Asiana Business Lounge Seoul Incheon

Here I am again. I just love this lounge. It is roomy and really comfortable. There is plenty of fresh food and of course plenty to drink.

This is ideal for relaxing before the next flight.

Asiana Airlines

Now aboard my Asiana Airlines flight. The seats are very comfortable and there is plenty of leg room.

The service aboard these flights are excellent. Two full meals were served and drinks whenever you wanted them. Nothing seems to much trouble for the air hostesses.

Star Alliance Business Lounge

Just helping myself to food and drink. This is a great way to start the holiday and not costing a penny.

I have flown enough to get free access to the business lounge. Now looking forward to the lounge in South Korea.

Must admit it helps me sleep on the long flight hahaha

Milton Keynes Coach Way

A coach to Heathrow is such a good way to travel. The coach was on time and only takes about an hour.

Had a sleep so was there in no time

10th Trip Begins Now

So here I go again. My 10th trip to the Philippines in three years. On my first trip I never thought that I would go back. As soon as I got there I fell in love with the country.

I am just waiting for a taxi to the coach station. I just know I will feel at home as soon as I get there.

I am leaving some pretty impressive weather for September.

Fun in Manila

We stayed at the Microtel mall of Asia. This is a great hotel for shopping in the mall of Asia and for restaurants with entertainment along Seaside Boulevard.

We met friend here and had such a great time

The journey home the day after this was interesting as this ride made my daughter feel sick and she still felt sick on Sunday. The airline would not let us fly as they noticed a sick bag in her hand. What a nightmare. She was ok but just had the bag for emergency. But they would not us on the next flight either and we had to wait hours until they saw her eat and drink. We then had to get checked in Hong Kong before they let us get on another connecting flight.

Coco Grove Cultural Evening

The cultural show every week at Coco Grove Beach Resort is a must. There is some excellent entertainment and the food served as a buffet is so good.

You will not go hungry

Party in the pool

By the end of the wedding reception the guests ended up dancing and having fun in the pool.

This wedding was the best.

Everyone had so much fun

Ready for the Wedding

Everything set for our wedding. Just a few more hours and I will be tying the knot.

A wonderful time was had by all. A great service, lovely weather, lovely guests and a beautiful bride, what more can a man ask for.

The party went on all afternoon into the evening.

A Meal with friends

As soon as we arrived on Siquijor, we got changed a ready to go out. We had a lovely meal and a few drinks with friends and family.

A really nice start to the holiday. This just a short trip we had to cram in as much as possible.

Manila to Dumaguete

An early rise on Sunday. We stayed at the airport hotel which is just a short walk from Terminal one at Manila Airport. Although we was up at 5.00 am a hot breakfast was waiting in the reception area. We took the free hotel shuttle to terminal three for a Cebu Pacific domestic flight to Dumaguete. The flight is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It was all a bit of a rush as we needed to get the Delta ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor. The ferry was not that busy which helps as there is not really anywhere to put your luggage.

Hong Kong

We arrived at Hong Kong airport and only had about 1.5 hours before the next flight. This gave us just enough time to go through security and find our gate. I would say flying via Hong Kong is the quickest route from the UK to the Philippines.

Taxi to Heathrow - 9th Trip

So here we go off to London Heathrow on my ninth trip to the Philippines. I thought a taxi would be a good idea this time as my daughter and I had to leave straight after work and the cost of a taxi was better than parking my car for a week. It also meant I could have a drink on the way back.
- Posted from iPad

Business Lounge - Seol, South Korea

Before I go to the business lounge I normally find a gate that does not have a flight for a few hours and then lay down for a really good couple of hours sleep. This is such a big terminal that you can always find somewhere to sleep.

Apart from flying from here back to Heathrow that's the end of my eighth trip to the Philippines.

I am now looking forward to my ninth trip later in the year. I love the Philippines. The weather is great, the place is so nice and the people are so friendly. I can't say that about the UK.

Asiana Air Business Lounge Manila

Just had two nights in Manila and now waiting in the Asiana Air Business Lounge. This is much better than waiting in the terminal waiting area as it is very small and not much room. This lounge is right by the gate and has hot food, sandwiches and plenty of drinks.

Dumaguete Airport

Last flight of the day is Cebu Pacific Airlines at 17.45 although they normally run late which was the case for me. My flight for Manila was delayed by an hour.

