Well, we are wrapping up here in the Philippines. The farewell dinners with the Nephews are over. Andrew is already back in Taiwan.

I thought that some comments on life on the road and living here in the neighborhood might be of interest.

My hotel was OK.   No need for me to stay in the Shangri-La Palace. This is a good local hotel. Not expensive so I can pay for one of their larger rooms.

Hardly any foreigners ever stay in a place like this so plenty of attention to see that you are well served.

 

Breakfast and internet are important to me.

This hotel said it had internet, but not really. Also said they were 20 minutes from the airport, but more like 45.

Anyway, a safe comfortable base is important because life on the road is like living in Disneyland, you live in your secure place and then twice or so a day go out for an adventure ride.

First thing in country I find a local laundry.

Clean laundry on the road feels like what wealth must feel like.

Ripping off tourists is a huge global industry and hotel laundry charges are one of the most egregious. In hotel costs are always 10 to 30 times the cost of a local laundry.

I had a very good market just next door. And a nearby 7-eleven.

Batteries, bottled water, mouthwash, you got it .. and soap. Even in expensive hotels soap is often poor. In local hotels forget it. Tiny little things that don`t suds up well and smell like fake flowers. A big bar of good soap is luxury. After an adventure ride getting the layer of dust, sweat and pollution off feels really great.

It is nice to be in an area where you can walk to some good restaurants. This is a very good one with a great name.

 

OF course as you know, I came here not only to spend time with some family but to “pig out” with the local world famous slow roasted pork. Here is a very good place, always crowded, just a block from my hotel.

And here is the one that although it is a chain we found the best.

But here was my favorite restaurant: Barbecue Boss. 5 dollar steaks and 6 dollar bottles of red Spanish wine. But you have to rest a day or so in-between steaks to let your jaw recover from chewing them.

That’s my neighborhood.

As a BONUS for anyone who read this far, here is a collage of little dining places I never made it to and do not suggest to you. They are everywhere. I actually shot all of these pictures in about 10 minutes.