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.

With Raymund at Jollibee's, Cebu.

Relaxing on Jonathan's porch, having drinks with Winston.

Preparing the tricycle for our trip to the port.

Where we stayed on Panglao.

Chocolate Hills

On Bohol, not far from the tarsier sanctuary, you can find the chocolate hills. The more than 1700 hills in this area are named after a Philippine chocolate candy. Great views (and funny pictures) guaranteed if you're on a high enough viewing site.

Meet the Tarsier

Today we visited a tarsier sanctuary on Bohol, the island north of Panglao. Tarsiers (NL: Filipijns spookdier) are tiny primates that easily fit in the palm of your hand. They are hideous and cute at the same time; they have rat like tales and creepy hands and feet. But their body is fluffy and their eyes are just huge. They can't blink or move them but their head rotates almost 360 degrees. Somebody back in Cebu told me they drop dead when you photograph them with flash...Not sure if that's true though, I should have asked. We didn't really see many tarsiers because they're not kept in cages but in a small patch of forest, which makes it harder to spot them but it's the best way to appreciate them at the same time.

This is Princess Noreen, she is one of the oldest (15y) tarsiers in the sanctuary and also their mascot.

Alona Beach

Another week, another island. This time we're further south, on Panglao. We're renting nice and cheap         rooms close to Panglao's most famous beach, Alona. Although our Lonely Planet guide isn't too positive about this place, apparently only interesting for divers, we don't understand why, it's great, paradisiac, we love it! Apart from the beach, we haven't seen much of the island. I got really sick yesterday and ended up in the hospital. Quite the experience...Turned out, I have an infection in my stomach and I am on heavy medication since. So while I am sleeping the day away, Benoit and Sophie stay on the beach. Hopefully, tomorrow we get to see a bit more...

More Palawan

More island hopping on Palawan! Although Filipino cuisine in combination with the heath and humidity are killing our stomachs, we're still enjoying great beaches and amazing nature!

Let's get it started!

After having spent 1,5 days in Manila, we flew to Palawan, one of the biggest islands of the Philippines. Maybe also one of the most beautiful? We can't really compare yet but it is quite paradisiac. Palm fringed beaches, crystal clear water, plenty of Nemo and friends, top temperatures and sunny skies...The only surreal thing are the huge sound systems in trees and camera installations on some of the beaches around Palawan. They're nicely waiting for the next winner of Koh Lanta, Survivor US or Expedition Robinson Pictures below are taken in and around El Nido, a coastal town in the north of Palawan. No worries about the little boy, he has two legs:-)