. . .

Watching Traffic Go By in Manila and Romblon Island Town

During my time in the Philippines, I stood or sat on several street corners and filmed the world going by. What I loved most was the contrast between each video. Although the vehicles are the same, the speed which they drive and the lifestyle that surrounds them could not be more different.

For example, the above video was filmed in Manila. Although the Vito Cruz intersection was far from downtown, it was still in constant motion.

Meanwhile, the below video was shot in a major intersection of “downtown” Romblon Island Town. Located 15 hours from mainland Luzon, there was nothing fast or busy on the entire island.

. . .

Vehicle Types in the Philippines

In addition to universal vehicle types like cars, trucks and motorcycles, there are quite a few Philippines-specific taxis that can be spotted in these videos.

Jeetney:

These converted World War II jeeps are used as communal bus-style taxis. They run on a specific route and passengers can get on and off at any place they want along the way.

A Jeetney in Manila

. . .

Tricycle:

Consisting of a motorcycle with a teeny sidecar bolted to the side, this taxi often carries a half-dozen locals at a time: or two tall westerners with backpacks.

The lineup of Tricycle drivers that was waiting for me at the Dao Mabalacat Bus Terminal in Angeles City

. . .

Pedicab:

A pedicab is very similar to a tricycle; except that it is powered by a push-bike instead of a motorcycle. For some reason, these often seem to be driven by smiling old Filipino men.

A pedicab makes its way through the busy streets of Manila, Philippines

You Might Also Like: the story of how I spent 48 hours 15 modes of Filipino transportation to see some coffins and rice fields.

. . .

Traffic in Angeles City, Philippines

The final video was taken in a local neighborhood in Angeles City near the Dao bus terminal. See how many different types of vehicles you can spot…

. . .

Where is your favorite place to stop at a corner and watch the world go by?

If I were a newspaper journalist, changing the actual content of an image would be a complete no-no. As a travel photographer, I try to follow those rules and rarely change anything other than making the image pop. Curves, levels, contrast, saturation and other layer adjustments are usually the limit of my edits.

However, the digital artist in me sometimes feels that removing a certain element will make the photo much better. That’s where my internal battle begins…

The final edited version of the tomb of St John in Selcuk, Turkey

. . .

Editing Saint John’s Basilica in Selcuk, Turkey

Did you notice anything strange about the above photograph? If you look below, you will see that I removed a grate from the center. In my opinion, it completely distracts from the sense of historic wonder I aim to inspire with the image.

However, the edited photo is not reality. In “reality,” archaeologists placed a storm drain smack-dab in the middle of St. John’s tomb in order to protect the site from flooding.

For that reason, I would use the below image on this site: even though I like the first one more. But should I is a far more interesting question…

An earlier version of my photograph of the Basilica of Saint John with the drainage grate left in – Selcuk – Izmir Province, Turkey

. . .

With that in mind, my question for you is twofold:

1. Visually, which photograph do you prefer?

2. In terms of journalistic integrity and artistic license, would you be disappointed to learn that an image on this site had been altered to change the reality of a scene?

For instance, while staying in a hostel in Chiayi, the owners recommended that I stop by Tainan to explore traditional Taiwanese architecture. That sounded good to me; so off I went!

The Old Tainan Japanese Martial Arts House is now a part of the Tainan Municipal Jhongyi Elementary School

. . .

Chihkan Tower – Old Fort Provintia

Since its establishment as a Dutch fort in 1653, the site of Chihkan Tower has played an integral role in Tainan’s history.

Initially, Fort Provintia served as a military base and trading post. In the centuries that followed, it fell under Chinese and Japanese control and spent time as a gunpowder storage facility, governor’s mansion, temple and museum.

Today, a pair of Chinese-style towers have been built on the remains of the old fort and are the most popular attraction in Tainan, Taiwan. Inside, visitors can view historical artifacts and learn more about the site.

A view of Chihkan Tower from the balcony of one of the two main buildings

Nine turtle statues line the fish pond in front of Chihkan Tower

. . .

Fort Zeelandia

While under Dutch control, Fort Zeelandia and Fort Provintia were on the same coastline. However, over the years, natural silting and man-made landfills have left Zeelandia as the only fort still close to the ocean.

Today, little remains of the original structures. On top of a reconstructed brick foundation, visitors can explore the site’s watchtower, statue of General Koxinga, Japanese customs house and replicas of canons used to defend the fort in the 1600s.

