I set off towards Banaue from Bontoc early in the morning and as with most roads in the Mountain Province it simply descended into rock and mud and water after a few kilometres. The road was awful! Rocks everywhere, deep mud, huge deep puddles stretching right across the “road”, crazy!! Very quickly the road ascended right up into the cloud layer and was very cold! But by now I was getting used to this! I spent about 4 hours up in the cloud layer, then suddenly the road actually became a proper concrete road and I descended out of the cloud [View Full Entry]

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The journey down to Bontoc from Sagada was easy, and the first thing I noticed was how much warmer it was compared with Sagada. Found a great little hotel, then visited the Bontoc Museum, which was cool, then rode the bike up the track behind the village to see the Maligcong Rice Terraces. Amazing views over the area and the steepest road I have ever been up! The locals in Bontoc told me the road to Banaue had only just re-opened after a big rock fall and maybe be passable, just! So I planned to go there the next morning. [View Full Entry]

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Bored with sitting by the Swimming Pool in Angeles, I had a great idea for a little adventure: hire a big trail bike and ride up to Baguio, Sagada and Banaue. I was told all I needed to do was go the main road, turn left and keep going for 270km, what could possibly go wrong……. I set off early the next morning and the first thing I learned was the need to drive very defensively here. Buses, Jeepneys, Tricycles, Pedestrians, Dogs and even Chickens have a habit of appearing from nowhere on the roads in the Provinces. After getting used [View Full Entry]

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Finding my way out of Baguio was a bit tricky, but once on the main road towards Sagada it was stunning. The scenery just kept getting better and I had to keep stopping to take photos every few minutes. I reached the Philippine Pali, the highest point of the Philippine road system with no problem. Just after that things started to go a bit wrong. I noticed up ahead that I was so high, the clouds were blowing over the mountain summit across the road in front of me. No option but to go into the clouds, I was very quickly [View Full Entry]

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Last day in Cebu City before flying to Manila, so went out to explore. Found the Chinese Temple and Capitol Building which are in a nice area. Then stumbled across great restaurant called Jovings where you can eat as much as you like for as long as you like, so I did! And great food. [View Full Entry]

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Decided to leave Dumaguete and travel back to Cebu City for New Years Eve. Took Ceres Bus direct to Cebu which involved a ferry crossing at Tampi. Journey took 9 long hours but great to be in Fuente Circle, Cebu to catch the fireworks at midnight! Stayed in Midtown area at Pacific Pensionne which is great place with little garden restuarant down very quiet sidestreet away from the madness of Downtown. Went up to Tops lookout in a taxi which was great, whole of Cebu City below! Few more days here then off to Manila! [View Full Entry]

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Left Dumaguete by ferry to Tagbiliran with idea that I will return soon, like it too much! Found a great little resort on Panglao recommended by a friend, very quiet but 3 minutes to Alona Beach. On the day I arrived it was so hot and so good just to walk in the surf along the beach. The place was so quiet, not many people here and new hotels are springing up all over the place. Next day I got a moped and headed off to Chocolate Hills and halfway there it just poured down with rain and I got soaked! [View Full Entry]

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Never stayed in Downtown Cebu before, always uptown, so I thought I try it out. Only word that fits is lunacy! Traffic is mad, crowds are overwhelming, crazy girls everywhere, kinda like it! As an escape from the general mayhem I visited Casa Gorodo Museum and Fort San Pedro, both of which offered a good haven from the city streets. Found some fantastic restuarants, probably the best food Ive had in The Philippines so far. [View Full Entry]

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Just a short ferry ride from Dumaguete, but Siquijor might as well be on another planet! As soon as you arrive the first thing you notice is that the pace of life here is so slow and everyone is so laid back! and so friendly! Went straight to Coral Cay where I have stayed before and it was just as amazing as the first time, if anything even better! Hired a bike and did the full round the Island route. Amazing!! The only hazard youre likely to face is one of local dogs sleeping in the middle of the road, thats [View Full Entry]

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Went out onj Saturday night to a Tribal Body Painting night in Dumaguete and it was amazing. And wow those Filipino girls are so beautiful! [View Full Entry]

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