We were still shattered, so didn't get up to early. We headed over to the restaurant for some breakfast and to ask them about the boat trip we wanted to do. We shared a continental and an English breakfast, they were good. The bread was really delicious, and sharing the two meant we got a good combo of fruit, bacon and eggs. The owner of the guesthouse went off to see the boatman, the one they usually use was already booked for the day, so she was going to see if another fisherman was available. We ordered some sandwiches to take on the boat trip with us, and went to the little convenience store near our accommodation to stock on water and snacks. When we were ready, the owner took us to the boat. We went ... read more

What a mission it was to get here! Straight from work, on to the bus and then two subways to reach the airport. From Incheon a turbulent four hour and twenty minute flight to Cebu Mactan Airport, a taxi ride from the airport to the port, from the island of Mactan to the island of Cebu. We were there in time to watch the sunrise, we didn't have the greatest view but the sky was a beautiful shade of pink. We bought our ferry tickets 800 pesos for a return journey and went to bunk down in the ferry terminal for a bit. When the cafe opened, we headed up there to get some breakfast. Yummy, yummy, rice, fried eggs and chorizo. It was delicious, proper sausage, none of that hot dog crap! After feeling like ... read more

The Blue House, or to give it its Korean name, Cheongwadae is the executive office and official residence of the Korean head of state. It is where the current president Park Geunhye (and many presidents before her) lives and works. I had been meaning to visit the Blue House for years, but kept forgetting about it, as spaces are very limited. Finally, I decided that it had to be this winter. There are limited spaces available for English speakers, only ten per tour, with four tours either every Saturday or every other Saturday (I can't remember which). I had to reserve spaces on this tour months in advance, you have to get in early especially if you want a spot on a Saturday tour, I think the week day ones don't get booked up so quick. ... read more

I had a glorious lie-in today, I woke up at 10:45, and I think I could have happily slept longer, but I had lots to see and do. I decided to head to Sunee restaurant, which I had been to a few days ago for breakfast, but when I got there it was shut. I headed to Thanin Market, which I was going to go to anyway. I wish I had had the time to discover this place earlier! In front of the market, there was a massive food court, filled with stalls. Too much choice! I walked around the outside for a bit, but all of the signs were in Thai. I entered the food court, most of the tables had menus in both English and Thai. I ordered a pork omelette from Rungnape. It ... read more

I was up at seven and at the breakfast place, before eight. Since I had plenty of time today, I decided to eat at the stall/restaurant. I added chicken to my rice porridge today, but it wasn't very nice, definitely should have stuck to the pork, only. I saw an offering while I was having breakfast, that was cool. A monk was walking by, and the couple at the table next to me called him over, but a bottle of pop in his urn(?) and knelt praying, while the monk chanted away. Thai people are so devout. It's cool how they can fit it into their day like this. It reminds me of in Japan, when people would stop and pray at the shrines set up on the street. I waited ages for my pick-up, over ... read more