Archive for August, 2010
Sometimes, You Just Have to Yell
By Tony on August 30, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Thomas and I have the good-cop/bad-cop act down to a fine art. Sometimes, I don’t even realize that I am doing it, it has become so automatic. Of course, as many of you might suspect, I generally play the role of bad cop.
You might remember that we recently lost our underwater camera while we were diving in Sabang, Mindoro. Shortly thereafter, we purchased a replacement water-resistant snorkeling camera (Canon D10) to allow us to capture some of the underwater treasures in Palawan and beyond. Well, as luck would have it, our new camera started leaking after less than a month. Damn.
Luckily, we had the foresight to purchase our new Canon D10 camera from a reliable chain which supposedly had great customer service and support. The store assured us that all repairs or returns would be painless. So when we approached the store and they informed us that the camera would be “repaired” within EIGHT weeks, I » Continue reading this post »
Another Kind of Overnight Ferry
By Tony on August 28, 2010 | 2 Comments »
When we realized out best option to travel from Iloilo to Cebu City was a 14-hour overnight ferry, I cringed. As you might remember, our last ferry trip here left a lot to be desired.
It turns out that there is an entirely different ferry experience to be had in the Philippines. Cokaliong Shipping Lines was offering a two-person suite with in-cabin bathroom, TV, and aircon – all for an incredible 2200 Pesos! Are you serious? $48 to travel halfway across the Visayas in an air-conditioned suite!!! I didn’t have to think twice about that.
Love, exciting and new,
Come aboard.
We’re expecting you.
Love, life’s sweetest reward.
Let it flow,
it floats back to you…
OK, so it may not quite be the Love Boat, but it’s light-years beyond our old slave ship to El Nido. » Continue reading this post »
Free Phone Calls to USA and Canada
By Tony on August 27, 2010 | No Comments »
Gmail has just upgraded US-based Gmail accounts to allow people to make free calls to phones in the United States and Canada.
This is different from Skype and Gmail Voice Chat because Gmail users can call telephones for free, not just other computers. Although Skype’s fantastic Skype-In feature has provided a similar service for years, a small per-minute charge has always been required.
So, will Gmail calls stay free forever? Probably not, as there is a small line of text stating “free in 2010.” Well, enjoy them while they last. Everyone else certainly is. Apparently, over a million free calls were made in the first 24 hours!
Boracay – Fantasy vs. Reality
By Tony on August 25, 2010 | 7 Comments »
From CNN to the New York Times to Yahoo, Boracay is consistently named among the world’s top beach destinations. Twice Boracay has been dubbed the best beach destination in the world by Conde Nast. Top 10 Beach lists across the globe regularly feature the powder sands of Boracay, the Philippines’ pride and joy. But for experienced travelers, all that attention might send up some warning flags. Could any destination hold up to that much marketing hype?
There is truth to the fantasy of Boracay » Continue reading this post »
10 Commandments on the Beach
By Tony on August 23, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Just in case you forget the 10 Commandments while you’re sipping mango margaritas on the beach in Boracay, there is a huge cement copy of them right near Station 1. We wouldn’t want Yhvh/Yahveh to see you having too much fun!
