Philippines on n off the beaten track

[Giantt]

Flew Heathrow to Manila via Beijing,ten hours to Beijing, managed to watch three movies as I wasn't sleepy, highlight was the sunrise over Eastern Russia, turning the mountains orange/red as if the snow was on fire.
Four hours layover in Beijing,new airport seems more set up for Chinese than international travellers but it feels super safe,clean, business lounge was relaxing,great views over airport and surrounding hills,looked good from inside about -10 other side of glass!Food n drink plentiful and decent,Great wall red wine not the best, unsurprisingly? But white was reasonable,next flight five hours to Manilla,full,hometime for many expat workers, managed a nap n another film,then Manila airport mayhem at midnight, luckily gf's brother picked us up,heat hit me soon as we emerged to perfectly choreographed chaos of pick up point!
Staying in Bonifacio Global City so handy for malls,first day out to SM Aura,owned by Chinese who started off with one shoe shop,Shoe Mart,now property development, own Metro bank n loads of other businesses.
Running about in Toyota Fortunner,seems to be favourite round here along with Mitsubishi and Honda,few 4x4 pickups for good measure,older cars conspicuous by there absence,back home just in time for group of kids playing guitar n carol singing,total contrast with where we stay n poor areas,going to South Davao for Xmas,Tagaytay Highlands,Taal volcano,Bohol island,will keep updating if any interest,first time here and I'm loving it!

[Giantt]

[Giantt]

[cb31]

I'm interested, always fancied going there but not managed it yet.

[juice]

I went over to setup an office there. We stayed in Makati at the Shangri-la.
Ended up staying much longer than expected (3 weeks) due to typical filipino bureaucracy !

Makati was nice in itself but you didn't have to go far to realise it was all a bit of a facade and the general population live in quite poor conditions.

[daqinggregg]

The only time I’ve got out of a taxi without paying, July 97, got a taxi from Manila Airport to Manila Domestic Airport, driver quoted a price of 350 (no idea if that was good or not), but didn’t seem a lot.

Part way through the journey, while stuck in heavy traffic he announced the fair was in USD.

Then flew to Boracay, had a fantastic time there. Gather its changed bit since then, so don’t fancy going back.

[Giantt]

So.... family boat trip island hopping,Saman island,Angel cove,heat started to get better of me here,first time out all day but ice on neck,wrists n dip in water got me cooled down.
Place we sailed from,Santa ana wharf was 'interesting',almost entirety Filipino's,road to the dock well it wasn't a road like a farm track,from the middle ages! Coastal highway above it,a section either on Xmas shutdown or waiting for crane to get wheels fitted!
Xmas eve big deal here, family meal exchange gifts and midnight mass,I'm usually quite picky with food but more so here,then big day itself, highlight of the food,roasted piglet,lechon,skin so crispy n meat just melts in your mouth,prawns,fried fish,egg plant omelette,usual rice n noodles, followed by karaoke,games had a real laugh,then me n guy whose house we were at playing guitar n singing Kansas,Kenny rodgers n America tunes,then more food, karaoke,games,had a good chat with our host, journalist,who gets all the hot news first,uncles a local general, friends including presidents current n former,also helps when out n about has media pass in vehicle window n soon rask force Davao see him waved straight through checkpoints.
Security,as with manila super tight here,well..apart from the guy scanning hand luggage at manila airport fast asleep!All malls,hotel we're staying at has guards,of differing ranges of arms upto assault rifles,but feel safe.
Malls are crazy busy over Xmas, traffic on another level to London,seems like some side roads have priority... sometimes?Red lights,green lights?
Went past ex president DuTerte's house on Xmas day,roads were blocked with people getting there Xmas cash/ food off him,travel back to Manila tonight

Edited by Giantt on Wednesday 27th December 01:20

[fasimew]

Just how many bags did you put up your nose before posting?

[Giantt]

fasimew said:

Just how many bags did you put up your nose before posting?

Just....why did you bother replying?

[daqinggregg]

I’m interested, I’m sure others are as well, so keep posting OP.

[Giantt]

Rubbish WiFi down south so few pics now I'm back in Manila for new year
Davao coastal road project,one of ex president DuTerte's

[Giantt]

Heading out to Samal island

[Giantt]

Fountains dancing to Xmas music

[Giantt]

3D... screen round corner of building ready for new year Manilla

[Giantt]

daqinggregg said:

I’m interested, I’m sure others are as well, so keep posting OP.

Bit hit n miss with WiFi plus I tend to look at things n think later,that would've make a good photo!
Loving it out here but being feels like I'm being flattered for the kill,food n drinks amazing, restaurants not been great on the whole,but so much home cooking makes up for it,Manam,a Filipino chain in Manila's bout the best friend noodles are great,had sisig,chopped fried pork n veg yesterday,lumpia for three ,like a pastry spring roll,turn, banana in spring roll paper n leche flan plus drinks for three £21 so reasonable

[Giantt]

BGC at night,went to fetish night at lgbtqe+ whatever club, couple of friends staying over from London on their way north,they were staying at Hyatt, president was there at the tasting menu they attended apparently n they wanted to go,Very tame compared to London

[Giantt]

Malls are super popular,due to air con no doubt,even this, probably 10th best in Manila lol knocks Brent cross or Westfield into a cocked hat, spotlessly clean,guards at entrances,unlike UK hardly any empty units?
Global brands same price as UK,still busy though?

[Giantt]

Dog walking at 11pm,still 26+ degrees,lots of coffee n restaurants still open

[Giantt]

Nye rehearsal Saturday night

[Giantt]

3 n 1/2 hours to go n it's chaos,or business as usual as they call it in Manila?Cars n bikes driving round horns blaring,fire crackers,fire works,people blowing horns,think of the annoying vu vu zelas at south Africa world cup!
Driving back fro sr market,bit like Costco, without the refugee camp feel