Philippine Visit

[Chas]

This is a report of my second visit to the Philippines. Part one – Cebu – Bohol – Cebu.

The flight from Gatwick via Doha with Qatar Airways went well. The planes were not as comfortable as Cathay Pacific, but dividing the journey nearer halfway at Doha was an improvement compared to Hong Kong. 6half hours/9half hours compared to 12 hours/4 hours via Hong Kong. Interesting 'low lactose' meal on the flight. Baked potato with wild rice!!

I reached the plane door when alighting at Cebu and the heat and humidity hit me and it felt good. I had arrived and my adventure was about to start. On the taxi ride from the airport I noticed that the traffic was just as manic as I remembered from my first visit. The Mango Park Hotel is adequate, no real complaints, though it would not be difficult to improve the breakfast. An excellent restaurant, the Lighthouse, is just next door and is highly recommended.

I do not get much sleep as I got used to the noise of the the air conditioning. The next few days will be quiet and give me time to get over the flight.

Day 2
Day one finished with bad vibrations. The electrical supply in the Philippines is unreliable with insufficient capacity for the demand. So this is managed by turning off the supply to different areas in turn. Yesterday evening it was our turn to have a brownout (what Filipinos call a blackout). The Hotel backup generator kicks in and it is just below my room. It was unbelievable. Rather like having a room on top of a load of spin dryers. Down to reception to ask for a change of room.

The receptionist initially ignored my request in the hope I would go away. "Sorry sir we have no deluxe rooms unoccupied". A big smile and persistence paid off as I was upgraded at no additional cost to a suite for one night only.

The day started off with a boring visit to Ayala just to pick up some water and snacks and have lunch. During the afternoon I dozed and tried to catch up on some sleep. Then life got more interesting.


In the evening I met up with friends for the ‘all you can eat buffet’ at the Waterfront Hotel. As I was paying the taxi driver I realised I only had my ‘wallet for pickpockets’ with only a little money in it. However, I did have some Sterling, so a quick visit to the Hotel reception to change some money and I was all set to go. Usually to avoid losing all my money at once I tend to distribute my money round my body. I have a wallet for pickpockets, a normal wallet, a money belt, a wallet suspended from my neck under my shirt and finally if required a secret compartment in my hat. The only downside is that sometimes I have to virtually undress to pay for something.

After a nice meal and a few beers I was told we were going to participate in the Philippine national pastime 'karaoke'. Normally I would run a mile, but what the heck. We all piled into Antonio's multicab and headed off into the dark. We ended up at a KTV joint where we got a room with a karaoke machine. All I can say is that Abba saved my life when I had to contribute during the next two hours. It was a good laugh with some excellent singing by other members of the party. I think I severely damaged their hearing with my appalling singing. They will not make the mistake of asking me again!!!!


On Day 4 I headed off to Bohol to stay at the Kaylaa Hotel in Dimiao. We were met off the boat by an enthusiastic American who runs the resort. The resort is very nice. Jon, the 'manager' was a builder in the US and it shows in the finish. My only gripe was that I did not realise just how far it was from Tagbiliran.


Day 5 - The Bohol Tour - Why did the tourist cross the bridge? The hanging bridge. A brilliant piece of marketing. Two bamboo and rope bridges swaying about 20ft above a river. You pay your entrance fee, cross on the first bridge, see some stalls selling tourist trinkets and then return on the second bridge. I am still not sure how this can be sold as an attraction.

Despite my cynicism an enjoyable day with plenty of opportunities to take photographs. I paid extra to go to Sagabayan Peak as it was not included in this tour. One of the better attractions it can offer good views of the Chocolate Hills, nicer than the official viewpoint in Carmen if that is busy.


Also the standard Loboc River lunchtime cruise, spoilt by too many boats but worth doing once. Also the required stop to visit a Tarsier. Not as good a place as that seen on my first trip. The butterfly farm is worth visiting.


Day 6 - Resting at the resort with a stroll down the beach to take photographs. The coconut husks buried in the sand looked like the tops of peoples heads with the fibre looking like hair. Lots of broken coral of all shapes and colours. A couple of fishermen were gathering in a large net by hand. I guess it has been done that way for hundreds of years and they will keep doing it that way for hundreds more.


