Some pictures from Grahamw48's last holiday...

[grahamw48]

After a few days in Subic...back to Manila:

More pics to come.

[Doc Alan]

I've enjoyed all your pictures so far Graham, thanks again for taking the time to upload



Look forward to your next pictures .

[Longweekend]

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.

We were neighbours of the 'Midnight Rambler' guys when they bought some land to develop in Pundaquit, great place and memories.....

[Rosie1958]

Fab photos Graham and a great account so far of your holiday!

[grahamw48]

Thanks Rosie. (Oh, and for the rep' ).

A few more to post.

[Rory]

Some good pictures there Graham, I am waiting for a few more now.

[grahamw48]

Thanks Rory.

Oops....better round off my trip report.

In a nice little restaurant in Subic ...yes, Spaghetti really does grow on trees ?
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I went into my hotel room and found this pretty young lady occupying my bed !
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After a few days in Subic we decided to return to Manila and sample a bit of nightlife in the big city.

We stayed in a hotel in Malate, where we'd had a very pleasant time earlier in the year.
It's called the 'Adriatico Arms Hotel', and I can thoroughly recommend it as a peaceful, clean and quiet place, with very friendly staff, and amazingly cheap considering its location (a few hundred yards from Robinsons Mall). Wi-fi in the rooms, but as we discovered, you need to be near the router. In fact we changed rooms after the first day, so we could have a strong signal, but it was no problem, other than.....
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Aaah, thinks me...I could sleep without being 'interfered with'....but you know how clingy those Filipinas are.

There are other rooms near to the router by the way...just that they were occupied when we had to decide.

There is so much to do in Manila. A great selection of eating places (many suitable for a Yorkshireman's budget), WINDOW-shopping places, live entertainment, etc, etc.

We decided to visit Calle 5 on Mabini again, a favourite live venue of ours, and had the usual good night out watching a succession of really talented live bands, all for about 400 pesos for the two of us. Within walking distance too.

Next I had the bright idea of visiting Manila Zoo...also just down the road. Last time I went it was 6 pesos, so I was shocked to find that it was going to cost 100 pesos each to gain entry. Anyway, I dug deep and in we went.

Here's a few pics:
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Blimey...another Spaghetti tree ! They grow everywhere !
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M' with Elephant growing out of her head:
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Spot the Crocodile (they did have some huge ones actually...15 footers).
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Suddenly it was time to return home.

[jake]

Enjoyed reading your holiday report
You had better go back very soon and start another thread!

[tiger31]

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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That blue house looks rather lop sided and ready to fall down

[Michael Parnham]

Fantastic photo's Graham, so pleased that you have found a very nice young lady to spend your future life with, you seem very happy together, all the best to both of you!

[grahamw48]

Thanks.

I'll be going again later this year.

[stevewool]

No stopping you now Graham.

[grahamw48]

It must be love.