Dr Rowena Marzo shame on you

I have started the process to repair the damage to my mouth done by you. I have emailed you explaining the impact on me of the very bad dental work you have done on me. I have told you that I haven't had a decent sleep for months as I have to wake every hour so my jaw doesn't get locked because the teeth are so high . I have explained the cost to me physically and financially. You luckily had not destroyed the molds of my original teeth, so thanks for that as my prosthodontist will use them to restore my mouth. You have not returned my emails. I can only publicize your name and warn clients against going to you. I am not vindictive but you have disappointed me by ignoring me. Do not have work done at this clinic or you may end up like me.

Not gone well

I have to tell you all that my new teeth have not gone well. They felt very odd from the beginning and after a month I I decided to see a dentist. The dentist was extremely unimpressed with the quality of the teeth, wrong shape encouraging infection , too big and the bite is totally wrong. I have now had two visits to a specialist prostodontist. He has tried to fix the bite so I can at least eat properly. He thinks the lot will have to be redone. The biggest problem iZs the technician has made them all too big and lumpy. There are multiple cavities for gum infection to grow. I can see on the X-rays what he is talking about. So.....a word of warning. Although it went well for others it has been a terrible failure for me. I am awaiting my original molds so the dentist can recreate my bite.

All done and dusted!!

Thanks girls for everything especially Dr Ets and Dr Matso.

Definately don't look like Shane Warne!!!

Back home, unpacked and learning to eat with a strange feeling mouth. I had 13 crowns 1 bridge and all my amalgams out. No wonder I don't look so hot!

Bye all it has been fun.

On the way home

For those of you waiting with bated breath to see how my teeth are...you'll have to wait for a picture because can't upload on the iPad. However they are finally finished and in working order. They feel a bit odd. I hope I get used to my new mouth soon. I don't quite know how to eat! Still they are comfortable and look pretty good. The whitening wasn't a great success so sadly I won't look like Shane Warne.
There was a last minute rush to get them fitted and I was still there at 6.39 last night. In our family we call it " waiting for the tailor" after a rather stressful time in Bangkok. I wasn't really happy to have to have a last minute rush. I would have preferred a day or so to try them out before I left Manila so that felt a bit annoying. Anyway they work and I had crispy pork for dinner a local speciality of pork crackling broken up and covered with gravy. I don't know how to count the weightwatchers points on that one. The Health and Leisure Travel agent shouted me dinner and I don't mind giving them a free plug, Eena has been wonderful. The lovely George came to pick me up at 3 am this morning and I joined the queue that ran out of the " worst airport in the world" and down the street. I have coined the phrase "line buddy" for times like this when you make your new best friend waiting for 2 hours to reach the desk. I have seen the skyline of Hong Kong and looking forward to coming here in 2 1/2 months with Sandy and Barb. At the moment I'm in a nice lounge, relaxing, waiting for my connection to wet Brisbane. There seem to be some rather tall gorgeous girls in track suits who may be the tennis players from the Australian Open in the lounge with me. One just walked in with a shopping bag from Chanel! I thought those shops were just decoration. By the way there have been more than 1100 viewings of my blog from as far away as Russia, USA England Germany. It has been fun for me to share the trip and I hope you've enjoyed the journey.

Sunday

Today is most people's day off so it's a pity I chose today to go to the historic area of Intramuros. Eena had booked me on a tour with a very theatrical guide called Carlos who acted out the history of Manila using hats and music as props. He was a fund of amazing knowledge. (He is mentioned in the lonely planet). He has some very rebellious ideas including likening the theocracy of the Spanish priests to the taliban. Probably accurate but a bit challenging to some of the audience I'm sure.
Poor Philippines, occupied by the Catholic Church for 400 years then sold off to the Americans. When Mcarthur (I shall return)did leave the comfort of Townsville he disobeyed orders to not go near Manila and precipitated a slaughter by the Japanese. He then bombed the city, second only to Warsaw ( Dresden must feature somewhere) in the destruction. The Americans rebuilt the city public buildings in the image of Washington.
The Museum of the Philippine People is in the Rizol Park too. I had some interesting stuff but the Museum at Ayola was better.
The national hero of the people is a Jose Rizol who was a doctor/author/ nationalist. He was executed here in 1896 by the Spanish but is seen as focusng the opposition to Spain. Unfortunately that was just as the Americans took over!!
Most unattractive here and soulless. That explains why Manila is a pretty unattractive place. Tomorrow is my last day. I have an appointment at 1 to fit my teeth. Fingers crossed all is well with them. Actually you won't see much different, I just won't have broken teeth cutting my tongue etc. See you all soon.

