Not that anyone missed me, but I was away traveling for the last month. My partner and I went to The Philippines. We had a nice time... most of our trip was spent on the (quite) large island of Palawan in the far west of the country. That place is a bit more undeveloped and "off the beaten track" than the rest of the Philippines. Was hoping to get away from the tourist crowds, but in the year 2010 is is quite impossible to REALLY get away from tourists. We are all over the darn place!
Anyhow, here's a few notes:
1. Furthering what I wrote above, I realize that I enjoy myself most in the "boring" parts of the world, as they have less visitors and a bit more local color and character. I enjoyed the Palawan city of "Tay Tay" to no end, despite the lack of attractions. It was EASY to be local. In some other towns, getting a real local meal and a real local restaurant at a real local price is DIFFICULT. But not in Tay Tay! tay Tay has a nice little market where one can enjoy a nice local meal and soak up the ambiance of the place. I dig that!!
For the same reason, I have enjoyed myself a lot in various Siberian cities, some less-visited Chinese places and countries like Oman, Brunei and Bahrain.
2. The snorkeling in Palawan was amazing. It helps to get a bit away from the usual spots, although one has to pay for that. I enjoyed that a lot. Also enjoyed some kayaking.
3. When wandering around the town of Port Barton, we visited the local health clinic (looking for pills, of course). We found out that the local "healthiest baby" contest was going on. Instead of being given the bums rush, the nurses there asked us to serve as guest judges for the contest. So we judged all the babies... quite an effort... we had to give them points in each of five categories! I found that traveling in a pair invites some opportunities like that. I think maybe couples present as more well-adjusted than single (well, single male) travelers. Perhaps.
4. Manila, despite suggestions to the contrary is a very nice city. The "Intramuros" region of the city is pretty. The Augustan church and the fort there are most wonderful. We enjoyed a bit of shopping at the "SM" mall nearby, too.
Next trip? Thinking about maybe a return trip to Malaysian Borneo in the winter. But who knows...
Well, that's all for now.
Anyhow, here's a few notes:
1. Furthering what I wrote above, I realize that I enjoy myself most in the "boring" parts of the world, as they have less visitors and a bit more local color and character. I enjoyed the Palawan city of "Tay Tay" to no end, despite the lack of attractions. It was EASY to be local. In some other towns, getting a real local meal and a real local restaurant at a real local price is DIFFICULT. But not in Tay Tay! tay Tay has a nice little market where one can enjoy a nice local meal and soak up the ambiance of the place. I dig that!!
For the same reason, I have enjoyed myself a lot in various Siberian cities, some less-visited Chinese places and countries like Oman, Brunei and Bahrain.
2. The snorkeling in Palawan was amazing. It helps to get a bit away from the usual spots, although one has to pay for that. I enjoyed that a lot. Also enjoyed some kayaking.
3. When wandering around the town of Port Barton, we visited the local health clinic (looking for pills, of course). We found out that the local "healthiest baby" contest was going on. Instead of being given the bums rush, the nurses there asked us to serve as guest judges for the contest. So we judged all the babies... quite an effort... we had to give them points in each of five categories! I found that traveling in a pair invites some opportunities like that. I think maybe couples present as more well-adjusted than single (well, single male) travelers. Perhaps.
4. Manila, despite suggestions to the contrary is a very nice city. The "Intramuros" region of the city is pretty. The Augustan church and the fort there are most wonderful. We enjoyed a bit of shopping at the "SM" mall nearby, too.
Next trip? Thinking about maybe a return trip to Malaysian Borneo in the winter. But who knows...
Well, that's all for now.