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.