When Subic Naval Base was converted into a Freeport zone by the then Mayor and now Senator Richard Gordon, through an enabling law, the rules on discipline as espoused by the Americans, were not changed and were in fact adapted and continued to be enforced by the local authorities. That is why; one would say that once you enter the gates of Subic Freeport, you are actually in an American territory. Traffic rules and regulations are patterned after the American system and are strictly enforced. Traffic enforcers are strict and cannot be bribed. All existing structures and utilities were made following US standards and specifications.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone is located in Zambales, Philippines. This place was once the home of the largest American Naval base in the world. In 1992, the US abandoned the Naval Base after the eruption of nearby Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the largest volcanic eruption in over 100 years that practically covered the entire naval base with ash fall causing a significant numbers of buildings inside the base to collapse. This American Naval Base was the home of the US 7th Fleet. The last ship, USS Belleau Wood left in November 24, 1992, signaling the end of the American military presence in the Philippines.

Subic Bay today is home to some of the world's blue chip companies including Hanjin Shipbuilders of South Korea, FedEx, Acer, Hitachi, etc. A Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean Industrial Parks were constructed inside the Freeport industrial area and are now home to some of the world's biggest exporters of electronic and other manufactured products to the world.

The Freeport has a complement of topnotch infrastructure and accommodations facilities. The Zone is host to a large Naval facility and a topnotch airport that were originally constructed by the US Armed Forces. Aside from hotels and retirement facilities, the Freeport offers private homes that you can actually own or lease for 50 years for a very reasonable price. These housing facilities were used by the officers of the US military establishment during their tour of duty in the Philippines. Condominiums and Townhouses are likewise available for sale or lease to foreigners.

Among the facilities and amenities inside the Freeport are fine restaurants, movie houses, hospitals, supermarkets, duty-free shops, casinos, hotels and resorts, first class beaches, ocean parks, Island resorts, etc. Outside of the Freeport are new first class villages and self-contained communities.

If you are a foreigner, the easiest way to start life in Subic is for you to avail of a retiree visa that is being offered by the Philippine Retirement Authority. You don't have to be a Senior Citizen to qualify so long as you are at least 39 years old when you apply. You can bring along your family and you can also work if you have an employer. The other way is for you to invest in the country by setting up a business inside the Freeport Zone. If you qualify, you can stay on as Zone investor and be entitled to various tax incentives and exemptions. There are of course other ways of making your stay legal like getting married to a Philippine citizen, obtaining a work permit, etc.

Subic is approximately 130 kilometers from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Travel time by car takes a little over one hour via the new toll way that connects Clark Freeport Zone to Subic in Zambales.

Places of interest nearby that are accessible by land and water transport are as follows:

• Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
• Mount Pinatubo, Zambales
• Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
• Dambana ng Kagitingan, Bataan
• Corrigidor Island, Bataan
• Grande Island, Subic

Domestic and International Airlines serving Subic International Airport are as follows:

• Air Philippines
• Asian Spirit
• Southeast Asian Airline (Seair)
• Tiger Airlines (Singapore)
• Cebu Pacific
• Mandarin Airlines
• CR Airways

Transport:

You can easily catch a plane from Oakland International Airport or go by bus or train to San Francisco, or San Jose, there are also a number of bike paths, and of course the Internal shuttle service.

The City is already more than 100 years old taking its name from a majestic 1000-year-old Redwood tree by the San Francisquito Creek, where many years ago saw the first Spanish Explores.

The mixture of tree lined streets and being the centre of cutting edge Technology makes this city vibrant and alive yet at the same time steeped in history. It also owns its own gas, electric; water and sewer, refuse, and storm drain services, which it gives to its customers for a very lucrative rate. It is known as birthplace of Silicone Valley and prides its self on the 31-mile ring for ultra fast Internet.

It has a excellent business community, the residents are of a high education, politically aware and culturally sophisticated. This gives the residents a great deal of pride in its delightful historic and modern commercial and residential areas.

There are a total of 34b parks in Palo Alto, which makes sure that they keep plenty of open space for the younger generation to play in and the older generation to relax in.

There is plenty to entertain you with bird watching and its marine life. This gives a great setting in which to work or reside. This city has a median household income of more than double the national figure.

Shopping:

Stanford shopping centre offers you Bloomingdale's, and Tiffany's, with boutiques and galleries there's bound to be something for everyone. It does not matter if it's business or pleasure you're sure to be pleased.

Restaurants:

There are numerous Bistros nestled amidst the galleries and boutiques as well as the more upmarket Il Fornaio that cater for every ones taste.

Got children with you well take them to the junior museum and zoo or to the children's theatre where they will have performances and activities for all age groups. There is always something new to see, and some unexpected pleasure to be found.

Originally the land of Pasadena City was inhabited by the Hahamogn Tribe of Native Americans, who lived on game and vegetation, in small villages dotted along the Arroyo Seco down to South Pasadena area. Then in 1771,with the arrival of the Spaniards, who established the San Gabriel Mission. The Hahamognas converted and became labour for the mission this was the fourth mission and it grew to be very prosperous having its own orchards, vineyard and cattle.

