{{ April 1st Puerto Galera Philippines with Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III - Philippines President

Well, it was up at 5:30 am with a 2 hour bus ride and a 1 hour boat ride and an arrival at the port. The boat was delayed 1 hour because of the arrival of Philippine President Aquino. It was nice of him to give me a send off but really.....

You can make out the wonderful photo of him I took (he is the last fellow in yellow at the front) or the stock photo someone else took. Thank you President Aquino.

2 packaged fighting cocks at the boat terminal...

Puerto Galera is on the Island of Mindoro, 130 km south of Manila. One of the top 5 dive destinations in the world, it a appeals to all tourists. The town of Sabang is where the hotel is located. Perched on a hill, the view is spectacular.

The town...

Some of the colourful tricycles...

Part of the Mediterranean look the owner is trying to convey in his 8 condos he rents out...

{{ March 31st Manila Philippines

 Today was a day to shop, prepare for tomorrow and do errands. Lunch at the Greenbelt Mall, Makati  at Gerry's then a walk around the downtown area with a stop at the park.

The Park...

The people...

Flowering trees...

Chocolate bench...

Coke Zero bug?

Orchids at the mall...

{{ March 30th Cebu ... Amazing everyday life

Daily life through a series of pictures...

Unusual bedfellows...

{{ March 29th Amazing Cebu City Tour and more...

Well, today it was off on a tour. But first, another walk around the neiborhood of the hotel.

A study in contrasts...

Friendly ladies who said "Hi!"

Fighting cocks used by mostly older guys for cock fights, betting and if they lose..ultimately in the cooking pot. I saw many.

A sad looking wet kitten...

A local beer with kick!

First on the tour was the Cebu Taoist Temple. This was my second trip here. Impressive to say the least. Photography not allowed inside the prayer areas.

Next the Yap San Diego house. The Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House located in Parian District is one of the oldest, residential houses in the country. This “Balay nga Bato ug Kahoy” (house of stones and wood) was constructed out of coral stones,“balayong” and “tugas” (molave) wood, egg whites served as glue and “tisa” (clay) for the roof.  It was a home built by Don Juan Yap (a Chinese merchant) and his wife, Doña Maria Florido, between 1675 and 1700. The house is 95% original. Singularly unimpressive from the outside it is impressive inside with a treasure trove of antiques and artifacts. The public are still allowed to interact and touch things...for how long?