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1000k to Manila

It’s about 1000 kilometers from my place in Leyte to Manila. It usually takes me about 30 hours of actual drive time including taking the ferry connection between Samar Island and Luzon.
This is the west coast of Bicol near Pasacao – Daruanak Island looms in the distance.

Southern Luzon, or the Bicol province is often overlooked [...]

Ermita Manila

Malate and Ermita Manila
Malate and Ermita merge together to become a major tourist district in Manila. Here is a quick look at some of the attractions.
This area is a place of contrasts but everyone is looking to strike gold. Some do, but the odds are tough for a poor man.
There are people that make their [...]

Duck Inn Manila

Duck Inn – Ermita Manila
This pool hall – bar – restaurant – hotel used to be the Jurassic Inn. The old place had more character but the new remodeled place is not bad.
The Duck Inn is a big favorite of the Aussies.
1207 M.H. Del Pilar
tel (632) 523-3995 , 526-7584
fx (632) 521-1998
Here’s the gang!

Duck Inn Manila
Duck [...]

Hobbit House Manila

Hobbit House Manila
They bill themselves as “The only restaurant in the world owned, managed, and staffed by HOBBITS.”
These little people are the staff and give the place character. The Hobbit House was founded in 1973 with the purpose of giving little people a shot at running their own business.
The bar has a Tolkien “Lord of [...]

Friendlys Guest House

Friendly’s Guest House – Manila
By far the best place for the backpacker to stay in Manila is the Friendly’s Guest House in Malate, Manila.
Benjie has done an excellent job of turning the top 2 floors on this concrete building on Adriatico St into a home away from home for the traveler.
The upper deck has a [...]

Robinson Mall

Robinson Mall Manila

Malls are a big part of life in most large Asian cities.
Walking around in these huge air conditioned buildings is a great way to escape the heat or rain and huge crowds gather in the evenings and on weekends to eat at the food courts.
Name brand clothing tends to be quite expensive [...]

Malate Ermita Manila

Malate Ermita Manila
The districts of Malate and Ermita are a good place to spend the first and last night of a trip to the Philippines.
I am no authority on the area but walked around early this morning taking a few pictures while waiting for the Friendly’s Guest House to open.
It seems to me [...]

Pension Natividad Manila

Pension Natividad – Malate, Manila
Gabby and Lea welcome you with a comfortable place to stay during your visit to Manila.The Pension Natividad up the street from the Malate Church is a favorite of US Peace Corps volunteers.
There is a shaded patio that offers protection from the sun if you want to eat outdoors. It’s [...]