Saturday 4th June
In Talisay. Up early and the sunrise lit up Lake Taal. I was at the jeepney terminal at 5:45am but only one other passenger about so jeepney not going anywhere. So I decided to walk the 9kms uphill to Tagaytay. It was pretty hot already but I enjoyed the work-out and the scenery behind was good; Lake Taal and the volcanic craters. When I was about half way there, a jeepney came past so I got on for the rest of the trip up to Tagatay.
I had a look around the market which was already busy at 7am. I met an American guy who looks just like Jimmy Carter. He is a 76 year old missionary and inevitably the converstation turned to religion. To be fair, he did ask me if it was ok to talk about religion, and I said, "Sure, as long as you don't try to convert me".
Well, unfortunately, it didn't take long for the missionary and I to find things to disagree about. As we talked and walked towards the viewpoint over Lake Taal, it emerged that he is islamaphobic, homophobic and racist. I could elaborate but I like to keep my blog generally positive.
We had quite a lively back-and-forth debate but I wasn't rude and I didn't get angry with him, but I left the missionary with his prejudices and walked back into Tagatay. Got tapsilog for breakfast and had a wander around. Then I got a jeepney to The People's Park. There is an excellent 360 degree view of the countryside from up there, but I only stayed for a short time as there wasn't really anywhere quiet to sit and relax.
Jeepney back to Tagaytay. At Tagaytay, the jeepney was overpriced so I got another one just to the junction and walked back down the hill to Talisay, 9kms, very pleasant, stopping at lookouts to admire Lake Taal and the volcanoes from above. And no rain today.
Back in Talisay, I got an ice cream, then went to the Minute Burger, which is like a burger stand, so it's open, facing the street. There I made 3 Philipino friends: Mark who works there, Edwin, his mate, and the a sweet girl whose name I forgot. We chatted for ages and had a laugh and they were good company. So after a cat nap I went back to Minute Burger for dinner and we chatted some more. Edwin works for a Sound and Light company in Manilla; they provide services to big events.
Sunday 5th June
Got straight onto a jeepney headed for Tanauna and stood by the roadside and a aircon bus soon came past and picked me up. He wasn't quite going to the part of Manilla I hoped but he dropped me on the edge of town and I soon got a taxi. The driver of course tried to overcharge me but I just gave him what he was due plus a 10% tip.
The Stone House hotel is very nice. The posh rooms are upstairs and the backapckers are in the tiny rooms in the basement. But I have a fan and cable TV and wi-fi downstairs so its all good. I slept during lunchtime then went for a walk south along Manilla bay and watched the sunset although it was a bit cloudy to be too spectacular.
Monday 6th June
Not feeling too good today so mostly stayed in bed and hung out around the hotel.
Tuesday 7th June
Still feelng a bit groggy so stayed around the hotel. The staff are really nice and checked up on how I was feeling. Feeling better now I think. Leaves me only one day for sightseeing.
Wednesday 8th June
Unfortunately it rained all day. I walked past Rizal Park and up to historic Intramuros and saw some old colonial buildings but really wasn't in the mood, and annoyed with the dirty rain. So just came back and sat around and dried off. I feel much better now and the staff have been so nice, checking that I am ok from time to time.
Last night in the Phillipines. Off to next country tomorrow arvo......
In Talisay. Up early and the sunrise lit up Lake Taal. I was at the jeepney terminal at 5:45am but only one other passenger about so jeepney not going anywhere. So I decided to walk the 9kms uphill to Tagaytay. It was pretty hot already but I enjoyed the work-out and the scenery behind was good; Lake Taal and the volcanic craters. When I was about half way there, a jeepney came past so I got on for the rest of the trip up to Tagatay.
I had a look around the market which was already busy at 7am. I met an American guy who looks just like Jimmy Carter. He is a 76 year old missionary and inevitably the converstation turned to religion. To be fair, he did ask me if it was ok to talk about religion, and I said, "Sure, as long as you don't try to convert me".
Well, unfortunately, it didn't take long for the missionary and I to find things to disagree about. As we talked and walked towards the viewpoint over Lake Taal, it emerged that he is islamaphobic, homophobic and racist. I could elaborate but I like to keep my blog generally positive.
We had quite a lively back-and-forth debate but I wasn't rude and I didn't get angry with him, but I left the missionary with his prejudices and walked back into Tagatay. Got tapsilog for breakfast and had a wander around. Then I got a jeepney to The People's Park. There is an excellent 360 degree view of the countryside from up there, but I only stayed for a short time as there wasn't really anywhere quiet to sit and relax.
Jeepney back to Tagaytay. At Tagaytay, the jeepney was overpriced so I got another one just to the junction and walked back down the hill to Talisay, 9kms, very pleasant, stopping at lookouts to admire Lake Taal and the volcanoes from above. And no rain today.
Back in Talisay, I got an ice cream, then went to the Minute Burger, which is like a burger stand, so it's open, facing the street. There I made 3 Philipino friends: Mark who works there, Edwin, his mate, and the a sweet girl whose name I forgot. We chatted for ages and had a laugh and they were good company. So after a cat nap I went back to Minute Burger for dinner and we chatted some more. Edwin works for a Sound and Light company in Manilla; they provide services to big events.
Sunday 5th June
Got straight onto a jeepney headed for Tanauna and stood by the roadside and a aircon bus soon came past and picked me up. He wasn't quite going to the part of Manilla I hoped but he dropped me on the edge of town and I soon got a taxi. The driver of course tried to overcharge me but I just gave him what he was due plus a 10% tip.
The Stone House hotel is very nice. The posh rooms are upstairs and the backapckers are in the tiny rooms in the basement. But I have a fan and cable TV and wi-fi downstairs so its all good. I slept during lunchtime then went for a walk south along Manilla bay and watched the sunset although it was a bit cloudy to be too spectacular.
Monday 6th June
Not feeling too good today so mostly stayed in bed and hung out around the hotel.
Tuesday 7th June
Still feelng a bit groggy so stayed around the hotel. The staff are really nice and checked up on how I was feeling. Feeling better now I think. Leaves me only one day for sightseeing.
Wednesday 8th June
Unfortunately it rained all day. I walked past Rizal Park and up to historic Intramuros and saw some old colonial buildings but really wasn't in the mood, and annoyed with the dirty rain. So just came back and sat around and dried off. I feel much better now and the staff have been so nice, checking that I am ok from time to time.
Last night in the Phillipines. Off to next country tomorrow arvo......
Sounds like you're still having a blast, glad you're feeling better, enjoy Indonesia.
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