Blogs from Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines, Asia

Tour Day 140, Cruise Day 38 – Manila, Philippines – Author’s Note: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda ((1861–1896) is considered a Philippine national hero for advocating political reforms for the colony under Spanish rule. His writings inspired the Philippine Revolution, and he was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion. “Best of Manila: Past & Present” Shore Excursion – Discover Manila, the Philippines' capital city and premier gateway to the country. Your tour begins with a trip through the Makati area, the financial and commercial center of Manila. The first stop is at the American Memorial Cemetery, the largest and perhaps the most beautiful outside continental United States. Pass through the plush residential village of Forbes Park dubbed Millionaire's Row, and continue your drive down Roxas Boulevard by the fabled ... read more

The Philippines has Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald's, but we want authentic food. It's midnight, but the area is bustling with people, including children. Pastor Ramil and the other pastors take us to their version of our McDonald's- JollyB- before driving a couple more hours to our hotel in Balanga.... read more

We are coming to the Philippines in January 2013. We would like to buy a Honda xr200 to use while we travel. We are having trouble finding one to buy on the internet. If anyone could tell us some place to purchase a used one around Manila or south of Manila on the way to Batangas City. We need to know what we have to do to get it license and legal to ride anywhere in PL. We are planning to visit several islands. We were lead to believe that some places that rent motorcycles do not allow you to take it from island to island. We are planning on staying 6 weeks. We are planning to land in Manila, then head to Palawan, next to the Visayas , Boracay island , Bohol, Romblon, and then ... read more

20.-24. of April (Slovenian version below.) We are on the road again strolling around the Philippines. "Adult life" now allows us only 3 weeks but as they say, short is sweet. On Friday we were at the office both very eagerly waiting for the end of the workday, backpacks were packed in one hour (now we are already very good at it) and after couple of hours we were already sitting on a plane for Manila. We were greeted by unbearable heat, humidity and smog. The Friendly's hostel is apparently the place to be in the old part of Manila called Malate. We were unexpectedly "upgraded" and we got an air-con room, which was a balm for the abnormally hot night. A San Miguel on the roof terrace for a good night sleep and we were ... read more

Well after two days essentially confined to bed, we're off an on the road today. Today we're going to Tagaytay near the Taal lake, site of the world's smallest volcano. The thing about it is though, it's actually a volcano that has formed in a crater lake of an older volcano. I recall going here last time (2000), but it was a brief visit, basically for lunch. Today we're going there for a traditional Filipino Christmas with Squish family ( well part of it anyway ). Some personal observations on Filipino local so far.. . . . . It's probably a little cliched to talk about how friendly polite and courteous they all seem to be. As you would expect, hotel, restaurant and retail staff especially so. My observation is that the notable exception to this ... read more