Salcedo Market

My time here is coming to an end and I had heard about the Salcedo Markets that are only on Saturdays. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like, something like Shanghai with live turtles and other ghastly things or ???
Anyway it was fantastic with French crepes and everything you could imagine. Sadly no bacon and egg rolls but there was Quiche Lorraine so I was placated. Very clean and organized, I could have been at Kawana markets only better.

Sadly I got a bit carried away!!!This should do me for a few days!

Friday update

Another day closer to getting home. Today I had my remaining old fillings replaced and a new caries they discovered. Also my front teeth have been leveled so I look a little better. My dodgy tooth has been glued back so I celebrated with a traditional Philippine stew of various meats followed by an Italian cake and coffee. In the morning I am venturing out to a wet market at Saledo. I gather this has food cooked and fresh so should be interesting. No DVDs I hope.

My new teeth!

Very exciting day as I got to try on my new teeth. Dr Matzo has to see them all in place and get new moulds of the bases and the bite and then they get worked on to try again on Saturday. After the Saturday trial some more work then final fitting on Monday . Tomorrow the remainder of my amalgams come out . I am very reassured by the care they are taking. In the past, like most of us I've only had one done at a time. I asked dr matzo whether it is better to do it this way. She said what I've been thinking, that doing them all together means the bite can be corrected.She is rebuilding some teeth as well. This morning I did some kulture and went to the Ayala Museum just down the road. It was quite interesting. Wandered back to my den past all the shops but I'm being very good and not spending. Actually don't want anything. I dropped a bag of washing into a laundry. They go by the weight. 4 slacks/pants 1 dress and a tshirt for $6 including ironing. Beats hotel rates.and they deliver for that!

Security

Manila is heavy with security. My hotel checks under cars with mirrors and even had an explosive detection dog
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Her name is Lucy!!!!!

Bohol Photos

Pretty flash airport at Tagbilaran

Actually they are good drivers but I like his attitude

This is someting we don't see in Australia. Very strong Catholic influence on the Island. I saw some churches built around 1727

Beautiful warm clear water, it felt a lot like the Whitsundays

Tarsiers are the worlds smallest Primate and really cute

The Chocolate Hills are made of limestone from coral deposits 1200 of them and amazing to see. They turn brown in the dry.

I'm back in Manila after the lovely Bohol holiday. I'll miss the beautiful warm water. The island was really clean and they are working for green tourism. Lovely to see Eena greeting me with George the driver. She really cant do enough for me. Eena is giving up her Sunday off to do a tour with me. However, great stuff I was given my lovely room back after a bit of cajoling! Off for some groceries today and dentist at 1pm.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY TO YOU ALL

Tagbilaron

Yesterday I decided to hit the shops in the City as it is called here. I was taken by hotel shuttle to the Mall which is by far the smartest part of town. There is a pizza hut and a macdonalds, the only ones on the island of 1 million. imagine the myer centre with a department store in 1960 a person manning every display, I'm talking a stack of jeans here, wonderful dummy's with white bouffant hairdos. Outside in the mall are shops, my personal favorite a shop of plaster religious figures, the Virgin, Jesus, baby Jesus etc sandwiched between a sports shop and a hair and nail salon. I had a pedicure and manicure for $3 then wandered the street but there was nothing even I could buy except a DVD of tintin 3D ho hum for jimmy for $1. This is one of the least touristy places I have been, there is no special price for foreigners, and hardly any westerners. We all say hello to each other is is such a novelty. That is excepting the hotel and the tour of course. I managed to pick up a new book a Rosamund Pilcher for $2.50 the store man was so pleased to sell it and I was very pleased to find it. In the afternoon I had an hour massage which was fabulous. Today I'm back to grotty smoggy Manila but I'll be pleased to get into the last stage of my dental treatment. One of my temp teeth has the disconcerting habit of falling off mid bite. I stuff it on again but it puts you off eating!, Better than Cate who tells me she swallowed one. I'm thinking of you all in the deluge. I hope the mould hasn't started to grow on your shoes yet. Thanks for the emaile etc. without electronics I would be really going mad.