I am told that the farmers and fishermen meet at the local market and a lot of goods are exchanged by barter and no money changes hands.

Two little girls wandered back and forth past me as I was photographing the coral until I at last took their picture.


Jon, the manager/owner of the resort is an enthusiastic cook and kept getting me to try different dishes. Very nice and I promised to send him Mum's BBQd spare rib recipe.

Day 7 - up at 3am for the 4 am departure to see the dolphins who only make an appearance at dawn. The driver of the Bohol tour just happened to have a cousin with a boat who would take me out at a 'special rate'. We trundle off and I am dumped on a beach at about 5 am to be met by two gnarled old fishermen. I get on their boat (called a banca) and we head off as the sun is rising. The boat is largely made of bamboo. An incredibly versatile material widely used for allsorts of things, though I have yet to see a bamboo car!!!

The number of dolphin watching boats increased, but my captain seemed to know where to go and we were usually ahead of the other boats as a pod of dolphins appeared. The tour ended with a trip to Balikasag Island. Absolutely amazing. A shelf of coral, no more than 5ft deep surrounds the Island until it plunges down a hundred foot drop to the bottom. The sea life where the shelf ended was fantastic and very tame as the fish were used to the snorkellers feeding them. Thousands of fish all around you of every colour. My guide showed me how to ruffle the fronds where the parrot fish live and they come out to try and frighten you away (they are tiny and very funny).


As you floated at the underwater cliff edge you could see far below the dim outlines of much larger fish. I regret not having an underwater camera.

Day 8 - my return to Cebu was pretty uneventful. I nearly avoided the taxi touts and got away with just handing over 10 pesos. They are a real nuisance at the Cebu Oceanjet pier.

I booked back into the Mango Park Hotel. "Sorry sir your room will not be ready until 2pm". This is at 10 past 2. I point out that it is 2pm. "Sir it is 1:30" I raise my eyebrows. "Ok Sir, 30 minutes your room will be ready". After 1 hour my room is ready and she gets out the key of room 212. I point out that that room is unacceptable and I transferred from it last week. I think I was no longer smiling and was definitely not happy. She quickly got me the key to room 304. I left her talking to a family of four who I think she was trying to squeeze into room 212 as I now had their room.

I needed to go to Ayala to stock up on cash as once again Bohol had emptied my wallet at a fantastic rate. Feeling brave and with advice from the hotel guard I hopped on the 12L jeepney. I am not robbed or have my pockets picked and it is a very fast and very cheap journey (7 Pesos). I return in a taxi as it is dark and I am carrying enough cash for the next 7 days.

[Chas]

This is a report of my second visit to the Philippines. Part two – Cebu – Argao – Kawasan – Moalboal - Cebu.

Day 9 - An uneventful journey from Cebu City to Argao. Uneventful in that I arrived alive. I always have a sense of forboding when a driver puts more faith in his religous beliefs than a seatbelt. The taxi driver had a rosary hanging from the mirror, touched it, crossed himself and mumbled a few words and then drove as fast as he could. That said, I do believe Filipinos are better drivers than the Thais. Torrential rain marred the visit to Argao. I failed in my quest to find the coalmine and the rain put me off visiting the pier, a half hour taxi ride in a motorcycle sidecar.

One chap asked me where I was from.
"England"
"What language do you speak there? Do you say things like bonjour"
"We speak English, bonjour is French"
"Oh! I thought English came from America"
"No - The Americans stole English from us" To this day I am not sure if he was serious, but he liked my reply.

Argao has picturesque church.

And a nice beach


Day 11 - A 7am start for the trip to Kawasan Falls via my hotel in Moalboal to drop off the luggage. The falls are spectacular and you take a bamboo raft under the waterfall and get a massage from the weight of water hitting your back. You really need to visit as a group so it was good to be with Edeline’s family.

There are three levels to the falls. On arrival we were told only the first level was open. In fact the second level was open as well, but not as good as the first and lowest level.

Day 12 - A day spent lazing at Moalboal. I wanted to check it out as a future destination for a family holiday as I had read great things about it. I am distinctly underwhelmed and unlike Bohol it really only exists for those interested in Scuba diving.

Day 13 – A day spent relaxing at the hotel. Life felt really good as I sat on the terrace, cold beer in hand, watching the sun set and slip behind the mountains of Negros just across the water.


