If anyone has ever feel like to experience the ultimate worst international airport in the world, I recommend a departure from Manila. It's really bad in the world airports: Charles de Gaulle is one of the worst examples. I was already at airports in Africa, Syria and Regionalflughaefen in Indonesia. But no one ever has beaten Manila.

This starts with the fact that here we have never heard of electronic tickets. So take it easy. You take your passport, go to the switch and hey presto, goes off the air. But this one would have only come in once into the airport. Manila is no such thing possible. Without a printed ticket is nothing. The door remains closed. I was able to convince the security people in Pakistan. In Indonesia there is no problem. It just says that you have an electronic ticket and is good. In Manila, you can not. This is where a ticket maybe in the form of a 1000 peso certificate, but I tried not habs.

When you have finally made it inside, you are standing in a check-in area reminiscent of a provincial railway station of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in the GDR. Also you can get it over with. The check is not much different from other airports, except for the first time here that I had to pay extra luggage, and that this time they have a Umbuchungsgebuehr I wanted, even though the class of travel is freely changeable. I have a little discussion and then unmistakably made clear that I will pay in any case. Then we went that way.

Now you have to pull the trigger Flughafengebuehr (750 pesos). Then the passport control. This is all about. After that comes the security checkpoint. Everything from shoes and unpack. The large model of the Philippines, the United States. So here it is driving the same nonsense. Then you are the customs area for outdoor shopping. A handful of shops with an outrageously expensive goods. The government needs money. Corruption devours vast quantities. Its surplus pesos will be here but not going on. It takes only real money. Dollars or euros.

Now comes the crowning glory. The Lounge. I've flown from here already with Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines. The lounges were already below the average. This time, KLM. This is one of several airlines lounge. Including Etihad, Emirates, EVA Air Something you have not seen yet. On the way there must be a long, narrow, steep stairs. With all the luggage. But the building next comes up. A room was built about 50 years ago and set up. Half-height wood paneling. Nierentischchen and the matching chair to do so. I have not seen anything more determined 30 years. The air in the room is so stuffy that was walled in here even before 50 years.

Power supply for laptop? What for? In one corner are two computers. After all. One of the two takes about 10 minutes to build up a web page. Luckily, the other immediate-release. Where I now sit and type. The coffee is a disaster.

One has to imagine even that has existed for 6 years a finished new terminal. This was not used until 2 months ago, because there still were any doubt, if that really belongs now. It was built mainly with funds of foreign airlines. Involved was not insignificant among others, Lufthansa. When it was finished, you wanted the whole tear a domestic consortium under the nails. The whole circus has lasted until 2 months ago. Now at least Philippine Airlines uses the terminal. Next year it will even then be used for international flights! Lufthansa has uebrugens because of all the circus earlier this year set the flights to the Philippines.

I have to endure in this cave yet just over 1 hour. Then the flight is going to Amsterdam. Tonight I will once again be for a few days in Berlin. But do not worry, in a few days we go again, into the big wide world.

.. goes on the EM. Unfortunately, I find no suitable rhyme not the bumps. But the first I ever find good .
So now I'm back in Manila. Yesterday around 12:00 clock time I was in the hotel. After a shower and some rest, I immediately wanted to go visit friends once. Well kept out of the hotel (Mandarin Oriental) and for a taxi. It just started raining. Directly in front of the hotel exit there was a taxi. The driver wanted 200 pesos for a ride which usually costs about 70th I got out again. He probably knew or suspected what was to come immediately. As soon as I was outside again, it started raining like crazy. I escaped with a small tree, the first time offered some protection. The next taxi drove past. I was about to pay 200, but since then stopped at one. No sooner did I sit inside, it got started. "Like cats and dogs" is the sheer understatement. As if someone pulled the Klospühlung. Within a minute, the streets were under water. I was glad to be in a taxi. Now it was, more or less, at walking pace towards the goal. More just was not drinne. Because of the road and because of the view. I've reached my goal but surely.

Later that night, then was the question: Where can you watch football? 3 minutes walk from the hotel is the "Heckel and Jeckel". I went to look so 10 times, whether to offer the football. The opportunity seemed great. In the past, football games were shown here. In addition, there is a bar run by a Dutchman and many of the guests are also Dutch. The conditions seemed so perfect
There was also this: The game was shown at 2:45 in the morning live on three large screens. I still go to the hotel and have a cap of sleeping. Around 2:30 am then clock wavered towards Heckel. Not because I already had one in the tea. No. It was now quite windy. I had trouble to keep me on my feet. Therefore hath not rained. The store was crowded, smoky and quite humid. Was I did not care. The main thing to see the Dutch suffer That worked quite well. Until shortly after the Russians 1-0. Suddenly, the image on all screens away. We waited a while, but it did not look like that would happen next. Then the message went the rounds that in a bar a few doors down, the game was shown. As it turned out, it had blown the dish from the roof of the Heckel.
So we are drawn further. A colleague was in a car. Already aboard was a bit difficult. The wind ripped the door from an almost obvious. When we arrived at the shop, it was just 1-1. The present Dutch celebrated as if they were already champions. Then it went into overtime. Shortly after the break shot, it went "bang" and the whole place was dark. After about 3 minutes, it went further. Most bars here have a generator. It is quite common that a power failure. In the case of the typhoon was also to blame. But then it went on. The Russians ran the game as if it had just kicked off and only the Dutch were completely finished next to it. Consequently, the match ended 3-1. Holland is once again died in beauty. Lots of long faces and a couple celebrating Russians.
To be honest: one playoff opponents Holland would have liked it better than the Russians. Then I will fear to Germany. But well, even Germany has not yet reached the finals.
The home was then not too far, but quite exhausting and not particularly dangerous. The wind had abated somewhat, but it rained again. In addition, there was a lot around on the streets and sidewalks. From the neon sign and loose construction fences up to the gate of the hotel entrance. I've also made sure this time to the hotel. Meanwhile, even at breakfast time. So what still fix breakfast and to then off to bed. It is still raining like crazy.

