Side Quest: First a quick stop in Manila

… So catching the last 9 days up as I sit here with a tropical drink at a rooftop pool in hotel by the airport in Manila.

I forget how much I said before I left. The gist is I have a friend who is from the Philippines that I have know for maybe 6-7 years. Don’t recall exactly how we met (online)
He has been in Melbourne for the last 4 years or so and I had seen that he had just returned home, possibly for a short time but he had not decided yet. I have always wanted to travel to the Philippines but hate the planning and the learning curve that is involved if traveling to a new place for the first time. So on a whim I asked if he would be free and consider being my teacher, planner, tour guide if I covered all the expenses.
So 6 days after buying a ticket here I am! A bit of appreciation at one point. Woke up in the middle of the night in my van in Olympic NP wondering what was thinking?!!? I don’t know this person, really. And he really had mentioned much, as far as would we stay in Manila? What’s the plan????
So just before my window to get my money back on my I threw my good friend Korrin under the bus and said I was going to cancel because my friend who looked out for me and my house didn’t think I was being a smart traveler, going without a plan and she was worried about me (I actually did hear her say that in my mind 😅)
He sent me a sad face photo and said he already had a hotel booked in Manila and that opened up the discussion as to where we would go. I felt much better after that. It was always going to be a leap of faith. For his part as well, not really knowing this crazy American who wanted to travel 7500 miles on a few days notice.
I really didn’t tell anyone but Korrin I was going. She was tracking me and I promised to check in every day. (A smart traveler does not go 7500 miles from his van without telling, someone!) He, Rianier also had friends checking on him to make sure I was not a crazy person…. Leap of faith.

So it all worked out well!! He picked me up at the airport we had dinner and booked a flight and hotel to the first stop, El Nido to leave the next morning!!!

Let the adventure begin!!Read more