Reset search
Pat’s Cycle Tour - 2018
  • Patrick Leary
  • Patrick Leary

Pat’s Cycle Tour - 2018

A 23-day adventure by Patrick Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    April 14, 2018
  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    1
    1

    Manila to Dasmarinas

    April 14, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    After a 12 hour long haul to Hong Kong, a short layover just enough for a coffee, and then a short hop of 1:30 to Manila, Phillipines.

    Unpacked and assembled the bike inside the terminal building, supervised by a very curious security policeman. Next challenge was to navigate away from the airport, and then find accommodation.

    Compared to 8 day endurance events, this is a different skill set negotiating the traffic. I'm now 30km outside Manila but the traffic is still hectic.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    1Taal Volcano
    First view of Lake Taal

    Lake Taal

    April 15, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Leaving Dasmarinas I was joined by four local cyclists who were cycling to church. Took one wrong turning, navigation needs to be improved.

    The last part was a downhill swithback road, very scenic and more importantly cool. Tonight I'm on the shores of Lake Taal, in a small fishing village on the shore. Lunch and dinner today consisted of fresh fish from the lake.

    In the center of the lake is Taal Volcano. The 2nd most active volcano in the Philippines (last erupted in 1977).    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    1
    1This came unexpectedlyEntrance to the port

    Batangas

    April 16, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Left this morning at 6am to miss the heat. Still ended up drinking litres of water.

    Passed through small fishing villages along the edge of the lake. And so now my name is "Joe" (even though I'm from Africa, and have no connection with the USA armed forces). Passing through the villages "Joe" is welcomed with a friendly hello.Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    Bus stop for a sleep2am waiting to board the ferry

    Santa Cruz

    April 17, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Today was always going to be an early start, having to catch a ferry at 2am. I was hoping to try and get 4hrs sleep, instead I got a big fat "0".

    Took a short nap on the bench in the ferry, and arrived at Abra de Ilog at sunrise.

    Cycling with no sleep was never going to end well. After 50km I found a bus stop in the shade and must have slept 2 Hrs solid on a concrete bench with my helmet as a pillow.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    11

    Sablayan

    April 18, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    New learning. I now know that Water Buffalo can completly submerge themselves for quite some time. I was resting on a bridge overlooking the river, and noticed just the horns protruding. He then came up, took one look at me, and submerged himself again.

    For the last 15km into Sablayan, I managed to tuck myself into the slipstream of a tricycle (3 wheeled motorbike). Fun, and amusement for the passengers.

    Found a resort for the night, dumped my bags, and headed straight to the beach for a swim, in what I think is the South Sea.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    2
    1Tree House

    San Jose

    April 19, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    A happy and content day !

    Scruffy dogs being playful or sleeping in the shade. Even the goats and their kids being playful.

    Arrived at my destination at 10am and found myself my first cold beer in four days.Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    2nd Ferry1st Ferry1st FerryIt's not what you think !

    Boracay

    April 20, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    "Try not look like a tourist" they said. Then how come everywhere I go, its "Look a foreigner !!" ?

    Another than an obnoxious, rude, arrogant, women (I think Russian) at the ATM yesterday, I have met only one other foreigner, a Canadian photographer. That's until I arrived in Boracay, a proper tourist resort island !!

     First leg today was a 50km cycle, and then a 4 hour ferry across to the island of Milay. Then a second ferry to the tourist island of Boracay.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    The outriggers made from bamboo and held together will nylon cordOur dive boatThe outriggers made from bamboo and held together will nylon cord

    Boracay

    April 22, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Spent one day more than planned on Boracay Island. To much fun !

    Mangaged to get in some scuba dives which was really great. The reefs here are in pretty good condition, and the dive centers are really good. Also the Dive Masters seem well trained and were really helpful.

    Now how's this, in four days time the complete island will be shut down for tourism for six months, effecting 35,000 employees ! Can you imagine also the loss of income ? Already my last night there the island was noticeably quieter. The main street is to be widened, proper storm water drainage and waste water system to be installed, illegal buildings (including hotels) are going to be demolished.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    Craftsman at work

    Tibiao

    April 23, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    A not so early start, then short ferry crossing from Boracay back to the mainland. Again heading south staying on the west side of the island.

