dazedandconfused

Not currently expected to go through Manila though it might rain a fair bit in town on Weds and Thurs. Mind, you'll be used to that eh?

Hi Ernesto. The typhoon by-passed Angeles so all normal (if that's possible) there. Cebu City had some structural damage but the main path of the typhoon was further North on the island which was hit badly. Broadly though the City is fine. Tacloban is a disaster zone and it's a tragic mess. Hope your friends are ok, it's almost impossible to get any accurate information about that area right now and communication is a big problem. You might have to sit tight for a few days before you can track them down. Another typhoon heading in later this week as well, though not quite on the same scale as last Fridays.....

'Hey white boy, what you doin' uptown?' Makes you feel increasingly mortal when the good ones leave us. Lou Reed wrote truly truly great songs about a whole bunch of fragile and dark things and about people and love. RIP.

Yup Ernesto, Cebu Pacific fly (I think) three times a week Siem Reap - Manila and vice versa.

Ernesto, just a thought; if whilst in Cambodia you end up in Siem Reap (it's unlikely I know but you do seem to hit some places that are not always known for LB's) then you can fly direct from there to Manila with Cebu Pacific....

Blimey bumblebee, there's not much that gets past your eagle eyes!

A transvestite in Birmingham, UK sometime in the early-mid 90's.

Ernesto, I would give a boat trip from Sandakan to Zambo a wide swerve at the best of times let alone now when it is all kicking off down in that part of the world! You're a braver man than me. General travel advice is for Westerners to avoid that particular small triangle of sea and islands. Travel advisories issued by Governments are often ridiculously cautious but on this point they are probably very right. But if you do decide to make it back to the Philippines it would be a pleasure to meet you - here in the sanctuary of Manila.... Cheers, d&c.

The Greatest Rock n Roll Album Ever. Bar none. It sounds as good today as it did 34 years ago. Really, The Clash were unbelievable then and seamlessly blended punk, reggae, rockabilly and ska into 4 sides of stunning vinyl. Never been matched. Mind you, Sandinista was not half bad either....it was their very own Heaven's Gate.

100% Agree Router! BB I think that we may have peaked with that one, She is absolutely gorgeous

Yet more.......

Woofer, I would suspect that it's been pretty wet and a bit windy up in Baguio but not flooded. City lies in a highland area and though there are isolated cases of flooding its not something the City is prone to. No mention on local TV or press about any dire circumstances up there either. I'm sure your friends will be OK. Fingers crossed.

In the eye of the storm.... Well…….its rained a great deal, like really a GREAT DEAL. Pretty much non-stop from Saturday evening through to last night. As I write there are still intermittent down-pours lasting for a few minutes. Then it clears up for a short while and starts over again. Worst of the flooding, as the rain took its toll, was from Monday night to Tuesday lunchtime. In the main the waters are now receding but there are of course plenty of places still suffering. Much of the main part of Manila was hit to varying degrees (from ankle deep waters to chest deep and above) but the worst affected areas appear to be the provinces directly to the South (and neighboring the Capital) Cavite, Laguna, Calumba etc etc. talk of waters six feet deep and above not uncommon there. As is usually the case those worst hit are often those living in the poorer parts of the city where housing and squatter camps stand shoulder to shoulder, often on the sides of riverbanks, where infrastructure is poor and normal living conditions are at best cramped and just about tolerable. Wealthier areas like Makati and much of Fort Bonifacio faced less issues (though some still caught it very badly) as drainage and run-off is better planned. Continued investment in these two main business and upscale residential hubs also means that flooding is less prevalent here. Manila and surrounding areas often flood and the reasons are long and complicated but in the main are due to it being a lowland area with large bodies of fresh and sea water immediately adjacent, the build up of squatter and shanty towns along all the rivers in the capital means that water flows are often blocked and congested so the water constantly spills away and over the river banks, crap urban planning means that water run off areas have disappeared and concrete covers everything where once there were fields and forests. To be fair as well, the sheer volume of rain that has fallen would make it difficult for any city to cope with. Whatever you put it down to, weather patterns have changed over the past decade or so and at least one a year there is now rainfall on a level and scale that would be hard to imagine a while back. Anyways, City is slowly getting back on its feet now, it’s a Public Holiday today and all schools, offices, shops etc are expected to open tomorrow as per norm. Headline news though is that on Luzon Island (the one which Manila sits on) nearly 1.0m people affected some, in outer provinces, with water still running through their homes. It’s worth sparing a thought for them.

I can reassure you bb that that's probably not who we would both like to think it is!

Very much enjoying this.... The Boy Next Door..... "My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair" Sunee Jim... Something special for your weekend bumblebee? :)

I'm a bit crushed by Swedeman's revelation I'm hoping that there is a convincing explanation for all the smoke and mirrors and that she really is a he.....

She really is lovely. Sigh. Thanks, in advance of the PBG....

Me too, me too....

Hi Route65, nevermind about Noon (!) - how's the music there? Living up to expectations / the info on the flyers?

BB, the one above takes the prize as 'Best in Show' so far!

Ha, I thought you might say something like that Well......it certainly helped to focus the mind a bit! I'm pretty sure as well that it will feature on the rounds later this year. Couple more sweethearts below.

Ahhhh, we're on on my current favourite subject! I'm having to strictly ration the hours I'm on line looking at this stuff - otherwise I won't be good for much else. Some very nice pics above Gents. Some ones I have recently errrr..... enjoyed are below:

Agree with azza on Pacific Breeze - good place and it has a nice friendly atmosphere. If you wish to spend a bit more money (around $85-00 USD upwards) then the Angeles Beach Club or Lewis Grand are hard to beat. ABC is a bit unique and funky whilst rooms at the Lewis Grand are huge with decent balconies. Both have pools but the Lewis Grand is more outdoors based with little cabanas dotted around so you can stay in the shade, and has a couple of outdoor jacuzzis poolside. Both are at the upper end of Fields Ave - about 5-10 mins walk down to the main LB activity - and both are LB friendly. I prefer Lewis Grand but that's just me.. You can also have a good evening buffet (kind of) at ABC that is open to all.

Sorry Ernesto, did not make myself very clear - was just pointing out that your description of needing a 'strong portion of imperturbability' was very very good and was well written, All the best.

Yup, it widens out at the 2nd Road end with bars/ shops either side and a central row of bars in the middle. This shot at the beginning of the bars looking down towards 2nd Rd..... It looked like a place worthy of more night-time exploration on my last trip...