wandering soul [may.15.2009]

some interesting facts while on the road:

* cebu is not just cebu city.when you get off at mactan international airport, you are in lapu-lapu city in mactan island.and the island next to it is where mandaue and cebu cities are located.whoa. we stayed in cebu city, so when we went to mactan shrine which is in lapu-lapu city, we paid a whopping 170 for a cab.
* mactan shrine has great finds!at mura lang.trinkets are sold at 10 pesos only.they also sell dyed starfish at 40 pesos per pack, and thats like around 30 pieces na.small starfish are sold at one peso each.they also have a dampa-like area where you can buy fresh catch fish and have them cooked at the restos.
* you can buy packs of peanut kisses at a cheaper price in island city mall in tagbilaran city.go to the bakeshop near the supermarket at the ground floor.cheap souvenirs can be bought at the other side of the hanging bridge in loboc river.
* when you go island hopping in panglao island, ask the boat man if its low tide at virgin island so the sandbar is visible
* bring your goggles when you go snorkeling at balicasag island because they rent it there at 100 pesos each.
* if you plan to make a day tour at panglao island, bohol beach club is highly recommended!you pay 350 for the entrance fee, with 250 as consumable.they serve really nice food and the facilities are great!
* you have to be patient at the locals because they have a hard time talking in tagalog.i nearly blew my top with one of the service crews in shakey's at THE WALK in cebu city's IT PARK.gutom na kami tapos she went on yakking in cebuano kahit ilang beses ko ng sinabi na HINDI KITA MAINTINDIHAN MISS.YOU WANT TO LOSE UR HEAD?
* marawi city can also be called the streamer capital of the philippines.board passer sa nursing, sa LET, sa BAR, homecoming galing abroad, na-promote sa ofis..the works!all are in bright colors, when its white it means someone has died.
* its enthronement season in lanao right now.sultans and datus are being enthroned with colorful festivities.weeklong ang celebration nila.
* kung sa luzon ay fx at karag-karag na van ang alternative means of transpo, dito landcruiser, sportivo at revo!winner talaga.may byahe silang marawi-cagayan de oro airport.yun ang sasakyan ko bukas.sana may matyempuhan akong landcruiser para naman masubukan kong sumakay ng luxury vehicle.haha.
* the climate in marawi is like in baguio.it sits on top of a mountain with the view of lanao lake.
* electric and water bills of all households are paid by the towns' IRA.kaya mura internet dito.six pesos per hour, 25 pesos pag overnight.mas mura kesa hotel na 250 ang overnight stay.haha.
* i realized i had a twin when i saw the tarsier.


more interesting stories to come!am off to dumaguete next week and then zamboanga and basilan after.