TVT Philippines

About three days before we left the Philippines, we headed to Boracay island. This is an award winning beach and resort area votes by tripadvisor as the second best beach in the world. The whole island was made famous back in the 90's when backpacking tourism increased.

There are many activities that happen on the beach and sea. Some include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, cliff diving, and beach relaxation.

Personally, when the fellowship was there, I found that windsurfing is the best way to have fun with your friends over on the island.
Sadly, I also think that the island is going to become a major tourist hotspot just like Hawaii due to its low exchange rate and similar weather.

Another great trip that we had that was close to Manila was Buruwisan Falls. Much like the area surrounding the rockies but more tropical, the area that the Falls are in are ideal for camping, hiking, mountain biking as well as mountain climbing. According to the guide at the area, this is the part of the falls that is more accessible to the public while a huge chunk of it has yet to be explored and mapped.
There is one thing that I dont like about this attraction. Usually you see out of shape people renting the horse they have instead of hiking the trails. Although I admit, horseback riding is fun but in this place, that is kind of sad.

Getting there takes about 2 hours and if you want to travel like the locals do, travel by jeepney only costing $1.24 CAD for one way. Otherwise rent a car because riding in a jeepney hurts so much due to lack of suspension. And also, they can get fuller than a Calgary Transit Bus during rush hour.

Leaving the front entrance to the hotel for the last time, we headed to the coach terminal to catch a ride to Baguio. The best part about it was that you don't need any reservation as tons of coaches come and go by the hour. Getting on the bus was the easy part but traveling through the winding mountains, changing elevation and going through guard gates was horrible.

The whole trip lasted 3 hours or so. Although I was used to the winding roads, the rest of the fellowship wasn't. I'm pretty sure that Mike was near dead after throwing up so many times. But in the end, they got through alive.

Reaching the terminal in Baguio 3 hours later, we saw that the same people who met us at the airport arrived at the terminal. And again they helped us with the baggage. But a difference this time was that we were not going to check in a hotel, but living in the huge house as guests. We were welcome there as long as we did chores and helped with cooking the meals and such. It was about mid day when we actually arrived at the house taking into account that the terminal was about 1 hour away. We unpacked our stuff and relaxed for about 2 hours. After eating and helping out sweeping the place, we headed to the largest mall in the Philippines; SM Mall.

Although there is one in every major city, Baguio has the biggest. Think of it being comparable in size to West Ed but minus the water park/hotel. Massive in size, filled with arcades and rides for the kids as well as I think 2 movie theaters, it was crammed with thousands of people. This like West Ed is an attraction it self.

Also, here is a fun fact. Around any major holiday, tons of events happen within the mall. Even Christmas mass happens where they set up a main stage and rows of chairs like pews.

We didn't spend that much or I should say that Mike, Riley and James didn't spend that much. I spent a good $50 CAD worth of pesos in the arcade. I must say that the best prize you could win in the arcade would be a small-mid size rice cooker. I mean, what kind of Asian doesn't want a rice cooker as a game prize?

Next Chapter: Rise of the military academy. Soldiers, to battle!

A new day begins with the sun shining and the rooster sounds at the brink of day.

The fellowship refreshed after the nights rest eagerly awaits today's adventure.

Waking up, I began to do my morning routine of showering, doing dental care and stuff like that. James was waking up right as I finished putting on my shoes. It was early in the morning about 7:00 am so he was annoyed with me for making so much noise so early. But he quickly realized that today was his activity that we had to do. With that note, James leaped out of bed and quickly ran to the washroom to start his morning routine. While he was busy, I walked over to Mike's and Riley's room to wake them up. Luckily, they gave my a spare key to their room when we checked in just in case of an emergency so this was as close as it would come. Barging in, I grabbed the pillow from underneath Mike and began to hit him with it causing him to wake up. Shortly after, Riley woke up due to the noise.

We got ready and had our breakfast in the restaurant near the lobby.
Today, James told us that we were going to visit the one of the main volcanoes near Manila; Taal Volcano.

Unlike the activity before, we had to take a Jeepnee to see this place, as it was about an hour out of the city. It was more of a nature hike with tons of natural hot springs nearby. Funny thing was that there is an island within the crater of the volcano and the volcano was on the main island surrounded by the ocean. Think of it as An island within an island or island inception.

There was hardly any people there that day due to some light mist and isolated showers. But soaking in the springs later that day made it so much better.

The next few days was spent just lounging at the hotel while going to parks and local restaurants. Strange as it may be but with every meal at McDonald's, they serve rice with it. Otherwise its just like the same thing back at Canada.

About the 4th of August, we headed to the mountain city of Baguio. Time to see my relatives again.

Next Chapter: Rush Time.

Enter kitchen stadium where many chefs express their understanding and creativity of each different cuisine through the art of battle. Some challengers may focus one one specific type of method such as Korean or Mexican. Others may find that they like to infuse two different types to create a totally new experience in flavors. When mastering Filipino cuisine, it is important to know the history behind it because it is a mix of many flavors from different countries.

From China, Spain, and Indonesia comes the unique mix of flavors of what is now known as Filipino cuisine. Traditionally, much of the traditional cooking methods came from Indonesia but a heavy portion came from China and Spain.

Pancit (Noodles), Tofu, Lumpia (Spring rolls filled with more vegetables rather than meat and bigger in size) as well as rice cultivation were some of the few items and knowledge that came from China.

From Indonesia, the main methods were for cooking seafood using local spices such as tumeric and cloves.

Spain being the most influential of the 3 countries has left a major mark in cuisine, cities and religion. The introduction the chilies, tomatoes, corn, and the Spanish sausage; chorizo are still widely used in today's cooking methods. Also, the method of saute was introduced by the Spaniards.

The main flavors that you will notice when eating Filipino cuisine would be the combinations of sweet, salty and sour or most commonly known as the 3 S's.

The main thing when traveling to the Philippines is to eat the adobo. One of my top three savory foods that is local. Also the Philippines has a really good barbeque sauce/marinade called Mama Sita. It is possibly my favorite sauce of Asian origin.

Before continuing on with the next chapter: Manila in a Flash, Baguio around the corner, I wish to talk about the basic facts that everyone must know when traveling to the Philippines.

Official Name: Republic of the Philippines

Total Area: 300,000 square kilometers

Administrative Divisions: 16 Regions (divided into several provinces) and 1 Autonomous Region

Head of State: President

Head of Government: President

Head of State: Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino the third

Capital: Manila

Major Cities: Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, Davao, Cebu

Languages: Filipino (Tagalog), English

Religions: Christianity

Currency: Philippine Peso

Population: 93,260,798 people

Most Famous People: APL - Alan Pineda of the Black Eyed Peas, Manny “Pacman” Paquiao, Efren Manalang "The Magician" Reyes