Visit the American Cemetery in Taguig CityThe American cemetery is beautifully located
The cemetery is beautifully located with impressive views over the lowlands to Laguna de Bay and towards the distant mountains. The area is so quiet and you can wander around and contemplate over the soldiers who lost their lives in the World War II. When you see all the headstones and the names it really calls for reflection over the madness of war.
Overview
The chapel
The American cemetery is organized and minimalistic
Compared to the Manila Chinese Cemetery which was like a maze of different styles and colors this cemetery is strictly organized and minimalistic with the headstones in perfect order. They are aligned in 11 plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.
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Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery!The Millionaire's Row
I was overwhelmed!
Who needs a guide?
Normally I used to deny the services of a guide. Who needs a guide when you have a smartphone and Google? But sometimes however, I have to admit that hiring a guide can be really useful. The Manila Chinese Cemetery is roughly 5.4 hectare. So it's a big area and it's like a maze in there so in order to find the highlights you might need some help. I was lucky to meet a guide who was nice and knowledgable and told me many good anecdotes about the cemetery. He charged me 600 PHP for one-hour walking tour. As an option you can also hire a bicycle (per hour P100) to get around the area.
The creator of mami and siopa
The squatters climbed the fences...
Before the squatters climbed the fences to get in. Until the 1960:s, many families employed grave watchmen to stay at the mausoleums around the clock. But when the guards started bringing their families to live on the grounds, the practice was banned. Although the squatters no longer spend the nights at the cemetery, the caretakers and their families find it a nice place for a picnic, and even a nap. They stretch out on the cool marble floors or even on top of the crypts.
Weird anecdotes
According to my guide, if the children died before their parents, they were not going to be buried together with the parents but separately at another place in the cemetery. But there were some cases of married men who happened to have had a mistress who was buried together with him and his wife in the same mausoleum! My guide showed me an even weirder example, where a married man and his mistress were dead and consequently they had been buried together. But the husband's wife was still alive and the wife had already got her designated resting place set up beside her husband and his mistress when the time was ready for her!
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UCC Good Coffee Smile in Manila Where to eat the fiery style in Manila? Visit Intramuros in Manila Manila American Cemetery & Memorial Visit the Manila Chinese Cemetery Review of Jatujak Thai Restaurant, Manila Review of hotel Isabelle Royale in Makati, Manila Review of Kyochon restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Arya Persian Restaurant in Pasay Hiking trip to Mt Pinatubo Review of Casa Verde Boutique Hotel and Gardens, Imus, Manila Review of Chili's Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Burgoo, American Bar and Restaurant in Mall of Asia Review of Pinoy Pamilya Hotel in Pasay Review of 88 Courtyard Hotel in Pasay Video clips Manila Ocean Park Tempura, takoyaki and balut, common street food in the PhilippinesTasty Filipino tempura
The Filipino reinvented the tempura into an affordable street version of the authentic more expensive Japanese dish made of real seafood or vegetables. The basic Filipino version consist of a batter which is made of water and soft wheat flour, eggs, baking powder, starch, oil, and spices. It's deep-fried in oil and served with different kinds spicy sauces. Tempura is a perfect snack along with a beer or two.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki or also known as Samurai Balls's originated from Japan but you will often find it as street food in the Philippines. The ingredients are mainly the same as with the tempura. In this version they had mixed vegetables in the batter. You eat them together with spicy sauces. It's really yummy and affordable street food. Just try it and you will see!
Balut
No trip to the Philippines would be complete without eating balut! So what is balut? Balut is very simple: it's a fertilized duck egg, the embryo permitted to develop in the shell from 16 to 25 days, then boiled in the shell. The older the balut, the fuller the embryo's development.
How to eat balut
Sprinkle salt and add vinegar to taste and the feast can begin! Expect to encounter embryonic guts, cartilage, maybe the odd feather as you chew. You'll be expected to eat the duckling first, the rest of the egg afterward.
