Hi, Thanks for the warm welcome here, I first visited the Philippines in August 2014 , I was bored with run of the mill holiday destinations, you know 2 weeks lying on the beach in Spain or the typical UK type family holiday. I was Bored i needed to explore like i did in my younger years i was into Mountain Biking and Hiking around Snowdonia N Wales.

Now i am older @ 55 and my family have grown up and there not into adventure as much as I am so I decided i would take off and explore alone. I got chatting to a wonderful family from Quezon city "we met playing candy crush lol" after a year of chatting with them they invited me to visit so I researched the Philippines with the help of this forum

I also visited March this year for 17 days

I was so nervous Traveling so far alone, my first experience when i stepped out of NAIA airport was of torrential rain and warmth, They had organised to meet me but they where late I was already forewarned not to let anyone take my luggage and be polite to the persistent taxi touts with a firm NO, I stood around waiting for my friends to arrive for an hour trying to look like i knew what i was doing and thinking of plan B if they didn't show up lol.

It all worked out my nervousness and my melted away they where a wonderful family so kind and helpful and for 2 weeks they accompanied me around manila showing me the sights, Riding tricycles, jeepneys and protecting me from danger of pickpockets.

my 2nd visit i went further afield to santa Margerita near Calbayog Samar, i stayed with there Parents in a traditional house "very basic no running water" they bet i could not survive living with out modern conveniences for a week. I did it and i helped dry the rice in the road, fetch water and ate there food, I observed there way of life watched children play in the street with simple toys, teenagers where very respectful. There parents are both over 70 they still work hard caring for there family.

oh i gone on a bit lol,

Thanks again for allowing share a little part of my experience, here is a Video on youtube of one of my days out , hope im allowed post here.

https://youtu.be/tEAqwbNH-vY