Day 1 18 November 2009
Well I finally made it to the Philippines. I didn’t think it was going to happen, especially when all the emergency alarms went off at Sydney Airport!
First impressions of Manila – hot, steamy and friendly. Except for the traffic which is definitely not friendly. Think five lanes of traffic all trying to merge at once with some wanting to turn across the flow. Add in blaring horns, wandering pedestrians and constant use of indicator lights and you will get some idea of what it is like.
My hotel is lovely and I was treated to a fantastic fireworks show as I walked into my room, which was repeated several times that night. Everywhere here is dressed up for Christmas. The hotel lobby has a two storey Christmas Castle which on closer inspection turned out to be a replica of the White Tower in Tower of London complete with ravens. There are even giant toy soldiers guarding the lifts. Many of the buildings on the drive in had illuminated nativity scenes which were very elaborate.
Big day of travel tomorrow and hopefully I can get an internet connection.
Day 2
Day 2 started with a trip to the airport to fly to Tacloban. You need to arrive 1 hour 30 min before the flight here and we also had to allow for traffic so set off at 8am for an 11am flight. Unfortunately the plane was delayed by an hour so it was a long morning, On arrival at Tacloban National Airport (a small concrete building) we were met by our driver who was proudly driving the new VSU/ACIAR van.
It was a two hour drive to Visayas State University. Partly up the coast and then through the hills. Lots of interesting things to see on the way although unfortunately it was pouring rain and the road was bumpy so no opportunities to take pictures. Surprisingly we managed to avoid hitting roosters, dogs, cows, goats and schoolchildren although all used the road as a pedestrian thoroughfare. The houses often sit almost directly on the road and many of them have small food and other business operating from their front rooms. Many of the houses are of traditional woven construction, although some have corrugated tin roofs often held down by tyres. Every now and then there is a modern concrete house. People use the road barriers to tether their animals and to drape their washing to dry.
We arrived at VSU at 5pm and are staying in the brand new guest accommodation. It is right on the beach and this morning I’m going to go for a walk along it. First workshop is this morning. Fingers crossed that things go well. Particularly the internet connection as it is so slow in my room that I can’t actually connect.
Day 3
The training went well after a few initial hiccups. Great group of people who weren’t phased by anything. Taking a jeepney to Bay Bay this afternoon, then off to a tour of a tomato protected cropping plantation tomorrow, en route to Manila again. So lots more driving.
Food has been interesting today. Egg and sweet rice for breakfast and toast that was made with sweet bread. Philppinos love their sugar.
Lunch was pork ribs, pickeled veg, more rice and fish soup.
Well I finally made it to the Philippines. I didn’t think it was going to happen, especially when all the emergency alarms went off at Sydney Airport!
First impressions of Manila – hot, steamy and friendly. Except for the traffic which is definitely not friendly. Think five lanes of traffic all trying to merge at once with some wanting to turn across the flow. Add in blaring horns, wandering pedestrians and constant use of indicator lights and you will get some idea of what it is like.
My hotel is lovely and I was treated to a fantastic fireworks show as I walked into my room, which was repeated several times that night. Everywhere here is dressed up for Christmas. The hotel lobby has a two storey Christmas Castle which on closer inspection turned out to be a replica of the White Tower in Tower of London complete with ravens. There are even giant toy soldiers guarding the lifts. Many of the buildings on the drive in had illuminated nativity scenes which were very elaborate.
Big day of travel tomorrow and hopefully I can get an internet connection.
Day 2
Day 2 started with a trip to the airport to fly to Tacloban. You need to arrive 1 hour 30 min before the flight here and we also had to allow for traffic so set off at 8am for an 11am flight. Unfortunately the plane was delayed by an hour so it was a long morning, On arrival at Tacloban National Airport (a small concrete building) we were met by our driver who was proudly driving the new VSU/ACIAR van.
It was a two hour drive to Visayas State University. Partly up the coast and then through the hills. Lots of interesting things to see on the way although unfortunately it was pouring rain and the road was bumpy so no opportunities to take pictures. Surprisingly we managed to avoid hitting roosters, dogs, cows, goats and schoolchildren although all used the road as a pedestrian thoroughfare. The houses often sit almost directly on the road and many of them have small food and other business operating from their front rooms. Many of the houses are of traditional woven construction, although some have corrugated tin roofs often held down by tyres. Every now and then there is a modern concrete house. People use the road barriers to tether their animals and to drape their washing to dry.
We arrived at VSU at 5pm and are staying in the brand new guest accommodation. It is right on the beach and this morning I’m going to go for a walk along it. First workshop is this morning. Fingers crossed that things go well. Particularly the internet connection as it is so slow in my room that I can’t actually connect.
Day 3
The training went well after a few initial hiccups. Great group of people who weren’t phased by anything. Taking a jeepney to Bay Bay this afternoon, then off to a tour of a tomato protected cropping plantation tomorrow, en route to Manila again. So lots more driving.
Food has been interesting today. Egg and sweet rice for breakfast and toast that was made with sweet bread. Philppinos love their sugar.
Lunch was pork ribs, pickeled veg, more rice and fish soup.
Mmm. I think I can live with sweet rice for breakfast.
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