Travel to the Philippines – Episode 201

The Amateur Traveler talks to Ivan Hernares, an award winning Philippines travel blogger, about his home country of the Philippines.

Ivan leads us on a virtual tour of the 7107 islands of the Philippines archipelago, starting in Manila. Manila has the walled city of Intramuros that reflects its Spanish colonial heritage as well as its Asian heritage in Binondo (its Chinatown where we can pick up some Lumpia or a winter-melon cake ).

There are inexpensive places for backpackers to stay in the Malate neighborhood.

Polish up your layup if you want to meet locals since the unofficial national sport is basketball.

Then we head south to the powder white sand beaches and nightlife of Borocay, the oldest city in the Philippines, which is Cebu, the chocolate hills of Bohol, and the underground river of Palawan.

We explore the rice terraces of Ifugao (a world heritage site) and the WWII historic sites at Corregidor and Bataan.

Ivan talks about unique architecture, such as the Philippine Baroque churches and the “vahay na bato” stone houses.

Ivan loves a good hike up Mount Pinatubo or Mount Pulag in the Cordilleras.

And if you go to the Philippines don’t forget to pick up some dried mangoes.

[itunes: https://traffic.libsyn.com/amtravm4a/201AmateurTraveler.m4a]

Show Notes

Ivan About Town
This Week in Travel
Philippines
Intramuros – walled colonial part of Manila
Old Manila Walks
Backpacker’s accomidations in Manila
Philippines National Museum
Corregidor
Bataan Death March
Retirement Philippines
Cebu Pacific – low cost air carrier
Philippine Airlines

News

• Unspoiled Nature in Shadow of a Nuclear Site
• US Government advises technology executives to trash mobile phones after returning from China
• Bad Experience with U.S. Airways Dividend Miles

Internet Resources

Miss Refund

Community

Lyndon was appalled to hear “Cardiff, England”. Cardiff is in Wales and Chris is chowderhead.

Chris, thank you for featuring Wisconsin on your 200th episode. Christine did a great job highlighting the best parts of this state where I have lived most of my life. But there are a few things I would like to add:

She mentioned State St.in Madison, the pedestrian-only street that connects the Capitol Square to the UW campus One of the reasons I love State Street is that you can easily find thowbacks to the 1960’s as you stroll along. If you are looking for a poster of Bobby Kennedy, Beatles albums on vinyl, tie-dyed clothing, incense, beaded curtains – or a rally to legalize pot or end the war, any war – State Street is the place.

Also, State Street has a colorful street life, not unlike New York City. In warm weather, merchants put racks outside, restaurants put tables outside, and the sidewalks are jammed. Even in cold weather, because of the high population density in the campus area and too-few parking places, there is always a lot of pedestrian activity on State St.

About Door County – Christine missed mentioning the 10 lighthouses, more than any county in the country. Most in service, some not anymore, some open to the public and some not. But every one is picturesque.

Lastly, she mentioned the Lake Michgan beaches, from Milwaukee up to Door County. One should not mention Lake Michigan beaches without mentioning the water temperatures, which range from still-frigid in June, very cold in July, and merely cold on the hottest day in August. Swimming in any of the Great Lakes is not for the timid.

Lastly, the colors of fall. Rivals the much-better-known colors of New England. And I have lived there, too, so I can compare!

Thanks for all your hard work. I love the podcasts, whether they are about the most exotic corners of the world or to my home state.

Joanne