Story Archives

Philippines Travel Stories

Luzon, Philippines: Eruption of Mt. Pinatubo - Travel Story by David Eric Poarch
- 7th Online Issue

It was a typical summer day; the outpouring sun seemed to fill the surroundings with life and energy as I continued my travel through the Philippine countryside. The tropical heat dissipated as the breeze flowed through the open-sided jeepney, only to be felt during occasional lulls when a passenger stop or pick-up was called for. The chatter inside and the bustle outside, along with the smells of animals and exotic foods strengthened as we approached the town market. The stirring buzz of the market seemed to abate as quickly as it began as the jeepney creaked and rattled along the semi-dirt road towards the rural areas of the region.

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Luzon, Philippines: Butanding - Story by Jason Godfrey
- Premier Online Issue

As the jeepney pulled into the market place in Donsol I began to feel apprehensive.

People bumped and jostled by me as I hefted my backpack down from the roof rack. Except for a few tables set up to sell fresh vegetables and food, the market place seemed full of people simply loitering.

A quick glance around made me realize indeed how small Donsol was. Most of the buildings were small wooden affairs that looked like they would have a tough time standing up in a strong wind. There were no chain stores, none of the fast food outlets I had grown accustomed to seeing in Manilla. Most strangely, I seemed to be the only foreigner.

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