Blogs from Philippines, Asia - page 321

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Asia » Philippines February 13th 2006

"You don't spend a centavos when you smile." Mary, the wife of Emiliano, the owner of this lodging and carving studio, up here in this breathtaking scenary, is yet another reason I have fallen in love with the Philippines. She is intelligent, and she is able to present to us an authentic view of Filipino life up here in Ifugao country, high in the mountains. She has given us more reason to trust the people of this country. I could write forever about how the people you meet while travelling colour yoru experience, and I will, no doubt, write about that very thing soon enough, but after what I have seen today it is necessary to acknowledge the physique of northern Luzon. Our neighbour at Moreno's Place in Boracay told us Batad is the place to ... read more
Banuae hills
Reynaldo and I
More view

Asia » Philippines » Cebu February 12th 2006

These last couple of weeks have been a mixture of the rushed and relaxed. To start at the beginning, which you have doubtless realised rarely happens in my blogs, arriving in Cebu, I gave myself a similar challenge to Manila of getting to my hostel in Cebu City without the use of a taxi. Naturally, arriving during a monsoonal downpour gave me second thoughts, but they both passed quickly, and so first I went in search of a tricycle to Lapu-Lapu City, though I am at a loss to the use of the word 'city' here. It was more of a random collection of backstreets, which I travelled through on the back of a bike, rucksack still firmly attached to my back, and more than one confused stare from a local. Unlike many travellers that, ironically, ... read more

Asia » Philippines » Pampanga February 12th 2006

Now on its 10th year, the annual International Hot Air Balloon Festival once again colored the bright skies of Clarkfield, Pampanga. The festival proves to be one of the biggest and most-anticipated events in the country, with more than 19 countries participating each year. Other than hot-air ballooning, there are several air shows gracing the festival, such as aeromodeling, motorized glider exhibitions, radio-controlled airplane show, paragliding, military aircraft exhibits, sky diving exhibitions, helicopter flight displays and kite flying. Ample ground activities such as concerts, exhibits, dog shows, and trade fairs also provides entertainment to local and foreign tourists. ... read more
Hot-Air Balloons
Approaching Balloon
Carnival

Asia » Philippines February 12th 2006

Favorite part of travelling so far? For sure, without a doubt, the people. For good or bad it is what makes or breaks a trip. Today I have fully realized the other beauty- this morning I was on a beach in Boracay and hours later I am paddling on a mountain "lagoon" in Baguio. Different landscape almost entirely...and by tomorrow morning I will be in Banaue. It is safe to say I am partially more at east, though a little disappointed, we will not be traversing the death road by bus that travels from Baguio to Sagada. If we find our way there it will be on a slightly less treacherous stratch of "highway" from Banaue to Sagada via Bontoc. The one thing I remember my dad expressing fear about was hazardous highways and maniacal mountain ... read more
A little taste of Europe...in Boracay
The view
Baguio- the park

Asia » Philippines » Boracay February 11th 2006

It has been 4 days now in Boracay. Small impressions include tiny ants (bed bugs) on my bed and all over my clothes, bits of seashells and coral along the fine, smooth, white sand shoreline, bowl of "goto", Filipino congee, along with the chicken (or duck) egg and black yoke (incidentally, in case you were wondering, yes the black yoke is a half formed fetus...yum yum), "turo turo"s along the "road" with quiet, kind, eager Filipionos awaiting late night white curious customers, sausage on a stick sliced and diced in a floral pattern coated in a sweet tangy spice BBQ sauce, soaking wet bathroom floors and toilet seats, dive bombing beach birds, aquamarine water,wet glossy black igneous rock, "yes ma'ams" and "lunch ma'ams" and "sarongs, pretty necklaces, massage ma'ams", Celine Dion, Tracey Chapman, Bob Marley (of ... read more
Far end of the beach
The island's island
Cliff and beach

Asia » Philippines » Manila February 7th 2006

Sense of smell is the sense of memory. Without having to think about it- to build a story in your mind to make sense of it all- that sense brings oyou right there. It is amazing how you can be in one place and feel so utterly in another. The brain works that way, associating one event, one experience, with another. I have no experiences of the Philippines to comare to...but I have the DR. And I have never been in two places so far from eachother geographically that are so utterly alike in the framework of my life experience. How do you put it into words, the "island experience" (I wish there were another word....that word is getting tedious). Dirty would be the first word. I think only on an island does the filth still ... read more
Manila Domestic Airport
Filipino family
German Couple

Asia » Philippines » Boracay February 6th 2006

Stayed in Waling Waling with the relative bakasyonistas (vacationers). I've been to boracay several times already but this trip was the most fun.... I particularly enjoyed it due to our 1st class hotel, Waling Waling! Enjoyed the Cabana most especially.... spent most of the time sitting at the Cabana and dozing off the hammock... the best! ... read more
playing scrabble at cabana
at the boat

Asia » Philippines » Romblon February 6th 2006

So just when you think the party is over. I ended up at a bonfire on the beach for my last night in Romblon, with a bunch of locals. I found out that the DRIVER is not the guy that drives the motorcycle or tricycle, but the guy in charge of the bottle. He pours the shots and then passes them around one at a time. Tonight it was Matador Rum. Good times. Ok really this is just an excuse to send you links to the pictures from Romblon. Click here for the pics Wow what a superbowl. Congrats D. I think Randle El should have been MVP though. Just my opinion.... read more

Asia » Philippines » Pangasinan » Hundred Islands February 6th 2006

Enjoyed this more than banaue rice terraces! Suggestion is to go to governor island wherein you will see top view of this magnificent creation! Trivia: every island was given a name... there's governor, monkey, etc etc ... read more
going down the mountain of governor's island




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