Manila madness

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So good to be traveling again. Arrived in Manila yesterday night. Fun and crazy asian monster of a city, but with the 50 years of being run by America and serveral hundred by those wild Spaniards has definitely taken it's toll... the local form of transport is a Jeepnie, Jeeps from the American army that have been painted rainbow colours and now drive everyone around. Some of the locals seem to get on without the car even stopping!

Only 24 hours in the country but already we've ticked off
* having a hostage situation in the suburb next door (standoff between government, mililitary and some newspaper men...?) Jojo!!!
* walking into a site that had been bombed / burnt down a few days ago
* accepted the challenge of trying every kind of beer in the Philippines, current tally: 2 and rising
* 4 types of local transport, and some of which will play chicken with cars in front of them, and remaining cool and zen the whole time... most of the time...
* Richard almost having his watch stolen. by a 6 year old
* being confused for Americans in a local American Karaoke bar?
* bartering over 20c....

Catching a ferry tomorrow to a town that has diving at the nearby beaches...
I'll write more and reply to messages / emails when I get a chance... :D

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