how food without spices can be anything but bland. I did say there were exceptions, Bicol Express comes to mind. Please understand I was answering someone’s query for a suitable country to live in long term. I can tell you I had some great times in the PI, including a visit to Cebu. But there I met a German guy living in nice home with a jetty by the sea but his yard was surrounded by a high security fence topped with electrified wire and he told me he had a weapon he would fire twice. The second shot being the warning!

Btw like you, I was wary of MSG until this series of posts but I've since learned that the US FDA now states it is safe to consume, in moderation of course. Mabuhey!

Just spoke to my son in Australia. He is half Pinoy and by the way he agrees with my assessment of the PI - he visits there often with his mother. He corrected me on my few enjoyed dishes. While I like dinuguan (pig’s blood) and sinigang (fish head version) he reminded me my favourite is Bicol express.

@Vlad ******************

I’d rather eat soup number 5 than balut if my sex drive was flagging. Immature duck feathers etc is not to my liking😖😆

@John *****

I have to admit I found dinuguan to my liking but not much else and definitely not balut!😆

PI isn't somewhere I would recommend for a long term stay. People are nice, only trouble is there are too many and last I was there it's one big garbage dump. If you like Thai food you'll find Pinoy food pretty bland, with the odd exception. There are some nice places to visit but in general it's not on my holiday agenda any more.

@Andrew ********

I’m with Krungthai and have no issues either. Transfer from Australia takes about 3 seconds.

@Per ********

😄looks like I didn’t ask the right questions then 😉

@Per ********

I am in heaven on earth in this country so I would always prefer to do things by the book.😀

@Brandon ***********

Thanks Brandon must have just been an unfortunate coincidence that the other applicant and myself chose that day. I have to say that the staff at Pathum Thani Immigration are very patient and helpful.