Summary
Many filipino men think that balut is an aphrodisiac, maybe that's the case I don't know. But undoubtedly it's full of protein, not that much fat and it's definitely more tasty than it looks. Trust me.
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Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant, Dumaguete Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place, Dumaguete Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant, Dumaguete Review of San Rival Bistro, Dumaguete Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant, Dumaguete Review of Gabby's Bistro, Dumaguete Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete Visit the Casaroro Falls, Valencia Visit the Marine Sanctuary in Dauin My rental house in PanglaoTo rent a house
I get many questions about my living when I am in the Philippines. To find a house for rent is often a good idea if you are staying a longer period at the same place. Either you stay at the same location or have it like a base camp when you are doing trips nearby.
Sonculan-Totolan area
The area was nice and quiet with a pool available for those who lived here. The downside was the bad cellphone connection with the SMART company. Most of the time the signal was so poor so it was impossible to make any calls. Same with the mobile data, only late in the evenings you could get a signal sufficient for browsing Facebook or whatever.
The rent 25K
The rent for the house was 25 000 PHP and it was fully furnished with everything included even the kitchen utensils were there. The cost for water and electricity was additional.
The house was big
There were three bedrooms, a living room with kitchen and two toilets both with showers. A nice balcony where you could sit and drink your evening tea.
A very short clip showing the area outside unit 3.
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I compiled four video clips with samples of traditional dances in Philippines. For the guys, check the number two video, second part of it. It shows how to catch a girl! But in my mind I wonder what a girl would think if I tried that approach on the disco?
Tinikling is a traditional Philippine folk dance
This dance is said to imitate the movement of the tikling birds as they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. The kids imitate the tikling bird's grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles. The name "tinikling" is a reference to birds locally known as tikling, which can be any of a number of rail species.
How to catch a girl
First part of this short video shows men fighting. They have weapons and wear masks. The second part is actually more interesting! It's about a young man courting a girl. He catches her interest and even manage to make her pregnant! So watch and learn guys!
Fire dance in Tagbilaran
I filmed this fire dance at Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran. I don't know if fire dancing is typical for Philippines, probably not. But anyway it's relatively common all over Philippines to experience this.
Fire dance in Davao
This fire dance was filmed in Davao Crocodile Park.
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My rental apartment in Toril The Uso-Uso Experience in Davao The jumping kids of Talikud Island Review of The Red Parrot Inn (Samal Island, Philippines) Review of Monclair Suites (Toril, Philippines) Samal Island (Mindanao, Philippines) Review of Chow King Restaurant (Davao, Philippines) To rent an apartment in Toril, a suburb to Davao city
The apartment was fully furnished
I was the first renter in the apartment so everything was very fresh. All the furnitures and the kitchen utensils were included. The owner was helpful and keen on that everything would be ok. If you are interested to rent you can contact the owner yourself. The location in Toril might be a little bit odd since it's a bit far from Davao city. But for me it was perfect, relatively quiet compared to the bustling city centre of Davao. It's close to Eden Nature Park, a wonderful place where you can do many activities such as hiking, fishing and of course eat at the beautifully located buffet restaurant. For me it was also interesting with the relative proximity to Mt Apo since I had plans to hike there.
Inside the apartment
A tour inside the apartment. But I have an excuse to my English speaking viewers since I am talking Swedish in the video clip. But at least I added some English subtitles.
View from balcony
View over Andaya st which could be a very noisy specially in the mornings and evenings.
The other view
My other view from the apartment was overlooking a squatter area. The owner told me it was her land but for the time being she let squatters stay there. On the other side of the street was this little puppy which most of the time was tied up. The poor puppy was all alone there and crying all the time. But then suddenly the street kids decided to try to sell it to me. I felt sorry for the puppy but I denied of course.
