A dog-surprise

There's nothing but joyful surprises. And this was so: Some time ago we had  spoken to friends  about dogs. And it was me who mentioned, that a dog could fit quite well for us.

And how were we surprised when Jerrold brought to us  two little baby dogs. And they were so cute and so clumsy. Maybe they were just 6 weeks old. Color: gray-black. Pedigree unknown - just Askal, fully Filipino.

And now we have a problem: For a dog we were prepared - and now we have two. And they are quite exhausting.

Let's see how we get through this.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

A Philippine cocoa-success story

The Malagos chocolate

That chocolate tastes good, that it is known and is also reflected in the abdominal circumference - especially at Christmas and Easter .

Here around Davao there are many cocoa plantations. There the cocoa trees  are growing like the apple trees at home in Germany.  One of the known cocoa plantations in Davao-Calinan, is the Malagos farm. I knew this farm through their Cocoa Taler (TABLEYA = native chocolate), which have a particularly good full flavor and are therefore often used in restaurants and pastry shops.

The  cocoa beans  from this farm earn international respect. This was confirmed in international competitions in London in 2014 and now in 2015 in Hannover/Germany, where a silver medal was earned. It is probably the first ever Philippine product that has received so much recognition.

It is even on the composition of the cocoa mass  which varieties they come from- and there are many. Most particularly, it probably depends on the processing, where fermenting and roasting are really important at that. And that requires a lot of experience.

The Malagos chocolate I've probably seen often in the Supermarket of the malls. But the brown packaging has not approached to me. And this chocolate seems to be  a little bit loosing  to the other chocolate varieties of Goya, Hershey, Ferrero, Toblerone and Ritter Sport in the shelves.

  The Malagos farm has also made a name in the last years in the production of goat's cheese and fruit wines. Also an orchid farm with breeding the most famous orchid of the Philippines, the Waling Waling-belongs to the company, which is also called Malagos-Garden Resort. A very Impressing story of success.

With best regards

Ludwig from Davao

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How to have a good seat in the plane .

Is it luck to get a good seat in the plane ?

My friend seems to have much luck when it comes to a good seat at the flight from Europe to Davao. Most often, the seat is free next to him and he has enough place for the legs and can sleep well.

He says that this has nothing to do with luck. It could be calculated.

He always tries to get a seat in the back of the aircraft, namely there where only 2 seats in the row. And there he takes  the aisle seat. When he flies with his wife, then they occupy the seats- again  in the rear part of the aircraft - but the left and right of the aisle, because - as he says from experience - then the chance is great that any seat remains free  next to them.

One other tip from him is that he did  specify when booking that he has an incompatibility with the food and for example, he must eat vegan. He has found that these people will be  served very first and have not have to wait long to receive the meals and drinks.

So, I want to try the tips. Let's see if it works.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

Philippine ants are a plague

How to fight  with ants in Davao

My friend is in despair. In the pots and into his new house - where the architect has said that he uses an extra remedy for ants - cavort  these animals. Above all, there are the little ants, approximately 2 mm in size !.. And there are ants here in the Philippines - in addition to termites - in all sizes and in all quantities.

From his Philippine neighbors he has already received tips. Since the ants are irritated by strong odors, he should try  with cinnamon sprinkle or with the leaves of tomato. He had already tried  spray with vinegar. The results are not yet totally. The animals seem to get used to  the new odor after a while . And  still they are present. Or are they  some new ones ?

Now he has got a new tip from home, from Germany. He should use the ash of  cigars or cigarette, which is dissolved in water. And that he wants to do. Otherwise he will try it with lavender. I press the thumb.

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

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who is writing to you:

Hello! My name is Ludwig . As a native German, teacher for German language with diploma from University of Ludwigsburg/Germany, chief editor of “123easyGerman”,  I  give classes and tutorials at  USEP  Davao ( University of Southeastern Philippines)  for German A1-test, crash course and  seminars.

1,2 km long bridge from Davao to Samal Island

A new -old  project in Davao

October 31, 2014

It's been already 10 years that a connecting bridge from Davao to the island of Samal was discussed  and planned . But then, it had been stopped.

Now a new attempt has been made. The initiator is a Japanese company that is engaged in planning and made a feasibility study on the said endeavor. And now in 2016 the construction should start  - yes, if all parties will join and the financing of approximately 10 billion pesos is secured.

Until now Samal is a dreamy spot that you can only reach by the car ferry or by boats . And quite many  individuals are living there, the real estate prices are still comfortably low and there is still a lot of unspoilt nature - if one disregards the coastal strip with many touristic beach resorts.

The whole island will take an upturn, because Samal has a lot to offer: At least two waterfalls with clear water, a sparse population, the largest bat colony (important for the banana plantations around Davao), no industry, crystal clear water at the beaches on the ocean side - just to name the most important facts.

And those who want to catch up with the next real estate boom in Davao, should enter now. By the way, in April this year the costs were said to be about 6 billion pesos !

With best regards,

Ludwig from Davao

At the dentist

Amalgam fillings are not longer known here in the Philippines

23 January 2014

It is normal at my age that you get something with his teeth. It does  hurt or one of the dental fillings has fallen out . It is that way.

Then you are looking for a dentist in Davao and note : Almost at every street corner there is a dentist. The rooms are small and the waiting room too. Such obligations from  home , such as registration by telephone , are not the norm here . Is the dentist a good one, then you wait here and if it is necessary – you wait sometimes half a day.

Most dentists have just a " working chair" and the hand tools are already older - but what they lack in European technology , they replace it with gentle work and always again the question: " Does it hurt ? " The interesting thing is that  amalgam fillings are not longer used , but all teeth will be sealed with plastic. And root treatments are not very common , because that is not  necessary in most cases , I was told. They prefer to  repair and close the tooth .

The standard treatment costs from 600 pesos - in the country it is cheaper. Some dentists have concentrated  to the production of inlets for the German audience. This brings good , good money. But secretly they amuse themselves about our method , because  plastic  has many advantages too and it is faster and easier.

Well, we could  learn something from abroad...

Best regards,

Ludwig from Davao