Well, I havent written for a while because I've grown up with the saying 'if you don't have anything good to say then dont' say anything at all!!' But I feel I need to express my thoughts on the crazy, wild city that is Manila.......I really didnt enjoy my time there at all, except the weather of course lol.

If you want to enjoy Manila then you must enjoy crazy taxi drivers!! Dont even bother with the 'Jeepny' buses because unless you want to board these things with the fear of being robbed at gunpoint then go ahead, of course I like myself and stuck to taxis instead......even that is an experience in itself.

It seems all near enough all taxi drivers are 'new to the job' and don't have a clue where anything is, i believe this was a scam for them to take you on the longest route possible meaning more expensive fares!! Its not a nice feeling to be driven through various 'hoods' of Manila at 11pm and then the driver stops in the middle of said 'hoods' to ask for directions, NOT GOOD!!! Trust me, the locals can spot a tourist a mile off and when they start looking in the car at you, again not a nice feeling.

If you enjoy being harrassed by prostitutes while eating at a nice restaurant then this place is for you, Manila is full of them and when you tell them no they get upset with you!! I'm sorry ladies for not wanting to pay for sex but thats just me, I'll leave that to all the pervy old fat guys who seem to like to retire to Manila and just do that!!

The foods ok I guess (the pic attached to this entry may look like a prehistoric animal but i must admit it tasted really nice lol). Its very beneficial to know someone here, if you dont then good luck to you in finding a place which you'll enjoy.

I didnt get any opportunities to get to any beaches which was really disappointing, everything seemed to be 2-3 hours away and my friend wasnt interested in travelling for that long. I didnt want to travel on my own because I didnt trust anyone to take me.

These are of course the views of one man on Manila and I wouldn't want anyone to decide not to visit there based on my views, you need to see it and experience it yourself to make your own mind up. Unfortunately, my mind has been made up.

If I were to choose 2 words for Manila they would be crazy, wild, boring and disappointing, oh dear that's 4 words!! I said in my last entry I'm considering living and working here, judging by this entry I think you can tell what my decision is.......

I write this while currently on a 6 hour layover at Hong Kong Airport and i'm sooooo looking forward to getting to Sydney and visiting family and friends there so I can properly chillax which is one of the main purposes of my travels. I have left Manila more stressed than when I arrived which i'm gutted about but the one good thing about that (yes there is one!) is this isnt my last stop on my travels, its my first so I have better places and better people to see.

Adios Manila. thank you but no thank you...
Until next time peeps, much love
Rob
xxxxxxxx