land unvailed just happened on this blog as im going to visit mindanao at christmas time. since reading this you have given me the best insight i could have to life in this beautifull and (to me) mysterious country i must have that sense of adventure like yourself as from reading this i just cant wait to get over there now
irony Isn't it Ironic how guys from Eastern Europe go elsewhere to find love, and Americans go on romance tours to Eastern Europe to do the same thing? Everybody has their hand in someone else's pot.
I spent 3 years in west africa, where I had a few relationships. I didn't marry because none of the women had enough education, and I am not financially stable enough to support two. In the US in takes two incomes to make it today.
I think a woman is attractive not only physically but in the way she needs you. You really would be saving her life by marrying her. That is an attractive prospect to any male. Even other animals operate in that way. American women give you the impression they don't need anyone. Their independence has cut them off emotionally from their men.
what the heck ! good blog mate....
but what the heck you mean by " ‘I’m British pal, these are MY islands’"
You maybe British dude.... but these Islands arent yours....
Bloody good ridannce to you SNOBS
Basilan the next time you go there let me know, I was born and raised in Basilan but residing long time in U.S. I was there last year, we have some rubber trees and still planting now for the future generation. There are muslims living in our land but they never hurt us, in fact they are the one who protects us, more than the Christians. I will be traveling this year there to take a look at our agricultural lands (rubber trees) wanna come.. It is not really scary as you may think if you know the culture. Basilenos do not like arrogant people. Wasalam.
Thanks for showing this truth. It's pathetic that amongst this audience there are still hateful people who would attack you or your friend.
The blood isn't sensationalizing ANYTHING, It's actually understating the realities. That was nowhere near as graphic as much of the violence that goes on. If people don't like that reality, then work towards creating solutions, but the camera wasn't lying. Covering up the truth would be to lie.
Palestinians are being occupied, have been for many decades, by Israel. They protest, rise up, are promised autonomy (the same autonomy which was promised to BOTH countries, but only ever given to Israel) and then they wait patiently again for another decade for the world to not deliver what they have promised. We would ALL fight back any way we could or had to, if we were so put upon, repressed and occupied. Think about it: How much abuse do you have to swollow before you're willing to pick up a rock against an Israeli with a machine gun in his hand?
As for the Suicide Bomber who blew up some Zionist, let's ask that suicide bomber's family about how he lost his father to a piece of shrapnel that says "Made in USA" on it. When the West stops backing Israel and helping them to have such a great advantage over Palestine, perhaps then they will have to learn to live together.
A good start on creating peace would be for Palestine to have a shipping harbor of their own, so they could bring their goods to market without going through Israel's BS checkpoints.
I am neither Jew nor Arab... just observing the situation objectively, as a camera might.
Racism Having been raised in the Philippines a Protesant, I know that the predominantly Catholic people can say some baseless things about people of other religions. I know it's even worse for those who believe in Islam than for non-Catholic Christians. But I don't think that the warnings they gave you about going to Basilan were "racist" against Muslims. That's because I think they were trying to warn you about Abu Sayyaf, not about Muslims. Perhaps they should have been more specific when warning you, but it may also have been their reluctance to delve into details. And tourists do need to be informed -- it may be riskier for them to actually go to tourist areas (because of Abu Sayyaf) than to go to Basilan and learn about the rich Islamic heritage of the Philippines. I think you had a great experience -- I would hope that you would see the warnings you got from non-Muslims in the north as a genuine attempt to look out for your well-being and a warning about Abu Sayyaf (they really do kill and kidnap tourists, though not as frequently as the media would make it seem) and not as racist comments against Muslims.
You are a man of many faces! Interesting, how u got the "'El salat hairun min ul naum'! (prayer is better than sleep!) " phrase right!
Your blogs are always an interesting read. Way to go!
Cut the crap What's all this waffly, flowery prose stuff? Much more important is are you going to make it to Pai for the 40th? Get some uncultured hedonism and catch up on some Irish songs. Patrick
Sunset on the Mekong I thought back in November, I had had taken the perfect picture of the Mekong at sunset, from DonDet, however, your picture makes me want to go back and try again, good work, enjoy your travels!
Wow!!! You write so descriptively that by reading the intro one can almost be deceived into thinking that they're reading a novel, whereas the reality is that this is your experience. This journey of yours seems more inwards than outwards, unlike alot of blogs I read that seem to talk more about what someone did, rather than what they thought and felt about what they just did...and as I heard someone say, if you haven't reflected, then you haven't lived. Keep writing!!
Mindanao is not that dangerous Thanks for the courage and for proving to the world that Mindanao is not that dangerous...I am from Mindanao, I grew up here and though I will be studying in Singapore for the next 3 years, I will still go back to the Philippines especially in Mindanao to share what I will learn...My reason: Mindanao is rich...rich in culture and the arts...anybody's travel to my wonderful place is worth it...not only because of the warm smiles...but the whole experience itself;-) NAMASTE!
Sirlankan army never ever do such things like LTTE does. You have included some wrong details about our army specially STF.
Please never try to insult our Great Forcers!
Srilanka Army’s only Target is LTTE Terrorists Not Tamils or non violent people.
Srilanka Army will never ever let LTTE to take our Sinhales or Tamils or any ones Lands in our mother Srilanka. Please DO NOT Insult our great forces or our STF!! thankyou.
bloke I recently read Sarah MacDonald's "Holy Cow" in which she says the spot on the planet opposite Bodh Gaya is somewhere in America. And I see in your journal that it's in Texas. Seems to me, however, that it can't be in the northern hemisphere since Bodh Gaya is in the northern hemisphere. In fact, if you you figure it, the opposite spot is in the south Pacific, west of S. Amer, well east of Easter Island. It's smack dab on a a sea mount chain near an old plate tectonic boundary.
Thanks for the info Great entry. lots of info I wanted but could not find elsewhere. I will spend time learning of the tribes in the andamans apart from lazing around in havelock.
I heard about your accident Hi. I met Pete and Derek. Derek did by the cheaper house and Pete went on to travel to Indonesia. I arrived on Siargao on New Years Eve and heard about your motorcycle accident. It didn´t put me off to go on a ride myself and thoroughly enjoy it. Anyway, I loved your report, mainly because i have had a great time in Siargao (even without romance) and it briefly put me back into that atmosphere.
South of albania i think Albania in the next 10 years is going to be THE turstic atraction having in mind the nice coast that they have, it is very very preaty.
rob
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land unvailed
just happened on this blog as im going to visit mindanao at christmas time. since reading this you have given me the best insight i could have to life in this beautifull and (to me) mysterious country i must have that sense of adventure like yourself as from reading this i just cant wait to get over there now