The usual tricycle, ferry taxi, public bus and no frills air carrier for us, none of that chauffeured limo with ice cold water and frozen flannels. It must be the rice harvest as the road sides have miles of husks drying in the sun on huge stair carpet type tarpaulins. A religious festival means every village is festooned in bunting while the school kids are all smart in their uniforms, happily chatting to their mates on their mobile 'phones! Third world, really!...

Don't ask me why, but, I've always wanted to come to the Philippines! However, after the best part of 8 hours from Melbourne to Malaysia, followed by 4 hours to Clark (Air Asia going all Ryanair on us, as its two hours from Manila, which it used to claim it was) I'm now doubting my enthusiasm! However, I've used the time to read my reading group assignment for the month.... We passed through KL for the second time, of four occasions, visiting the same veggie In...