Day 14 - Transport by hire car really eats into your budget so I decided to take the bus back to Cebu City from Moalboal (91P per person as against 1500P for a taxi). Non aircon, but at the speed they drive you get a pretty good breeze through the windows. Waiting at the bus stop I was questioned by some young men. The usual where was I from etc. One asked me if they spoke English in England, I resisted blaming the Americans again. Then it got onto my age, various estimates ranging from 35 to over 60!!! I am only 29 (I wish).

As recommended I bought an extra ticket so my luggage had a seat. Initially there was standing room only leaving me wondering why I bought the extra ticket. Soon a group got off and the luggage got its seat. It was not a boring journey. Hawkers would get on and travel one stop. I bought a nice sweet rice biscuit and I had water. The three hours went past very quickly.

At the Moalboal bus stop there was an unkempt westerner wandering around who did not seem all there. I was told his parents were very rich, but the locals all felt sorry for him as he lived in Moalboal with his filipina wife, his child and his wife's filipino lover. I guess it worked for him.

Part 3 to follow

[Chas]

This is a report of my second visit to the Philippines. Part three – Cebu – Bacolod - Dumaguete – Cebu.
Day 15 – Up early to catch the flight from Cebu to Bacolod. On arrival I checked into one of my favourite hotels in the Philippines, the Sylvia Manor. The staff are just wonderful. On the way from Bacolod airport to the hotel I saw a motorcycle and sidecar and was amazed it could move. Note the man sitting on top.


Day 16 - An absolutely fantastic day in the sugar cane fields. The hire of the steam locomotive at the Hawaiian Philippine sugar cane mill was worth every pesos.


On the way to the Mill I asked the guide if she knew roughly how long I needed to get to the bus station before my bus went on Monday as the tickets were sold on a first come first served basis on the day. I mentioned I was catching the 8:30 bus. The guide ponders for a moment then says, "I think you should get there before 8:30!!".

Day 17 - A quiet start and then a bit of adventure. The guide picked me up at 8:30. We agreed 9:00am, but she comes into the hotel big smiles on her face and her first question is have I had breakfast. Yes says I and the disappointment on her face is quite amusing as she realises she is not going to get a free breakfast. I had not had breakfast, but an inadvertent intake of milk in the meal the night before meant I was jammed up with imodium and not eating. The guide likes her food. She dropped hints on the drive how Filipino's like their food and need snacks between meals. I am afraid I ignored the hints, but she got her own back as I was dumped back at the hotel at lunchtime without seeing a final locomotive she mentioned that was in Bacolod. I was not bothered as I am sure I saw it on the last trip.

An excellent morning at La Carlota as I ambled round the derelict locos taking photos. I realised that a number of the locos had been converted to oil firing which must have hastened their demise.


An earlier return to the hotel than expected meant I had time to go to SM Mall and an ATM to stock up on cash after paying the guide.

The hotel staff have once again been really nice and confirmed for me all the details for the bus tomorrow.

The adventurous part of the day came in the evening. I decided to go to Chinatown Mall to eat as I wanted Chinese food to be certain of avoiding milk. It can be difficult to get a taxi in the evening at the weekend and eventually the hotel security flagged one down for me. I got in and we had only gone a few yards when I realised the meter was not on. "How much (pila)" says I
"80 pesos" says the driver.
"No - put the meter on"
"the traffic is bad"
"it was bad last night and I was only charged 52 pesos to a destination further than Chinatown Mall"
we slowed for a junction and I said "no meter so I am getting out" and opened the door.
"50 pesos" he said
when we got very close to Chinatown Mall I said this will do - passed him a 50 pesos note and jumped out.

It was only a few yards to the Mall entrance and the drop off pull in. I realised the taxi driver was pulling into the drop off ahead of me which was strange. Anyway I continued walking and entered the Mall. I had a quick walk around and settled on a restaurant near the entrance. The restaurant had windows onto the pull in and I saw the taxi driver parked up and waiting by his car. Interesting thinks I. After ten minutes another chap turns up, they talk together for a while, the original driver disappears and the new guy waits by the car. Weekend evenings are peak earning times so why is the car not out on the road. Many leave the Mall and the driver makes no attempt to accost them.

