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.

Airport Lounge Beijing

Was so nice to relax in the lounge at Beijing Airport. I had an eight hour stay before my next flight so was able to have plenty to eat and drink as well as a nice sleep.

There was plenty of choice of food and drink.

Beijing Airport

Beijing Airport (Terminal 3) is a very modern and clean. It was easy to find my way through to transfers. Normal shops and duty free  available with a few places to eat. The flight was okay but did not have the little touches that Asiana Airlines have. Food was fine, the only issue I had was the air conditioning. It was the coldest flight I have ever had in my life. I shivered for the whole flight. People were putting thick winter coats on (which I did not have).

Heathrow - 7th Trip

So here I am again. Off on my travels to the Philippines. Flying Air China this time. Will be interesting to see what they are like. Have use of the Star Alliance Business lounges. Nice to relax with a few drinks and something to eat away from the crowds. Impressed so far as it took less than 10 minutes from entering Heathrow to being checked in and in the lounge.

Seaside Boulevard

Evenings out along Seaside Boulevard are very pleasant. It is a really nice atmosphere with many entertainers and bands playing at restaurants along the front. If you order fish you and/or the waiter goes to a market to purchase the fresh fish for your meal.

Last day today so making the most of a full day before a midnight flight back to the UK

SM Mall of Asia

This is simply one of the biggest malls I have ever been in. You really need a few days to get round it all.

It a really worth going here

Roof Pool

Only a small pool on the roof, but very pleasant to cool off after a day's shopping in the mall. It is very nice place to lay in the sun and relax. You can order food and drinks as well. Fresh clean pool towels are folded neatly on the sun beds simply waiting for you to use.

Just cannot fault this hotel. Hotels and Resorts Philippines

Manila

Flew back to Manila today from Dumaguete. Stayed at the Microtel Mall of Asia. A very nice hotel with good service in a nice clean and safe area. The Mall of Asia is only a short walk as is the many restaurants and entertainment along Seaside Boulevard.

This is the view from the swimming pool on the roof of the hotel.

Gecko

Here is a little friend who woke us up every morning. The gecko is a lizard that makes a sound just like he is saying gecko gecko.




At night the strange noise you can here is the rustling of thousands of hermit crabs on the beach. Be careful if you come out your room at night you might tread on one, I nearly did.

Sea Urchin

Here is a very tasty (so I am told) sea urchin. There are hundreds all over the coral. So if you go swimming, snorkeling or diving just be very careful. The good thing with this resort is the first few meters of water is just sand so great for the kids to swim safely.

Snorkelling

You can do some really good snorkeling straight from the beach at Kookoo's Nest. The coral is just yards away and plenty of interesting fish to see. The owners also give diving lessons, although we just stayed with the snorkeling as it was so good.

View from Cottage

This is the view from our beach cottage at Kookoo's Nest Resort Dumaguete. You wake up in the morning to this view and the sound of the sea.

Kookoo's Nest

Wow, what a great resort. The cottage we stayed in was a traditionally built bamboo cottage right on the beach. You have no choice but to relax at this resort. The food is excellent. Join the other guests for a buffet in the evening for 350 pesos per head. Plenty of of food and a great way to get to know the other guests. All the vegetables  are organically grown by the owners and taste lovely. We went snorkeling over the coral straight from the beach. The owners also give diving lessons for all levels.

Massage

Had a really nice massage at the resort's spa. I felt so relaxed. I could feel all the tension just fading away

Swimming Pool

Had a couple of lazy days. Went for walks along the beach and lazed by the pool. This resort is very peaceful.

Atmosphere Resort

Stayed at  a lovely resort right on the beach. The cottages are in a very lovely gardens. This is a very relaxing place with a nice fresh water pool. The food here is of excellent quality and beautifully presented.

Atmosphere Resort on Hotels and Resorts Philippines

Our Accommodation on Squijor

We finished our party last night at our accommodation. Up early today to catch ferry back to Dumaguete.

A few beers

Had a great party with friends. Plenty of beer and food and a really good laugh.

Lunch in Siquijor

Took the hire bike back today and then had lunch in Siquijor town.

Meeting with friends later for a few drinks and a good laugh

Valentines Meal

Went for our valentines meal at the Royal Cliff which I would say offers the best food on the island. The setting is very romantic with a table looking over the sea and candles on the table. The food is very well prepared and presented.

