Week 38 (Philppines (Manila and Boracay))

03/08

Woke up at 9 or so (watched documentaries untill late last night), watched the news. Had a spaghetti breakfast at the mall, where i also bought a 2nd hand book. Coffee and reading in the park. It's soo hot. Siesta now. Another movie tonight i think. Laterz...

No movie, coz there was very nice opera music in the open air auditorium of the park. Loved it. Amazing there were still (free) places available. Lots of homeless people go there as well. Their only chance on some culture i guess.

After the park, ate at the local food place. Barcelona live on the screens. Yes. (they won 6-1 and are now #1 in the primera division). Chatted with some locals about football (and of course Schneider, Robben and van Persie were mentioned). Nice evening though. Saw movie in hotel (White house down).
Tomorrow for the 2nd time to Boracay. See you there.


03/09


Woke up at 9, organized my luggage, showered, had a coffee in the hotel, packed and walked to UN LRT station. Took the train to Gil Puyat station and hopped on the bus to Batangas. Sat next to a very nice filipino business man, who told me a lot about the phil peoples mentality. Smart guy!

Arrived far too early at the port, and so... long wait again, with lots of sudoku's to be solved. Shared a pizza with some other travelers. Met Jens again (German guy, living in Phil now; he was also on the first boat trip to Caticlan, what a coincidence sin't it?). Boat trip was nice as usual. Talked the night away with Jens.


03/10

Rose at 7, arrived in Caticlan at 7.30, took the small ferry to Boracay, tricycle to the hotel, where my room, on the 3rd floor, was ready.  Here's the view:

Unpacked and snoozed till noon. Shopped (old slippers had to be replaced after 1000 KM walking). Back in my room now. Did the media and try some more sleep now. Or check out the tele? Laterz...

Slept for quite a while. Got 10.000 PHP from the BDO bank. In the evening went to my favourite restaurant at the kite surf beach and had (too much) carbonara.
At white beach i finalized the evening over some live music. Did the media on my balcony before i went to sleep for 10 hours.

03/11

Woke up at 9, but rose at 11 or so. FB-ed all the time. To the bank for the 2nd 10.000 PHP. Breakfast and wifi at the neighbiours (Marzon Beach resort). Now to the beach. Laterz....
Well, the beach took a little longer (fell asleep, hihi). So, round 16.30 beachtime and a swim, a cheese burger next door, shopping at the local supermarket and publishing blogs week 37 now from the veranda of the Marzon beach Resort. Laterz.

And so i did. Untill 10 PM it took. Then back to the balcony of my gusethouse for a last beer and FB. Slept like a log.


03/12

Woke and rose at 9. No electricity on the island. It was maintainance day for the electricity company, so... until 5 PM: no electricity. Deal with it!

Went to the kite surf beach for another great breakfast, over shade, cool wind and a spectacular kite surfing view. Costs: Euro 3.-. Went back, via the BDO bank and paid the  money for the 16 days of stay in this guesthouse. Was imediately invited for diner (fish, eggplant and rice ... lovely!).

To the nearest beach. Reading, sudoku-ing, swimming and sipping coffee in the shade of an palm tree, feeling quite good. Got sunburned though (thought i was done with that, but no...). 17.00 back to the hotel. Did a little media, napped and out for diner: nachos! Nice!

Long stroll along the nightly coast: extremely low tide.

On my balcony now, updating blog. laterzzzz...


03/13

Woke up at 9, did the media and breakfast on the kite surf beach (as usual). Long stroll back (foot is getting better by the day, so ...). Beached the afternoon away. Short chat with Rama (dutchman, originally from Sri Lanka). Funny how we met: he saw my "Jumbo" plastic bag and aksed: "Alles goed?". I thought: "he almost sounds like talking dutch", which he was apparently. Nice bloke. Here for a vacation with his gf (also dutch and originally Sri Lankan).
Saw the sunset over a beer at the small local restaurant close to my guesthouse and showered. Now updating blog. About to eat. Laterz...

Ate at the same local restaurant: a terrific pasta seafood. For almost nothing. Strolled and sipped a beer afterwards. Bumped my toe into a hidden rock on the beach. Very ouch!! Now updating blog on balcony.


03/14

Woke up at 8, did the media, breakfasted at the kite surf beach, bought new shorts, coffee at the cheap local place in front of guesthouse, tried to book return ticket to MNL, but IP adres was not accepted by bank (bunch of amateurs). So, tomorrow to the internet cafe. Now to the beach. laterz.
The beach and the sunset were beautiful as ever.

Sunset at white beach, station 3

Showered, ate a little at McDonalds, sipped a beer at my favorite singers cafe and one at the German cafe next door. Updating blog now on my balcony.