Category Archives: _Asia_

Exploring Banaue

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Today we were heading out for our three day trek through the back country of Banaue – and into the world of villages and rice terraces.

We kicked it off with a tour through central Banaue, had a stop at the market (where we also stocked up on some vegetables, to go with dinner tonight), the town hall and the local fire station (also to see, who could have come to help the night before).

We then made our way down to the bridge crossing the river and got into a jeepney, to get to the starting point of our hike.

A buried Church

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The saliva flow had stopped by the time we had left Quezon City and were on the highway heading North. After about two hours of driving we left the highway in San Fernando and were heading for the town of Bacolor, to see San Guillermo Parish Church.

This church had originally been constructed by Augustinians all the way back in 1576. It however got destroyed by an earthquake and then rebuilt in 1886.

Nature hit the region again in 1991 during the big eruption of Mt.Pinatubo. As a consequence of the eruption rivers around the volcano were clogged with sediments and the region was seeing regular mud slides and flows (aka lahars)- one of which hit the church and vicinity in early September 1995. The church was buried to half its height in mud that day.

There was no way, to recover from the situation, so – while for instance the altar had been excavated from the mud – the church itself was reestablished at the new level – so everything is just six meters higher than before.

We spent some time, to visit the church and see for ourselves (and again – when you see the photos below – always consider, there is another half church below).

After church we had a quick check on the local vendors around the church – and got to try some local sweets – and nearly bought a new broom.

It was now back to the van and back to the highway. We ended up having a late lunch  in a canteen-style restaurant in San Jose, before continuing to Banaue – where we arrived in the evening and in time for dinner and an introduction to our guides for the trek coming up for the next few days.

Early Morning Pork

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Today was a travel day, used to make the trip to Banaue in the central highlands of Ifugao province. An overall distance of about 370km was ahead of us, so a drive of about eight hours.

We left Manila in the early morning, but already had a first stop a few meters after crossing the city limits. We were now in the La Loma district of Quezon City – the heart and core of the Filipino lechon production (and arguably the best of the country). Here we had the chance for a quick glimpse of the many, many pigs, doing their turns, while roasting over the coals …

Well – I am not too fond of pork, but the sight and the smells here, really got my saliva flowing – and that’s despite the fact, that it was just about seven in the morning.

Samples were not available though, pigs were only sold as whole … so we kept the saliva flowing and continued our trip North.

Welcome to Manila

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Over the last couple of years it has become a habit for me, to have a break towards the end of the year – either in November or December. In the end it is just too convenient, to get away from the cold and dark at home and simply do something else.

This year was not different … I was bound for the Philippines this time, which – on my previous trips to South East Asia – I had not covered (and that for no particular reason). So – to make a long story short … my motivation, to pick the Philippines as a destination, was simply, because it was about time – so, it was then just a matter, to run across the right trip and – once dates did work out, it was a quick decision and I was booked.

I got into Manila on Sunday morning after a lengthy flight via Taipei; it was midday until I reached my hotel. I spent the rest of that day basically fighting the jet lag and fatigue – and the best way, to do so, is, to keep oneself busy … which is exactly, what I did. I basically spent the afternoon walking around the area; made my way up to Rizal Park, spent some time in the excellent National Art Museum – as well as the downtown Robinson mall. It was at the most unexpected place (Starbucks in that mall), that I discovered an unexpected Filipino specialty (as it is only on the Starbucks menu in the Philippines): the Matcha & Espresso Fusion – basically a matcha latte combined with a double espresso – delicious², I don’t see, how there can be a better source for caffeine 😉

With the tour only starting Monday evening; I had a full day for further exploration. I made my way up to Rizal Park (this time just passing through though) and on for Intramuros –  essentially Manila’s colonial heritage within walls.

I did head out straight for Fort Santiago (with various church stops on the way) and then had a walk around the area. From Intramuros I continued to China Town, just across the Pasig river – again another area, to discover …

From here it was back to the hotel, to freshen up – in time for the group meeting at the start of the tour.

I turned out, there were eight of us. From the initial discussions it seemed to be a well traveled group of like-minded people … add to that an enthusiastic tour leader – so overall a good prospect for the tour – let’s jump straight into it.

Back to Town

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Another Yangon Airlines flight did bring us back safely to Yangon (we were indeed safe with them). Here we had a free afternoon before the usual fare-well dinner.

I spent the afternoon walking around some central areas, I had not been to earlier on. I made my way all the way to Kheng Hock Keong Temple and then got (purposely) lost in the maze of little streets in that area.

Inle Lake Indulgence

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From the lake community we continued up the hill into a completely different world – the world of the Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery.

Here we went straight for the tasting room, to get an idea of the wines on offer – and were deeply disappointed. The wines, that were provided with the tasting were all fairly boring and not to our taste.  The tasting therefore did not last too long and we continued to the viewpoint area to see the sun set over the lake and hills on the other side of the lake. Of course – being in a winery – wine was a requirement … and the choice was one, that had not been included in the tasting – – and – behold – the pinot was actually a quiet nice one.

We made it back to Nyaung Shwe well after sunset (of course). For dinner some of the group had decided to go for a bit of indulgence tonight, so we ended up in the same restaurant, that we had already used for lunch – probably the best restaurant in town – for an excellent Shan discovery menu. The menu ended up a bit like a selection of tapas of Shan local delicacies and dishes – – money well spent. 😉