Hello

Happy Easter! 

We left Manila after intending to go and see a crucifiction ceremony on Good Friday.  We took our first jeepney in rush hour and missed the ceremony but we are glad, as people choosing to be nailed to a cross and whipped till they bleed is pretty bizarre.  The commitment for some of these religions is frightening. 

We then went to the ferry port to find a deck filled with bunk beds as far as the eye could see.  360 people in a dorm.  It was great fun.  They were all Filipinos on holiday.  Laughing, karaoke non stop, lots of children and noisy roosters being prepared for the cock fights on Sundays.

We are now in Puerto Princessa and have been driven around on little motorised tricycles at 7 pesos each, maybe 5pence.  The shopping mall was an experience with everything in minature.  Millions of bottles of shampoo and soap etc etc in mini mini bottles, so cute.  Then at lunchtime the check out girls do a dance in the aisles for about 10 minutes for the customers.  After that everyone is seen jigging to the music, people just cannot stand still.  We even went to the Puerto night club last night and danced to the Whitney Houston hip hop remix. Oh and met the gay men of Puerto!

Today we got up early to find the immigration office to extend our Philippines visa.  Even the Alien Relations Officer (they call us tourists Aliens)was listening to her ipod whilst processing our application.

Palawan Island is a haven of incredibly friendly filipinos, forever laughing, dancing and having lots and lots of children.  What a great place.