Baguio to Phnom Penh

Funny how time flies. Feels like Baguio was ages ago and something far in the past. Anyway, we spent our time in Baguio well while waiting for the next bus. We still had our loyal companions the Swiss with us and we all ate at McDonalds (shame I know) and played cards (asshole ala Swiss rules) in a hotel cafe. Got on the bus to Manila around midnight and once again the bus was far too cold to be able to catch any sleep. To our surprise we got back to Manila an hour earlier than expected and found ourselves in the mad traffic rush (there's always crazy traffic in Manila by the way) at 4.30 am. We immediately went to the next bus terminal to get the earliest possible bus to Legazpi. We were in luck and only had to wait for about an hour and a half. Enough time to stretch our legs and YES I found a diet coke to consume. Ah heaven!! The bus to Legazpi was far from luxurious, but hey the estimated travel time was only 10-11 hrs. It was really stuffy and hot in the bus, but since we hadn't slept very much I was out in no time. This time the trip was 2 hrs longer than planned and we didn't reach Legazpi until late evening. We were starving and dehydrated, but soldiered on to find some food once we had found a place to stay. We ended up at the local pub where drunken Navy Boys were singing away to the videoke (Filipinos favorite past time). It's funny, but they all like to sing very cheesy love songs that no one has ever heard of and not always with the most intune singing voice. Although it can sometimes be a bit overpowering trying to have any meaningful conversation while the singing is in progress, I do think that it is quite refreshing that no one cares how good or bad they are as long as the songs are delivered with strong passion and feeling.

The next day Dan and I were out hunting for a flight to Cebu (in the south) and got hold of one the very same day. Sadly we said bye to our Swiss comrades and quickly went to snap a photo of the Mayon volcano, which was the reason we went to Legazpi in the first place. Arrived in Cebu and planned for the next move. Beach! We decided to catch the ferry to Dumaguete and then have a few lazy days on the beach. Of course, we all know by now that nothing comes easy and the ferry was delayed halfway there due to a generator problem. I am not exactly the best swimmer I know so deep water and boats always make me a bit nervous. The boat breakdown in the dark was not the ideal scenario to keep me happy and I couldn't get off that boat soon enough. Dumaguete was a nice place though and it was all worth it. We finally managed to find a beach but to our disappointment it was cloudy and rained a bit. Typical!! Still got a red nose and a burnt my ass beyond recognition. Sitting on a bus after that was painful!!!

Back in Manila we spent the last day doing a day tour (by ourselves of course) to a nearby volcano in the lake. Hmm wasn't really what we expected and ended up taking a tuk-tuk down and then back up a hill before returning to Manila. I think that is probably the most pointless thing we've done so far but it was still quite enjoyable.
Anyway for those of you utterly concerned about the health of my toe (I know there are a lot of you) it's healing well and I have so far not had any issues with it...knock on wood!
Will leave updates on Cambodia for next time.

Baguio

The busride up to Banaue, a small "town" (population of 1100) up in the mountains. was fairly easy and non-traumatic (only  8hrs) although we didn't get much sleep. The aircon was blasting away and it was freezing. In Banaue, we were packed into a jeepney (free shuttle service:)) with a bunch of other tourists and taken to a guest house which were eager to sell trekking tours etc. We wanted to get some food and if against all odds maybe find a diet coke (which we didn't) before we made any decisions one way or another. We managed to hook up with two Swiss people and an English guy for a two day rice terrace/trekking stint. First day was more jeepney ride than walking on a VERY bumpy road. We first saw the rice terraces in Banaue and then spent the night in a guest house overlooking the rice terraces in Batad. Both absolutely stunning. (see flickr photos....I think Dan is trying to upload some now www.flickr.com/photos/dpp_emye/). Next day (after a light breakfast that we waited for for 2 hrs and after our guide showed up late and hung over) we started trekking. First up to get an overview of the terraces and then to a waterfall. Honestly I could've skipped the waterfall if I had known that there were that many steps (sometimes almost waist high) involved. Anyway we did it even if my legs were screaming in protest (not sure where my fitness went after all that running and muay thai boxing). We then hiked for another 2 hrs through some amazing scenery but it was muddy since it had rained during the night. I slipped and almost went over the side  but was luckily caught in the vegetation. Lesson learnt: stay away from the edge. We all got back to the rainy Banaue in one piece and then looked forward to a at least tepid shower. No luck there it was ice cold!! Never shivered that much in my life.
Next day we and the swiss people went to Bontoc. There was supposed be a cool market. Ran into another English guy and spent the day walking around the town. The market was not what we expected but despite that I kind of liked Bontoc. Next day we were off to Sagada. Got there early and went to some caves. Pretty nice and all was good until my foot slipped under a rock and split my big toenail into two. Can seriously say that it was quite painful. It didn't help that Dan had said earlier how this guy from New Zealand had gone caving a lot and got some bat poo in a cut and almost died. Pretty much soaked my toe in betadine after that !! We also had time to see the hanging coffins. This is a tradition which is slowly dying out. Only the elders which have not been baptised are buried this way. They pretty much hang the coffins off the mountain wall. Pretty interesting and looked quite cool.
In the evening since there was a 9 pm curfew we sat on the balcony of the guesthouse and drank some horrendous Blueberry rice wine and played Yatzy with the Swiss and the English bloke. Can't say that either Dan or I excelled this time around but there's plenty more time left to improve.
Today we left Sagada and made it to Baguio. It's not really a place we want to spend any lenght of time so are getting the night bus back to Manila. Since we are not that keen on spending time in Manila either we are planning on getting on yet another bus after that to take us to Legazpi.

Manila

Finally made it to Manila after being in transit for 25 hrs in 3 different countries! City is pretty crazy with lots of Jeepneys (modified military jeeps with disco lighting and religious mottos). Been all over today trying to organize a busticket out of here which was harder than it seemed when reading the lonely planet book :) Tonight it's the nightbus to Banaue where the world heritage rice terraces are. Hoping it's not rainy and foggy so that we can take a few good photos.