After spending nearly three years in the Philippines it is finally time to say goodbye.  It is with mixed emotions we leave but deep down it is the right decision.

We were living in Makati and the pollution was starting to get to me in the form of chronic headaches which would last for 3 – 4 days and continual red-eye. The lungs were also not quite right with laboured breathing. But aside from the pollution, traffic, noise, internet & wifi and government and corporation bureaucracy issues it was still time to go. The safety issue was brought home when leaving macdonalds and getting targeted by two young kids  attempting to get the contents in my pockets, unfortunately this was not the first time. Due to the colour of my skin I would also be viewed as wealthy and therefore a target and had been robbed three times with double that in unsuccessful attempts.

But there are many plus points to the Philippines as well, right up there is the people, warm, open and friendly who know how to get the most enjoyment with what they have got out of life. Weather is also a big plus with no winter season. And I also enjoyed the relaxed culture where shorts and a tea shirt  was the norm. Your dollar or pound goes much further than the western countries.  Places like Makati have a great coffee culture with the Coffee Bean and Tealeaf right up there with their excellent coffee and helpful friendly staff. The shopping malls are world class and some are the larger ones are the size of small towns.

I have many fond memories of the places I visited and people I met. Places like Boracay and Palawan are amazing and I’m tempering my future expectations for future holiday destinations for I don’t think they will match the places the Philippines has to offer. I also have the opportunity to present Drupal CMS at universities and local meet ups and was touched by the enthusiasm and energy of the young people.

Bye Bye Philippines, I have many fond memories which will always stay with me.