Fantastic Philippines

Our first vacation of the year to the Philippines was fantastic. We enjoyed 10 days of travel that took us from Manila to Cebu to Bantayan Island to Malapascua Island and back. We felt like we saw quite a lot during our trip and enjoyed the experience very much.

Manila -Fri, Sat and Sun- we liked Manila a lot more more than we were thought we would. Everyone warned us to be aware, and we were, but we saw Manila as a place very much full of life.

This is our hotel in the Malate neighborhood. Notice the Starbucks out front. We smuggled some beans back to Korea, where they cost 4x the price!

The courtyard where we stayed.

































This view is looking down the street of our hotel. Can you spot the Jeepney?


































This is Rizal Park. Quite a nice urban park. The park is named after Dr. Jose Rizal, a martyr against the Spanish rule. He was excecuted by the Spanish in 1896 in this park. The flag and monument marks the spot.

































Rizal Park promenade


























Rizal Park

Sheeesh...I can't remember who this statue is...what a bad tourist.


























"Hmm...where on earth are we? Better consult the map." Check out the rad Jeepney behind me!































You can barely make out the writing but it says "Intramuros." This is the entrance to the old walled fortress from colonial times.

























This picture is for Dave Olson. It's the KC's! You can just barely read the sign. It looks like they have a big chapter in Manila.




























This is a really neat old chuch in Intramuros. They had a museum in the cloister that was well worth the time and the 25 cent entry fee.
































This is Manila Cathedral.
































This is the courtyard we ate lunch in nearby the churches.





























There is a golf course between Rizal Park and Intramuros. It looked quite nice.



















Bantayan Island- Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed

Sunday morning we flew to Cebu and met up with Jess and Hugo to travel up to Bantayan Island. We rented a van and driver to drive us up to the boat. The ride was about 2:30 hours. The boat ride was about an hour. The hotel picked us up in a little bicycle rickshaw contraption and within minutes we were on the beach.


Jen took these next two shots from the bicycle rickshaw.
























































We stayed at Budyong Beach.
























This was the first view. "Yeah, I guess we'll stay."

























Sunset, a few fishermen pulling in their boat.


















































Sweetheart

























View from our room

























The view first thing in the morning from our room


























Enjoying a meal at the best place on the island.



























Shadows of plams from our place.

















































That's out hut. It was basic but just what we needed.
























One last view of the beach at Bantayan.




















Malapascua Island - Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat

We took a pumpboat (see pic below) about 2 hours from Bantayan to Malapascua. We waited for a small storm to pass in the morning before going out. It was a smooth ride, thank God. We were to meet two other friends there, Jason and Kristi. Funny thing is that we could see them from the boat on our way in. Who else has red hair in the Philippines?!

We stayed at Cocobana. Our cottage wasn't quite as "on-the-beach" as the other but was still very close. There was a little bit of snorkeling right out front here.
































This island was really neat because there are no cars, only these sandy paths. We were able to walk around most of the island.























































































One night, we went out to this German pub. From left to right - me, Jess, Kristi, Jason, and Hugo.


























"Whatever shall we chose for dinner? You are in charge, sweeheart."































Jason getting fired up about something. Hugo showed me how take these crazy pics with the camera. It's a pretty cool effect.

































On a walk on the island. At one point we couldn't get past all the little fishing boats.

































Sweetheart on the beach. This part of the beach wasn't as clean as the others. Still charming though.

































A parting shot on Malapascua Island to you wherever you are in the world.

Saturday morning, we left on another pumpboat (rough ride...yikes! but no one got sick) back to Cebu Island and then a 3 hour van ride to Cebu City. Once we got to Cebu City we parted ways with our traveling companions and had one last night before our marathon trip back to Seoul.



So, up next, Cork is coming to visit this weekend. Should be great to see him.



Dave and Maria come the following week. We are working on an itinerary for them but we know for sure we will do a DMZ tour and travel down to Busan for 2 nights.



Lot's of love to everyone!



Brian and Jen