Pagsanjan River

The waterfall itself is nothing special. The water falls is greater. Nevertheless, it is worth the trip. After a few hours has tormented by the usual traffic chaos, reach Pagsanjan . The town lies on the river of the same. There, the Erlebniss actually begins. You climb a little boat and two men brought up the river to the waterfall. It goes through a narrow gorge and numerous rapids with a stop at about half-way. There is a break for the really hard-working skipper and also for the tourists. Wearing a life jacket is compulsory for the ride. What is good is not really clear. The water is little more than knee deep. We are the only non-Asians today. It teems with Koreans. Even a few Japanese and Chinese are in the process. They seem to have an even greater need for security. They all wear helmets and sometimes even an extra body armor. What really matters to me as alledrings appeared for the trip was a sun hat. The trip takes about an hour and it is just after one. The sun beats straight from heaven.

The scenery in the gorge is quite impressive. Left and right, steep walls. Covered by rain forest plants. From time to time to see a few monkeys and other animals. In this canyon the way parts of the movie "Apocalypse Now" were recorded.

Before taking a shower

After a break with a snack, we go further upriver. Anything with the arm and leg strength of the boatmen. After another 20 minutes we reached the upper waterfall. A small lake in front. It does not look very impressive. But there is still an extra experience. With a Bambusflos you can go directly under the waterfall in the cave behind it. A very wet fun. The impression in the cave is literally breathtaking. Breathing is actually somewhat difficult by the waterfall. But it is wirklch impressive. One can also swim in the water. Why not, if you are wet anyway before. We stopped just over 1 hour there. Then back again. This time there was an extra fun. All lay on my stomach and just below the falls through. Is actually quite bearable, bite on the calf. If the waterfall is located in, does it feel like having a nail in the calf skin. It really does hurt mean. But a good massage.

After showering

Back on the dry, we have shot a few photos, then we had to back down to the river before dark to be back. We were also much longer than usual on the road. 2 hours is normal for us it was already fourth

Down it goes a little faster. However, even wetter. The rapids we have plenty of water scooped into the boat. But we came back to the base intact. There, we were able to attract a shower and dry clothes. Then back to Manila.

I've now learned. I mean, of course, the ride and not drive it myself. Nevertheless, there is something to practice. First, it is a little more mature than the average Central Europeans do not simply on or get out. Moreover, this is the companion use but requires at least basic Orstkenntniss. Those things go for so what could be called a regular service. On the outside is brushed on, where the journey goes. Since then stands as: "MRT-Ayala-Washington." If you think you have an idea of ​​where this might be, you try it. You stand at the edge of the road, waiting for a vehicle that is traveling in the desired direction. You are either a sign that they want to or just jump on one of the many occasions when the need to stop anyway. Intersection, traffic congestion, rising from just anyone. Then you look wedged in one of the narrow seats. Most of these things are fully up to the stop. Up to 20 people is normal.

Outside the city is also transported on the roof. That's when the heat here is not really unpleasant. If you then arrive at the goal of his desires, or if it has been found that the thing runs contrary to all expectation in a completely different direction than expected, you can call "barra" and the driver stops the vehicle rather abruptly. It forces its way out of it again and tries to smash the skull is not too bad.

The pleasure is quite inexpensive. A promotion's for 7.50 pesos. This is something cent more than 10. You learn a lot of nice people and if you look often enough moves over time and the city.
The jeepneys are probably the most widely used public transportation in the city. There are also buses, operate similarly to the jeepneys, but travel longer distances. Then there are three railway lines of quite different quality. Its use is also reasonably priced but also very cumbersome. Each has a different operator, and if you're upgrading you have to buy a new ticket. This is not a money issue, more a time problem. In MRI, for example, one may assume that of the two ticket machines at the station does not. At the counter you will then have time to 20 minutes. You could also buy a multiple ticket. But that's only a switch and there is the serpent 2 times as long.
But back to the jeepney. Those things get updated very often in all kinds of designs. Small, large, long, short, with air conditioning or natural "cooling drafts." Rusted or Paintbrush. Bright colored completely or stainless steel. Just one thing, there is not guaranteed: Two identical jeepneys.