Bohol

Pangalau is a small island joined by causeway to the large island Bohol. They are trying so hard to get green tourism going. There is a cute animal called Tarsier. It is the smallest primate in the world just 6 inches . It has bat like ears and is nocturnal, 5 fingers and a long tail. Also it is very sensitive and fragile so that is probably why it isn't found in zoos. they have a great breeding area and viewing area very well managed. Also saw the Chocolate Hills 1300 conical hills from 40 to 120 meters high with no trees. Also churches and the dreaded river cruise with lunch. Not many western tourists here and everone still enjoying tourism. I had a guide for the day so someone to talk to...watch out when I get home. I'm a bit like the ancient mariner who grabs anyone to talk to at random and bores them witless. At least you can pretend to read this! I'll put pictures up in Manila the Internet is v slow. Sarah, if you read this google tarsier you would love these dear little things. Hard to believe they are primates. I also saw a butterfly place and they do bird tours. There is a scarlet kingfisher, a bee eater, and some others I can't remember. Hi to you all out there. Thanks for the emails.

Panglao Nature Resort and Spa

This wasnt saved yeserday

Well folks. Sorry I been absent. Its not easy to access internet here so I thought I’d write on word and copy it on to the blog in the morning.

I wish you could have seen dinner tonight. The buffet was rice (good), stir fry bean curd, lettuce (also good), tyre rubber called squid, chicken on sticks , Japanese weird soup, and assorted chinese glug deserts which were ok for glug. There was even deep fried glug special Chinese cake.

Luckily there was a locked cabinet of Haagen Dass ice cream. So I paid 250rp  $2.50 for my little cup...a vast expense and scuttled back to my room.  

This is a lovely place. The pool is really nice. I went snorkling this afternoon on a little traditional boat with bamboo outriggers. The reef wasn’t colourful but there were some pretty little fish and some corals I hadn’t seen before. Also lots of anemones. On the boat was a couple from Norway (she is Philipino), 3 Korean girls and me.

Yesterday I had my day out with Jordan the Taxi driver. He was so nice but we ran out of things to do. The American War Graves were impressive but sterile after ours in Thailand. You couldn’t even walk among them so it was a bit monumental rather than the account of individual loss that affected me in Kanchanaburi. We saw more malls and went to Greenhill markets which are the place to buy pearls (and handbags and polos!!!!) Poor Jordan only earns about 500 rupia a day which is two of my ice creams. He was 3 children and a dependant wife. I think my trip was a big deal because he said he might go home early!!

Off to bed now and watch TV. Seems I have to choose between endless CSI or BBC and the cruise ship. I can tell you everything you might want to know about whether the captain ordered dinner after the collision or not (he did).

Friday

Today was a big day finishing all the work for my crowns. Lots of drilling of the top teeth and getting impressions and bite moulds etc. The worst is over now. Just 6 amalgams to be removed and refilled with composite and fitting the new teeth.  Hilarious process if you think of it but a bit ordinary sitting in the chair for 4 hours.  I'm putting off the fillings till after my holiday so I have another day off tomorrow.
This afternoon I went back to Manila Bay for the spectacular sunset...through the smog. There's a lovely little park with rides and food...fancy a 1 day old chick deep fried? I went on the ferris wheel which gave me a nice view through the smog of Manila and the sunset. I also tackled the Mall of Asia. That is so big, its amazing.

Yum..Eggs and 1 day old chicks!

The crowds enjoying the sunset over Manila Bay

My taxi driver on the way back Jordan was telling me about more malls that I hadn't heard of. Jordan who speaks good English, is picking me up tomorrow to take me around  Greenhill market, like the chaotic Shanghai market I gather with great pearls. Anyone want pearls? They have amazing gold ones, black and white. I have too many pearls already so I can shop for you if you like!!!  Earings, daughters?
Cheap bags and tshirts...you know the stuff. I don't want anything except some shirts for Ian.
Then we are touring the American war cemetery and what ever the Lonely Planet says. There is also an outlet centre recommended by Eena too so we may go there. Jordan is available for 6 hours for $50 and pleased to get the work. He will accompany me shopping so I don't get chased by touts.

It is interesting that the people are so proud of their democracy. Aquino the President, is the son of Corison Aquino who they call the mother of democracy. The past president is under arrest. There is a big case against a High Court Judge about corruption which seems to be going well.
There was an attempted coup only 7 years ago.
Lots of positive nation building going on, posters and signs about doing the right thing, paying taxes etc. The poor don't have much hope though. Typical of the poorer Asian countries with some mega rich, a few middle class and lots of very poor.

Mall of Asia

Day out in Manila

Having a day off I got in touch with the lovely Eena who came and picked me up with a driver for a tour. We drove to Tagaytay which is on a ridge overlooking a stunning crater lake. The colours were greys and blues. I can imagine Veronica painting this in watercolours really unusual.

