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Manila floods

 I am back in Manila, Philippines.
Last week this area experienced some extreme weather.
This is the typhoon season here and Manila receives an average of 20 typhoons a year!
I am in Makati which is on high ground so no flooding.
While I didnt go out much during this time..I found some great photos online.

Those who lived in the low lying areas had some flooding.
The city had 15 inches of rain in 2 days.
Many rivers overflowed as the streets became the rivers.

For the locals it was just another storm as you can see by the photos....

Everybody went to high ground

Meanwhile...life continued on.

The Filipinos are amazing.
Their positive spirit and smiliing faces while experiencing such hardship was seen everywhere.
They just always make the best of the situation.

Big Island Adventure

I took a few days to explore Volcano Natl. Park .
I enjoyed the lava tube and surrounding jungle.

Big Island Hawaii at its finest in the early morning light.

Kilauea Volcano was smokin' this day.
One of the most active volcanos on earth has been erupting since Jan. 3, 1983.

Down the road is the Puuloa Petroglyths or Kii Pohaku field.

There are over 23,000 images carved into the rock here.

Great energy here as i wandered the boulders checkin out the carvings.

I explored this area in the early morning.
The petroglyths are easier to see in the morning lite.
I was the only one there for the 3 hours i was wandered around...
and sometimes the sun would do this!

The black sand beach just down the road from the park.
Mellow spot.

Hawaii food blog

One of the best parts of living in Hawaii is the availability of fresh fruit everywhere.
This soursop was grown on Farmer Rons property down the road.
This fruit has a sweet/sour flavor and is known for its cancer curing properties .

Yum!

This is Farmer Ron.
He planted the soursop tree years ago and this was the first fruit he harvested from that tree this season.

Farmer Ron diggin in!

Rambutan was also found in the area.
This fruit was originally from southeast asia now found all over the tropical world.
I had also enjoyed this in Southern Mexico.

The pink fruit is guava from Farmers Rons orchard.
The orange mangos I had bought at the Sunday farmers market..so sweet and juicy.

My guacamole and avocados from the property.
I use avocados, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, chile peppers and lime juice.

This is one of the avocado trees on the property.
its the only one with fruit this time of year.

I think I could live on an all avocado diet...so delicious!

Big Island, Hawaii

I am now exploring the Big Island, Hawaii.
I am staying in the guestroom of John and Jennifers house near Pahoa.
I bought a scooter to get around which is perfect for here.

The Sunday farmers market has something for everyone...
Local fruits and veggies, artists, food stalls and even live music.

My lunch was papaya salad with avacado and peanut sauce.

A local artist shows off his work.

Check back for more updates from the Big Island as I continue the search for a quality WiFi signal.

Back in Thailand

I am back on Ko Phangnan in Thailand.
Yesterday I toured the island on a scooter and found interesting Thai temples.
These monks are visitingthe island from Burma.
We had a nice chat followed by photo time with all our cameras.

Thai box of matches

The Famished Buddah

I came across some elephants chained in the front yard.
This old timer wanted no part of me...

Check back often for updates from Thailand........

Happy New Year ! 2012

After another full year of travel I am back in Ohio with the family for the holidays..
We have a full house this year with my mother and father, my brother and my sister and her family
and dont forget Sunny the dog!!
The weather is super cold.. how I miss those warm tropical beaches of the past few years.


I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
I hope 2012 is a magical year!
Peter

Travel Warning - December 2011

As a traveler I feel it is my responsibility to post this OFFICIAL TRAVEL WARNING regarding those pictured above. Take a good look and if you find yourself next to these people on a plane ..please move at once or suffer the consequences...you have been warned.
I had the unfortunate luck to be seated next to these people in the window seat yesterday on a Continental flight from LA to Cleveland.
I realize many will claim just flying to Cleveland in December would be punishment enough...
but add these inconsiderate selfish travelers and now you have the 'flight from hell'.
Sure, I understand folks wanna travel to see their loved ones during the holidays.
I wished this family just stayed home and chatted on skype.
On the flight row 22 consisted of frumpy Mom and Dad and their 3 snot nosed kids and me.
The eldest kid next to me had a deep chest cough I always associated with the Midwest in the winter...
His lack of covering his mouth while coughing will lead to many nasty winter headcolds thoughout the plane... Im sure.
I chose the window seat on this particular flight to catch up on much needed sleep.
The little punk next to me would constantly elbow me ruining any chance of that.
My annoyed looks to the Mum for some parenting here went ignored.
Then the final straw was when the brat spilled his can of 7 up on my knees.
I snapped and  fired of a long string of obscenities directed at the little fuck..
His Mother heard me call her son 'a piece of shit' and she pushed the stewardess call button.
I left to the toilet to clean up.
When I finished the stew was waiting for me..I sensed her compassion as she offered me another seat and even offered a drink 'on the house'.
So I moved to an empty seat and enjoyed a peaceful rest of flight even though the annoying kids continued crying for the 2 hours left to Cleveland.

So take a good look at these travel nightmares....you have been warned!

Lolong

I just got back from an adventure in search of 'Lolong' a giant saltwater crocodile.
The croc was captured in September and now is living in Bunawan, Agusan de Sur.
Measuring 21 feet 1 inch and weighs 1075 kgs this is the largest croc in captivity.
'Lolong' is estimated to be 50 years old.
The story goes that the big boy ate a small girl last year and attacked a fisherman in September.
Thus a hunt was organized an 'Lolong was snagged in a trap.

Bunawan is in a remote area with few tourists.
All this is about to change as development has begun and people are visiting.
The Bunawan Eco-Park was born.

There was some pressure from environmentalists to release the giant croc....
no mayor in the Philippines would allow the release for safety of the people.

'Team Croc'
from left...Me, Jade, Wesley, Nico and Carlo.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport

I made this durning a 5 hour layover in Bangkok