Manila and Volcanoes
Trip Start
Sep 18, 2005
1
5
14
Trip End
Dec 20, 2005
Manila, Philippines
Friday, September 23, 2005
Since having written yesterday I have done so much... sorry about the length of this one... I'll start shortening these.
I stayed for a few hours in Ermita and Malate, two 'backpacker' areas of Manila. It was interesting and, as always, quite chaotic. I did quite a bit of walking and was able to truly appreciate the city by foot. Something that was striking is the amount of people that are simply wandering the streets. Unemployment is high here and, as such, there are countless souls that spend the majority of their day basically doing nothing. It's sad but it's a reality of the city I guess.
Walking around was certainly interesting; however, I did get harassed quite a bit (especially by kalesa - horse drawn carriages - drivers). I've learned that as long as you immediately say 'no' and don't smile they'll leave you alone... otherwise, they will follow you for as long as they please (or until you run into a Starbucks and make up yet another excuse to buy a coffee). I've also become quite good at looking as if I've lived in this city for ages (i.e. no longer is my camera visible to the naked eye)... this makes people less likely to immediately label me as a tourist and, as such, I can enjoy the sites in peace.
The weather was pretty windy and I could feel a storm approaching so I met up with Pepe (Leo's driver) and rushed toward Makati (i.e. the other Manila). Makati is to Manila what fifth avenue is to New York. There are huge shopping malls with every brand name imaginable, ritzy restaurants, countless Mercedes, skyscrapers businessmen and women and everybody here seems to have a purpose (work and spend money). The mall was huge and I took advantage of it by buying myself some sunglasses and two pairs of sandals (for a grand total of $24... big spender here). While shopping, I found it interesting that everybody here addresses you as 'Sir'. At some point I entered into a cell phone store (I'm trying to get an international phone card but they don't seem to exist here) and the fifteen clerks each, at some point, started to say 'Yes sir' to me... it was pretty funny. After the shopping I ate at Subway and I was disappointed by the pickles (they really weren't good). That should teach me to stay away from 'American-type' food when I'm abroad anyway.
After a day at the mall I returned to meet up with Leo who then brought me to Roxas Boulevard, which overlooks the bay. Here I ate an amazing supper with the sound of the waves crashing against the Promenade.
The next day was quite exciting as I finally went to Taal Volcano. First off, I went and dropped Leo off at the Mandarin Hotel as he was conducting some interviews for Unliever there. Then, Pepe and I headed off to the city of Tagaytay, which is about 2 hours away from Manila. It was raining pretty hard in Manila and I was worried that this would also be the case in Tagaytay but, luckily, that was not the case.
I keep expecting everything to be organized and ready. The Taal Volcano is a relatively popular tourist destination; however, getting there is pretty difficult and minimal signage exists. I'm still unsure as to how I would ever have gotten around without a driver!!! Tagaytay is a city; however, it is surroundings (Lake Taal and Taal Volcano) that attract the most attention. The scenery in Tagaytay is absolutely stunning. This is how the lonely planet describes it but I'll let my pictures do the rest:
"The picturesque volcanic island sits in a lake in the middle of a vast crater."
It's really quite interesting to see a volcano smack down in the middle of a lake. Either way, in Tagaytay, I arranged to have an electronic bangka (Filipino boat) and a guide to take me across the lake and up the volcano. The hike was difficult and the fact that it tended to rain did not alleviate the process. Furthermore, when it wasn't raining the sun would come out and literarily burn me like I've never been burnt before (I'm purple... it's crazy). It's because of the fact that the pollution level is so high in Manila that there is no longer any ozone protecting my skin (I can't prove it but if you saw me you'd believe it).
My guide was very helpful though he spoke little English... most of our discussions was through signs and motions, which made it all the more interesting. At the top of the mountain, we saw the volcanic crater and I could smell the sulfur as steam was being released through craters. It was absolutely amazing!!! Here I was, desperately attempting to capture the moment in a photo when I told myself... screw it... I'll videotape it. Take a look at the clip as you'll better understand what I'm talking about.
The best moment of the whole trip was by far seeing the pack of Japanese tourist (about 20 of them) come up the mountain on the back of horses, holding to their dear life and to their Gucci purses and huge straw hats. O.K., I'll admit that in these pictures I look like I'm off to a safari and that I should not be talking about style... but when climbing a mountain by horse... you should not be wearing six inch pumps with $5,000 bags. I still don't understand the reasoning. Well, whatever rocks your boat I guess?
Well, I should probably go... I'll try writing again soon,
Pascal
P.S. Some crazy British man came up to me today and was asking me for Money. He kept telling me that he wanted to go back to Great Britain and that 'they' had taken all his money and that I should know how it is here. That was fine, until he tried grabbing my necklace and started telling me he 'wanted nothing to do with me'... I was absolutely freaked out. I just felt a need to warn all you out there and considering to come to the Philippines to stay away from British people ;-)
