07.58 It is the last Monday on the trip. We are still in our bamboo hut on Siquijor. I didn't need any gentle wakeup call. I woke up by my self. Christer woke up an hour ago. He realised that it rained and that we won’t take any morning bath. Since we shouldn’t do this there was no need for a wakeup.

Rain and wind when we wanted to swim.

09.15 Yesterday evening we booked a mountain bike each for 10 AM. If this weather carries on I see no need in biking away. How the hell will me make time fly on this day? If the weather, the one we got that is, carries on tomorrow, will any boat leave? It is raining cats and dogs and to top it all off it is also windy.

09.58 We have to get out using our umbrellas. We need to have something to eat. But the question is this, will the umbrellas make it in the wind or will they turn into parabolic antennas?

11.16 We had breakfast and also bought tickets for the ferry ride away from here tomorrow. We chose to take the boat leaving at 15.00. We also got a rain check with the biking.

13.10 The rain stopped and the sun peeked out. We went and grabbed the bikes and off we were. Pretty soon Christer got a problem with his bike. The break on the front wheel had a slight grip on the wheel and there was a rattling sound from the left pedal. He couldn’t make up the first hill and as he began to push the bike he met a man who suggested he would ride the bike instead. We carried on a little more before we gave it up and went back. Now we are back at the resort to fix the bike.

Peter on a biking trip.

We travelled by a cow.

Christer, somewhere on Siquijor Island.

14.07 We biked away, went away to and through the town/village San Juan. As we reached Coco Grove we changed direction and bikes. Now we have returned to San Juan and we rest in the small town park with a natural pool.

The natural freshwater pool in San Juan.

San Juan

Peter leaving San Juan.

14.39 We are back home again and have paid for the bike rent. It was an interesting trip with many happy villagers waving to us as we passed through the villages. My wounded knees scared one of the resort ladies. Had I crashed during the trip and hurt myself? I told her the truth, that I had fallen to my knees in Dumaguete, and a smile spread on her face. Next we will take a bath, a bath on a place without mud and seaweed. We are going to the swimming pool.

The sun came through the clouds for an hour.

16.25 We are back after tanning and swimming. The sun exposed itself for us for a short while. I am sorry to say that the journal also got wet. I had placed my small backpack on a wet spot. Now the lower part of the journal is moisty. I have to make it dry.

21.05 The journal has dried enough for this entrance. Since last we; took it cool and went to eat Cordon Bleu, seen a small black animal run by, paid, done our beach walk, seen a freshly dug hole, (the animal?) (A mole?) and returned back home. The strange little animal also ran by our house. What is it?

23.00 We’ve just listened to a religious broadcast with a Catholic priest and a nun speaking. Equal life between men and women has just begun here according to those two. The priest explained that women must understand what marriage is about. She must always obey her husband who is above of her just like Jesus is above the man. A woman must always consult with her husband about how she shall get to the market to by the ingredients for the dinner. Will she walk? Will she take a tricycle? She can’t make such decisions on her own according to the priest who also was sorry for the modern women who raises their voices to their husbands. He mentioned a couple of women in the Old Testament as great role models.

Tuesday 8th of August

07.52 It is cloudy, there are waves, and it is no weather for swimming. I do hope it is OK weather for the boat to take us back to Negros and Dumaguete.

10.21 Yet another breakfast is eaten, banana pancakes are tasty! We are stranded in the restaurant. The rain is pouring down and the wind blows. We hope it will come to an end before we leave.

The last breakfast at Coral Cay Resort.

12.16 Once again checked out. Now we are sitting by a table and await a ham/cheese sandwich each. To this we will drink mango- and calamansijuice. During our stay here two names have appeared on signs and documents. It is Helen Grace A and David Gerdin. Is this Gerdin the same as the Swedish surname or same spelling with a different way to pronounce? We have seen Swedish stickers here. Are they put there by Mr Gerdin or Swedish tourists?

13.22 Here we sit and hope for better weather. Out in the water a man walks with water to his waist and pushes something in front of him. It looks like a turn around plough. Two logs in a 50-60° angle from each other. It seems to be a net between the logs. Might be a one-man trawler.

Anti-Bush stickers and others from previous visitors.

on our way to Siquijor town.

13.50 We are now going in the resort jeepney, the one with deer horn and cool stickers. We are going to the harbour by Siquijor town. From there hopefully the boat leaves at 15.00.

