Walk This Way!

It is really funny that being born in Manila, I have not really thought about what my city is all about. Yes, the occasional passing through parks, museums, historical landmarks, but never really thinking why Manila is the way it is today. Enter Carlos Celdran, he is a self declared tour guide, who does the thing (guided tour, of course!) in different parts of Manila, as his website states, his mission is to change the way people think of Manila, one step at a time.

Me, my wife and son joined Carlos on his "If These Walls Could Talk", a deluxe tour of Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and Casa Manila. And boy, was the whole experience worth it. Its not only the sights that he took us, but also the great stuffs he shared. His blend of history and personal analysis really hit the bullseye! He took us through how Manila was established; how it was before it was discovered, how it was during the Spanish, American, and Japanese times. It was a delightful mix of history, culture, jokes blended into his own brand of showmanship that makes his customers captive audiences during this three hours of travel back through time.

You have to join one to know and experience what I'm talking about. Definitely no regrets.
For details you may visit his website http://celdrantours.blogspot.com.

Monster of a Truck!

I just remembered going through my old posts that I wrote about my impending change of vehicle. Well, months after that post, March 2007 to be exact, I did change. It was a year earlier, it was definitely unexpected, but what the heck, I took it!

Well, the vehicle is not exactly brand new, but the mileage was pretty low (20,000 kms. for two years used), it was definitely well maintained, the best of all, I only have to use it for 3 years (instead of 5 years) before I can call it mine and of course the right to change to another vehicle (brand new by that time).

What I got was a monster of a pick-up truck, its got a 3 liter direct injected turbo diesel engine, its got 4x4 for those off-roading moments, its lifted for those battles with our famous Metro Manila flooding during the rainy season, the interiors are almost car like, with the leather seats, nice sounds coming out of the Pioneer stereo + Blaupunkt speakers combination, its got dual airbags and all the seat belts for the riders safety. And last but never the least, it's in color BLACK!!!

Ten months and 26,000 kms. later, I am a very satisfied customer, I drive everyday for around 100 kms (both ways), and the diesel conversion was at around 12 kms per liter of crude, that's a miser for a 3 liter engine. The riding comfort is a mixed bag, it feels more comfortable riding in front than at the back. The space for cargo is definitely loads better than a sedan. We actually experienced no water for a few weeks, and the pick-up helped us through by hauling water from our relatives homes to ours, can't say we can do that with a sedan, gallons of water maybe but not drum loads! Speed is of course diminished compared to a sedan, but at my age, its ok, I don't feel like racing Hamilton and Alonso anymore. Overall I give it a 4 out of 5 cylinders.

By the way, the monster I have been rambling about is an Isuzu DMax 4x4 pickup truck. Its now even better with its new CRDi engine, so for those in the hunt for a new utility monster, check out the DMax, it's good to go!

Do-It-All Digicam

Me and my wife spent our 10th year anniversary at Pearl Farm, Davao. It was her first time there so it was good that she liked the place as soon as we got there. The food was great, and we spent some time kayaking, going to the other island near the farm and of course the customary snorkeling and swimming in their pools (the eternity and the jacuzzi pools).

We got us a Samal House cottage, its a room on stilts that has a view of the sea, terrific! Waking up in the mornings will never be the same again (you'd wish its like that forever). The marine life is rich, with lotsa fishes and corals to explore when snorkeling. And all these activities we got to capture using our recently bought Olympus Mu-SW725 digital camera. What makes this camera special? Well, its takes pictures underwater without the camera being put inside a protective case. Yes, that's right, just take the camera along on your snorkeling and you are set. We got shots of us underwater in the pool, under the sea with the marine life. Its safe to use until the depth of 15 feet (5 meters) and it is also shockproof to a depth of 5 feet (1.5 meters). That's why its ShockWater. I would encourage anyone to buy one once their digital camera is due for a change, its also great at taking ordinary photos.Our trip to Pearl Farm was indeed a memorable one, apart from being able to spend some extra special time with my wife, its was also a time for relaxation and quiet time from all the pressures and stresses from work. And it is now ably documented with the help of our new digital camera the Olympus Mu-SW725!