One of the hardest things whilst trying to plan this trip was dealing with Google constantly correcting my misspelling of Philippines. By the end of writing this blog, I hope to have it forever committed to useless memory.
Philippines (one L, three Ps); pee-haych-eye-el-eye-pee-pee-eye-enn-ee-ess!
This trip was planned to be my big ‘turning thirty’ blast and catch-up with Alex (of Laptop and Flip Flops fame). I’d not seen Alex since he’d left Australia as his move to France meant my trips back to the UK missed him.
The Philippines is often known as the thousand islands, someone must have counted (or given up half-way) but I’ll take their word for it; there’s a lot of them. As an island nation the mind conjures up ideas of breathtaking beaches, laid back locals, and coconut cocktails, however the dissolution of arriving in Manila crumbled my dreams. Manila is one, long and humid traffic jam. Scenes reminiscent of that Doctor Who episode (Gridlock) with the talking cat.
The Doctor takes Martha to New Earth, where … the remainder of humanity on the planet live in perpetual gridlock Manila.
A man walks between the moving traffic trying to sell things to the Jeepney passengers
At Manila airport I try to be the ‘digital backpacker’ and try to have an Uber to collect me from the airport. I give up and go with a GrabCar, like Uber but they’re allowed in the airport and have a stall at the end of the taxi pick-up line, I highly recommend. Whilst I wait for my ride I sit down, sip some water and chat about the weather. I heard so many rumours about the cabbies: avoid the white cars, they’ll kill you in an accident; the yellow ones are a bit better, but will rip you off; the private cars will get you there safely for about $50 USD - fat chance; Uber… well, they have a lot to figure out when dealing in Asian countries. So my GrabCar arrives, my driver is a priest called Anthonio and he talks to me about the city as we drive to my hotel in Makati.
I meet Alex, passed out at the hotel after having eaten all the deep-fried options of the room service menu. We catch up, but it’s late and we’re both tired.
I munch on the leftovers of a croque monsieur and head off to bed.
A new day and Alex and I are ready to see what Manila has to offer. The only thing I know about this city are the envelopes, which I have a sneaking suspicion are unrelated. We head into town for some breakfast and tuck into some crispy fried pork in some basement cafe and head out to wander the streets.
Welcome to Manila, population: everyone. Climate: sweaty.
We try walking around town, but there’s not really too much to see, just concrete pillars propping up the express freeway; a couple of trees and small, brightly coloured stalls on every corner. There are a lot of homeless, especially children about.
We try to cross the road between herds of Jeepneys into a park to get some shade, but the traffic makes it difficult and the taxis keep pulling over to try to get us to take a ride.
7Elevens become a friendly sight, with air-con and bottled water. A lot of unusual delicacies, but unusual to see such an American/German influence.
Manila at night is slightly different, the traffic dies down and the lights come on. Some parts seem safe, but I wouldn’t trust being out alone.
This flight couldn’t come sooner, I’m glad to be leaving Manila. Off to Cebu City.
Cebu City, a great little town nestled amongst mango-rich mountainsides. A complete breath of fresh-air from Manila. We immediately head out for some Lechon, a local delicacy of crispy roast pork at a nearby place called Zubochon. Driving through Cebu we notice all the brightly coloured Jeepney’s a must to try later in the day.
I’m doing video now; I’m a YouTuber! Gimmie internet dollars :)
Cebu is a historical city, famous for it’s Spanish connection to the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who sailed here under bequest of the Spanish King. He was later killed and still remembered at the site of the Magellan’s Cross. We enjoy a historical tour around the city and visit a lot of religious sites, it’s a good day to be a nerd, but I think Alex and I were longing for the beaches.
Heading out and about later in the day on a Jeepney. The converted Jeeps are the local buses. Written onto the sides of the Jeepney’s are the routes and destinations, you can hop on wherever and just pass the amount payable down the line of passengers to the driver with a simple ‘bayad po’ - just follow the locals and you’ll be fine.
Cebu is also famous for it’s delicious food all around from lechon, mango, jackfruit, fish and coconut. We visit a local barbecue joint, a big open air venue with lots of plastic chairs in a central courtyard.
We load up our plates with chicken and fish and give them to a guy to cook. Filipino food is mostly barbecue and deep fried pork. Vegetables seem to be missing from their lexicon.
Next stop, Bohol and Siquijor!
Alex is a lot more productive than I and has already written his blogs for The Philippines over on his site; check the series out on Laptop and Flip Flops, Philippines.