Creekside Amorsolo Hotel Makati

... to go home. We decided to forego public transportation this time and spent around 45 minutes in a taxi which only cost around 150 pesos. Although riding in taxis is very affordable in Manila, it is also a slow and frustrating process due to traffic conditions and every driver we had drove in a fashion that inspired riders to get car sick. With my hangover now in full effect (and Lisa not feeling great either), we did not join the party on the roof of ...

... by any measurement, although we would have to endure an extra 90 minute bus ride compared to flying in to Caticlan. Although our flight was scheduled to leave at 11:35, we were not sure how far the airport was and knowing how bad Manila traffic can be, we left our hotel at 9:00. Once again, the first taxi that we flagged down didn't want to use his meter (and wanted 200 pesos), but the second one did and got us there in about 30 minutes for 105 pesos (plus another ...

Manila! Woo Hoo! We got our taxi and our bus fine to the airport, arived with enough time and money for a McDonnalds breakfast and then checked in. We knew already but we had to pretend we had onward tickets from The Phillipines so we could board the plane. My plan worked without a hitch and all 4 of us got on the plane fine. The 4 hour journey flew bye as I slept for half of it. We all got through customs with no problems (no check for onward ticket thank god ...

... deja plante pour 1 hotel a Manille) Un peu plus loin, un autre consent a me faire une reduction, mais c est pas encore assez a mon gout. Il m oriente vers son voisin, d un air moqueur, j y vais donc, piaule sans charme, 500 pesos, ca ira pour une nuit. Dans la salle de bains, le robinet du lavabo me reste dans les mains, et pas d eau a la douche. Le type me dit qu il faut se laver au baquet, idem pour les chiottes !!! Berk, en plus c est glauque ...

Tuesday American's went to the polls to choose a new President and we woke up Wed in time to watch the first returns and predictions. One of the advantages of living on the other side of the world is we don't have to stay up all night waiting for election results. We can watch them as they come in during the day. Russ had been nervous about the election for a couple of days. It's not over until the votes are in and anything can happen to change ...

... I remember my first trip to Kuala Lumpur when that immigration lady retracted her friendly smile at me the moment she saw my green Philippine passport. She looked at me from head to foot and told me to go to the other line where another official asked for all my travel documents and started to ask me what I was doing in Malaysia. That really ****** me off and I made a startling performance by putting on an air of arrogance and spoke in perfectly cadenced and enunciated English. Of ...

... But it tastes good - just like the rest of the chicken. After sampling the dim sum we continued our trip and explored the market stands where fruits and vegetables were being sold. I tried some fruits whose names escape me. I will memorize the names of things in good time. There were many things I had never seen or eaten before. But it was all good. I'll try pretty much anything that isn't trying to crawl off my plate. Nothing ventured, nothing gained ...

... is mainly the "Jeepney", which is a symbol of Filipino culture. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War 2 and are often beautifully decorated. They're better to look at than to ride in though - you have to stoop to get in and out, and you sit facing inwards, so you can't really see out. To pay the fare, give your money to the person next to you. They will pass it up the Jeepney to ...

... would buy most of our souvenirs and finally say good bye to Costa Rica. Now back and having surfed within 7 hours of landing in the Philippines, I look back on the trip and I smile. However much I miss the feeling of freedom you have when traveling with no agenda, and however much I miss the "that guy" I must admit that being stuck in traffic in Manila, walking around Makati for an hour and going home with feet so dirty you would think I haven't discovered water, THAT is what makes ...

... nearby so they spent most their time over there. We're supposed to meet inside Glorietta but I'm running a little bit late so I told them to go ahead and I'll just follow them to the restaurant. When I arrived in Makati, I called Kix to check where they are and she said that they're still walking inside Landmark (another shopping mall). I'm close to the area so they just waited for me inside the mall. I was so excited to meet up with Kix since I ...