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Feeding the Pig at a Local Farm

September 19, 2013 – 11:55 am
Motorcycles in the Philippines

I’m at my keyboard a bit early this morning – 6 a.m. – because I had/have plans to leave this morning. Unfortunately, another typhoon has formed. This one is headed for Taiwan, but it is still off the coast of the Philippines, and it is large enough that it is cloudy and rainy here. The weather might clear, but chances are it will get worse. …

Random Thoughts on the Philippines

September 16, 2013 – 11:43 am
Pedicab - Bicycle Taxi

I had intended yesterday to go on to note other characteristics of the Philippines, but I ran out of steam. I’ll continue today.
A big part of daily life in the Philippines is the sari-sari store. These are everywhere since making one involves simply cutting a hole in the wall of the front of your house and installing some chicken wire. Voila, you have a little …

Creatures in the Philippines

September 15, 2013 – 11:26 am
Puppies Getting a Bath

Still on the island of Biliran. Still raining. There were downpours last night that I thought would sweep away the building. The rain hits the roof with a deafening sound that builds and builds and builds. This hotel sits on the edge of town and I get beautiful views across green fields into trees and villages and then on to the mountains. The fields are …

The Rice Terraces of Ilyusin

September 3, 2013 – 3:58 pm
Rice Terraces and Banana Leaf

I did return to the same area on my bike yesterday. This time, however, I made sure to have a big breakfast before I left, and that made all the difference to my mood. If there is one rule I should always stick with it is that I should have a full breakfast at the beginning of every day before I get on my bike. …

Morning in Viriato

May 21, 2013 – 12:14 pm
Michael's Daughter Resting on My Beast of a Bicycle

I knew I had only a short distance to cycle the next day – it was about 45 kilometers to Calbayog – and I was in no hurry to get out of bed and get moving. I got up around 7 (that counts for sleeping in on a cycling trip), and found Michael on the sofa and playing with his new baby daughter. It was …

Enjoying the Breeze – Ferry Ride from Matnog to Allen

May 20, 2013 – 12:04 pm
Boy Doing a Backflip off a Ferry in Allen

The trip across to the port town of Allen on Samar went by quickly and pleasantly – at least once we got moving. The loading had taken many hours and we left hours after the departure time I had been given. The Penafranca boat had left long ago and likely had already arrived in Allen. Once we were moving and there was a breeze, I …

Day Three and Matnog’s Still-Hidden Charms

May 19, 2013 – 11:52 am
Jumping from Bridges in Matnog

The next day, my last day in Matnog, was an odd sort of day. I spent the morning writing in my journal and drinking coffee and hanging out at the resort. This was not quite as relaxing and enjoyable as it sounds as the skin on my legs around my knees was so itchy and sore that I wanted to scream at times. Plus, I …

“Where’s my spoon and water bottle?” Robbed in Matnog

May 19, 2013 – 11:49 am
Young Boys in Matnog

Charmless Matnog was not, however, finished with me, and I rode my bike back to my improvised campsite in the Richwell Beach Resort walled compound to find that I had been robbed. True, the robbers had not gotten away with much, but it was still quite annoying. They had taken a few things that I’d left out on the table with my campstove. They took …