Is once again Friday night. Sitting in a little coffee in the Dela Costa Street in Salcedo Village, Makati. The heat of the day is pursuing. It is very pleasant. A light supper and to live music. This will be missing me when I got to go here again. I think that's the most musical city in the world. It is evening out and it is almost impossible to find a place without live music. Today, it plays the Philippines "Godfather of Acoustic Guitar" Romy Jorolan. I've seen him here on many occasions in other places. Normally he is with his band "Acoustic Jive" on the road. In November I saw him for the first time in a Hard Rock Cafe in Makati. Then in December the Park Cafe in the weekly "Acoustic in the Park" every Wednesday evening from 20:30 clock.

I had already written that I've lost my phone here in December. I've bought it new. Nokia E65. Not so bad. This thing has just the usual Nokia defects and also the battery lasts only 2 days if not I telephone. With the phone, it will get significantly less. So all in all not really satisfactory.
Saturday was in the Green Hills Mall road. Since there is everything you could possibly imagine about computers, electronics, mobile phone, etc. And then I saw, which is offered in many shops the iPhone. I knew that it can be cracked without problems recently and then works with any SIM card. So I was asking what is expected to cost as much a part. The price was the equivalent of about 360 €. For the price this thing is not even officially have in Europe. I'm so slammed. The "old" phone immediately sold it and ended up at 15,000 pesos, or about 240 €. A really good price. So I got slammed.
So what can I say. It funzt actually. In the top left image shows times the provider (Globe Telecom Philippines). With the prepaid card. I also tried the telecom map. No problem. So look out really well. The software was 1.1.3. There is now 1.1.4. Rumgesucht the net a bit: installation is possible. You have to unlock the whole afterwards. There are now but a software that all done with a single click. For the purists, there is also a command line command.
Then 4 minutes waiting and everything works. The picture is selected as the language nor English. But also works well with German. Even the dictionary for the Touch is available in German. I have not received anything, that does not work. This crack the iPhone is finally a usable phone and you can actually consider buying. I will stall is really only one question: Why is no other manufacturer is able to produce an easy-to-use phone? It is not even a manual here. But you need not actually. Turn unpacking, go! If you still have problems, you look at times Apple after. Since you will be helped.

Yes, what you do so on Saturday nights? In Berlin, that's for sure. In front of the TV hang on max. flake out half an hour and then wake up around 2 am in the chair again, and clock come from low back pain little high. But what you do here in Manila? The hotel rooms at a slow ödet. So you must go out. The Hard Rock Cafe around the corner is quite nice, but the music is so horribly loud that you have the next morning, still ringing in your ears. In addition, the store is too expensive. The Friday night band is not really bad. Here's an example:

[Youtube Wb6XuhPcefo]

Sometimes it is better to sit in a taxi to Manila and, more specifically, to go to Malate. Yeah, I know. I write always, I am in Manila and then I go to Manila? Hää? So, if you just take it, I'm in Metro Manila. This is something like the Ruhr area. The whole is a whole lot of cities. Among other things, Manila. Furthermore, Quezon, the largest, Makati, where I am, while the latest and most expensive, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Caloocan, .... Who wants to know more about it read, simply times here after.

So, you climb a taxi and drove to Malate. Somewhere in the area around the Mabini Street, Church and Remedios Circle. There are plenty of bars, clubs and discos. There's quite safe for every taste. And when I say everyone, I also mean every. My taste is certainly the Cowboy Grill Malate. There are several of them in Metro Manila, but the likes of Remedios Street in Malate in the best me. Especially since there Saturday evening, playing a great band, the band zest. Here with "Bed of Roses"

[Youtube GqkFvsXu II]

and "I do not wont to miss a thing"

[Youtube Rzv4Lvi2Tto]

I. The Cowboy Grill is not the place where foreigners usually present, such as the LA Cafe or the Cafe Havana . There is much more pleasant. There are hardly any foreigners here, there is something for beggars and prostitutes and nothing hollow about here and the prices are within the normal range for Manila.

More of the band Cowboy Grill Zest get updated very often here .

This week we have been to a fish market. First, it is quite interesting to see how the fresh fish is traded here. All fish were offered on the same day caught. What was more interesting for us here is the fact that the fish may also be the same more or less slip away on the spot. Around the market there are a whole lot restaurants. They have no map. There you can order not to eat really was. It is a prize for the cook out and then goes to the fish market and buys, eat what you want. In the restaurant the whole is then cooked to order.

After eating, we were then in the "Star City", the amusement park in Manila. In the great whole, he is no different than others. Except for two things: He Thought About sit almost completely and there is a "Snow World". A kunestlich produced snow in a world Tiefkuehllagerhaus. The whole works up quite realistic, including snow. Have in my sandals but somewhat gefrohren at my feet. The locals all looked quite taken after ten minutes of stay in minus 15 degrees. They were pretty sure she does not want to have in reality. For me it was because at least one bit of the feeling of Christmas and New Year.