… well ok, and a little more, like
stopping over in Amsterdam, as well as taking a regional bus to change the
airport to the domestic one in Kuala Lumpur – and I reached Manila International
Airport, Philippines. Tobi was picking me up before we entered the city centre.
He had chosen a hotel right in the middle of the party district and we started
the stay with some beers in a few bars and clubs. Staying in Manila for one day is more than enough, we’ve
seen more than everything, that’s was my impression, and we tried to find a way
outta the city.
Next destination: Lake Taal
– some kind of active volcanic territory. But if you ask me: a bit
overestimated. That meant being back in Manila
the next day, again! I already had enough of this stinky and totally chaotic
city.
The only way out: booking the night bus to Banaue, sitting in the isle on
a plastic camper chair for 9 hours, giving my head a rest on my neighbour’s
seat a few times. I arrived with the sun rising, and having some Philippinos
around trying to drag me into one of their hotels. I’ve already made my choice.
A couple of hours later, I walked though the jungle. Batad, rural and
indigenous, and its rice terraces are supposed to be the eight world wonder. And
it really was impressive.
Due to running out of time, I had
to skip Sagada and the hanging graves. I’d rather took the flight to Legazpi
and heading to Donsol, Bicol half island. The reason: diving with the massive
whale sharks that can be 15 m of length. But during those days I was there,
hundreds of boats were not spotting a single one. “Just” some dolphins ;)
Next hightlight: Mount
Mayon, a volcano with a perfect shape. Unfortunately, no tour was available;
I mean no hiking tour to the summit. The only thing being available: Quad Tour
with a little bit of hiking to get closer, somehow. Well, better than nothing.
Absolutely famous for that half island and part of the country: the Bicol Express! I wanted to give it a try, picked up directly from a local pop up restaurant on the street. So here we go, delicious food to eat out of a few plastic bags. And sweeter than sweet mangos as desert.
Some days were still left before
flying back to Singapore
and I decided to lean back at the beach somewhere. I took the flight to Cebu City, a
taxi and a bus to Moalboal, and a motorcycle to White Beach.
The apartment was excellent, the coral reef right in front of the door. A
perfect spot to snorkel around, just the jelly fish tentacles were a bit itchy
and painful. The under water world, however, was stunning. I spent half the day
in there, surrounded by hundreds of colourful fish and seeing corals, turtles
and fire fish – a perfect finish.