Fort Zeelandia is located in Anping, Tainan, Taiwan

Visitors can climb to the top of Fort Zeelandia’s watchtower

A traditional Chinese guardian lion sits outside the entrance to Fort Zeelandia

. . .

Confucius Temple

Founded more than 300 years ago, Tainan’s Confucius Temple was the first of its kind in all Taiwan. During the Qing Dynasty, it also was the highest educational institute on the island. For that reason, the temple is sometimes referred to as “The Foremost School in Taiwan.”

The main building of Tainan’s Confucius Temple

Located in downtown Tainan, the Confucius Temple is surrounded by beautiful trees and gardens

There are numerous traditional gates within Tainan’s Confucius Temple

 . . .

Anping Tree House

Perhaps my favorite site in all of Tainan; the Anping Tree House is an stunning showcase of how quickly nature can overtake humanity when left unchecked.

Originally a warehouse, the building was abandoned after World War II. In the decades since, Banyan trees have weaved their way through every corner of the structure and created a wondrous fairytale playground that captivates visitors of all ages.

Walkways guide visitors through the Anping Tree House in Tainan, Taiwan

Branches and roots have overtaken the old warehouse

If you happen to visit the Anping Tree House, don’t forget to look up

. . .

Anping Cemetery

In between my visit to Fort Zeelandia and Anping Tree House, I found myself captivated by a traditional Chinese cemetery on the outskirts of town. From the ornate monuments marking each grave to the gentle beauty of the offering left by family and friends, the entire place was a feast for the eyes: especially with the golden late-afternoon sun illuminating the scene.

I wonder if the development companies have their eye on this cemetery in Anping

Offerings like this were left on graves all over the cemetery

 . . .

Other Historical Buildings in Tainan

It seems like there is a beautiful old building lurking around every corner in Tainan, Taiwan. Below are a few more favorites from my day wandering around the city.

Old Tainan Patriotic Women’s Association House

Old Tainan Police Agency

The outside of Beiji Temple wasn’t much to look at, but the inside was stunning

Thai-Peng Keng Maxwell Memorial Church

Old Nippon Kangyo Bank

. . .

Where are your favorite historic buildings in the world?

Taipei 101 towers above the Taipei skyline; as seen from the window of my train ride home

. . .

I’m Not Home Yet!

But then, two subway stops from home, I made the split-second decision to get off and take a quick look at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.

“Haha. Fooled you, body. You thought we were done for the day,” I joked to myself.

For the next hour, I roamed the area, took a few breaks to stretch, relaxed and watched the world go by. At one point, I even sat on the ground in front of the National Theater and National Concert Hall waiting for a tourist-free photograph of the beautiful Asian archway  between them.

The National Theater in Taipei, Taiwan

. . .

How I Met Professor Yang

Finally, after getting the shot, I walked through the arch and headed back to the subway. That’s when I saw a man with a tripod and decided to see what he was pointing his camera at.

After setting up next to him and taking a few photos, he began to ask me questions. “Where are you from? How do you like Taiwan?”

In broken English, we began to discuss life, Taiwan, the arch in front of us and our mutual love of the blue hour. Finally, he mentioned that he was a photography teacher and I immediately blurted out, “me too!”

Although I have only taught a few classes over the years and it’s in no way my profession, I’m so glad that I said that. The man’s face lit up as he asked if I wanted to come see his school.

Setting up my tripod to take this photo is what led me to meet Professor Yang – You can see the Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall lit up through the center arch

. . .

My Philosophy This Trip: Always Say Yes!

I weighed my options and exhaustion level while thinking of the alternative night’s plan: sitting in the empty hostel and staring at my computer. So I said yes and we hopped into a cab.

With Professor Yang at his photography class in Taipei, Taiwan

Fortunately, our cab driver spoke very good English and was able to translate some key facts for both of us; but, when I got out, I still was not completely sure where this adventure was headed.

After the cab ride, we stopped at a Family Mart convenience store where my new friend purchased a coffee drink, Red Bull and chewing gum. He tried to buy me a caffinated drink as well, but I politely declined saying that it would keep me up all night.

Next, we entered what appeared to be an apartment lobby and got in the elevator. He popped in the chewing gum and offered me some and, at this point, I began to wonder just what I had gotten myself into.

Was this all a lie? Were we going to his apartment? What was with all the gum? Maybe I should just leave.