14.14 We sat down under a roof at the terminal. Here we and the others watch TV. It is some kind of game show.

14.56 We won’t leave at 15.00. We are already on our way. I hope this ride will be smoother and faster. It feels safe this time. Two nuns are riding with us.

15.32 We rock and roll. Water flush over the windows on both sides. Forward we see more and more of Negros.

16.29 The boat isn’t rocking anymore but it keeps rocking inside my head. We managed to get to Bethel Guest House here in Dumaguete. We are staying in room 412 and will just relax before we go down and pay for the room. Before we got here we made sure to buy a ticket for Cebu City. Return journey there during tomorrow.

18.09 The time has come to leave the room for exchange of money, payment of room, purchase and eating.

Our room at Bethel Guest House.

18.47 Well at least we got to purchase something. Christer asked about "exchange dollars". The counteress, not the lady who checked us in, looked like a question mark. "US dollars?" was our next attempt. She just let her eyes move around and asked a colleague. Sure! the colleague said and we brought forth the money. Only 100-dollars bills! said the colleague. We didn't exchange any money and hence didn't pay for the room. It feels strange. Earlier experiences have taught us that we shouldn’t carry big bills and here it seems to be the opposite.

21.43 We went out again and into "Why not" internetcafe. There we surfed the net and also exchanged dollars. The evening stroll ended up at the Chinese restaurant Chin Loong. This evening we had sweet and sour pork and beef with ampalaya (a bitter vegetable).

23.12 In the middle of a conversation the room turned pitch black. It was a brown out. After half a minute the light came back. The generators had been switched on. Still no power for the TV. Well, it works but no channels can be received.

23.41 The usual power came back and for 20-25 minutes all was normal. Now we are back on generator power. I guess we better hit the sacks.

Wednesday 9th of August

09.10 There seem to be a shred of light in the conflict between Israel-Lebanon through a Lebanese suggestion. There is no light in here. Our room lack a window. But we can bring light to it all if we like I just did switch on the light and the TV. Later we will have breakfast and more.

10.22 We’ve returned after breakfast. During the meal we once more saw some examples of what we´ve seen in other cities here in the country. It is heavily built/fat light-skinned gentlemen in their middle ages who are together with thin Filipino ladies in their twenties. Are they rich men helping young women with their education? Today we saw at least one beer-bellied American with a washed out t-shirt wearing a Bahamas-cap and large glasses from times lost. He dated a Filipino girl in his granddaughter’s age. Who is the most tragic one? After breakfast we went to the hotels lookout point to take some pictures.

The traffic in Dumaguete a rainy day in August.

12.16 We’ve checked out from the hotel. As I was waiting for the receipt I felt that someone was looking at me. I turned to my left and saw a bald man. He said ”Hello, nice to see you. How are you doing?” I went through my memory, had we met before? I couldn’t recall this. Before looking at me he had stared for a while at Christer. Who is this man?

13.20 Once again embarked on a boat. This will be, according to the plan, the last boat trip on this voyage. We are sitting next to the emergency exit. Today’s destination is Cebu City and we are going with Weesam Express via Tagbilaran.

Our boat approaching the harbour.

13.38 Just after the start we and other passengers were informed that we would travel more comfortable if we moved to the some seats further back. Here we are at seats 25A,B with more space for the legs and certainly less rocky.

15.29 We stopped in Tagbilaran to exchange passengers. I wonder, how are our backpacks on the stern deck having it? The waves are running higher than the boat. Here we go again. I hope the next stop will be Cebu City.

High waves hitting the speedboat.

16.27 The ocean has calmed down. To left land is visible and also another boat. Within an hour we might have reached Cebu City.

18.22 After a minibus trip for 500 pesos we are now on the island Mactan, in Lapu-Lapu City, at Days Hotel and in room 507. Now we are wondering about how much we shall exchange and what and where we will eat.

18.52 Fantastic room, a TV with over 70 channels, a small fridge, air conditioner, two wide beds, a bathroom with a large shower, two rolls of toilet paper but just one large towel. Further more two soaps, a bottle of shampoo and one glass. The only thing offered outside is something we had and seen before, rain.

Days Hotel, Lapu-Lapu City.

19.05 We just phoned our friend Roberth. He is on a tour of his own. Right now he is in Budapest but he will travel on to Slovakia and Poland. He has seen Buda and is right now by the TV-house.

