The Philippines, Part 1

So, I made it down here to the Tropics, leaving behind Japan's rain (mostly) for 12 days. I'm in Los Banos, about 1.5 hours south of Manila, staying with my cousins who live in the International Rice Research Institute compound, somewhat ironically half-way up another mountain. The jungle is literally 3 metres from my window, so it's more than a little bit different from Kobe/Osaka's urban sprawl.

Flew down here with Thai Airways (direct from Osaka to Manila), who were very good, although going by the rate at which they were handing out the Brandy I was A) pretty surprised that the Japanese weren't on the floor by the time we reached the Philippines and B) thinking Thai parties must be pretty awesome...

Airport security in the Philippines seems to be pretty interesting. They had a tank (honestly) parked outside the terminal, but at the same time my cousin was able to walk right up to the gate to meet me (I.E, past customs, baggage and immigration...). Oh, and I got to go in the diplomatic line for passport control (since they work for an international agency).

Went to Central Manilla the other day, seems a bit like a dirtier and (slightly) more chaotic version of Osaka to be honest. Minus all the Japanese people of course... Oh, and they certainly seem to love chocolate brownies here...

Second day; MY GOD CAN IT RAIN HERE... not so much chucking it down as grabbing it by the scruff of the neck, powering its face into the dirt and stamping on it down. Ironically everyone has said they haven't had rain in the last 3 months before now... consider it a present from Japan, where it's most likely still raining I expect. Speaking of Japan, my entire room back there is about the size of my bed here :-)

Oh, and Janet arranged for one of the Japanese people here to meet us for coffee to "test me on my Japanese"... she found my Kansai-ness quite funny and said she's get one of the other Osakans to drop by.

Off to Bananue tomorrow! (Which is apparently a 12 hour drive away but is very nice, so I've heard...)