I finish my meal and and leave the Mall. The new driver calls out "Taxi Sir" "No thanks" I reply and walk slowly away. There are a lot of people about and I cross the road keeping an eye out for a different taxi. None available and as it is dark it is difficult to be sure that any taxi coming along is not the same one as took me to the Mall.

Where I am is just outside the Bacolod prison. The prisoners make Christmas decorations and their families set up stalls outside at this time of year to sell the decorations. It is very colourful and bright with the Christmas lights. Christmas lasts a long time in the Philippines, many of the assistants at Ayala Mall in Cebu were wearing Father Christmas hats. I chat to the stall holders as I walk down the road and decide to take a jeepney. Difficult to identify which of the multitude of jeepneys I need so a very helpful stall holder tells me. I tip her 10 pesos and jump on the jeepney which roars off and drops me at SM Mall just next to the hotel. I would not normally take a jeepney at night, but it seemed the best option. And that was the end of the excitement. I wonder what would have happened if I had got in the taxi.

Day 18 I travelled to Dumaguete by bus. I started at 7:30 in the morning. Tied a knot in my bladder and settled in for the 7 hour trip. Completely uneventful. Everybody ignored everybody else on the bus. I could have been on a bus in the UK.

As the bus waited at one stop I watched a Filipino driver place a rock under the wheel of his car to stop it running away on the hill where it was parked. He obviously had a Homer Simpson moment as he placed the rock on the uphill side!

Just after the bus passed the town at the halfway point I saw rails and wagons in the sugar cane fields. I did not realise the Sondeco Mill was still operating trains. It will have to remain unexplored by me as the cost of transport is starting to do serious harm to my budget.

The views from the bus as it crossed the central mountains were quite spectacular. Not at all scary as the driver was very careful.

The hotel in Dumaguete is cheap, but a bit of a tip. The walls of the rooms are thin and I woke up at 1 a.m. to hear the person in the next room throwing up. At night cockroaches come out in the bathroom. They might be quite common here as I have now seen large ones in both restaurants I have used.

Day 19 A car and driver was booked through a friend. A 9 seater van, driver and tour guide turned up. 3000 Pesos for the day from 8 am until 6 pm. We set off. The tour guide asks me what I would like to see. "The steam engine at Bais" (pronounced Baa iss). "Yes Sir, we will start our tour at the Casaroro Falls”. The Falls were spectacular. 30 metres high and the huge amount of rain had made them even more impressive.


The next stop should have been thermal springs, but they were unreachable as the road went through a ford that was impassible. Sadly an American and his Filipina wife were apparently swept away in the night and search parties were dragging the river looking for the bodies.

We then negotiated about going to Bais. Quick consultation between driver and guide. "Bais is a long way so it will cost an additional 3000 Pesos". The look on my face must have been effective as it was quickly amended to give me a discount on the day, but it still cost me a total of 4800 Pesos. Roughly £75 which is a lot when many earn 6000 Pesos a month and petrol is half the cost of the UK.

The guide had to pick up her son (She is obviously not a rail enthusiast) and departed leaving me and the driver. It was only 10:30 am. I showed the driver the map I had and we headed off to the pier run by the sugar company. After a long drive down a rough track a large building came into view with rail tracks. The locals houses nestled up to the back of the building and the rails were also used by the locals as a path. In the North the Mills bristled with security guards and it was impossible to get in without permission and not easy to get in with permission.

I started walking around waiting to be shouted at. I discovered two new types of wagons as they used the railway to transport bulk sugar and liquid molasses. Still nobody shouted at me. An engine was sitting there. I photographed it. I got a few odd looks, but I just smiled and said mayong hapon (good afternoon).

I decided to walk down the line to the pier in the distance. The rails ran on a breakwater and were obviously in use as they had clean tops. The views were great with fish farms either side and the sea like a mill pond.


It must have been a mile and as I approached the pier proper I heard a diesel engine start up. Then some children came out of the houses above the fish farms and climbed on a wagon. As I reached the wagon I saw past it the diesel engine approaching pulling a train of mollasses tankers. I smiled broadly at an official looking man and said "mayong hapon". Then I asked if I could photograph the engine "Yes". I took a couple of photos of the approaching engine and it was obvious the kids were getting a ride back to the main village.


