Last stop Sydney

The last time I was in Sydney was for a soccer tournament in 7th form so quite nice to come back and wander around (taking lots of pictures as I do) check out http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021145&l=177bb&id=220000480 and getting a feel for the vibe of the city

Sun 2 Dec
Had quite a mission actually getting from Manila to my flight to Sydney. Like a good skint traveller I had exactly 100pesos left when I got to the airport, wicked except there was a 750P departure tax I didnt know about, leaving me 650P short, no problems, figured I could get some cash out or at least change some of my Thai baht over. No such luck : ( The bank would only change US dollars and the ATMs outside both terminals were both broken and the best idea information could come up with was to taxi to the nearest mall! Luckily a supervisor took pity on me and asked some Filipino's waiting in line if they'd exchange my baht for pesos so they got a pretty good exhange rate but at least I could get on my flight : ) Picked up my bags in Bangkok and went to check-in and found out I wasn't actually booked on it (today was just not my day...) but luckily it wasnt full so they managed to get me on and I headed back down to the Southern Hemisphere

Mon 3 Dec
Woke up with 40mins of the flight to go so just enough time to have breakie before we landed.

It was a beautiful day and a nice approach into Sydney, my hostel included a free airport pick-up and used the free internet at the airport while I waited. Had a nap and then headed out for a walk in the afternoon ended up at Darling Harbour (my hostel was at Kings Cross). Was back at Kings Cross by 8 to meet Tenar (who I'd met in Thailand) for dinner and we went to a lovely Japanese place for dinner and she told me some cool places to check out.

Tue 4 Dec
Nice to sleep in, only getting up at 9am so I could make the most of the free breakfast at the hostel. Wandered to Circular Quay past St Marys, the top half of Hyde Park and some state buildings along Macquarie St. Took the ferry across to Manly for the afternoon - great views of the harbour bridge and opera house from the boat. Wandered around the Rocks with some funky architecture and christmas decorations and checked out the MCA before meeting Sarah at 6. Pretty cool to catch up with her and had Pollo de la Casa at a really nice Spanish place called Asturiana (Cnr Liverpool and Kent), washed down with some Sangria : ) Crashed on the sofa at her studio (right in the middle of town) coz it was just easier than walking back up to Kings Cross.

Wed 5 Dec
Was raining so was lazy and took the train home (to the hostel) and chilled for a bit before heading out to Bondi Junction. Walked all the way along Oxford St (quite far but nice to get out for a bit and get some fresh air). Paddington was one of those Bohemian places Tenar said I might like if I lived here, a little upmarket but more me than the CBD. The weather wasn't holding up enough to encourage me to bus to Bondi

Beach so trained to Newtown and walked down Kings Road really liking the vibe of this area. Very funky, reminded me of Cuba/Aro in Wellies with second hand shops, independent eateries, vintage stores and even a few punk ones. Wandered back into town and checked out Chinatown, got a $5 rump steak and mash from Scruffy Murphys and headed back for a quiet evening in and flew back home early the next morning

Boracay Island

Such a great way to finish my trip, check out the amazing pictures from my three days on the Island Paradise of the Philippines - Boracay Island at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020911&l=f9eff&id=220000480

Wed 28 Nov
Taxi'd from Marakina to the airport and the journey from there to our guesthouse on the island was an awesome mission! Didn't have any trouble finding out bags on the worlds smallest luggage conveyorbelt and took a 2hr bus across the island the airport was on (awesome view of the life here just looking out the window). Took a tiny boat out into the deeper water then walked along a tiny plank to where the slightly bigger boat was anchored (so glad I didnt fall in with my pack!), short ride across and then a Filipino version of a songthaew and we were there - 8 hours after leaving Reich's place at 5:30am! Had smoothie's at Jonah's right on the beach, got our hair braided and the first of many Henna tattoos

Thur 29 Nov
Slept in until we were hungry enough for breakie and sunbaked on the beach for a few hours. Headed down to Da'Mall (central marketplace) and had delicious fruit salad in iced coconut milk in coconut shell - amazing! Had an afternoon swim - was perfect with white sand and no shells back into town for a spot of shopping, crepes for dinner and an amazing sunset!

Fri 30 Nov
Banana pancakes and chocolate milkshakes at sunrise cafe was a great way to start the day and in the afternoon we rented a boat to take us around the island and got off and snorkeled in a few places too. Spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach with the waves lapping over us and took some more sunset pictures. Had dinner at Club Paraw which had gorgeous low tables, bamboo mats and cushions right on the beach! Went down to Pat's for a drink and some live music and finally got the butterfly tattoo I wanted on my ankle symbolising the beginning of the end of this trip, inspired by the quote "What the caterpillar calls the end, the world calls a butterfly"

Sat 1 Dec
One last Buko (fruit salad in coconut) from Fruitas and some last minute pressies (got Mark a wicked graduation present) before we got picked up at 11:30. Tricycle ride, boat, bus, queued up to get into the tiny aitport as their computer system was down so got hand written departure cards and we an hour or so leaving but it meant we caught the sunset from the air on our flight back to Manilla. Met Reich's folks at Glorietta, then had dinner with Tin Tin at Yoshinoya and settled in for my last nights sleep in the Philippines

Manila & Marakini City, The Philippines

Pictures tell a thousand words so check out http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020910&l=d0b2a&id=220000480 and read below for details of my time in the Philippines.