All of my questions were quickly answered when the door opened and revealed a classroom full of students ready to learn from Professor Yang: their famous photography teacher.

Professor Yang Teaching the Class

 . . .

The Taiwan Photo School in Taipei

Professor Yang introduced me to his class, gave me a free copy of the textbook (which he had written) and handed me a giant cup of Starbucks coffee and pastry that one of his students had brought him.

For the next two hours, I sat in the back row and watched as he taught his students about ISO, f-stops, long exposures and other universal photography techniques. It didn’t matter that the entire class was taught in Mandarin: I still understood a decent amount.

After the class, he and another student named RuRu took me out to a Japanese noodle dinner before dropping me off at the MRT subway to head home. They also invited me to join a class field trip that weekend at the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence gardens.

Early morning at the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence

. . .

Fast Forward Four Days…

It was 7am on Saturday morning when I met Professor Yang and RuRu in front of the Taiwan Photography School. After a quick Chinese breakfast, we hopped in his car and headed out to the Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence gardens. The day’s assignment: two hours of photographing roses. I made it about 20 minutes.

Along with RuRu and Karbo, another participant in the field trip, I spent the next few hours wandering around the CKS Residence while chatting and photographing things other than roses. We have all kept in touch since; but alas, a last-minute flight to Istanbul ensured that our next meeting will have to wait until I return to Taiwan.

All this because I set up a tripod next to a stranger.

A group shot during the field trip. RuRu and Karbo are the two women located directly to the right of Professor Yang’s hand

None of that compares to the energy I felt pulsating through the crowd during the Chinese Professional Baseball League’s (CPBL) 2013 opening day game in Taoyaun, Taiwan.

After a player hits a home run, fans are treated to fireworks, smoke, flags waving, fire bursts, cheerleaders and the thunderous sound of success

. . .

As the crowd chants rhythmically alongside beating drums, blaring wind instruments, clapping cheerleaders, bellowing smoke machines, flags waving and flames shooting up from above the dugout, every pitch feels like an all-in moment.

America may have invented baseball, but Taiwan has revolutionized the experience of attending a game.

A fisheye photograph of the Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium, taken from the last row of the upper deck

Fans of the Lamigo Monkeys celebrate after their team scores a run

. . .

Inside Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium

Opened in 2010, the Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium is home to the Taoyaun Lamigo Monkeys and seats 20,000 people.

However, as the there are only four teams in the league, all home games are packed with thousands of fans rooting for the visiting team as well.

To fuel this rivalry, the stadium is split in half and each team’s fans are encouraged to sit next to each other. That way, no matter what happens – ball, strike, out, hit, run – half of the stadium is cheering in unison.

On the right side, fans of the Lions can be seen in orange. To the left, fans of the Monkeys are in black

Outside the Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium after the 2013 CPBL opening day game

. . .

Hyping Up the Crowd

If a Taiwanese baseball game were a symphony, the hype men would be the conductors.

Surrounded by cheerleaders and standing on top of their team’s dugout, these energetic men spend the entire game shouting into a microphone and encouraging the crowd to create a cacophony of rhythmic noise.

Cheerleaders at a Taiwanese baseball game change costumes several times a night

. . .

Always Something to Cheer For

As the excitement grows during any particular inning, so does the chorus of hands clapping, drums beating, horns blasting and thundersticks (see below) being struck together by thousands of amped up fans.

Meanwhile, any time there is a hit or key out, smoke and fire shoots into the air as stadium employees wave giant flags in the aisles.

Thunder sticks for the 7-Eleven Lions

Fans of the Lions cheer on their team in the lower level of Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium

. . .

The Seventh Inning Stretch Fight Song

I had a pretty good idea that I wouldn’t hear “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the middle of the seventh inning.

What I did hear was 100 times better; the entire Lamigo Monkeys crowd sang a fight song together while the 7-Eleven Lions side sang their own competing song. I highly suggest you watch the video below.

. . .

The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)

Established in 1989, the CPBL consists of four teams that each play 104 games per year. To keep things interesting, each season is divided into two separate 52 game halves. The winner of each half plays the other in the Taiwan Series.

Should the same team win both halves, the second and third place teams engage in a playoff series to determine who advances.

A view of the baseball game from the last row in right field

. . .

The Asia Series

Since 2005, the winner of the Taiwan Series has gone on to participate in the Asia Series against the league champions from China, Korea and Japan.

