Apr 12, 2009 - Philippines on a G-String

d (NOTE: poor internet connections and a packed travel schedule are conspiring to prevent me from posting these in real time, but hopefully I'll catch up at some point) Bangkok Airport And so another trip begins, as they often do, with a stop in Bangkok. Some drama tonight as apparently a state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok, but luckily no protesters have shut down the airport this time and it looks like I’ll be flying as scheduled on the 12.10am Cebu Pacific flight – a “red eye” if a 3-hour flight can be labeled as such....

Mar 5, 2009 - Corregidor

Bonjour a tous J'ai perdu la page du 4 mars parlant de Manille... pas le temps de recommencer, nous devons aller manger sur la terrasse... il faut un beau 30 degres... =) Nous avons visite l'ile de Corregidor aujourd'hui, theatre de guerre entre les Japonais et les americains lors de la 2eme guerre mondiale. Une tres belle ile. Difficile de croire que des milliers de soldats y ont trouves la mort. Un beau 34 degres, pas trop humide, un magnifique soleil et une belle brise... I lost the entry made on the 4th about our visit in Manila... no...

Feb 9, 2009 - Corregidor Island Military Outpost

The entry features a day tour I took with Johnny to Corregidor Island. This was probably the highlight of the Philippino leg of the trip for me. The day did not start out so well, as I had to be up at 6:00am to catch the 7:30am ferry, and the evening from the previous night post went until about 3:30am. However, ultimately I was glad I went. Corregidor Island is an island about 25 miles of the coast of Manila Bay, so we took a ferry across the bay. For centuries, it served as the ultimate defense of the capital of Manila. Most recently, it...

Feb 8, 2009 - At the Aussie bar in Manila

These images are from a night out at the Slouch Hat Inn, an Australian bar in Manila right near my hotel. It's where I met Johnny, the Dutchman, and a bunch of Australians. The video is of us singing "New York, New York". Jack reqested it in honor of me, the only "Yank" in the bar, who also happens to be from NY. I also got up and did a duet with the DJ, but I'll spare you that one.

Feb 8, 2009 - Trip to Old Manila (Intramuros)

These images are from a trip (it was only about 6 blocks from my hotel) I took to the Old District of Manila. It's actually a separate wall city within the city of Manila. It features old original buildings built as early as the 16th Century. It also features Fort Santiago, built in the late 1500s. From Wikipedia: " It is located at the mouth of the Pasig River and it was once the premier defense fortress of the Spanish Government in the Philippines. During World War II it was captured by the Japanese, and sustained heavy damage from...

Feb 7, 2009 - A night out in Manila

These images are from a night out in Manila. The photos are from one bar I went to - I think it's called the Butterfly Effect (almost all signs and advertisements in Manila are in English). The place was practically empty, so I got a lot of attention from the staff and the about six waitresses there. I asked to get a photo of the bartenders and then the waitresses, which were wearing schoolgirl outfits. After I got the photos, while I was talking to someone, one of the girls asked to borrow my camera. When I got it back, there were more...

Feb 6, 2009 - Manila, Philippines

For those eagerly anticipating my updates, I'm sorry for not posting in awhile. It's just that it's hard to do things and have fun AND keep this thing updated on a daily basis, which is why I will have to start picking and choosing what I post. The truth be told, there is interesting stuff to post everyday, but there is not way I will be able to keep up with that type of regimen. Then, it's not always easy to find a dedicated comfortable place to get an internet connection. Even when you do, it's really time-consuming to upload images,...

Nov 28, 2008 - Manila - A Fond Farewell

by Lora When we were planning our round-the-world trip, we knew that the Philippines would be on our itinerary. After spending a month and a half with family, we can say that it was more than we could have ever asked for or imagined. To be able to live and talk and eat and spend time with relatives whom I've known only from a far - it was like coming home. Not only did they open their lives to us, but they also shared about my dad's life and the lives of my grandparents, both of whom I never got to know - my grandfather passed away before I...

Nov 10, 2008 - Manila - Family Time

by Lora We arrived back to Manila and commenced family/cousin time. From the pictures above, one would assume that we are always eating. Your assumption would be correct. In fact, Filipinos eat about 6 times a day - seriously. We wasted no time in adapting to this all important cultural ritual. We've had the chance to spend some good quality time with family, which is the main reason we came to the Philippines - it has been a great blessing.

Oct 23, 2008 - Manila - a warm family welcome, part 2

by Lora A few more shots of family and life in Manila. We were so surprised to see that the street my family lives on is now called "Llenado Street"! It's the same street that my grandparents had a poultry farm and hatchery many years ago; many of my family continues to live there. We've also made a few trips on the famous Filipino transport, the jeepney. This brightly colored jeep costs only a few pesos to ride, depending on where you are headed. We've learned the phrases "bayad, po" which means, "Here's my payment" and "para, po" which...

Oct 16, 2008 - Manila, Philippines - a warm family welcome

by Chris On October 15th, we boarded a 1am flight from Jakarta, Indonesia - flying to Manila, Philippines. We were met at the airport by Lora's cousin Allen (Toto - everyone has a nickname!) and we stopped at Jollibee (Filipino McDonalds) for a quick breakfast. When we arrived an hour later at Lora's Tita (aunt) Mellie's house, it was a little overwhelming. We have our own "suite", complete with sitting room, kitchen, bedroom, and bath - it is at the front of the two story connecting flats - one shared by Lora's aunt and one cousin and his...

Aug 1, 2008 - Manila

My return to Manila was intended to be immediately followed by a trip to the Banaue Rice Terraces but I only had a couple of days before the arrival of my Brother and his family and figuring out the buses in Manila has proved so far impossible. I may make this trip in the next few days via Baguio as no direct bus seems available. Philippines has no central ticketing for buses or ferries there is also very little tourist information and a good level of spoken English can only be found sporadically. Today Sunday 2nd I have explored more of...