WHEE! WHEE! WHEE!

IT'S A GREAT PLANET...
Run, don't walk, to a bookstore and buy the latest copy of Lonely Planet Philippines, the bible for the international traveller looking for great deals around our fair archipelago. This issue, only launched last week at Powerbooks, is their best compendium in my opinion (and I don't only say this because I am listed on page 88 as "Perhaps the most entertaining ticket in town...Flamboyant to the extreme"). I say this because this one seems to be more in the know when it comes to alternative accomodations and the nightlife scene of Manila than it's all of it's predecessors. The mom and pop backpacker inn, Friendly's Guesthouse, the rocking Saguijo, Cafe 604 (formerly Penguin), and even Blacksoup Project Artspace in Marikina Shoe Expo were all given a good review. And that is a great thing because the aforementioned places were considered to be rather "underground" even for most Manilenos. Nevertheless, I must lament that even though it was just released, it is already in need of some revision. Listed establishments like Bravo's, Castro at Firma, and Sidebar have all ceased to exist while their glaring omissions of tourist sites in the Laguna area (specifically places on the Viaje del Sol, Kusina Salud, and Villa Escudero) are things that should be addressed as soon as possible. For anyone out there connected to LP, perhaps you could list these corrections (and whatever other updates are needed) on your website? Even for a fee? That way, people who have these books only need to log on in order to update the version that they have already purchased. Nevertheless, I still maintain that this is the most edgy, concise version that I have read of the Lonely Planet Philippines so far.

Thanks anton for the viaje link. And THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Lonely Planet for the listing.