Taking place in a different country each year, the round-robin tournament’s first round features each team playing one-another once. The two clubs with the best record then face off in the finals.

Thus far, Japan has been the dominant force in the Asia Series; emerging victorious five times. Sadly, Taiwan has never taken home the trophy; a fact they hope to change when the games are played at home in 2013.

The scoreboard at Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium

The view from the back row in left field

. . .

Baseball’s Opening Day: the Best Day of the Year

There’s something magical about opening day in baseball. Every score is 0-0 and no team is better than another. Miracles can happen and dynasties can quickly fade into history.

Random Fact: My love for baseball has led me to 19 Major League Baseball opening day games, including a 14 year streak at Shea Stadium.

CPBL Opening Day Logo

Me with the Lamigo Monkey mascot

. . .

I Almost Missed the Game

It was opening day of the 2013 CPBL season. I had no ticket and no clue where the Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium was located.

The CPBL Web site said it was close to the Taoyaun train station, so I used Google Maps and found directions to what I assumed was the stadium. When I got there, I found myelf standing in front of a big, beautiful and empty municipal track and field arena. Oops.

Thank Heaven for 7-Eleven… and Millie!

Across the street was a 7-Eleven, so I went in and asked for help. In broken English, the cashier explained that the baseball stadium was 25 kilometers away. It turns out that Taoyaun is big enough to have two train stations.

“Are you going to the baseball game,” a woman’s voice queried from the checkout counter? “I’m going and can give you a ride if you want.”

What a stroke of luck! This was a way better option than taking an overpriced taxi and hoping for the best.

Not only did Millie give me a lift to the stadium, but she and her friends also helped me buy a scalped ticket, invited me to dinner and gave me a lift to the correct train station after the game. Yet another example of the amazing kindness of the Taiwanese people.

My new friends at dinner after the game — Millie is the one standing behind me

. . .

Buying a Scalped Ticket

Everyone said the baseball game was sold out, but with the help of Millie’s friend, Vivian, I was presented two options: buy a $6 outfield bleacher seat from the box office or a $17 scalped upper deck seat from a little old Taiwanese lady with a long mole hair.

After unsuccessfully trying to haggle, I still opted for the scalped seat. It’s a good thing I did, as the bleachers were separated from the rest of the stadium and if I had sat there I never would have gotten the photos on this page: or my foul ball!

Pregame outside the Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium

 . . .

What Food is there at a Taiwanese Baseball Game?

The most common food at a Taiwanese baseball game is whatever fans bring in with them. There are no bag checks or rules prohibiting outside eats or booze.

However, should hunger or thirst strike after you finish your imported consumables, there are plenty of options inside the stadium, including:

A “burrito” rolled in something like an Indian parotta with , with pork, onion, cucumber and duck sauce

• Meat and fish on stick
• Sausages in a bag
• Chicken tender bites
• Pork or Chicken burritos (this is what I ate)
• Corn dogs
• Corn on the cob
• Popcorn (regular and caramel)
• Cupcakes
• Soft Serv Ice Cream
• Soda
• Tea
• Fresh fruit smoothies

The food court on the Monkeys side at Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium

 . . .

Scenes From the Jumbotron

Like any other stadium, the jumbotron at Taoyaun International Baseball Stadium is used for everything from introducing the batter to exciting the crowd to advertising some product. Here are a few examples.

A hypnotic Lamigo Monkey on the jumbotron

Chung Cheng-Yu comes to bat for the Lamigo Monkeys

A scene from the scoreboard when the Monkeys get a hit

. . .

Random Observations from a Taiwanese Baseball Game

Even at a Taiwan baseball game, I can’t avoid New York Yankees jerseys. Perhaps that’s because Chien-Ming Wang is the most well-known Taiwanese player in Major League Baseball.

Including Chien-Ming Wang, there only have been eight Taiwanese baseball players to reach the major leagues in America.

There are very few souvenir stalls in the stadium. My personal favorite was the one below, which seemed to sell nothing but Chen shirts.

Where are the rest of the players?

. . .

There is a tall green fence surrounding the front rows of the upper deck and field level. It makes sense in the upper deck as a way to protect the fans… but all it does on field level is block the view of the best seats in the stadium.

Both baseball teams bowed to their respective fans at the end of the game.

In the back row of the stadium, there is an entire row of seats that face away from the field. I just don’t get it!

These seats make no sense!

. . .

I Caught a Foul Ball!

