Author Archive
Hey, Joe!
By Thomas on September 3, 2010 | No Comments »
There are many memories of World War II in the Philippines: the sunken fleets of Coron and Subic Bay, old bunkers and forts, and the destruction of old Manila, a once legendary colonial masterpiece. One of the stranger remnants of the war is “Hey, Joe”, a greeting from the past that has been carried over into the 21st century. The name “Joe” given to the many nameless American soldiers who were stationed here, has become synonymous with male foreigners – any Joe Schmo or Average Joe who is visiting the country. Yes, the memory of G.I. Joe is very much alive in the Philippines.
It’s not unusual to hear the greeting several times a day. Whether from kids or adults, it’s usually accompanied by a wave and a fair amount of snickering. At first, I was like, “No, no, my name is Thomas,” but that only caused hysterical laughter. Now, after several months, I’m used to it. What I haven’t figured out, though, is how Western women are greeted in the Philippines. Do they get a “Hey, Jane”?
$18 a Night
By Thomas on August 18, 2010 | 2 Comments »
If you are visiting Boracay and don’t want to pay a lot, you don’t have to spend half a month’s budget on a night in a luxury hotel. There are plenty of other options – especially during low season. After some searching, we discovered the Sulu House, a palm-thatched treasure tucked away in a quiet alley just off White Beach.
Clearly, Sulu House is not quite as polished as the Presidential Suite at the Asya Premier, but it has everything we need. From a kitchen, sitting area and bathroom to a veranda, cable TV and air-conditioning, what else could we possibly want? The house even » Continue reading this post »
$600 a Night
By Thomas on August 17, 2010 | No Comments »
Although we don’t regularly stay in super high-end hotels (or never to be precise), I always like to check them out to see what they could possibly offer to make my imaginary stay worth the money. And I think I just found a winner. The newest addition to Boracay’s luxury resorts, the Asya Premier, boasts the biggest bathrooms I have ever seen. Of course, this alone did not convince me. Only after the concierge pointed out that the giant bathroom doubles as an extra bedroom for larger families, was I completely sold. Now this is pure luxury when you are able to stand on your bed and aim for the toilet (for guys that is). 
» Continue reading this post »
The Wet Market
By Thomas on August 13, 2010 | 5 Comments »
Without sampling Boracay’s delicious seafood, the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters would only be half the fun. For budget-conscious travelers, the word “seafood” might ring an alarm bell – and for good reason. Seafood prices here can be exorbitant. Luckily, upon exploring the busy D’Talipapa market area, we discovered an exciting alternative to the overpriced seafood restaurants and the underwhelming all-you-can-eat buffets along the beach: the Wet Market.
Appropriately called so for its water-filled buckets and dripping ice chips, this local seafood market is perfectly located amidst several small cooking services. These establishments, set up with tables and chairs and serviced by smiling waiters, are run like regular restaurants with only one small difference: customers need to » Continue reading this post »
Boracay, the Best Beaches in the World?
By Thomas on August 9, 2010 | 5 Comments »
Leaving Palawan behind, we have finally arrived in Boracay, world famous for its perfect white-powder sand beaches. This small island in the western Visayas is the pride and joy of the Philippines and has often been called the world’s number one tropical beach destination. And, of course, who could judge better than us. As you can see in the pictures, we have already gone to work to find out if Boracay deserves this prestigious title.
