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. 

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 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.

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.

Related links:
My rental apartment in Toril
Where to eat in Tagbilaran?
Review of the Food Court in Island City Mall (Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines)
Bohol and Panglao Islands, Philippines
Isola de Francesco or Virgin Island, Panglao, Philippines
Review of Swiss Zurigo Restaurant (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of Bojol Grill Restaurant (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of A's Chicken Nuggets & Grill Haus (Bohol, Philippines)
The giant Arogo and the smallest primate, what do they have in common?
Review of Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa  (Panglao, Philippines)
Review of Henann Resort Alona Beach (Panglao, Philippines)
Review of Shang Palace Seafood Restaurant (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of Bo's Coffee (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of The Buzzz Café (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of Golden Cowrie (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of Staylite Park Bed and Breakfast (Bohol, Philippines)
Review of Arabelle Suites (Bohol, Philippines)

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? 

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.

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!

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.

This fire dance was filmed in Davao Crocodile Park.

Related links:
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)

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.

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 over Andaya st which could be a very noisy specially in the mornings and evenings.

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. 

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.

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…

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. 

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.

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.

Scream like a pig gets a whole new meaning here

Related links:​
Red Rock Hot Spring, Valencia Dumaguete​
Going to La Verna with the girls​
Happy birthday Jas​
​Sexy mama
The Japanese Shrine​
Shopping spree​
Apo island the pearl of the Visayas​
Outing with the girls​
Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin
Road trip to Sipalay​
A day of exercise
The fine art of eating an ice cream​
Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete​
Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete
Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete​
The Christmas House in Dumaguete
Tarbush, a story of love​
The boulevard in Dumaguete​
Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros
Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

​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!

​I ordered stuffed shrimps, shrimp toast, quail's egg Shaomai and garlic vegetables. All this of course together with plain rice and green tea. Despite it was at lunch time and the restaurant was full of guests, I didn't have to wait long until I got my food. The food was tasty and enough for me. Dim sum definitely appealed to my taste buds and Harbour City restaurant is an excellent choice if you like to explore this type of Chinese cuisine. 

Related links:
Review of Mooon Cafe in Cebu
Review of Siam Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Cebu
Review of Seafood Island in Ayala mall, Cebu
Review of The Center Suites Hotel in Cebu

​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, 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)

I have stayed at The Center Suites two times and the last time was in December 2016. It has good location near The Ayala Mall, just walking distance 10 minutes. But the neighborhood just close to the hotel is a little bit rough. When you are walking from Ayala to the hotel, there is an unfinished construction site just close to the hotel at N Escario St and Gonzales Compound which you must pass. That construction site looks exactly the same as when I was there the first time in December 2015! When passing that area at night time it feels not safe, it's dark and shabby. 

​The Center Suites offer much for the money. Clean rooms with good working AC. Some of the rooms have "the silent and not too cold" type of AC. Breakfast is included and the staff is very nice and service minded. Free WiFi but the signal varies from excellent to less good depending on which room you have. The Center Suites is a nice hotel, very affordable and gives value for your money.

Entertainment for breakfast in the Bistro. (6 seconds video clip)

Related links:
Review of Mooon Cafe in Cebu
Review of Siam Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Cebu
Review of Harbour City Restaurant in Cebu
Review of Seafood Island in Ayala mall, Cebu