An extra hour in this small airport is not that good. I normally check in and then come back out across the road and wait in a bar/cafe.

Trikes in Dumaguete

The best way to get around in the city is by trike. Most local journeys in Dumaguete are 9 pesos per person. If you get one of these on the trike rank outside the shopping mall you will have to wait for them to fill it up with passengers before they move and if you are not first off you will be on it longer. The best thing to do is negotiate a price with no other passengers or walk further down the road and hail one down.

Hotel Nicanor - Dumaguete

Traveled by ferry over to the city of Dumaguete. Did not have a hotel booked but found this one, Hotel Nicanor which was convenient as you could walk to most places from here. But if you wanted a trike ride they always pulled up the instant you stepped out the door of the hotel.

This hotel was 1200 pesos (£18.00) per night not including breakfast. It was clean with hot and cold water and aircon.

An Evening with friends at Coco Grove Resort

A few friends came over to the Coco Grove Resort. We had another lovely evening of chat, food and drink including entertainment at or table from singers at the resort.

Last day on Siquijor

Just relaxing by the beach on the last day before leaving Siquijor tomorrow for two nights in Dumaguete.

Ice tea is a lovely refreshing drink while out in the heat of the day.

Waitress on her day off

One of the waitresses climbing a coconut tree to show some guests how it is done. This was her day off, she spent a few hours chatting at taking photos with us.

Local Disco

A great night at the local disco with a really good live band playing. This was all part of the fiesta celebrations in the local Barangay of Calaninan, Siquijor.

I paid extra to have a couple of tables and some chairs to save standing all night. Although this was outside the heat of the night was unbearable, but the dancing, band and company was excellent.

Coco Grove Resort - Siquijor

Back at Coco Grove for my third stay. Coco Grove is probably the best resort on the island of Siquijor. Breakfast on the beach every morning is so nice and is included in the price. I can't think of a better way to start your day. The staff here are so friendly and get to know you by name and always have time for a chat.

Out to Dinner

Invited to a friends house for dinner. Plenty of very nice food especially the chicken curry.

Generally people living here cook and eat outside, so this was another great experience eating with local friends in the forest.

Replica Resort - Siquijor

Stayed at Replica Resort for a few nights. Only 850 pesos per night including aircon. Not much to do at the resort but a great cheap base. No hot water in the room and showers not that good. The easiest way to wash is the traditional way with a bucket of cold water and a sort of plastic saucepan shape dipper.

This resort will allow you to take your own food in and will cook it for you if required.

Pig for Fiesta

Pig just escaped from its pen. This pig will be used next week for the fiesta, very tasty.

Calalinan Fiesta dates are 14th-15th April 2012

The fiesta is part  of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on.

A night out with local friends

Arrived on Siquijor checked in and then for an evening out with local friends. A few beers and a good chat and laugh. Just cannot beat the atmosphere of sitting outside and chatting with friends.

Seaside Boulevard - Manila

A walk along Seaside Boulevard in the evening from the hotel is a pleasant way to spend the evening. Lots of locals go here to eat in the fish restaurants and watch the entertainment.

You can see right across Manila from the ferris  wheel. this is the biggest ferris wheel in the Philippines. The cost to ride is 150 pesos.

Microtel Mall of Asia Manila

Back at the Microtel Mall of Asia hotel Manila for three nights. A lovely hotel. The food is really nice here and not expensive. If you are coming here from the airport a fixed price taxi is about 700 pesos but I suggest you go and queue for a meter taxi as it will only cost you about 250 pesos including a tip.

The shopping mall is about a 5 minute walk from the hotel as is many restaurants along the Seaside Boulevard.

Seol South Korea Business Lounge

Now on South Korean time which is eight hours ahead of the UK.

In the business lounge again, more snacks and drinks. I will not want to eat for weeks after my flight.

A very nice and comfortable lounge.

Asiana Airlines

Asiana Airlines a really great. There is plenty of leg room and they really look after you well. Because I am a Diamond Member (frequent travel) I had two hostesses approach me individually using my name to welcome me aboard and to thank me for choosing to fly with them so many times.

This flight to South Korea was about 10.5 hours.

I am so full up with a meal in the lounge and then two full meals on the flight.

Star Alliance Business Lounge

What a great business lounge at London Heathrow terminal 1. Had a full meal and plenty to drink.