    Late afteroon once it cools down, the locals come down to the beach to swim. Also a number of homemade kites being flown on the beach this evening.Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    2
    1

    Bacolod

    April 25, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    This morning start was before sunrise and on the road by 5am. The only life was dogs lying in the road licking their you know what ... and waiting for the sun to rise. Was chased by one dog who obviously doesn't like foreigners.

    Stopped alongside a beach for a rest and a local came out and insisted that I wait. He went home and fetched some food. Not sure of the name, but made from rice and coconut and wrapped in leaves. Very tasty.

    Another ferry crossing, this time from Iloilo City across to Bacolod.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    Ruins of a sugar baron's mansionNot all turquoise waters

    Bacolod

    April 26, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    New dinning experience: arrived at the small roadside restaurant, they accompany you down the street to the fish market, you select and pay for the fish that you want, stroll back to the restaurant and in a few minutes your fresh seafood is ready and served.

    In the city there are some random traffic lights, other than that, there is not one stop or yield sign, and yet everybody patiently waits their turn.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    Petrol for the Motorbikes
    How appropriate1Dinner: Fish Soup, Crab, Shrimp, and Prawns and of course RiceMingling. 3 buckets of beer later

    San Carlos

    April 27, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    You know it's been a rough day when you finish your day with an average speed of 11.3 km/h. Had another dog chase me on one of the climbs, and the only energy I had left was to tell it to "go away".

    Crossed over the island from one side to the other and past another volcano. The peak was engulfed in cloud but still spectacular.

    Needed a new cell phone cable, and ended up spending the evening with some new found friends from the store.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    1Jeepney
    3Cocunut WineBasketball StarsLook Closely2Local Transport1

    Toledo - Cebu City

    April 28, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Final ferry of the trip, again boarding at 5am this time from San Carlos, and then a one hour crossing to Toledo. Cycled then from Toledo to Cebu City.

    Arriving in these cities by bicycle is not pleasant. Congested roads, dust and diesel fumes. Then having to pass right through the city to the far side to the island of Mactan.

    The most popular local transport here is the Tricycle and Jeepney. The Jeepney was originally made from US military Willys jeeps left over from World War II and are well known for their flamboyant decoration. Boarding is from the rear which is much safer than side entry, and the fare is only R1.70 regardless of distance.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    2
    1

    Mactan - Island Hoping

    May 1, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Arrived in Mactan and found a festival in progress. All the hotels were fully booked, but eventually found a really good pension.

    While in Mactan, spoilt myself with an Island Hopping tour with seafood lunch on a floating restaurant, and later Lechon for dinner (pork done on a spit) a speciality in Cebu.

    Impossible to find a bike box, so bike is basically just wrapped in two layers of cardboard and tape and hoping for the best.

    Next stop Singapore !!    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary
    With Sarah and Benedict

    Singapore, Day 3

    May 5, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Previous evening spent at Level 33, the world's highest rooftop brewery, with magical views of the Singapore skyline. From here you can watch the light and laser show in the Marina Bay.

    Back into the city today with a visit to Sentosa, Chinatown, and Little India.

    And another tour comes to an end. One that I would rate as one of the most memorable.    Read more

  • Patrick LearyPat’s Cycle Tour - 2018Patrick Leary

    Summary

    May 6, 2018 on the Philippines ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    The Philippines costs of over 7000 islands. The Philippines was colonized by Spain who ruled for 377 years until 1898. From 1898 to 1946 the country was an American colony.

    The most commonly spoken local language is Tagalog which is a mixture of European, Asian and Native American languages. Of the 170 languages spoken, English is the most widely used of the European languages. The major religion is Roman Catholicism, which accounts for 80% of the population.

    The currency is the Peso, at the time of writing 1 ZAR = 4 Pesos (approx).

    My cycle tour started in Manila, and from there headed south, ending in Cebu City, and included the following islands;
    Luzon, Mindoro (Occidental), Panay (Antique), Negros, and Cebu Island

    The Philippines struggles with excessive corruption (that appears to be changing now under the leadership of the new president), extreme poverty, and yet Filipinos are extremely hospitable and friendly.    Read more

    Trip end
    May 6, 2018
  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice