Pulling the plug

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GirlonFire

Contributor
Messages
510
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192
Location
California
# of dives
500 - 999
I’ve had a trip planned since February to the Philippines and Indonesia departing October 15 and I think I may have to accept I shouldn’t go.

As a dual passport holder (US and the Philippines) I “can” go but I don’t feel safe being that far from home and having the possibility of another shutdown.
Yes I have family there but I don’t think I’d want to have an indefinite stay.
I’m staring to focus on diving closer to home (CA and Mexico) where at least I’m a short flight or drive away.

I have some deposits on resorts in Dauin and Anilao but I think I’ll be able get a credit at the very least. I’m ok with that.
I just hope the resorts can make it through.

Am I being too cautious? A small part of me is still holding on to hope all will go well.
 
I’ve had a trip planned since February to the Philippines and Indonesia departing October 15 and I think I may have to accept I shouldn’t go.

As a dual passport holder (US and the Philippines) I “can” go but I don’t feel safe being that far from home and having the possibility of another shutdown.
Yes I have family there but I don’t think I’d want to have an indefinite stay.
I’m staring to focus on diving closer to home (CA and Mexico) where at least I’m a short flight or drive away.

I have some deposits on resorts in Dauin and Anilao but I think I’ll be able get a credit at the very least. I’m ok with that.
I just hope the resorts can make it through.

Am I being too cautious? A small part of me is still holding on to hope all will go well.
Since I am neither a Philippine passport holder, nor have family there and likely am a good bunch older than you this reply may not feel like it applies to you at all. So, for what it‘s worth:
I am holding back on all avoidable trips where I could find myself out of control and be assigned for 2 weeks to an expensive hotel for quarantine, possibly on multiple legs (well you would miss any following legs) ... until this either is over (as in functional and available vaccine) or I have the time and desire to just spend two weeks wherever I stop and plan that way. Boring reply, but I am holding out. Driving somewhere, sure. Emergency family visit overseas, well that‘s another ball of wax...
 
Since I am neither a Philippine passport holder, nor have family there and likely am a good bunch older than you this reply may not feel like it applies to you at all. So, for what it‘s worth:
I am holding back on all avoidable trips where I could find myself out of control and be assigned for 2 weeks to an expensive hotel for quarantine, possibly on multiple legs (well you would miss any following legs) ... until this either is over (as in functional and available vaccine) or I have the time and desire to just spend two weeks wherever I stop and plan that way. Boring reply, but I am holding out. Driving somewhere, sure. Emergency family visit overseas, well that‘s another ball of wax...
I appreciate the input.
Everyday I go back and forth about the trip.
But the more I look at my other options, the better I feel.
Being in California, I am lucky to have diving close by. A lot colder but willing to try it.
 
Unless you have some non-refundable payments coming up soon, it doesn't really benefit you to pull the trigger early. Might as well wait it out and see how October looks. But I agree, it's not looking good.
 
Stay home and dive locally, it just isn't worth the trouble and the grave consequences in terms of your health and the substantial economic effects of becoming stranded thousands of miles away from home. Considering all of the issues the world and the US going through right now including the gloomiest financial and economic prospects, don't risk it and stay home.
 
I had Thailand booked for May.

Managed to get flight monies put on hold for 12 months, accommodation refunded. All its cost is vacinations and insurance (which I can move again).

However, the bottom line if I would have spent the money by now so the only loss is not having a 2 week dive trip. not the end of the world, just diving more locally this year. - out again on Sunday.
 
Don't count on October for being able to travel in the Philippines. I am here and betting on into the New Year for easy travel. ( I hope am wrong but...)

However the tourist associations are pushing for tourism to become an "essential" industry. I suspect that will mean that you will have to arrive at the airport, be tested and go to a quarantine hotel pending test results. Once you have the test results expect an escorted trip from the airport to your resort and then being restricted in off hotel movements. An escorted return to the airport. You may have second testing and quarantines depending on your destination.

Face masks and shields will most likely be mandatory when outside your room. Perhaps even some age restrictions.

No local freedom for sightseeing or travel, no local shopping or interaction with the people.

This is based on what I am seeing happen locally, some foreigners who live in Moalboal were trapped elsewhere in Cebu province and they had a similar arrangement to get back. I have also been talking to a couple people that run tourist businesses here and they are predicting along the same lines.
 
Yes, i am pretty much planning to cancel October in Asia.
I spoke with AA and it shouldn’t be a problem redepositing the miles without a fee as it was booked in February.
I am hoping my resort deposit which was placed with a travel agent can be redirected to another locale if a refund isn’t possible.
 
Unless you’re high risk I think you should go. Seldom if ever have I regretted setting aside my fears and going for “it.”

I rank Komodo the best diving I’ve done in 40+ years. Go for it. Live your life.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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