So there I was, wandering around the lower deck of the stadium. A Lamigo Monkey had just hit a home run, fireworks had been set off, the crowd was going wild and I had snapped some great photos. “What could be better than this,” I thought as I soaked it all in.

Millie took this photo of me with my foul ball, added the cartoon effects and uploaded it to her Facebook page. To this day, she calls me “Lucky Greg”

One batter later, #55 sent a foul ball towering towards my general direction. It bounced off the upper deck and down into the stands behind me before taking one final hop into the walkway.

As dozens of outstretched hands reached for it, I swung my right arm towards the ball and closed my hand. “Oh my God! Wait, did that just happen? Did I get it?”

After staring at the ball in utter amazement for a few seconds, I looked up and realized the entire crowd was cheering for me with their hands up for high-fives. Walking down the aisle with an ear-to-ear grin on my face, I felt like a celebrity. Something tells me I was on the jumbotron, but I didn’t stop to look.

Excited to tell my friends, I wandered around until I found them seated in the front row behind the Monkeys’ dugout. As there were no open seats, I simply sat down on the stairs next to them and proceeded to spend the final two innings watching the game by their side.

This was especially amazing to me, as in America I couldn’t even get down to the field level without a ticket, let alone sit there for an hour.

A baseball bat statue outside the stadium after the Monkeys won the 2013 Chinese Professional Baseball League opening day game

. . .

In case they are reading this, I want to send one final HUGE thank you to Millie, Vivian and everyone else who made my opening day experience one that I will never forget.

. . .

Have you ever attended a sporting event outside of your home country? 

Rice fields high above Sapa Viet Nam

{ 70mm ) – { 1/320s exposure } – { f/9 } – { ISO 250 }

. . .

Exploring the Rice Fields of Sapa, Viet Nam

Located high in a northern Viet Nam mountain range, Sapa is a backpacker mecca and home to some of the most stunning rice terraces and fields I have ever seen.

While it’s possible to spend days trekking through the hills without a guide, the most common way to explore the area is with a tour. That’s what my wife, Carrie, and I did back in 2009 when we spent a day following a local guide and accompanied by a large group of indigenous Xao and Hmong tribeswomen.

. . .

To learn more about the hike and my opinions on the role that traditional culture plays in today’s touristic society, I invite you to read my journal entry from the experience:
The Hills are Alive with Rice Fields and Local Tribeswomen in Sapa. 

. . .

Where are your favorite rice fields in the world?

Looking up at the lobby of the Casino Niagara with a fisheye lens

. . .

Carrie and I visited Casino Niagara in the middle of a road trip from New York City to Canada and the Adirondack mountains. It was Labor Day weekend, and I just wanted to play a little blackjack. Unfortunately  the casino was understaffed and the only open tables were $50 minimum bet: so I just pulled a few one-armed bandits and went to check out Niagara Falls instead.

. . .

Photographing the Lobby of Casino Niagara

{ 10.5mm fisheye lens } – { f/2.8 } – {1/10s exposure } – {ISO 100 }

While you are not allowed to take photographs inside casinos, there were no rules about pointing my camera upwards in the domed lobby of Casino Niagara. Though the above photograph has been rotated 90 degrees, I do like the original version for completely different reasons.

The unrotated version of the lobby of the Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, Canada

. . .

So, my question is: which version do you like better?

Would you have rotated it? In my opinion, the rotated version gives the photograph a more abstract feel. Thoughts?

Tempelhof Airport was one of the most iconic and important buildings built in Germany after World War I

. . .

The Golden Era of Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport

Under a Nazi initiative and in anticipation of a future filled with air travel, Tempelhof underwent major construction in the 1930s. When finished, it was among the world’s 20 largest buildings and considered one of the era’s most iconic airports, along with those in Paris and London.

An old painted logo on the runway of Tempelhofer Park and Airport in Berlin, Germany

. . .

Tempelhof in World War II

Throughout the Second World War, Tempelhof Flughafen (the German word for airport) was used to assemble fighter planes, but never actually served as a military airport. In fact, the airport remained open to civilian traffic throughout the war; with the exception of the six month period from September 1939 through March 1940.

A panoramic view of Tempelhofer Flugahafen in Berlin, Germany

After surrendering to the Allied Forces in 1945 and ending their role in World War II, Germany allowed the US Army to use Tempelhof as a base for the next 49 years.

An old U.S. Air Force mobile stairs unit remains at the now-closed Tempelhofer Airport

. . .

