These are everywhere and like the famous chicken bus in Central America, are painted in various colors. They, along with the city buses, are the main transportation in Manila.
About Me
- NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
- After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.
PHILIPPINES, Manila
2/27, 2/28, and 2/29
IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVICE
After approximately 45 hrs of airplanes and airports I arrived in Manila at 10pm on 2/29/12. Got through immigration in less than 1 minute and customs in 15 seconds which has to be a world record. Miami took almost 2 hours for the same process.
Unfortunately i had forgotten about the international date line when i booked my hostel and was a little upset when I was told I had already missed my first night which I also had to pay for. But as I know well, it is not if something will happen while traveling but when. You just have to smile and make the best of it. The small price for traveling around the world.
Was not prepared for the karoake until 4 am at bars on the street. That is another price of staying in the young hip area when booking. 6 bed dorm but only 1 other roommate who came in around 4 pm. Looked like he had been SINGING karoake all night. lol
Must extend my visa while in Manila. The country gives us a free 21 day visa but you can extend it for another 38 days for a fee making the total stay 59 days. My return flight is April 24th which will keep me in the country for 55 days.
Will visit Manila downtown area and Manila Bay while walking from the hostel to Immigration to get my visa taking care of. Then perhaps overnight bus to Banaue which has the steepest rice terraces in the world. Hopefully I will be able to post great pictures while on the trip.
Sidenote: Continually speaking what little Spanish I know. Don't know how many times I have said buenos dias or gracias since I started the airplane portion of the trip.
After approximately 45 hrs of airplanes and airports I arrived in Manila at 10pm on 2/29/12. Got through immigration in less than 1 minute and customs in 15 seconds which has to be a world record. Miami took almost 2 hours for the same process.
Unfortunately i had forgotten about the international date line when i booked my hostel and was a little upset when I was told I had already missed my first night which I also had to pay for. But as I know well, it is not if something will happen while traveling but when. You just have to smile and make the best of it. The small price for traveling around the world.
Was not prepared for the karoake until 4 am at bars on the street. That is another price of staying in the young hip area when booking. 6 bed dorm but only 1 other roommate who came in around 4 pm. Looked like he had been SINGING karoake all night. lol
Must extend my visa while in Manila. The country gives us a free 21 day visa but you can extend it for another 38 days for a fee making the total stay 59 days. My return flight is April 24th which will keep me in the country for 55 days.
Will visit Manila downtown area and Manila Bay while walking from the hostel to Immigration to get my visa taking care of. Then perhaps overnight bus to Banaue which has the steepest rice terraces in the world. Hopefully I will be able to post great pictures while on the trip.
Sidenote: Continually speaking what little Spanish I know. Don't know how many times I have said buenos dias or gracias since I started the airplane portion of the trip.
GUATEMALA, San Pedro La Laguna
2/7/12
Leaving Thursday for weekend in Antigua and then to El Salvador for 2 weeks before 2 month trip to Philippines. Pictures include great shots of Lake Atitlan and San Pedro from top of Hotel Villa Del Lago ,a picture of my Banana Bread Lady who keeps me from starving in the mornings and my room for past 6 weeks. Private room with balcony on the lake, cable tv, private bathroom all for $5.75 a night. My kind of place.
EL SALVADOR, Playa El Tunco
2/14/12
Spent the evening watching the surfers and sunset with most of the other backpackers sipping a cool one. Especially enjoyed the dog retrieving a ball over and over in the ocean and riding a surf board. Also caught several boys jumping off the big rock.
EL SALVADOR, Playa El Tunco
2/13/12
5 hr. shuttle ride but great to be at the hot beach. Surfers are "sick". Amazing some of the waves they rode. I Partied at hostel with backpackers but got away when started getting crazy.
GUATEMALA, San Pedro (market)
12/29/11
People line the cobblestone streets everyday with everything from produce to shoes to peanuts and macadamia nuts. This is their Walmart.
GUATEMALA, San Pedro (churches)
12/24/11
Wanted to post a few pictures of the churches in San Pedro since it is Christmas Eve and wish my family and friends a Merry Christmas.
GUATEMALA, San Pedro de Laguna on Lake Atitlan (Tuesday)
12/20/11
Love the laid back atmosphere of San Pedro and The Lake. Walked around and got reacquainted and also found some new spots. Met few new backpackers. We had nice chat over breakfast (ham & cheese omelet, bread, fruit, fried beans, guacamole and coffee for $2.50) and I gave them some backpacking knowledge that I had acquired about Guatemala.
Love the laid back atmosphere of San Pedro and The Lake. Walked around and got reacquainted and also found some new spots. Met few new backpackers. We had nice chat over breakfast (ham & cheese omelet, bread, fruit, fried beans, guacamole and coffee for $2.50) and I gave them some backpacking knowledge that I had acquired about Guatemala.
GUATEMALA, San Pedro de Laguna on Lake Atitlan
12/19/11
Caught the 9 am shuttle to San Pedro on beautiful Lake Atitlan, called by many the most beautiful lake in the world. Staying same place as last year at Hotel Villa del Lago. A private room/private bath with television and internet for $6.25 with a beautiful patio view of the lake. Very fortunate the room was available. Not as much to do here but that also is the beauty. Will try and visit some of the many villages around the lake by boat and maybe hike another volcano like last time I was here.
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