The Philippines

We boarded the Silver Shadow in Hong Kong and prepared to set sail on our adventure.  Our first day was a day at sea sailing the South China Sea towards the Philippines.  The day actually passed quite quickly when we added in some spa time, wonderful meals and some good entertainment while meeting new and interesting fellow travellers.  The majority of the passengers are from Britain and Australia so a change from the demographics we have encountered in the past.

Our first port of call in the Philippines was in Manila which is the capital city and was founded by the Spanish in 1571.  After the Spanish-American war the United States changed the official language to English.  Towards the end of WW II most of the city was flattened by intensive bombardment but serious rebuilding has taken place and tourism is now a major business though economically money sent home by those working outside the country still adds more to the economy.  We spent a few hours on a tour of the Old Manila visiting Fort Santiago, the old walled city of the inter murals and the historic San Augusta church and monastery.  We visited the royal park and the old Manila hotel and did a scenic tour around the city.  One of the highlights was our charming guide Stella who spent hours sharing her knowledge of her home with us, everything from housing and wages, health care politics, prospects and more.  She was so open and we learned so much.  We personally found that Manila had a bit of a sketchy feel to it but still grateful for a chance to visit.

Our next port could not have been one of more contact.  Corona is more a small town which is gaining International favour in the last few years as a scuba diving destination.  Dramatic limestone rock formations jut out of emerald seas and sweeps of sand.  Coral gardens and crystal clear warm water made for some wonderful snorkeling off of our outrigger tour boat.  Eight years ago Coron had 4000 visitors and this year 100,000 so they are in a real learning phase.  Hopefully it does not lose its beauty.

Our last port of call in the Philippines was Puerto Princesa which is home to the longest underground river in the world which is a World UNESCO site and one of the 7 Wonders of Nature.  Puerto Princesa is known as the least densely populated,cleanest and most environmentally friendly city in the Philippines.  We would add most welcoming to that list.  They had elementary marching bands out to welcome us at 0645 this morning and before we departed we were entertained by choirs and bands with a giant banner wishing us Bon Voyage. They only get two small ships a month so this is very impressive.  Our visit to the underground river and trip up the first one and one half kilometres was fascinating and well worth the visit.  Another experience like no other.  Next stop Malaysia

Fort Santiago entrance with the moat in front
Entrance to the walled city


Squatters area within the city of Manila 

Inside the church of San Augusta

Creative use of the excessive amount of bamboo

Jeepnies are a very common form of transportation in the Philippines and are usually packed and outside the city often have riders on the roof

Homes in Coron are built over the ocean and they park their boat at their door

Stunning rock formations arising from the emerald sea

Coral gardens

More coral

Grandma enjoying the warm crystal clear water

One can see why popularity is growing here

A stop for a swim

Ready for our river adventure 

Incredible. Only light allowed is the rows an

Different formations everywhere you look

One must be careful to keep your mouth shut when looking up as there are thousands of bats everywhere. Use your imagination 

The water colour is incredible 

Amazing what one can fit onto such a small vehicle 

These are the outriggers that were found in all sizes and that we went out on. They were mostly homemade and the riggers are made of bamboo

Hong Kong

We arrived on Easter weekend but apart from displays of chocolate bunnies and beautiful flowers it was business as usual for this bustling city of several million people.  There is construction going on everywhere and unfortunately the wonderful walkway along the water is closed off as many of the hotels which are built right up to the water are under renovation.  This walkway is one of Hong Kongs major attractions so this is quite unfortunate as on our last visit we spent many hours wandering along this picturesque way.  I would liken this to closing the inner harbour in Victoria.  We are spending our time here walking the neighborhoods and exploring the streets and alleyways.  Houses are nonexistent in the city and one is always in the shadow of buildings that are dozens of stories high.  This city is a property management companies dream!  Restaurants abound and we are enjoying sampling some of the local cuisine.  The streets are alive with people day and night.  One odd thing we noticed was the number of people wheeling suitcases around until we saw a couple of people open them to reveal their shopping.  Unique way to avoid using bags.  Tomorrow we board the ship and head off the Philippines.