We had lunch at a great restaurant called Josephines and stopped for coconut tart which was pretty tasteless. Unfortunately tourism isn't a strength here. There really wasn't much to see beyond the view, the parks are clean but ininspired. We did buy rambutans from a stall which I love. They had very few handicrafts etc. most of the tourists are Chinese or Korean hardly a European face to be seen. I can't even find a tourist map of the city. We stopped to feed a horde of goldfish who are fed by the public. I've never seen such a scramble.

 On our way back Eena showed me ANOTHER MALL. This is supposedly the biggest in Asia. It's called the Mall of Asia. Behind it is Manila Bay where you can see the sunset through the pollution.Lots of people enjoying the area with a ferris whee,l rides and restaurants.  I guess I'll have a look, Kelly want a price on an iPad. I think people only come to Manila to pass on to the islands. I have another tour of the old city before I leave so maybe that's better. I'm back on coffee now..yeah. My teeth feel a bit dodge so I'm not eating much. May lose weight which won't hurt. I feel like godzilla here!
This is Eena and George!

Day 3 Wednesday

I ate a nice omelete for breakfast and then a walk to face the music... Actually it wasn't too bad. It was 4 hours to prepare the rest of my bottom teeth and make the molds. I now have some new temp teeth. I ate PHO Sarah's favourite which was perfect. There's a Vietanese place accross the road together with Japanese Italian Philipine Burgers and as always ...cakes! I've been good but if I'm finding it hard to eat cakes will become more attractive.
Dr Marzo herself did my work, She is really nice with a good sense of humour. Mind you I wasn't impressed when she offered me coffee. Its a banned substance for another 18 hours. I did sneak half a cup this morning sipping through as straw because I was having withdrawal symptoms.
Tomorrow I have the day off . Not sure what I'll do so tonight I'll read my lonely planet. No shopping I am so over malls.

End of day 2

Two temporary teeth and a new white set of front fangs. I remember now about how I hate dental work, memories of Fairholme dentist drilling away.
These lovely dentists are no comparism but I think the damage was done long ago. It was very stressful but they were so caring. Tomorrow is a big day , I think they are drilling away at about 6 or 7 teeth. Hope the temp ones are better than the ones I got today. They are a bit rough. However, I was very pleased they took out my amalgams and I'm sure the Aussie dentists didn't even talk about that let alone do it.  Another thing is that they are focused on bite and teeth health. my dentist is Australia just seemed to say  "Oh another one broken , we'll replace it next". Its a different attitude which makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Oh yes and they are always concerned about price and not upselling. Another startling contrast.

After the dentist I tackled the other reason for coming.  Checking out the shops. Well, if you ever even walked past all the shops here, in about 2 blocks  are in about 6 intertwined malls, you are a better shopper than me.  I got completely lost going from Greenbelt 5 to Landmark to SW to Ayoya Mall. Did buy a wheely bag for carry on after mine broke recently. Might need it.

Now I'm enjoying my new apartment and the anaesthetic in a bottle. Oh yes I hd a delicious pistachio ice cream at the local ice cream shop/. No coloured food or coffee (AAAAGH) for 2 days so I don't spoil my new white teeth.

When I get a chance I'm going to the museum which is just down the road and also Eena from Health and Leisure travel is trying to arrange a tour of the old city with some famous guide. That sounds exciting but I want to do it on a day which isnt too heavy.

So settling in and quite happy.

Boo to ANZ who wouldn't change Aussie money

This is where I'm staying   .http://www.somerset.com/philippines/manila/somerset_olympia_makati.html

Day two morning.

These works of art were an extravagant $5

I don't want to bore you all but several people have asked for more thanks sandy for the encouragement. It gives me something to do. I was a bit desperate without Internet so had to bite the bullet and pay the hotel. When I moved rooms I am now opposite the Peninsula which has free WiFi. I logged on but it didn't last. Shame. My apartment is huge. I have a large bedroom with king bed and a desk. In the living room are two sofas tv and table and four chairs. There is a separate kitchen with hot plate microwave and frig freezer. Hunting for plates and pots this morning and found them in the HALL CUPBOARD! That was interesting. The plugs on their wall dont match the appliances. I have a strip adaptor that has to be used. So if you have been charging the computer in the bedroom and want to boil the kettle you have to move the adaptor! Food is fabulous. In the (expensive) Greenbelt 5 shopping area with the designers, are some restaurants. I have a lovely Korean meal, more than I could eat of pork with chilli chives and pickled stuff which you enclosed with a lettuce leaf. Delicious for $15. I can see lots of places to try. I've made a decision to get more work done on my teeth than planned. the bottom front ones are caving in and affecting my bite. Probably causing some of the issues with the molars. So six more crowns. No point in doing this by half measure. Next appointment at 11 am . Then it starts. Lying around reading a book till then I think.

