From 5 degrees north of the equator.

Did a pub-crawl down the length of the beach yesterday (my head), just stayed 2 days in a paradise resort, sun, white sand, palm trees and scuba diving! my 1st day not cycling.

Just raced all the guys back to the port (here), overtaking the local tri-shaws & mopeds, etc.... getting the ferry to CEBU CITY in an hour.

Just been through the "chocolate mountains" too, BOHOL, a surreal set of 1300 small hills on a high plateau, all next to each other. Enjoyed the hill climbing race up to the top.

As usual, all Philippine girls are lovely, there so babe-ish, will have to come out here on a babe holiday sometime, however the people I'm with are brilliant, can't keep up with the beer drinking.

Early on in the trip we cycled through a province, which 3 days afterwards, turned into a war zone with 12,000 people displaced, tank artillery, airstrakes against rebels. Watched the TV news open mouthed! Also came across a mayor today whilst cycling here, traveling with his army escort. Gosh, had no idea, lucky to miss it.

Everyone's wonderful here, having a great time, did 2 ferry ride to Bohol, we're island hopping with the bikes, going to do some snorkeling and riding up into the "chocolate hills" (another 8th wonder of the world) in the next few days.

We (being the mutineers) never know where we're going to stop from day to day, last night we stayed at a military base by the sea - glorious blood-red sun set as i bobbed up and down in the warm ocean waves, its much more exciting making it up as we go along. Ran out of day light the other day, so hopped on a jeepney back to our safe shelter. Hope the others heading through the danger areas have not been kidnapped, might not be much fun for them from what I've heard.

We're all having a few beers now and I've got a cold, ah. Women very nice, they all fancy me and i cant blame them, i look so good. I think they like anyone with a big western nose. Done 1200km on the bike now, bronzed and athletic, and knackered.

After the Himalayan effort it was time for some flatter riding with palm trees and tropical sea.

This was to be a CTC tour circling the island of Mindanao well of the tourist trail. Turned out to be one of the best experiences I've ever had. Basically, the Island is split into Christian and Muslim parts, this being a considerable source of conflict between the islanders. Army, tanks, that kinda thing. All the locals we met were kind. More...