A Cold War Airport

During the Cold War, the airport served as the primary launching point for American military aircraft to access West Berlin. Even after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, it would be another five years before the American military officially closed their Berlin, Germany, Army Aviation Detachment.

Tempelhofer Airport is a beautiful place to visit on a sunny day in Berlin

. . .

What Sort of Airlines Did Tempelhof Service?

From the end of World War II in 1945 through the 2008 closing of Tempelhof Flughafen, the airport was a major hub for both domestic and international commercial flights, such as those run by Jet2 and Eurostar. Though, in its later years, the airport was mostly used by smaller commuter aircraft.

A small jet parked outside the main terminal of Berlin’s Tempelhofer Airport

. . .

Templehof Park in Berlin

Today, Tempelhof is surrounded by a beautiful park that hosts regular concerts, events and fairs. Though much of the park is still a work-in-progress, it remains a must-visit destination on any trip to Berlin; especially if you use National Express coach card  to get there. My personal favorite part is the bike trail that surrounds the entire airport.

Fun Fact: Tempelhof got its name because it was built on land  belonged to the Knight’s Templar during the middle ages.

Next time you’re in Berlin, Germany, be sure to take a bike ride around Tempelhofer Park and Airport

. . .

It’s in an Indiana Jones Movie… Kinda

OK, so my memory was a bit off. When I visited Germany’s Berlin Tempelhof Airport in 2012, I was sure that I remembered it from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. However, when I rewatched the film, all I found was the below brief exterior shot of the airport before Indy and his father boarded a zeppelin. There were no scenes actually filmed inside the airport.

A screenshot of the Berlin airport in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – the exact time in the movie it appears is 1:07:49

. . .

What is your favorite airport in the world?

Sunset in the Chinese Cemetery in Manila, Philippines

. . .

Things I Noticed in the Philippines

Me towering above the rest of the folks in a Manila LRT subway car

A comfort room at a bus rest stop in Bontoc Provence

After nearly a year in Thailand, I’m enjoying pointing my camera at churches instead of wats and chedis. Though, I’m not quite sure what do without Buddha!

A devotee at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Aka, the Redemptorist Church or the Baclaran Church in Manila

. . .

Things I Learned About Filipino Culture

Similar to the rest of Asia, Filipino culture is one of non-confrontation and trying to make everyone happy; even at the expense of doing something they don’t want to do. This information came from a hotel owner on Romblon Island who was kind enough to unlock several doors and lead us upstairs so I could take a photo of the town. While I was snapping away, she mentioned his fact to Carrie. I assume it was her passive-aggressive way of saying “you people are a pain in my ass.

Romblon Town, as seen from the rooftop the Floro & Alfreda Guest House

. . .

Food in the Philippines

When I was at the hostel trying to find out things to do in the Philippines, I asked the two ladies who work there: possibly the owners. All they could come up with was “go to the mall.”

I bought a pizza in Batangas Pier that was basically a soggy round slice of bread, catsup, sprinkled Kraft cheese and one single slice of ham cut up into little triangles. It was one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten and I threw half of it away. What I find crazy is that locals were buying them by the dozen to bring back home. This really saddens the New Yorker in me; for these folks, that is their definition of good pizza!

Pizza is a very popular food in the Philippines. Sadly, this is a pizza

This was perhaps my favorite meal in the Philippines – Porksilog, aka a pork chop with a bag of rice and a meaty-flavored soup for 45 pesos ($1.12)

The food court next to DeLa Salle University is full of fast food and nothing else.

. . .

Observations from Manila, Philippines

Sunset over the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros – Aka the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

When I asked the ladies who worked at our hostel in Manila what there was to do in the city, all they could come up with was “go to the mall.”

From the view from the roof of our hostel, we have a panoramic view of Manila. From that vantage point, the downtown high-rises seem to form a protective (or exclusive) ring around the slums below.

The Manila skyline on a full moon night, as seen from the Pink Manila Hostel on Pablo Ocampo Street

. . .

Transportation in the Philippines

The LRT subway ticket booth that was the inspiration for the story to the left

Before my first ride on Manila’s LRT subway, I took a photo of the ticket counter. Moments later, a security guard stopped me and asked why I took the photo and what I planned to do with it.

I’m a huge James Bond fan, so I was thrilled when a bus played Skyfallin English. Even better were the English subtitles, which rarely had anything to do with the actual words being spoken. Carrie and I actually got excited when there were two correctly captioned subtitles in a row.