Update

I was a bit stir crazy in the room I was in. Every window was visible so I was living in a cave. I asked if there was another room. Guess what?  I am facing the park on the top floor! It pays to ask! Time for another duty free!

1st Appointment

So today I set off with my map to find the dentist. It was quite easy to follow the main roads although conditions got a bit rough nearer the dentist.
I was pretty shocked at the security along the way. Even getting into this hotel the guards check under the cars with mirrors. All the banks have guards with machine guns. I haven't seen this level of security since PNG. However everything is fine and the people very pleasant. I must say I do feel like Gulliver in Lilliput.
My appointment started with a really good clean and polish. My teeth must have needed it because they took ages. Then the 2nd dentist whose name was something like Dr Enta went through looking for all fillings cavities gaps etc.
Dr Matzo the main dentist then came in and had a good look. She and I discussed options. I was very impressed with her. She speaks English fluently with an American accent. Best of all she didnt try to up sell and was great at suggesting cheaper alternatives. So my final plan is actually cheaper that her quote.
I may get some veneers however for vanity.
After the dentist I wandered back past a Nike golf shop to a beautiful shopping centre called the Green Zone. I ended up in 5 (of course) the expensive area. Wow.
M & S Gap etc are in 2. That was fun. Got some M & S coffee for my apartment. Then had a fabulous Korean meal for $15 and a glorious cake for $5. Very extravagant lunch. I think I'll eat well as long as I am able!
Spent the evening grappling with the internet and ended up paying the hotel rates...just can't manage without it.
Thanks for all the messages. Please tell me if I'm rabbiting on too much.
Now for a Duty Free scotch. 

Arrived

Thanks Cate for sending me to the Coffee Bean which has excellent coffee and is in a row of great looking restaurants in a park opposite my hotel. The hotel breakfast was just ok. I think I may get suck of an omelet daily although I was nice. . I was met at the very chaotic airport by someone with my name. That is always such a relief! Through very 3rd world streets to the area where I am staying which is nice. From hong kong I sat next to a woman who had been speaking at a rotary conference. She was very nice and gave me her number to ring. She was wearing the most incredible black pearls I've ever seen. Don't panic Ian I'm definately not in the pearl market! Now I'm off to walk to the dentist so that's when it all starts Bye all.

At the airport

Here I am at the international lounge perched near a power point because I forgot to charge my iPhone. Luckily I have the iPad so I can blog you. Ian has lots to say about blogs but they aren't relevant to what I am doing! I'm flying through hong kong with a quick tour around to Manila flying Cathay. It should be Ok. Unfortunately the days of asking for and getting the exit row are over. Now they say Pay 100 dollars. Slight hangover...thanks Deb and Pat! Next blog Manila.

Two days until I head off. I have a map from my apartment to the dentist...20minutes walk. I have some soft food and vegemite, some painkillers and lots of technology.
I'm a little excited because its a long time since I travelled alone. The dentist won't be fun but I'm hopeful I'll see a little of Manila and the Philippines.

How it all started

Sorry everyone, I forgot to save my last draft! So again, how it comes to pass that I am heading off for a dental "holiday"in the Philippines.

Like most of us 55+ Aussies , I think we were over done with the dentist and its a sad group of us talking about the cost of all the crowns etc we need.

I'd heard to people going to Thailand etc but been a bit chicken until my friend Cate went to the Philippines in September paving the way for the rest of us!!. She had done her research and I trusted her and she is happy with the results.

Crunch time however came for me with a persistent ache top right side and feeling sick so I went to my local dentist and told them that I thought I had an infection under a root canal there. Two visits, expensive xray, and all they could tell me was I should get a guard for tooth grinding...$400 thanks very much!!

However I sent the Xray to Dr Marzo in the Philippines for a quote. Can you believe she responded immediately saying "Do you have any pain in (the particular root canal I'd been pointing to) because you have an infection. Easy decision from then on.

So on Sunday I'm off on my dental adventure! Sal Johns suggested I blog for any interested people. This is my first go so not sure how it will be or if I will be disciplined enough to do it... or remember but lets try!