In for a penny in for a pound. "May I ride please" "Of course" WOW life gets good. The engine is getting very close now and suddenly we are waved off the wagon. Oh well I think it was worth a try. But then the man says something to the kids who scamper off and hang onto the tanker wagons. I go to do the same and he says "No". I thought the good luck had ended, but I was ushered up into the cab and had a great ride back to the village and the storage shed. Life is good!!!! Thank goodness Health and Safety rules have yet to reach the Philippines.

As we got to the Storage shed the kids jumped off and I alighted. Then the engine derailed. Much scratching of heads. Meanwhile the kids whooped with joy and started pushing the loose wagon at the front of the engine. It went easily and my heart was in my mouth as I feared one of them would trip and fall under the wagon. They were jumping on and off and eventually the man shouted at them when they had pushed it far enough.


Back to the van and on to the outskirts of Bais and an engine on display. A few photos and back on the van for the trip back to the hotel. A brilliant day with quite a few surprises.

Day 20 - I just mooched round Dumaguete. Many westerners live here. I went and had my hair cut in a 'Salon' as I could not see any barber shops. 50 Pesos (about 75 pence) and it was cut by a young man who had obviously been taking lessons from Mr Humphrey of 'Are you being served'. I know it is a cliche that male hairdressers are gay, but this man had to be seen to be believed.

Day 21 I took a trike to the ferry port at Sibulan, the ferry to Oslob and then the Ceres air con bus back to Cebu City. Quite uneventful except that I froze on the bus as the aircon was very powerful.

Part 4 to follow

[tom]

interesting, informative.... and funny

thanks chas

[Edwin]

Yes, your writing and pictures made me feel like I was back in the Philippines again! You did more sight seeing than I did. I was with my postmaster friend, his filipina wife, and her family the entire time. It was very enjoyable. I got insights into their lives from the inside which was very enlightening, and they were all very good people. My brother-in-law lived just a half day's drive away, but I didn't get to see him as he was busy installing a solar electric system, and he had installers there and couldn't get away. He will be coming to our place in April, so it is okay. My wife saw her brother's place in 2006 and got lots of pictures, so that is okay. Very nice pictures and descriptive write-up. I enjoyed the stories about the English lanuage and America! Very enjoyable, and you make me want to return immediately, only I have classes to take, projects to work on, and money to save!

[Chas]

This is a report of my second visit to the Philippines. Part four – Cebu – Bantayan Island – Medellin & Bogo – Cebu.

Days 22 and 23 were spent relaxing in Cebu City and enjoying the luxury of the Alpa City Suites Hotel. SM Mall was a 50 Pesos taxi ride from the hotel.
Day 24 was ultimately a failure in that I did not get to photograph the Fowler steam engine at the Bogo Medellin Mill. I hired Dhodo, the karaoke kid, to drive me as I trusted him and he owned a multicab. Basically a little jeepney style vehicle that he used from Monday to Friday to ferry school children.

Once out of Cebu City, which has very little to commend it, the landscape can be very beautiful. Rolling hills with palms along the field boundaries. You see the small two room houses of the rural poor. No running water and an outside loo some distance from the house. I am told sex education consists of the children watching Mum and Dad, who think the children are asleep, as they all share a bedroom.

As you pass through a rural village the smoke from the wood burning stoves of the food sellers causes a constant haze. The smell can be awful and live chickens and pigs can be stored next to their recent friends now being cooked. At least the food is fresh!!


Cows, goats and chickens are tethered by the roadside to forage on the verge. The chickens frequently having individual hutches in which to lay their eggs. Cock fighting is a popular 'sport' and you see adverts for the next 'bout'. In rice growing areas the farmers are under the impression that the roads have been provided as a surface on which to dry their crop. They spread it out over half the road reducing it to one lane which most seem to obey. I have only once seen a vehicle drive over the drying rice.


Another sight in the rural areas is that quite old looking vehicles and motorbikes often display 'For Registration' on their number plates. This indicates that the owner has never got round to registering their vehicle and the local policeman is never going to enforce it.

After two hours of driving we reached the Bogo Medellin Mill. The mill was operational and had security guards at the gate. Because it was Sunday there was nobody in the office to give us permission to enter and the security guards would not let us in as we might be a security risk. Fair enough, but I had a bright idea. Would one of the guards take my camera and photograph the engine for me. "No - it might be a security risk". It is at that point you stop hitting your head against the brick wall and give up. At least I have now got the phone number of the office and may be able to visit during the week as the Mill is not too far from Bantayan Island.

