Blogs from Catanduanes, Philippines, Asia
March 28th 2006
I'm back in Virac after spending a week at Puraran Beach. The trip there consisted of a one and a half hour Jeepney ride from Virac to Baras and then a 5km tricycle ride from Baras to the beach. The tricycle drivers originally wanted 150 pesos (about $Au4) for the trip, I offered 50 pesos then sat down to see who'd crack first. One guy then gave me the story about how expensive petrol was etc so I said there's no way a local could afford to use the tricycles if that was the real price. He then dropped the price to 100 pesos and said that if locals use the tricycles they usually have 5 crammed into it, I'd be having it to myself so it was classified as a special trip. Fair enough point ... read more
March 21st 2006
Went back to the San Miguel beer festival on Sunday night but it wasn't as good as Saturday night, the bands weren't as good so I didn't stay long, in any case I wanted an early night as I was leaving for Tobaco in the morning. Monday morning I got a mini van to Tabaco and checked in at the Casa Eugenie hotel, it's the best place I've stayed at so far. I had a little apartment with a kitchen, louge room, bathroom and bedroom. It was air conditioned, had cable TV, hot showers and the room rate of 1,300 pesos (about $34 Aussie) included a good breakfast. I then withdrew some money from the Mero Bank (my bank in the PI) ATM and took a walk to Tobaco Port to check out the boats for ... read more
