Little Ben Around The World: It's more fun in the Philippines!

Traveling means meeting lots of people but most of the time other backpackers. In the Philippines, we weren't very focused on getting to know the locals, to be honest...We came here for the sun, the island, beaches and some snorkeling. But we soon found out it's impossible not to meet them. Every time we went to a bar or restaurant, Filipinos spontaneously start talking to you, they are not shy at all, always smiling and full of jokes. They don't take themselves too seriously and they just love to sing! To promote tourism in his country, the Filipino secretary of tourism came up with the slogan: It's more fun in the Philippines! (because of the people) and we confirm he isn't lying! (you'll see this slogan everywhere, at airports, in malls...)

In Manilla, we met Winston. He's a friend of a Belgian friend of mine and as soon as he heard we were coming to his city, he decided to pick us up at he airport. We're still very grateful for that because Manilla's airport is the most chaotic we've ever experienced. He took us to the city and kept us company for a couple of hours. That's when we learned that he is a chef, working 7 to 10 months a year on a cargo ship, either in Europe, South America or Australia. With the money he makes, he soon wants to buy himself a house in a nice condo in Manilla. He told us that conditions on these ships are extremely hard, being away from your family for 10 months, working 7 days a week, no days off. Once his ship got attacked by pirates and the whole crew was hiding for more than 36 hours. But Filipinos are famous for being tough workers who don't complain and that's why they are really liked for the job.

The next evening, he took us for dinner to one of his favorite places in Manilla. Food was good and cheap and the live music even better. Not to forget the amazing view on Manilla by night. The singer at this place was one of Winston's friend and she sang just anything we requested.

Although we weren't planning any couch surfing in the Philippines, other travelers told us it is fairly easy. So in Palawan, we sent a couple of request to other surfers. Immediately, we received an email from Jonathan saying that, even though he was on holidays, we could sleep in house, the neighbor would let us in. Needless to say we were very impressed by so much generosity! Funny enough, Jonathan was vacationing at El Nido, the place we stayed at when we mailed him, so we got to meet him for a couple of drinks and a couple of songs! He started jamming with the band that was playing that night and entertained us with his versions of Adele and the Beatles.

Jonathan is a lieutenant in the Philippine Navy, so the next day we slept at his house in Navy Village. We've never felt more safe, surrounded by hundreds of marine officers:-) Pity I found the most ugly tarantula on his doorstep that evening, which forced me to stay up all night to check door and window posts every 15 minutes:-)

In Cebu, our stopover to Bohol and Panglao island, we couch surfed Raymond's place and he couldn't have hosted us any better. He took us to a great restaurant, to a (way too difficult) pub quiz and later we had more drinks and made more friends in another bar. Just a very cool night out. The next day, he dropped us off at the port and when we came back from our island trip, he was again patiently waiting in his Chery car, then brought us to Jollibee (the Philippine McDonalds). Thanks again Ray, for turning us into the most lazy travelers ever! :-)

One of Benoit's former bosses and his wife now lives in Manilla and also he invited us for dinner and offered to host Sophie, Benoit's sister, to stay at their place for one night when she had to take the plane back to Paris, early in the morning.

All of these people made our stay in the Philippines unforgettable. Even though temperatures were sometimes killing us, food was so-so, I ended up in the hospital and Benoit stepped on a sea urchin and had 50 needles in his foot, we loved this country and its people and hope to return one day.