On the way back we stopped in Bogo for lunch. There was only Jollibee. As we drove back to Cebu we saw a religous statue on top of a hill, so as you do we stopped to climb up and take pictures.


We then stopped at a Jeepney park in Carmen for refreshments and finally at the fishing port in Danao. There I joked with the waiting fishermen's wives and had my picture taken with them much to the horror of a shy little girl sitting on her Mum's lap.


A thunder storm rolled in while we were in Danao and we waited for it to abate before driving on. It was quite impressive how the visibility suddenly dropped and the waves picked up, but it was soon over.

Day 25 - An exciting drive from Cebu City to Haganya, the port from which you cross to Bantayan Island. The journey at the Northern Bus Terminal started badly when the conductor, to open the luggage storage, was no where to be seen. I heaved my bag onto the bus resigned to buying two tickets as the bag took up one seat.

The bus became crowded with standing passengers, which was a bit embarrassing as my bag had a seat. Sure enough when the conductor came round after we had started I paid for two tickets (only 50 pesos, approx 75pence, each for a journey of over 100km). About halfway, when the bus was only three quarters full, the conductor decided that my bag must now go in the luggage storage. Sometimes Filipino logic escapes me.

As we passed through the outskirts of Cebu City the driver suddenly called out. All those standing crouched down so they could not be seen outside the bus. It seems we were passing a police checkpoint. If standing is illegal, why does the bus company sell tickets to standing passengers?

This was my first really scary bus journey when I thought at times we would crash. It seems our driver was in a race with a bus from a rival company and another from the Ceres company. He would stop to let existing passengers off, but we left quite a few potential passengers waving at us as we roared past.

Stuffed into a seat designed for those about 5ft tall with my knee jambed against the seat in front left me with a very painful knee cap. The constant jolting bruised it and it was few days before it was ok again. Arrived on Bantayan Island in pouring rain and once again I had to put up with those parasitic scum the taxi touts. They seem to run most terminals in Cebu and possibly in the Philippines. They add nothing to the process. The initial price was 80 Pesos, I said I would walk as I knew my accommodation was near. The price immediately dropped to 40 Pesos. As I later discovered still double what the locals will pay.

Bantayan Island is very nice. My 500 Pesos a night accommodation is basic, clean but a little smelly. No hot water and air conditioning that wheezes away making little impression. No food available at the accommodation, but it is only a short walk from a number of restaurants. After the initial shock the cold shower is refreshing. Unfortunately the accommodation has no backup generator and the water supply fails during a brownout. It was then that I discovered what the large bucket of water in the shower was for and I now keep it topped up.

Day 26 - I made my way to the beach and had a wonderful couple of hours swimming in a cool turquoise sea under a blue sky with a few distant white fluffy clouds.


Pedicabs, human powered bikes with a sidecar for two Filipinos or one fat westerner, are the local transport (I took the motorcycle equivalent from the Docks). They see you walking and follow you hoping for a fare. Yesterday afternoon I ended up with a train of three of them as I walked to the street with the restaurants. Absolutely bizarre, or maybe they just enjoyed laughing at the westerner who walks in the sun. I keep whistling mad dogs and Englishmen. I do feel sorry for the pedicab drivers as they have a tough life out in all weathers and the typical fare is 5 pesos.


Day 27 - I managed to contact the Bogo Medellin Mill and arrange a visit for the next day. Janelle, the lady at the Mill I spoke to, also told me there were engines in the Plazas at Medellin and Bogo. I also spoke to the Manager who gave permission for me to take photographs.

During the day I hired a pedicab driver on Bantayan for an hour to show me around (100 Pesos). It is very hot and for me even walking is hard work. How the pedicab driver survives I do not know, but he is very fit from all the cycling. To me he looked in his 20s, but he told me he started the pedicab at age 23 and had been doing it for 18 years.


Day 28 - This was a great day. Up early to the ferry from Bantayan to the port of Hagnaya on Cebu Island, on the bus to Bogo and get dropped at the Plaza to photograph the engine. Slightly disappointed it was a diesel. Then find a tricycle taxi driver to negotiate the fare to the Mill, have him wait for me and then take me on to Medellin before returning to Bogo. About 30km in total, 250 Pesos (approx £4).