Mon 19 Nov

Was amazing to have Reich come and meet me at the airport (feel loved!) spotted her a mile away and was still able to pick her up and give her a hug even with my pack on! Initially Manila reminded me of Disneyland, passing all the Christmas lights around town as we headed to Reich's inner-city apartment, dropped off my bag and went out for fast food Japanese with her roommates. When our food hadn't arrived after 15 minutes, turns out the waitress forgot to put through our order, she showed up with some origami to apologise : )

Tue 20 Nov

Reichell's twin sister Reichenn, picked me up from the condo and we checked out the mall and met up with Reich for lunch of chicken inasal and sisig. Checked out the Ayala Museum in the afternoon which had some amazing dioramas and chilled at Starbucks - so awesome to get to know Chenn! Evening ended up trying my hand (or feet) at Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and taking some purikura. It was Ladies night at Red Square so we karaoke'd for free from 7-12 and had a great time doing a mix of English, Japanese, and Filipino songs

Wed 21 Nov

Didnt leave the house until the early afternoon (great to feel like I'm actually on holiday) when Chenn and I took a couple of jeepneys to Little Tokyo and had a late lunch at the okonomiyaki shop (I swear I've eaten more Japanese than Filipino food in my time here so far!) We were the only ones in the restuarant so took our time and watched a Filipino game show (where people win money or health foods by dancing or singing songs) on the tv behind the counter . Had my first taste of Banana-Q (caramelised banana kebabs) for afternoon tea - so yummy! before heading out to Reich's parents place in Marakina City - what an adventure riding crowded jeepney with my huge pack! It's actually really nice to be in a family home again, had a great evening meeting the whole family and having great home cooked food - love chicken adobo!

Thur 22 Nov

The three of us shared one huge bed in their newly painted purple room and got to sleep in for a little bit : ) Had breakie and before I knew it it was lunchtime and then Chenn and I headed out to check out the sights of Marakina. Started with the Shoe Museum (housing Imelda Marcos' infamous shoes) and took a tricycle (like a sidecar) to the Doll Musuem with more great dioramas depicting the history of Marakina City and some insights into the culture here. Shopping and more street food at Riverbanks before a quiet evening at home watching "The Devil Wears Prada" and chatting till the wee hours.

Fri 23 Nov

Today we went on a day trip with Reich's mum, Reichenn and their little sister Lou Lou (who's taller than both of them) into Manila. Took and FX (mini mini-van) to the station and then two trains to get into the city (the overpass between which went over some unbelievable shanty towns). Had Chowking for lunch and Halo Halo for dessert before checking out Intramuros. Fort Santiago was amazing with Jose Rizal's shrine, prison cell, last steps and the famous lamp with its note "The Final Goodbye". Rode a calessa from Manila Cathedral for a city tour and then took a taxi to the Mall of Asia (MOA) which was huge (there's a cinema and even a skating rink inside!)and such a contrast to the shanty towns we'd seen earlier in the day. Watched the sunset from the boulevard outside and met Reich for dinner - there were so many options, it was so tough to choose! - at Congo Grill and then jeepney, train and FX to get home where we watched "Music and Lyrics". Think today might win the prize for most different types of transport in one day!

Sat 24 Nov

Headed out to the University of the Philippines for an Ame Gakuensai that Reich was hosting. There was a talent show section, loads of Japanese food stalls, a cosplay fashion show, live music and fireworks. It was a completely different appreciation of Japan than I had and interesting (and a little strange) to see it from a different angle especially from within Asia. Finished the day off with McDonalds - which sells spaghetti, chicken pieces and rice here!

Sun 25 Nov

Went to church with Reich's family which was interesting. Think it must be hard to hold onto a religion while you're travelling because it's expressed in so many different ways around the world. In the afternoon we headed out to Trinoma Mall to catch up with TinTin which was great to catch up, she's still with Yosuke and is lucky enough to have a job using her Japanese doing translation and intepretation (even though her major was Spanish). Another family dinner with everyone which was awesome, and Reich's dad commented "The weekends are the best. We are complete" - so cute!

Mon 26 Nov

Chatted to mum and dad at midday-ish and headed out to Riverbank at 3ish, bought a couple of watches, had pizza slices and pearl (bubble) tea before checking out the mall at Cubao. Seeing as it was going to be my last night at the family home, they decided I had to try balut - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut I'm pretty sure I've seen these on fear factor - they didnt actually taste too bad but just the idea of it is a bit gross