I could charge all my devices and had free internet access.

There was plenty of drink and snacks available

Coach to Heathrow - 8th Trip

Here I go again. Off to the Philippines. Coach Journey to Heathrow. Really quick journey and a great return price.

This is the start of a fairly long journey to the Philippines but well worth once there.

Heathrow Coach Station

Back in the cold UK now. This is the coach station at Heathrow. Need to book my next trip now. Think it might well be April 2012

Pinoy Big Brother

I got woke up in the early hours of the morning with so much noise. People were gathering all night ready for auditions in the morning for the Pinoy Big Brother auditions. My hotel (Microtel Mall of Asia) was right next to the big car park where everybody queued.

I spent a full day here and then back to the UK

Local Children Dumaguete

M flight is just a couple of hours away now. We went for a walk along the boulevard.

Oh dear my holiday is coming to an end. Just a couple of days in Manila now and then back to the UK

Dumaguete

Now a journey back to Dumaguete. Stayed here for a couple of nights before my flight back to Manila and then the UK. We stay at the Coco Grand which is a really nice hotel owned by the same people as Coco Grove on Siquijor.

This is a photo of the trike drivers waiting for passengers coming off the ferry.

Party at Bonita Oasis

We made friends with a few people here. the resort allowed us to have our own barbecue using their facilities such as kitchen and build barbecue. We paid corkage to take our own wine, meat and charcoal. What a night we had. good company, good food, good drink and all ended up drunk in the pool at midnight.

Kawasan Falls cebu

What a great day out this is. The Kawasan Falls are really nice. We had a full day here. take a picnic with you is cheaper than buying food here. Swimming in the cold but refreshing water is lovely. I must admit it took my breath away.

Bonita Oasis - Moalboal, Cebu

Now on our travels. A ferry to Dumaguete, then a ferry to Cebu. Once we wer on Cebue we needed a trike to the coach station which was just a muddy piece of land. Then a couple of hours to a divers resort called Moalboal.

The place we stayed was called Bonita Oasis and was one of the best rooms I have ever stayed in. this was just unbelievable for the price. Well worth a visit.

Salagdoong Beach - Siquijor

Went to the beach for the day with family and friends. Swimming, Snorkeling, drinking and eating.

Had a lovely barbecue with fish we bought on the way.

Mama also cooked rice. What a great day out.

This beach is a government run public beach. there is a small charge to get to it. Well worth a visit.

Shopping for food

Went  shopping for food on New Years day as we were going to the beach the next day for the day.

Not a lot open on new Years day.

We did not get the pigs head, though we would give that a miss.

New Years Eve

New years eve in the middle of a forest with a karaoke  was an experience that was so different. I hired the machine for 1000 pesos and the family and neighbors and of course me had a really good time. Singing, dancing getting drunk and not to forget the food and fireworks.

Day Trip to Dumaguete

Took the local ferry back across to Dumaguete for a day visiting family and a trip to the shopping mall.

Had a really enjoyable day.

Rented House

Rented a house on Siquijor for a week. This was a good experience as we went shopping for food in the local market and entertained friends with some of my cooking, oh also had some help.

This house really was in the middle of nowhere.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day the Philippine way. Families and friends get together. It's all about having fun. Children might get a small present each but the day is about getting together, playing games and having a good laugh. The UK could learn a lot from this! One of my best Christmas days.

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve at Coco Grove was just a wonderful experience. There was good food, great cocktails and a cultural show. All this outside in lovely weather. A really good time.

Dinner on the Beach

Dinner on the beach edge with excellent company, food and entertainment. Coco Grove beach resort really know how to look after you.

Coco Grove - Siquijor

Coco Grove Resort is probably the best resort on the island of Siquijor. It is right on the beach where you can swim and snorkel safely. The two swimming pools are very clean and a pleasure to swim in and relax.

The resort is very friendly with every member of staff learning your name very quickly.

The food here is excellent.

Antulang Beach Resort - Negros

Nestled 40 kilometers south of Dumaguete City, Philippines, ANTULANG BEACH RESORT claims to be the first Philippine resort to offer private pool villas to guests. The accommodation and private pool was really top class. I am afraid to say the food did not reach the same level of quality. This resort is way over priced for what you get.


This is the spectacular view from the bed/bedroom.