Even the small stores are impressively lit at night

An eye catching bit of architecture amongst some uninspiring old high rises

Beautiful flower displays to celebrate the holiday

High density living with small apartments above retail


The star Ferry making a trip over to the ever “misty” island of Hong Kong 

Enjoyed some Kung fu in the park

Hydra

To conclude our time in Greece we spent a couple of days on the unique island of Hydra.  A hilly 25 square mile island Hydra is totally traffic free.  Cars and motorcycles and scooters are not allowed and in fact we only saw one bicycle. The only two vehicles on the island belong to the doctor and the fire department. The only means of transportation is by foot or by donkey.  Not always an easy task when one looks at the hills involved.  Certainly puts a whole new meaning to grocery shopping.  The main town of Hydra is situated at the port with several small villages around the islands shoreline.  Water taxis are also available to take one from place to place on the island.  It was a wonderful reprieve to hike along the water and over the hills or just sit on the edge of the port enjoying a good meal. The Pirates Bar on the port was a great place to finish off the evening with a Greek cocktail in hand.  Hydra in the 1800s had a very busy ship building industry but after the Greek War of Independence this fell off and the islanders turned to sponge fishing for jobs free diving to 30 meters.  It was actually here that the use of diving suits started though at the beginning with quite disastrous results as the bends was frequent and they did not know how to treat it so it was fatal and many died.  The island was thrust onto the international stage when Sophia Loren filmed the movie Boy on a Dolphin about sponge diving here in 1956.  Foreigners started to arrive and it is now a tourist destination especially for those who what to get away from the bustle of the busier locations but not the place for someone who just wants to sit a as the only level ground is the port.

After two relaxing days in Hydra we took the two hour hydrofoil to Athens to prepare for our trip home. Our last stop was at the National Archaeological Museum which houses an amazing collection of Ancient Greek artifacts.  Many were found at sites we had visited which made them that much more interesting.  A relaxing lunch followed by one last walk through the Plaka before packing then a farewell dinner with all of our travel mates.  Back in our hotel our balcony looked out at the illuminated Parthenon.  A fitting farewell to this country that we have so enjoyed exploring and learning about on this fabulous trip.  Thank you Greece.

The ferry that we took from Metochi to Hydra

Fortress at the entry to the port. Cannons that once protected the port still remain.

Cobbled streets with no concern of being run down by a motorcycle.

Hydra had a lot of the white with blue trim that is so prevalent in Greek pictures 

The Harbour is absolutely jammed with boats of all descriptions from these old traditional boats to million dollar yachts.  Fun to watch everyone coming in at dinner time and jockeying for position.  Boats are all Med tied and the bottom of the harbor must be a tangle of anchors.

Lunch anyone?  Here some of the outside menus were only in Greek but once seated it was soon recognized that translated menus were in order

The local taxi stand and I am no kidding on this one

The port landing is the only level part on the island

Little restaurants are around every corner. Fun to explore

When one sees the topography of the island and realizes that the real estate here is pricey I find it quite amazing that they have been able to keep out all means of transportation.  One would think that the spoils would at least want a golf cart. That is what makes this island so special.  Tales with a woman in Athens who lived here for 21 years who said it sounds all quite romantic but after working a long shift and then carrying your groceries home up the hill in the blistering heat after awhile for some it loses the appeal.  I can see that but a wonderful place to visit and we wished we could have stayed longer.

A beach bar with steps leading down to a swimming platform where you will notice a swim ladder.  These are placed quite frequently along the rocky shore as the rocks are covered with sea urchins so this is the only way to enter the water.

Old windmills are dotted around the island in various states of repair.

A very dry island but residents make good use of pots to provide lots of greenery

More exploring 

This tiny church sits alone on an island just off shore and apparently is a very popular wedding site. The wedding party,priest, and guests go out in boats and only the wedding party and priest get off at the island and the guests circle around in their boats.

Small village on the shoreline we came across as we walked around

Pathway we took leading up into the hills

One of the villages up in the hills.  These residents definitely do not need a stair master 

This is a homes "car park". Many homes had two donkeys standing outside ready for whatever

Gentleman leading two donkeys loaded with building supplies 

Could not resist this picture. It is so clean and bright looking yet so simple 

Would be rather difficult to drive a car up this street

Leonard Cohen bought a house here in the 1960's which he owned until his death.  He wrote many song here including Bird on a Wire when he saw just that and spent a lot of time here.  His son now owns the house and in fact recently recorded an album here.  None of the streets in Hydra have name signs but after Leonard Cohens death they named the street by his home in his honor and put up a street sign.