The motorcycle tricycle taxi driver was a gem. It turned out he came from the village next to the Mill, his father worked at the mill and he was delighted I was interested in the railway. I turned up at the Mill and met Janelle. I had bought the laptop as she wanted to see examples of the photos I took at the Mills on Negros. She just could not comprehend that anybody would want to photograph the engines. Yes - she did look at me like I was insane.

I photographed the Fowler. The driver told me there were another 12 in the mill buildings. Janelle said they had gone and I could only photograph the one on display. The driver did not believe her and thought she was being difficult so was all for smuggling me into the Mill building using his friends. He seemed to know most who worked there. He asked a friend about the engines and it turned out Janelle was right. The new Japanese owners were selling any unwanted metal for scrap and the engines had just been cut up. They were just working on the frames of the final engine. Criminal.


Onward with my new best friend to Medellin. A small diesel on display in the plaza. The Cab converted into a control room as it was the centre piece of a sound light and water show. The railway truck behind the engine being loaded with speakers.

Back to Bogo and lunch in Jollibee. There is somebody dressed up in a Jolibee mascot suit. I have a little dance with them. Everybody stares at me, they are either in a state of shock at how handsome I am or cannot believe anybody can be that ugly. Unfortunately I suspect it is the latter.

Outside Jolibee there was a homeless girl just sitting listlessly on the pavement. She looked a mess and one of the sad products of a state with no welfare safety net. When I left Jollibee i placed a bottle of water on the ground next to her. The smile of thanks was priceless. In Bacolod I saw a man virtually naked just collapsed on the pavement and everybody walking round him. I understand some are drug addicts and they end up just starving to death. Everybody just steps round them and ignores them. If you do not have money or family in the Philippines life is very tough.

I caught a tricycle cab back to the port at Hagnaya. The driver wanted 25 Pesos to Bogo bus terminal (about 500 metres) or 100 Pesos to Hagnaya (about 10 km). No contest, off we went to Hagnaya. For comparison, the bus fare from Hagnaya to Bogo was 5 Pesos, but I had no idea when the next bus would leave.

Day 29 - I caught the ferry and then bus back to Cebu City. A safe sedate ride in the bus much to my relief. I even avoided the taxi touts in Cebu for the cab to the hotel.

Day 30 and very sad to be leaving as I caught my plane for the flight home.

So ends my second Philippine adventure. I have enjoyed it and nearly all the time felt safe. I have met some lovely people. If you smile and at least try to use a few words of Cebuano they are delighted. On Bantayan I was walking back after the evening meal when a family called out hello. I waved back and I think I said good afternoon instead of good evening much to their amusement, but they were pleased. I stopped to chat and they said thanks as most westerners just ignore them. The Philippines has some stunning scenery, but if you don’t interact with the locals you miss the beauty and friendliness of the Filipinos.

[Edwin]

Again I enjoyed your post very much! You made me feel like I was right there taking the journey. I think 21 days is all we are allowed to be in the Philippines on a passport without an extension. Were you able to get an extension to stay 30 days? This may only apply to Americans, and English people may fall under different rules. I understand you can keep getting extensions for up to 26 months or something like that, then you need to leave the country, so fly to Hongkong, stay in a hotel for 3 days, then you can return to the Philippines to begin the process of staying 26 months again. I may be wrong about 26 months, but it seems that is what it was. The first stay is 21 days, then you get an extension for 39 days, and keep getting more extensions until you stay as long as they will allow. Then you leave the country for 3 days, then return to continue playing the extension game. Sounds like fun to me!

[Chas]

Again I enjoyed your post very much! You made me feel like I was right there taking the journey. I think 21 days is all we are allowed to be in the Philippines on a passport without an extension. Were you able to get an extension to stay 30 days? This may only apply to Americans, and English people may fall under different rules. I understand you can keep getting extensions for up to 26 months or something like that, then you need to leave the country, so fly to Hongkong, stay in a hotel for 3 days, then you can return to the Philippines to begin the process of staying 26 months again. I may be wrong about 26 months, but it seems that is what it was. The first stay is 21 days, then you get an extension for 39 days, and keep getting more extensions until you stay as long as they will allow. Then you leave the country for 3 days, then return to continue playing the extension game. Sounds like fun to me!

