Today is the going down as the "Day of the Museum" Just another day in my Filipino Life. When I first got here I would joke with people and tell them that I am Filipino when they would ask me where I was from and they would laugh and now folks just give me the reaction of "Really"? So, I guess I am blending in rather well, all besides my color that is. So back to the Day of The Museum. We were looking for something to do so why not check out some famous art work? Seems like a great thing to do. So I checked lonely planet and got the number to the "National Museum of the Philippines" and I clearly (clearly according to my standards) asked the insightful lady on the phone what time they closed and she said "4:00 p.m. sir" It is hard to imagine how much sir is said in this country. When then got ready and headed over to the Museum which took a 45 minute taxi ride that cost approx. 3.00 dollars. I know it is expensive. The cabbie dropped us off at the front gate and then the gate guard approached us and said you can not come in we are closed today. He was right, there was a huge sign that said they were closed today. We then explained to him that we had talked to someone on the phone and they said they were open. After about 5 minutes of telling him we should talk to someone else he finally let us into the building. I think he just did not even want to hear us any more.

We get inside and run into a reception lady who then tells me that the Museum is closed today. I told her there had to be someone else that I could talk to. She strangely looked at me for a minute and said do you have any ID. I was like that is strange, but said sure here ya go and handed her my CA drivers license. I told her in less words that if that did not get back to me I would hunt her down. Then she returned 15 minutes later and said the director of the museum would like to see me. hahahaha. I know, trust me I know. I am just moving of the totem pole of power at the Museum. hahaha.

We make it to the office of the director. I think she was a bit surprised to see two Americans standing there. I retold the story to her how someone said the place was open. I then used my charm which mind you rarely works on Filipinos but some one it was just my day. She started questioning me so I just started telling her what she wanted to hear. My profile at the end of this conversation was: College Student, Art Major, Digital Artist, Rare art collector, oil paint restorer, and biggest kiss ass in Manila. A few phone calls later she said "come with me boys". We had no idea where we were going.

The director then took us to the Masters room where all the pieces there have won first to third places in art shows. Just so happens the art restorer was there and he was willing to give us a private tour. Then next hour and a half we had a private behind the scenes tour for FREE, yes that is correct FREE. You can imagine there is much more to this story but I must move on to other topics. :)





The art restorer from the museum told us to go to a near by church for a little culture and art.


This place was built **88 (its old) and just amazing. Art work every where and ancient artifacts. If you are interested I can email photos and stories when I get home.


Then later that night Mike's lil bro Kevin rolled into town. We all thought that we would take him out and show him a good time. Mike has been stressed at work trying to get a portal up and running so he left early and left Kevin in my trustworthy hands. Kevin had recently broken up with his girl friend and in Manila it is perfectly expectable for a guy to walk up to a girl and say "are you single? can I get your number?" so I think he had five by the end of the night. You can only imagine that laughs and jokes ensued through out the night.




Of course we were out until day break. When then went to JolliBee to get a great wholesome breakfast of something that is suppose to be a breakfast sandwich. If you just don't look at it you are better off. It tastes great but does not look so appealing.

All of us then went of to the Helipad to watch the sun rise in Manila. A slight alcohol haze, a full belly of Jollibee, no safety railings, and you think you are on top of the world.




Then I got an hour of sleep then time to catch the plane flight into Boracay. I had a serious neck cramp from sleeping on this prop plane. I just happen to have luck at finding TURBULENCE in foreign countries. Oh the fun of the plane falling.


The long stretch of white sand there is where we are staying. It is the number beach destination in all of the Philippines. It is nice but I have never had SO MANY people approach me asking me to buy things. It seriously is about every twenty feet someone here asks if you want, Sunglasses, A Rolex, a prostitute, ATV, jet ski, food. It is to the point now where I look at them and say NO like I am going to kick their ass. It is nice at the hotel because they keep all the riff Raff out.


Yes, They were waiting for me and I had no idea. hahaha. always funny when your name is on display at the airport.








So this place does have some incredible sunsets.


Kyle and I thought we would take the fast track to hell and decided to go to a restaurant called "The Hobbit House". Yes, they employee little people. The food was good and the service not that great. The meal costs around 9 dollars because I got a beer which was not san miguel. If it is not a San Mig then it is expensive.

"Small is Beautiful"



I finally got to dive today. I went out with some crazy one eyed english man. He was the most normal out of all the dive shop DM's we had talked to. We made our dive at Croc island it gets its name for the shape of the island and not its inhabitants.


here is the rear view of the one eyed english man incase everyone was curious.

This was a great dive, I actually got to see how clown fish live. This place looked just like finding nemo. I highly recommend it here but my hopes are much higher for Cebu where we are going next.

I will try to blog again soon. Thanks for everyone's continued support and donations. Nick