On February 9′th we checked out from Phuket Backpackers Hostel and set for the airport. Our premiere flight with Air Asia from Phuket to KL proved the aviation company (as beeing somewhat of an underdog) to have a future in the flight business. Clean, a nice and friendly cabin crew made the first impression a good one.
After a good nights slepp at the Concorde Inn Hotel (next to KLIA) we started off the - Saturday February 10′th - with an early morning flight with reliable Malaysian Airlines from KL to Manila and the Philippines. The inflight to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino’s International Airport proved our southeast Asian trip’s most significant example of segregation (so far). Tiny shelters made out of cardboard, and God knows what else, lingered along the muddy river along the runway. Beyond the Makati area skyscrapers exposed the other side of the Philippino reality - consumtion, banking and wealth.
The evening was spent at Robinsons Mall. Armed guards checking every potential shoppers clothes and bag before letting them inside this clean and (very) americanized Robinsons Mall.
February 11, day two in the Philippino capitol (after a good nights sleep at the New Solaine Hotel at Leon Quinton Road) was spent on one of Manila’s thousands of Jeepneys, a stroll inside the walls of Intramuros (old town) and some more shopping at the Greenbelt gigantic and well pollished complex.
Late in the afternoon we succeed getting an earlier flight (than already booked) from Manila Centennial Terminal to Cebu-Mactan International in the south. Soaring above the vulcanic landscape of southern Luzon island was fascinating and the view was spectaculare.
Arriving in Mactan island (little neighbour to Cebu) we took a cab to the White Sand Resort. A curved swimming pool (size large) and a room almost bigger than our flat back home in Sweden welcomed us along with a drink at the front desk while checking in. Unfortunately the pool closed for cleaning at 9 pm so we missed our intended “swim under the stars”.
The food at the resort’s restaurant was great though, and so was the local acoustic band performing next to our dinning table too. After a cup of tea in the private jacuzzi we finally droped to sleep…
Only to rescieve the wake up call at 4.30 am (February Monday 12′th). Rushing down to the taxi driving us for a “snap look” at Magellans Cross (the guy was killed here by a local chief ages ago) and then be dropp off at (Cebu ferry) Terminal 1. A few minutes and several checks in our luggage later we sat on the Ocean Jet ferry. Heading for the city of Dumaguete on the Negros island’s southern tip.
The boat trip was a pain since the engine noice accumilated within the passanger’s sitting area (talk about resonance). Four hours later we arrived in Dumaguete, had some quarrel with locals demanding on carrying our luggage to their taxi, and eventually got on the right bus - taking us to little village of Siaton to meet up with Maria’s uncle and his Datag born wife Dora.
The evening was spent at the family’s beach house - entirely made out of bamboo. A nice swim in the South China sea (rather windy though), eating wonderful local food (Dora’s famous cooking), and then falling a sleep to the sound of screaming roosters , barking dogs and other “just accept it” sounds of the tropics.
Today (Tuesday 13′th) we’re back in Dumaguete (after an hours Jeepney trip) for some shopping. CD:s are reputed to be bargains if bought here. Maria and I chosed another activity at the little Internet Cafe, neighbouring Cang’s, Inc. And you’ve just seen the result of this activity.
Over and out
Peder Strandh, Dumaguete (Negros Or.) - Philippines
