Well I'm back in the Northern Hemisphere, but I have to say that Manila is a seismic culture shock after Australia - at least is seemed that way on arrival.

My flight was late, and I didn't get to my room until about 9pm. Since I started my day at about 6am in a timezone 2 hours ahead, I did very little but crash in to bed. It wasn't until next morning that I tried to explore my surroundings a bit. As I left the hotel at about 8am, the traffic was already heavy and the air was full of noise and fumes - the fumes were so strong that they almost made my eyes itch. The noise was a combination of noisy engines, blaring horns and the whistles of door men and traffic police. Wow! I had read about this before I got here, but the reality is amazing and a little intimidating. I can see why the guide book says that people often stay in Manila only a few days before heading off to some beach or other. Anyhow, I went for a wander to try and get my bearings and found the esplanade. The walk way was being undermined by the sea and had collapsed in several places. The associated roadway was 3 lanes in each direction; if you will a motorway along the coast with more belching cars. I am guessing that they don't have much in the way of emmision regulations for transport here. As I walk I was offered Viagra, Massages and Prostitutes. At one point someone shouted "Hey Joe" (since all caucasian males are obviously in the American military) and a shiver went through me. "I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas any more."

However, with time and exposure, even such a seismic shift stops being quite so intimidating. I found Rizal Park and was able to move a little away from the traffic. The park was full of kids being loud, but that's just like kids all over the world. There were statues, ponds with fountains, lots of stalls selling crisps, drinks and ice creams - all the usual stuff.

Later I was directed to a shopping mall, and saw McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and, yes, Marks and Spencers. Suddenly it didn't feel so unusual at all. Back in the UK I've often been surprised by the number of mobile phone shops even the smallest town seems to need. Well in the Robertson's Place Shopping Mall, they have about 20-30 big phone shops and about 50 small "market" stalls selling phones. Apparently, folk here are the biggest users of SMS (text messaging) in the world. Everyone seems to own an old style mobile phone and are busy bashing the number keys to produce their messsages.

I've decided to stay in Manila for a little longer and then to travel on to Boracay Island - one of the main tourist islands (out of 700+ islands in the Philippines). I plan to stay there for about a week, then may be spend a little time on the Palawan Island (less touristy) before coming back to Manila for my outbound flight. While in Manila, I hope to do a few day tours out of the city to break up the assult on the senses. Right now, I'm spending a day in the hotel calming down.

One other thing - I'm wonder whether I should book some accommodation in Thailand for the Christmas and New Year period. It might be harder to get nice accommodation nearer the time. Unfortunately, this means I have to start planning my Thailand trip already. Hmm.