By 1883 the town was growing and built banks and hotels. In 1886 the railway arrived this then connected Pasadena to Los Angeles and turned the town into a winter resort. Then in 1886 Pasadena became a city, this brought streetlights, paved streets and a sewer system.

The first flower covered horse and carriage went down the high street on January 1st 1890, this has become a yearly celebration known as Tournament of Roses. Huge floats are covered with flowers both fresh and dried, plants and seeds. 1902 the people of Pasadena decided to include a game in the festivities and that game was football, this did not go to well so they decided to change football for Roman Chariot Games, eventually in 1916 football was brought back.

More and more settlers came to live in Old Pasadena, and the orchards gave way to residential areas. Now however Old Pasadena is growing into one of the premier travel destinations.

Accommodation:

There are at least 17 hotels in Pasadena City so you have a vast choice to choose from, big names like The Ritz and Hilton are represented there as well as some smaller hotels.

Recreation:

You have a wealth of museums and things to see and do in Pasadena City, choose from Art centre college of design, Norton Simon Museum, Pacific Asia Museum, Descanso Gardens, Pasadena Museum of Californian Art, The Old Mill, Museum of History, The Gamble House, Historic San Gabriel Mission District, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Tournament House and Wrigley Gardens, Kidspace Children's Museum, and of course we could not miss L.A County Arboretum & Botanic Gardens.

The Future:

As the City looks towards the future it tries to balance Historic Character, a safe healthy place for all its residents to live and thrive in, and to make sure that as a city it grows but keeps the community needs as a priority. Keeping in with the past the Colorado Street Bridge designed in 1913 as a work of art, has been renovated and brought the past and future side by side.

I drove down 111 from 15N. it took a couple hours. I was smiling all the way to visit Salton Sea. Foolishly of course. I must have been smiling because I was conquering my fear of CA freeways which network themselves through suburbia like huge growling beasts..it's the merge lanes interfering with the off ramp lanes which terrify me the most, when the yield signs are missing, people are in a hurry here. Some are metered, but not on hwy 111. I like to drive 65. I'm very comfortable at that speed. The only vehicles driving 65 out here are the diesels who are chugging up a hill. One feels forced to be like others. I know it can't be that I'm 60, can it? Yet this may be true, as they took a toll of the age group here in California and those under 35 outnumber the older ones like me who enjoy doing 65mph.

Just a thought. I know my 34 year old girls came here to find a mate. Not enough men could be found in Washington, nor enough career opportunities. Jumping on a ferry, a novelty at first, to get to work was par for the course out Seattle way, if you lived on the other side of the water.

So here I am, still in San Diego and looking to stay close to them, and I can't figure out what good I am in their lives, so they must love me. I need to get far enough away from CA freeways so I can breath the air and space. I'm home hunting.

Salton Sea area has mountains, hills, white sands, sea waters you can float on due to buoyant properties of salt and less oxygen in the waters. I found some property on Realtor.com

right on top of the water at a section call Bombay, a five square situation, probably not even that, of Modular housing in various states of disrepair. Unfortunately, the drive was for naught, Realtor.com forgot to mention the value is in the land, not what is sitting there abandoned on top of the land.

Two stores and a motel run by the same guy running the small grocery store are there. I got away from him at the first sign of a sermon coming on. I had made the mistake of mentioning I was a mystic. I am always getting sent to hell. Just can't stay out of trouble I guess. His eyes lit up and he forgot the sermon when I told him I was looking for property. He was also the unofficial real estate guy.

He tried to sell me a 1959? MH and land for $40k cash, apologizing some druggies spray painted the walls, no big deal I agreed. Do you have a phone in the motel room? I asked, I needed to call on a few places in the area. My cell is not picking up signals out this way. No, we don't have phones in the rooms, however, I can show you at 6pm my MH's I have for sale. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with no access to a phone was beginning to worry me.

He gave me his card and I high tailed it back to Niland, to see if they actually had phones there. After trying several more motels in Brawley, CA near the Salton Sea, I decided god was trying to say no and I wasn't listening. I believe the proprietors were from India at door to door motel establishments. Maybe they didn't like my dress, I thought I looked cute, was it too short? Maybe they thought since we were so close to the border I was renting a room to smuggle in aliens. I have no idea why they would point to the sign that said "no visitors" allowed.

The last thing one wants sometimes is a visitor. But it would be nice to have phone service. After filling out the paperwork I think to ask about phones. I only have 90 minutes on my cell left and not sure that I should be saving them, or even that I can use my cell here which I was going to use just in case of emergencies. He says no, there's no phone here. As well there is no public phones on Bombay said the little old guy I had escaped from happily; It was hellishly hot.

I feel like I am in the twilight zone and the foolish smile has disappeared. It's even hot here when your car is cranking cold air.

I speed back to San Diego telling myself you knew this wasn't going to be easy didn't you? I continue to smile like Mona Lisa though.

Ah, but I have begun. you have to begin.

I'm going to the TriCities next! A river runs through it. You can almost live there for free.