Basketball Match

After the beach we went to watch a local basketball match. This is a very social event for the locals. We had green mangoes which in my view are not as nice as the yellow mangoes but the locals love them.

Afternoon on the Beach

Had a great afternoon on the beach. I built a sand car and used coconut husks for the bumpers and steering wheel. Went for a walk in shallow waters to see the many sea urchins. I can tell you I was very careful where I put my feet. These can give you a very nasty sting and could ruin your holiday. The locals love to eat these raw straight from the sea. I don't think I can bring myself to try them. OK just agreed to try them on my next trip.

Visiting

First full day on Siquijor was busy visiting.

Ferry to Siquijor

Final part of the journey to Siquijor. As my flight was late we had to take the slow ferry to Larena on Siquijor. This is a two hour journey instead or the normal one hour. Larena is further away from where we were staying.

Feeling so relaxed already

Manila to Dumaguete

It is 13.50 Monday 4th April 2011 (UK 06.50). The one night at the Manila Airport Hotel was ok. The good thing is that it is only a walk to the hotel from terminal 1. The hotel has courtesy bus to terminal 3 which was handy this morning as I over slept.

I board my flight in about 20 minutes. The weather here is really good.

Sixth Visit to the Philippines

Here we go again, my sixth trip to my favorite country the Philippines. Flying Asiana Airlines again via Seoul in South Korea. The flight was excellent as was the food.

Only have about 3.5 hours to wait for my connecting flight. This airport is simply one of the best. South Korea is 8 hours ahead of the UK the moment, however, the Philippines is 7 hours ahead.

Business Lounge Seoul

Have done enough flights on Asiana Airways to get vouchers for access to the business lounge as well as priority check-in and boarding.

A really good way to kill a few hours, with good internet access, food and drink.

Well, will be boarding in a couple of hours, then back to work and normal daily routines. Think I am ready for another holiday.

Different Every Day

The great thing about the sunsets on Siquijor is that they are different every night. Colours changes, cloud formations are always different. I have never seen two the same.

Sun Set

Sun sets on Siquijor are just amazing. This photo shows the sun setting behind a small island called Apo Island.

Apo Island has some of the best diving and snorkelling in the Philippines. I have never been there but have plans to visit soon.

Party on the Beach

Had a great day on the beach with family and friends. We had a barbecue of fresh fish, chicken, pork and rice.

Did some swimming, snorkeling, games on the beach and generally had a really good laugh.

Jeepney

Today we went to Siquijor town to buy food for a barbecue on the beach tomorrow. While we were there we saw this Jeepney.

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transport in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War two and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.

If you visit places like Manila you will see just hundreds and hundreds of them. You do not see many on Siquijor. Motorbike and trike are the main modes of transport on Siquijor.

Another Lazy Day

Another relaxing day. Not doing too much apart from eating, drinking and relaxing. May be a trip out on the motorbike or a swim in the pool.

Fancy a Bacon Sandwich

This passenger riding the side car will probably find it's the end of the road. This pig is most likely going to a family party, very tasty.

I was just filling up with petrol when this stopped to refuel at the same time.

Barbecue

While on the boat trip we stopped on a beach and cooked lunch.

Such a pleasant experience, just picking a beach, lighting a fire and have lunch before moving off for some more snorkelling.

Snorkelling

A group of us hired a boat with crew to go snorkelling. The boat only cost us 4500 pesos for the whole day. Not bad for 8 people all day.

The coral and fish were just amazing. I have never seen anything like it.

The only scary moment was the sight of the sea snake.

Friend's Property

Went to see how my friend is progressing with property. They have made a lot of progress and the landscaping is really taking shape.

Will look really good when it is all finished with views over the sea.

New Years Day

Got up late New Years day. Must admit to being a bit delicate and not having much to drink after such a good party the night before.

You just cannot beat spending time in a warm climate away from the cold UK weather, especially over new year.

Fireworks

New years eve on the island of Siquijor, Philippines. The part went on until 4.00am. We had such a great time drinking, dancing and generally having a good time. New years eve on the beach was just a great experience.

New Years Eve Buffet

The new years party at Coral Cay Resort was really enjoyable. The food was excellent. This pig was fed on organic vegetables and was enjoying life in the morning. It tasted really nice. I did try the skin as I was told it was the best bit. Well not for me!

There was plenty of food of all types.