Some pictures from Grahamw48's last holiday...

[Michael Parnham]

Now, one characteristic that Mercedes and I share is extreme 'kuripotism'. How lucky is that for a Yorkshireman ?

So, as we didn't have to struggle TOO much to find the p2500 a month rent, and we ate all of our meals in the local canteen for about 25 pesos a meal, it seemed we might be able to splash out on some day trips to 'interesting' places that neither of us had visited before. First trip was Baguio.

The Baguio bus stops in San Jacinto, as it happens, and the fare is less than p100 each way, for what is only an inch on the map, but actually takes several hours through some interesting terrain, and seemed more like 50 miles. Free aircon. Free wi-fi (if you catch the right bus). Good value !

After all that, neither of us were impressed with Baguio. We got off the bus there and had a quick meal in the bus station snack bar, then up the hill (it's ALL hills...bit like Sheffield) to SM Mall, where there were a few good views and some some decent toilets. After that, having seen enough...back on the bus.

Here's some pictures:

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I like your style Graham!

[Arthur Little]

Smashing photos on BOTH pages, Graham ... and a marvellous running commentary to accompany them. Great too, that you were able to spend quality time with Mercedes' relatives in the course of your travels.

Thanks for sharing these experiences and back to Blighty.

[stevewool]

Great pictures Graham, something tells me you will be going back sooner then later

[grahamw48]

Yes, I'll be going back before the end of this year.

More pics to come...more cheap trips out...and pictures of beds !

Thanks Arthur !

[grahamw48]

Time for a a few hours at the local beach (San Fabian, Pangasinan), with family members.

M's brother (Paulie) was to be our transport, as usual. His kids wanted to come along, plus one or two nieces. I think there were about 8 of us on the trike in the end, plus bags so we were a cosy little party on what was probably a 20 mile round trip, as the 'short-cut' bridge was closed for repairs.

We had pre-booked a beach cottage (which they rather amusingly, but accurately call 'SHEDS' ). Naturally the fee included the obligatory KARAOKE machine.

I have withheld all videos of myself singing, in the interests of good taste, but I'll post again the one of Mercedes and her sweet warblings.

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Oops...forgot our cycling video:

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[stevewool]

So all 8 of you were on that trike and if so where were you sitting and I want to see a picture of that too

[Espie]

Graham, I'm jealous of you! Great photos

[Michael Parnham]

Very nice photo's Graham!

[SimonH]

Good reading and pics Graham

Must admit I wasn't exactly impressed with Baguio when I was there last year

[jake]

Nice pictures
Just got back from a few days holiday in Ilocos. We made a quick detour to meet a client in Baguio yesterday morning and it was a right pea-souper!

[IMG][/IMG]

[Tish]

Thanks for sharing your pics Graham

Tish

[grahamw48]

Walang anuman.

More to come.

[grahamw48]

So all 8 of you were on that trike and if so where were you sitting and I want to see a picture of that too

There were at least 8. I was inside with the girls.

No pic....but this is near enough.

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[grahamw48]

I suppose I'd better post the rest now.

[grahamw48]

Ah yes...we decided to have another day out. This time to '100 Islands'...another bus riding adventure.

Again, the bus conviently passed through near the end of our road, and the trip cost peanuts, so why not have a nice cheap day out (to Alaminos).

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En route...part of a large fish farm:
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Rice Paddies:
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100 Islands ! Shame the trike driver took us on a world tour which ended up at this mucky little beach.
Nevermind...back to a nice Carendaria for some tasty local food, and then a pleasant ride home.
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On the way home....lots of clean-looking rivers and fish farms:
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[Dedworth]

Great pics Graham - I like shots of the unspoilt "local" beach at San Fabian, Pangasinan. What a contrast to spoilt, overhyped and overpriced Boracay

[grahamw48]

True.

I have no desire whatsoever to go to Boracay. Blinkin tourists.

[grahamw48]

After spending a very pleasant 15 days in M's home town, it was time to have a change of scene, We left the stuff we'd bought for the apartment for the family, and decided to have a few days at Subic, just relaxing and sunning ourselves on the beach, amazing the crowds at the Karaoke bar, etc.

It came as a shock to the system having to pay for a hotel again, but the room was rather nice, and literally 10 yards back from the beach.
Here's a 'bed picture' for Steve W.

Warning...be careful which beans you chuck down the bath plug hole.
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[Dedworth]

True.

I have no desire whatsoever to go to Boracay. Blinkin tourists.

Ghastly place, on my never return list

[grahamw48]

Same room:


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Mercedes, with 'MiniMe' Graham on her shoulder:
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[grahamw48]

Me, helpfully pointing to the sea...in case you missed it:

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[grahamw48]

Beach at the front of the hotel...with those water motorbike things for brave people.
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[grahamw48]

My sweetheart, with her nephew:

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[Michael Parnham]

The Photo's get better Graham. With ref to the amount of people that ride pedicabs (tricycles) reminds me of one route they run in Dumaguete, including driver thirteen people two 1cwt sacks of rice and a pig, all in one journey the reason being is because it's a difficult route and takes a long time so the driver won't set off until he is really full, the bike is only 125cc!

[fred]

Beach at the front of the hotel...with those water motorbike things for brave people.
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I had a go of a mates jet ski the other day...Bloody great IMO!!
Didnt you have a go Graham?

[SimonH]

Great pics Graham What was the hotel and where, looks really nice

[Longweekend]

Thanks Graham, great pictures and story, brings back memories as we lived on Baloy Beach for a year while we sorted out our place further up the coast towards San Antonio....

[grahamw48]

I had a go of a mates jet ski the other day...Bloody great IMO!!
Didnt you have a go Graham?

No mate, to be honest I have friends in York who've had them for years...from back in the days when I had my own boat and used to go water ski-ing, so I've been on them before. I just wasn't prepared to pay the silly prices being asked at Subic. I let my son have a ride on one when we were in Subic back in 2007 though.

[grahamw48]

Great pics Graham What was the hotel and where, looks really nice

The hotel is Kokomo's, Baloy beach, Subic. I've stayed there a couple of times before.

I only go to Subic because I know one or two people there, to be honest.
If you're looking for a nice beach resort, you can do a lot better.

[grahamw48]

Thanks Graham, great pictures and story, brings back memories as we lived on Baloy Beach for a year while we sorted out our place further up the coast towards San Antonio....

Oh really ?

I've been going there since the 90s, as it was handy for when I used to live in Angeles ('sin city' ) and ran a dating agency.