Going to Toril city centre
The video clip shows the first 2 km stretch from Daliao to Toril city centre. Most of the days I traveled in to Ecoland just near Davao city. I usually went to Starbucks to enjoy a delicious cafe latte and use their excellent WiFi. It's a perfect way to do some work on the computer. To get there I took the tricycle from Daliao to the city centre of Toril. Next I went with the Uso-Uso jeepneys or to the Hop On Hop Off Terminal for the 30 minutes stretch to Ecoland. Actually I usually went by the Hop On Hop Off jeepneys, they felt more safe to ride with.
The cooking
One good thing I like with renting a place is that you can cook your own food.
Related links:
Traditional dances in Philippines The Uso-Uso Experience in Davao The jumping kids of Talikud Island Review of The Red Parrot Inn (Samal Island, Philippines) Review of Monclair Suites (Toril, Philippines) Samal Island (Mindanao, Philippines) Review of Chow King Restaurant (Davao, Philippines)
I like airports, they represent the beginning of something new and leave the old behind. I can sit there calmly and process my expectations of what to come and find my excuse to buy a cafe latte and a blueberry cheesecake. I mean what else can I do?
Airports can also represent the end of something. They make me summarize my experiences good and bad and think back of sweet moments. I feel sad and grateful at the same time. Sad because I miss moments, but grateful that I had the opportunity to travel. It’s relaxing, just to be there and watch all people who are going back and forth. Where are they going? Where are they from? All those destinies passing by. Sometimes I have this weird thought, what is the probability that this particular moment with this exact constellation of people in this very moment, by random will appear again in the future? Yeah suck on that for while! I really like airports… Try the Malatapay market on Wednesdays
The scenery is chaotic
The scenery inside the market is chaotic. The selling and buying takes place under lively and loud forms. Specially the pigs were protesting wildly when they were transfered to their new owners or maybe to the slaughter house. Screaming like a pig got a new meaning here. By the way who wouldn't (?) if you were in their situation.
Not only livestock
It's not only livestock for sale here, there are also assorted meats, vegetables and fruit stands and ukay-ukay stores which sell used clothing imported from foreign countries. You can also find dry goods, like handmade bolo machetes, clothes, shoes, toys, etc. Then last but not least, deliciously barbecued meat, like for example lechon baboy (pork meat). But remember, like all markets here in the Philippines, the Malatapay market opens very early already around 5 AM and if you are not there by 10 AM or so, you won’t be getting the good BBQ! There are some places along the seaside where you can get the fish or meat you have purchased cooked to a nice meal at the cool, breezy beach.
How to get there
Malatapay Market is located in Zamboangita, Negros Oriental, around 30 kilometers south of Dumaguete. For those taking the public transport, you can find jeepneys to Zamboangita at the bell tower in Dumaguete City or near the Robinson's Mall. If you are going to Apo island you will pass Malatapay market on your way down to the shore.
Yeah, the scenery is chaotic as this video clip will show
Scream like a pig gets a whole new meaning here
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Eleven years ago (!) I published a video on Youtube from Krüger National Park in South Africa. It reached almost 5.000.000 viewers!
And yeah, I guess the title tells it all! Jeepneys are popular in the Philippines
Uso-Uso jeepneys in Davao
The Uso-Uso jeepneys which you only will find in Davao are customized jeepneys which are known for their fast speed driving and playing music in high volume. According to the drivers, it will only take 20-30 minutes of travel from Toril to downtown Davao. And because of that many of the Uso-Uso jeepneys are popular among the students and workers who don't want to be late. If you mention the Uso-Uso experience in Davao everybody will know the meaning of it.
The Uso-Uso experience
The Uso-Uso experience, fast and furious with the music on the highest volume! The music in the clip is authentic from the actual trips and no editing was made whatsoever regarding the sound. 1.20 minutes video clip.
Related links:
Traditional dances in Philippines My rental apartment in Toril The jumping kids of Talikud Island Review of The Red Parrot Inn (Samal Island, Philippines) Review of Monclair Suites (Toril, Philippines) Samal Island (Mindanao, Philippines) Review of Chow King Restaurant (Davao, Philippines) |
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