Basco Batan not Bataan

 

I decided to go north to a group of islands that are only accessible by air. I left for the airport at 5:45am and was amazed at the foot and vehicle traffic. The working girls are still up and traffic went at a crawl.

Some of my former Navy friends suggested I visit Subic Bay and Olanapo City but I didn’t want to see a 40 year Vince, Chester, Jim , Tom, Dick, or Harry. I wonder what was the retirement plan for 100,000 sex workers? Are they in a Home for Sexy Senior citizens?

Passing through airport security showed me that umbrellas are now a dangerous weapon, even the folded , short kind. Airport food is expensive as it is everywhere. A tuna fish on wheat bread was $4. Gasoline is about $3.80 a gallon. Taxis are cheap usually in the $1.50 to $4 range depending how long you ride. My supper for the last couple of days was skewered barbequed pork served over a LOT of rice. It was $1.80 including a fruit drink. Street food can be great if you are adventurous. I stopped at a Burger King for lunch yesterday. The sandwich was normal sized but the fries were smaller and the drink was 8ozs?  And no free refills! The cost was about $4. There is enhanced security going into malls, banks and big public places. I’ve been swept with a wand in many cases. There is a problem with Moslems in the island to the south (Mindanao) but there still is security on Luzon (Manila’s Island)

ARG, I inserted this picture by mistake and can’t figure how to delete it! It’s a work in progress