Several different security guards forbade me from wandering around Batangas Pier while waiting for a ferry. I explained that I was bored and wanted to go for a walk to take a few photos, but the just said “sorry sir.” I suppose it was for my own safety, but I really can’t imagine from what.

The Port of Batangas, as seen from the deck of my overnight ferry

. . .

Carrie and I racked up quite the collection of transportation methods between leaving our pink house in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and arriving at the Pink Manila Hostel. In order, we took a:

1. Private car driven by the owner of our house
2. Plane ride to Bangkok
3. Shuttle bus between Bangkok airports
4. Plane ride to Angeles City
5. Luxury jeep taxi at 2:30am
6. Tricycle to the Dao bus station the next morning
7. Taxi van instead of a bus to Manila
8. Pedicab after the taxi van dropped us off in the middle of nowhere (this was especially funny, as the driver was a little old man trying to pedal around two tall Westerners and our heavy bags. We stopped him after a few blocks, said thank you and all had a good laugh)
9. Meter taxi to our hostel.

While this seemed like a lot at the time, it was just a preview of our eventual epic 15 modes of transportation in 48 hours adventure.

A foggy and rainy street in Abatan, Buguias, Benguet, Philippines

. . .

A Parting Thought

The human mind is a fascinating entity. When experiencing something new, it immediately wants to relate it to something it has previously seen or experienced. But why? Is it to provide a sense of comfort? While walking through a Barclaran market in Manila, I found myself saying “oh, this is just like Dehli or Panama.” Then, I stopped myself from comparing it and said, “no, this is just like the Barclaran market in Manila. It doesn’t have to be like anywhere else.”

An overhead view of the Baclaran Market in Manila, Philippines

. . .

A Parting Sunset

Carrie and I saw so many incredible sunsets during our time in the Philippines, but I managed to keep most of them solely in my memory. Of the few I did photograph, this parting shot from the Odiongan pier is my favorite.

A sunset over the docks of Odiongan Pier in Romblon Province, Philippines

. . .

So what do you think? Is the Philippines your next travel destination?

“Really? Is this really happening? I have to sleep here?! OMG, this is pretty much the worst place ever!”

Yet there I was; in a dirty, dark and stinky room with at least 16 beds separated only by curtains.

The “hallway” of the one room at the Taipei Ximen MRT Teacher Hostel

. . .

Why is it Called the Taipei Ximen MRT Teacher Hostel?

I have no idea. There were no teachers there… just a British guy who worked in construction and was looking for work in Singapore, Hong Kong and now Taiwan.

He slept in the bottom right bed. Mine was the bottom left.

My bed was the one in the lower left of the photograph

. . .

The ‘Ole Bait and Switch

I should have known better before booking, as the Taipei Ximen MRT Teacher Hostel only got a 64% rating from HostelWorld. While some reviews mentioned a friendly owner, clean rooms and a nice common area, others said things like,

“This isn’t a hotel it is a room turned into a “hostel” it is dirty, small and stinks”

“This is mixed shared room – If all you need is a bed and a bathroom and you don’t particularly mind odd smells and a room with the feel of a tree-house-come-pillow-fort then this is the place for you!”

“This hostel has 2 locations in the same block. I ended up in a small office room shared with 12 other people. Because of only one toilet, it made it hard to get ready in the morning. No kitchen, no balcony. Lots of cockroaches, no cleaners. Ventilation was also quite poor.”

I guess I got the second location.

My little bed on the bottom bunk of the Taipei Ximen MRT Teacher Hostel

. . .

So Why Did I Stay at the Taipei Ximen MRT Teacher Hostel?

Simple. My other hostel – the beautiful, clean and friendly place I had stayed for five nights – was full on Saturday night.

After an extensive search, this was the “best” place I could find. Plus, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

I had no interest in going to the bathroom barefoot

. . .

No Photos Can Do This Place Justice

So instead, check out the following video walkthrough of the hostel.

. . .

12 Hours of Glorious Sleep!

In spite of the awful condition of the hostel, I still managed to get a solid 12 hours of wonderful sleep. In fact, it was such a solid sleep that I even considered staying in Taipei for another night.

Fortunately, reason overtook my sleep-clouded brain and I immediately packed my bag, headed for the door and began my journey to southern Taiwan.

Hostel door or prison cell?

 . . .

What’s the worst place that you’ve ever stayed?