20.24 After we had exchanged and asked for a second towel we’ve walked across the road to Oh restaurant. Here we’ve ordered food. Christer has ordered Bistek Tagalog and I have choose Inasal Cebuano-chicken.

21.44 The dinner is consumed, commentated and paid for. The guy by the cashier was more than sissy. The trend from Malaysia with feminine male waiters is back again. This specimens name was Rainer. Now we’ve returned to the room. Here I first didn't see any new towel and got crossed. As Christer looked it was there. Was it so that I had expected that it wouldn’t be there and hence didn't see it?

Thursday 10th of August

05.55 I have finally fought my way out from the net of sleep and into the shower. Now I sit on the side of the bed drying up. After that I will get dressed, move the torso and other parts to breakfast before we will we driven to the airport. The airport is just a stone throw away, which is why we chose this hotel.

06.40 We are back from breakfast. I took the chance to have what might be my last longganisa. Rainer, the sissy, still remained in the restaurant. Now we listen/look at BBC Sports and make the final packing.

07.05 Checked out and driven out to the airport. Now we are sitting at Cebu Pacific’s office to convert our e-ticket to a paper ticket. After that we will check in.

07.30 Ticket fixed, packing checked in and we made it through the security control. Now we are waiting to board flight 5J562 via gate G05.

We all want to go to Manila.

08.01 Since a while we’ve been seated by the gate and wait to embark. Every time there is a sound from the loud speaker I listen extra carefully. Are the messages for me, Christer or both of us?

09.49 During the flight we were offered ice tea and to participate in a quiz show. We skipped the show and looked for the volcano Mayon which is about to erupt. It is hard to differ clouds from volcanic smoke. We just landed in Manila, to be more precise on the airport Ninoy Aquinos domestic part.

10.06 Things keeps going swell. We got out of the plane, was met by sunshine, went inside the terminal, brought our packs, got us a taxi and now rolls to the booked place.

10.52 The taxi trip went just fine. We had no problems getting to Bayview Park Hotel. Here we stay in room 711. It is actually the same room number as we had in Kuala Lumpur. Next we will get acquainted in what the room, hotel and surroundings have to offer. What we know is that the room has, a water heater, five towels and a strange scent. It reminds of both paint and animal food. The hotel offers breakfast and the surroundings offer the embassy of USA across the street.

Christer has just eaten a hamburger at Wendy´s.

A methodist church in Ermita, Manila.

12.41 It is time for lunch. We walked around the block in a part of the city called Ermita. We are currently at Wendy’s Hamburgers.

14.00 We are back in the room again, back in the paint smell again. Out in the city we met and saw some strange fellows. One man saluted Christer with a smile and asked if he remembered him. He claimed that Christer had ridden the man’s horse and carriage earlier. We saw two men standing still and slowly swirled a stick each. We also have been offered carriage ride, taxi and the possibility to buy lots of stuff among them some hologram pictures. Some time was spent in the Rizal Park where there are some monuments.

Rizal Park

16.22 We took the lift to the top floor. The view was amazing but the windows were toned or had some reflecting plastic on the outside so it didn't go well to take pictures. Now we are back on ground floor again. We have sat down in yet another Starbucks. This one neighbours the hotel.

17.34 We went outside to take more pictures. We had almost given up the hope to cross the street when a traffic police appeared and stopped the cars. We walked along the baywalk. Here we found out that it is the mayor´s birthday today. It was easier to cross the street going back. Before going home we paid a visit to 7 Eleven. The staff greeted everyone who got into the store. As they left they were all heard "welcome back". There were lots of people and lots of greeting, almost the same style as with the sultan of Brunei. On the way home I was handed a note from Ann Camia Spa and Salon. They offer different kinds of massage among them a Swedish Combination. What on earth is this?

Manila Baywalk

20.00 It is time for the last dinner in the Philippines. We’ve gone to Fong Ling Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant with an aquarium with large fishes. Just as we had sat down they served us tea. The glasses meant for beer were filled with ice.

20.40 We are back home again. It was just enough food for both of us. The paint smell refuses to leave us. It is a pity on an otherwise great room.

23.19 Time to go to bed. This is the 43:rd and second to last time on foreign ground for this time. Time sure has flown during the last days.

View from our room at Bayview Park Hotel.