Singapore Airport

After sitting in Singapore Changi Airport for 5 hours, I thought it deserved a blog post. probably the best airport I have ever spent time in- ever.  There are 3 terminals which you can walk through, or take the skytram:

Filipino Transport

you can't have too many types of transport, right?

walking 

jeepneys- all decorated to the owners' satisfaction

List of things learnt in the Philippines

I am now back where I started in Los Baños in the Philippines, about a 2 hour bus ride out of Manila. Naomi boards nearby and we are at Boston Cafe drinking tea and coffee respectively, on our matching computers.
Things learnt so far in the Philippines

More philippines updates

I am in the internet cafe at the resort naomi and I are staying in. I thought I would try to recount the first few days of the Tropical Experience while I wait for naomi to come back from running so we can eat breakfast.

Day 1: I arrived in Manila where Naomi was supposed to pick me up. I remembered to change into summer clothes on the airplane but just walking out of the plane I was hit by the most intense heatwave. Living in New Zealand hasn't done me any favors with heat tolerance. it was then through customs and out to meet naomi on the sidewalk, and be picked up by our driver. we got back to Los Banos and Naomi's apartment by m,aybe 10pm that night, giving me over 24 hours of travel. I just about passed out on the bed the second we arrived, naomi had to wake me up and feed me mango smoothies so I wouldn't die of dehydration. Mango smoothies are one of the great things of the Philippines though. the fruit here is amazing, and sold on every street corner. I have never had mangos like this before. sadly, i dont think any mangos shipped to a supermarket will ever stack up to the ones here. pretty incredible.

Philippines update

hey everyone, just a quick update on the philippines: still here and kicking! things are amazing, crazy, unexpected. Naomi and I are currently on the island of Bahol traveling around. We met up with her friend J., a marine biologist. I have officially lived in a village hut in the jungle with no running water or electricity. now naomi and i have travelled in at least 6 different types of transportation. I am also sunburned from having my arm out of the bus yesterday. it was really only a matter of time before I got burned- it is HOT here to a crazy level. Today I went out with naomi on a chartered boat to one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. we saw all kinds of coral and colorful fish, plus SIX SEATURTLES! luckily we were with people who had underwater cameras, so i should be able to show you all later. we are now staying two nights at a resort in Bahol called 'bee farm' which is pretty gourmet, but grows all its own produce and herbs, and of course, honey. more later when i have time.

Love, emma

Auckland. Philippines. Airplanes. Lots of airplanes.

Hey everyone, I have some spare time in an internet cafe while Naomi is out running (training for her half marathon in September - wow). We are now on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. And I have not been taken hostage- smooth flying all the way here!

I dont have any pictures uploaded yet which is too bad, but will try to post some up later.
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Auckland

I spent 2 lovely days with Carl and Camille and Todd in Auckland. Unfortunately I have a mother-of-a-cold but we still managed to have a good time.

On Saturday Carl picked me up and drove me back to the house. We then went out to dinner at Todd's favorite bar downtown, the Brew on the Quay . They have the biggest beer menu I have ever seen- over 100 to choose from! I ended up with boysenberry cider which was pretty divine.

Then, my old flatmate Neil got in touch with me and it turned out that 2 of his good friends in Auckland just happened to be having their birthday party at the SAME time in the SAME bar.

So, in a matter of sweet coincidence I got to buy them drinks on behalf of Neil! I love running into people with random connection to me- definitely the best. The next day we took a nice day drive out of Auckland and went to the Clevedon to their famous farmers market - very exciting! There were all kinds of crazy exciting foods there, including paella which is what we took with us for a beachside picnic.

Then back home were we had a delicious dinner and watched Mad Men- a nice relaxing day. Then up at 2:30 the next morning to head on the next leg of my journey- Manila! like I said, the flights were pretty boring and unevenetful- i forgot how much flying takes it out of you though! I was completely exhausted by the time I arrived in manila at 5pm that night (after only 1.5 hours of flying= yikes).

The Philippines

The Philippines are unbeleivably hot, I nearly fell over when I got off the plane. living in New Zealand for 4 years did not prepare me! It's quite muggy and the air is still. yet inside all the cars and busses it is freezing with air conditioning so you have to carry a jersey/sweater with you for the indoors. I can't imagine what the place must have been like before air conditioning. I just arrived last night, and have spent most of my time sleeping since then...however a few things have still happened of course!

I did get to try a mango smoothie last night, and an avocado smoothie today which is surprisingly delicious and sweet. much better than the bun i had for breakfast which had icing and grated cheddar cheese on it...kinda strange.  I am still getting used to constantly needed to stay hydrated, but being unable to drink water out of the tap. When Naomi gets back we are catching a bus and going about 3 hours.

 We are then catching a boat out to a tiny island to stay at a research station (what they are researching I am unsure). It should be good and I am looking forward to a nice cold shower and a sea breeze! And of course another mango smoothie, that was delicious.

The traffic here is also pretty crazy with bicyclists, mopedists, motorcyclists, pedetrians and cars all zooming around. there aren't really lanes in the road but there doesn't seem to be any accidents. Also, since there are no rules people seem a lot less angry at each other. An interesting thought. People have to be a lot more aware of what's going on, and reacting all the time. This makes driving very different!

Goodbyes