Thanks for your kind words about my post. There are various types of Visa and as far as I am aware it makes no difference if you are American or English. The basic visa of 21 days you get on entry. You can then extend it at a local Bureau of Immigration (BoI) office for a price. I applied to the Philippine Embassy in London for a 90 day single entry visa. This cost me £22 (approx $33). Getting the Visa was not a problem as I live on the outskirts of London and the centre is about 40 minutes by train.

I suspect in getting the 90 day visa I ended up paying more, but it removed any worries about finding a BoI and the bureaucratic process. I have read horror stories online about members of the BoI requiring an inducement to process your extension application. I have no idea if this is true, but see no reason why those writing about it would not tell the truth. I just decided to avoid the problem.

[Edwin]

Again I enjoyed your post very much! You made me feel like I was right there taking the journey. I think 21 days is all we are allowed to be in the Philippines on a passport without an extension. Were you able to get an extension to stay 30 days? This may only apply to Americans, and English people may fall under different rules. I understand you can keep getting extensions for up to 26 months or something like that, then you need to leave the country, so fly to Hongkong, stay in a hotel for 3 days, then you can return to the Philippines to begin the process of staying 26 months again. I may be wrong about 26 months, but it seems that is what it was. The first stay is 21 days, then you get an extension for 39 days, and keep getting more extensions until you stay as long as they will allow. Then you leave the country for 3 days, then return to continue playing the extension game. Sounds like fun to me!

Thanks for your kind words about my post. There are various types of Visa and as far as I am aware it makes no difference if you are American or English. The basic visa of 21 days you get on entry. You can then extend it at a local Bureau of Immigration (BoI) office for a price. I applied to the Philippine Embassy in London for a 90 day single entry visa. This cost me £22 (approx $33). Getting the Visa was not a problem as I live on the outskirts of London and the centre is about 40 minutes by train.

I suspect in getting the 90 day visa I ended up paying more, but it removed any worries about finding a BoI and the bureaucratic process. I have read horror stories online about members of the BoI requiring an inducement to process your extension application. I have no idea if this is true, but see no reason why those writing about it would not tell the truth. I just decided to avoid the problem.

Thanks, Chas! My brother-in-law lives in the Philippines all the time. His filipina wife, I guess, is not interested in immigrating to the USA, so they just live there all the time. He bought property near the coast on Guimaras Island, built a beautiful house and other buildings, and said he made his filipina wife a very rich woman, which is true. They visit varous places in Asian countries for fun. They usually come to the USA, usually Kitsap County, once a year or so, sometimes more often sometimes less often. He has come for medical reasons the last few years as he battled cancer, and apparently won, and we are all elated! I'm not sure why he is coming next April, but he will visit us when he is here. He often has business of one kind or another to take care of when he comes, maybe file his taxes, or something else that I am not aware of. Thanks for the answer! Yes, I know many people will enjoy very much reading your post and looking at your pictrues, and I know I sure did!

[jadegil6]

Again I enjoyed your post very much! You made me feel like I was right there taking the journey. I think 21 days is all we are allowed to be in the Philippines on a passport without an extension. Were you able to get an extension to stay 30 days? This may only apply to Americans, and English people may fall under different rules. I understand you can keep getting extensions for up to 26 months or something like that, then you need to leave the country, so fly to Hongkong, stay in a hotel for 3 days, then you can return to the Philippines to begin the process of staying 26 months again. I may be wrong about 26 months, but it seems that is what it was. The first stay is 21 days, then you get an extension for 39 days, and keep getting more extensions until you stay as long as they will allow. Then you leave the country for 3 days, then return to continue playing the extension game. Sounds like fun to me!

I received a 21 day visa upon entry to the Philippines, which was on a Friday night at midnight. On Monday morning I went to the Board of Immigration by myself. The charge for an extended visa is 3000 pesos. I filled out a simple form, and had a copy made of my passport, paid the fee, and had the extended visa after waiting for one hour. The extended visa is for 39 days added to my original 21 days for a total of 60 days. If I wish to stay longer, then I have to fill out another form, and pay another 3000 pesos. It was a simple and easy process.

Thanks Sir Chas for the informative posts and the great photos!