Day 3 & 4

Day 3 quite touristy. We saw the Casa Gorordo, referred to locally as the old Spanish house. It was built during the colonial era and features very pretty courtyard huge veranda, and some Spanish glamour of the old days. Than we visited the Magellan’s cross – apparently brought to Cebu by Ferdinand Magellan; and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño - the country's oldest church and the only Roman Catholic Basilica in the Far East. I got to observe how religious the Pilipino are, a very interesting experience. Also around that area, which is the most touristy in the whole city, I saw the other side of Philippines, namely the poor little begging kids who will sing for you to get some change. Regardless their miserable situation, they still keep the happy spirit and smile for the photos like professional models. To end the day well we went out for drinks to the penthouse lounge bar at the top of a 5*hotel and admires the view of the city by night.

On the Christmas morning, or shall I say afternoon when we managed to get our 3 letters out of bed, Kim took me for a little adrenaline booster – the Skywalk. Basically it’s walking around the Plexiglas sidewalk around the 38^th floor of a hotel wearing a funky jumpsuit and full harness. When we got home it was time to meet more of the family and have Christmas dinner. I loved how they included me in the family, shared funny stories and fed me. I think I will need to have a food detox for some time – can’t handle the Pilipino food any more – really good but just too much … Anyways, Christmas Pilipino style: casual wear, but mostly red (the color you wear for Bday and Christmas traditionally), no gifts (so that you don’t have to worry about that and join the crazy consumerism spirit), and food. Lots of food. And even more food: roasted pig, grilled chicken, Spanish paella, etc. etc…

Anyways, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas, may all your wishes fulfill and your plans come true! Stay healthy and enjoy the life - Pilipino style ;) Maligayang Pasko!!

Tomorrow the fun shall begin: Island hopping and the Bohol island the next day. J Stay tuned ;P

Travel tip: When in Cebu, don’t miss the skywalk – it’s really cool! But if you get to the Regent Hotel early, you can get a package deal including lunch and spa session for 880PHP (compared to 550 PHP for the walk itself including a Tshirt and snack). Spa includes foot spa, full body massage or diamond peel. Have fun!

p.s. photos added into the same picasa album.

Day 2: Philippines, Cebu

Thanks guys for the warm words and support! Here goes my second day in Cebu:

Woke up late :) Weather outside- well perfect: sunny, cloudless and summer warm :) After lazy shower we managed to climb up to the Taoist temple. Increadibly pretty! So much green everywhere, such a nice view of the city and dragons and chinese characters - yes I managed to decipher a few ;)
Than lunch with Kim's mom, her sister and a furball dog :) So good to eat normal food again - meaning not chinese. Sorry, it's a little bit too much after 3 months of noodles, rice and tofu...
We were suppoused to go visiting but plans changed and we landed in the bggest shopping mall I've ever seen! After cheap but - well let's face it - crappy stuff in Taiwan, I woke up in the shoppoholic heaven of the Phillipines. Same prices, soooo much better choice and quality! Forget HongKong! This is where all the cool stuff is on sale !! We had a blast shopping for Tshirts :P And the nice staff spreading the spirit : Merry Christmas Ma'am! Smile just didn't go off my face :)
Than exhausted we made our way to refill caffeine in my vains to Starbucks. Still amazed I engaged in a merry conversation with the guy behind the counter. Generally, I noticed Philippino people are just happy! Or positive - however you'd call it. Their a lilttle bit chaotic lifestyle, colorful clothes, music everywhere, willingness to sing, dance skills and the national symbol - the jeepney, they are all a good reflection of a nation which is simply happy - with life. I hope I can learn that one day :)

Things I’ve learned today about the country: The name comes from the Philip the king of Spain. It was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed on the Mactan island by the guy called Lapu-Lapu (love the names here!!!).

Kim’s house does have a very Spanish style – not that I know much about architecture, but this is how I see it. Huge doors, King size beds, cool furniture, verandas, main gate as if take straight from the Zorro movie :)

It is one of the most populated countries in the world with 92 million people ( no wonder: everyone wants to live in a happy place) and 11 million more abroad (WHY???). People here are of different ethnicity, but are so used to different races walking around that no intolerance can be observed. Oh, and they looove Jollibee!! It’s the only country where McDonalds is not the #1 fast food restaurant! My opinion on the taste will come soon:) A Philippine specialty that I got to try was the Halo- Halo (again, who come up with this language?! It’s as happy as the people :) ) which literally means mix-mix. It basically consists of ice cream, corn, jelly, coconut, and whatever leftover they had from the day :D

pictures uploaded on :

http://picasaweb.google.com/martakubicz/PrzygotowaniaIPoczatekPodrozy#

UPDATE: Philippines actually does rank 14th in the Happy Planet Index !! Ha!

My first day out of Taipei

Day 1: Philippines, Cebu
I just got to the Philippines. I must admit that the past few days have been a blur. I didn't sleep because of final papers (yes i always do leave everything for the last minute), I had to pack and leave. In the whole travel craze I already manged to incur losses, namely my precious pretty Stuttgart hoodie disappeared somewhere in Manila airport.
I must admit I am not very well prepared for my Big Trip. Basically I only have a scatch of a plan (I hope to work on it while I'm here or be spontaneous), I have booked flights (that I might have to change anyways), and I realized guess what: Southeast Asia is not like EU - I kind of need a visa to enter some countries! What a shocker!
So here I am, in Kim's (my roommate from Taipei) bedroom working on my last assignments form Uni and hoping for the best. I have wasted my whole day on regaining power and optimism (Taipei started to be depressing), but I already have some impressions of the country and the people.
First of all, Manila airport. What a chaotic place!! They should deffinately change their operations manager (or contact me for a resume)... The people are very friendly, smiling most of the time and even their kids on the plane were quiet! The service is nothing like Taiwan; when i was buying my first touristy Tshirt I was adressed Ma'am all the time. Such a nice change after what seemed like being followed like a thief around shops in Taipei!
Kim's parents are really nice too. And courious about me :) I felt bad I didn;t have pictures to show them of my home town... Looking for them in nooks of my computer I realized I only have photos from my previous travels....It made me realze how long have I not been home actually! Anyways, their english is really good, contrary to what Kim said, which came as a surprise to me. I didn't manage to get a clorer look at the house (too tired), but it's huge, neat and well complicated:P A maze of rooms that I will have to somehow engulf.