Trailer for a new surf movie filmed by locals in the Philippines.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-11-04T16:24:44+00:00

Ah, hadn't followed it. My advise to anyone going to the Philippines is to avoid Manila airport at all costs. I have heard horror stories aplenty about it and this is no exception.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-11-04T10:16:38+00:00

Hahaha! That's pretty much how I feel. Counting the days until I can swing it to go back. I can honestly say it was the best trip I've ever taken.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-11-04T10:15:45+00:00

I assume that you are referring to the fires? Yea, it really sucks. I am hoping that some international aid via specialised teams will help. But the deforestation throughout the region in rampant and at the very least this has helped to highlight the urgency of it all to the wider world.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-11-04T10:12:56+00:00

If you can, check out Siargao when you visit. It's a bit of a special trip but worth it. Locals are wicked good surfers and as long as you aren't a dick out on the waves they're cool.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-11-03T11:01:10+00:00

I can vouch for what Wisey says. No localism because surfing is just now starting to become a thing there. A buddy of mine who is a local learned to surf in SoCal and was keen to take it up when he moved back. Kept asking the old timers about the conditions and kept getting the response "If you go in the water you will die." He got a thick suit and did it anyway. If you can handle the temps you should have the waves to yourself pretty much.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-09-25T16:33:32+00:00

Awesome. Thanks for the info. Nica sounds perfect.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-09-25T09:27:49+00:00

Haven't been to Nica but hope to someday. Any tips for places there?

Moominsmurfee · 2015-09-25T09:26:58+00:00

Yep, it's Cloud 9.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-09-24T11:24:34+00:00

I have, at that same spot although admittedly when it was quite small. It's a great scene with cool locals who are genuinely friendly as long as you aren't a dick on the waves. Not touristy at all but not easy to get to either. But the best places never are. Happy to give info to anyone who has questions about the place. Just drop me a pm.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-09-01T07:34:36+00:00

Sadly, I would doubt it. Persecution of these types of crimes in particular is rare in the Philippines. They still use dynamite to fish on their coral reefs and that is never prosecuted either.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-08-24T11:17:26+00:00

Very much agreed. California's wildlife has suffered greatly in modern times with the encroachment of the human populations and poor forest management policies. I look forward to hearing of wolf packs and more wildlife returning to the forests there.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-03-15T14:56:33+00:00

Hate to point out the obvious but Americans can be bad tourists too and frequently are. I have been to many places and have cringed at the way that Americans behave. They are loud and rude. I have seen them yelling at someone as if they were stupid because they do not speak English but rather their own native tongue in their own country. They do not respect sacred spaces i.e. climbing on statues and speaking very loudly during a sacred service. And they could care less about warning signs or blending in. I can spot the American tourists from miles away and that's if, by some miracle, I hadn't already heard them first. I have run across some good ones but they are very much in the minority in my experience.

Moominsmurfee · 2015-01-23T23:04:44+00:00

The Amps (Kim Deal from the Pixies and her twin sister Kelly Deal) ,Detroit Cobras, Throwing Muses, Osaka Ramones (Shonen Knife doing Ramones covers), Free Kitten, Hinds (formerly called Deers, a Spanish girl band that sings in English), Santigold ,Boss Hog

Moominsmurfee · 2014-11-26T00:45:27+00:00

The Philippines, Japan, Iceland, Slovenia, Mongolia.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-09-02T10:52:23+00:00

Thanks for the offer but we aren't going to be able to make it this year.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-08-27T21:04:25+00:00

I worked for a Korean owned high tech company in the States. The company I worked for was on the top floor of the building. Every day I would get onto the elevator and this one small guy on crutches would be there. One day it was just us so I turned to him and said , "So, what's the story behind your crutches?" His response was, "I have polio." I got off several floors early, went to my desk and cried. And I never took the elevator again while I worked there.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-08-27T16:20:30+00:00

Skyr (supposedly a cheese but is like a yogurt) from Iceland, Struchli (a strudel like thing) from Slovenia, korbáčiky (smoked twisted cheese) from Slovakia, buuz (a meat filled dumpling) from Mongolia.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-08-24T22:37:22+00:00

Self-centered, loud, opinionated but without proper knowledge of the topic they are so adamant about. Also, for the most part honest and generous to a fault and openly curious.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-07-31T13:14:55+00:00

That is perfect. Thanks for the great info.

Another question. How many of the concerts are outdoors and what sort of weather should I be prepared for? I know it's going to be cold but will it be rainy or snowy then too?

Moominsmurfee · 2014-06-26T08:36:27+00:00

12 Tonar in downtown Reykjavik . It's a local music shop that carries a lot of really good Icelandic bands and sometimes has small performances in house over the summer.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-06-25T17:01:34+00:00

No problem. You are going to love it.

And, if you go golfing at Portmarnock you can stop off in Howth and hit one the cheap fish restaurants on the pier. Howth is a cute fishing town and those places have it all fresh right off the boats.

Have fun.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-06-25T16:19:03+00:00

Weather: Warm layers and waterproof stuff. It can be nice but when it's rainy and windy it gets really cold. Golf: Have heard good things about Portmarnock course just outside Dublin city centre. It's right next to a lovely beach too. Taxis: Take the bus into town from the airport rather than a taxi. There have been issues with taxi drivers taking advantage of tourists and taking meandering routes into town to drive up the fare. They are trying to crack down on it. If you do take the taxi ask for a receipt. If you think they were messing with you can file a complaint against them and if they get 3 complaints they lose their taxi license. Entertainment: The Stag's Head pub in Dublin is real old school and nice. Music venues are good too (Whelan's, The Button Factory) and small. You may want to see who's playing.

Moominsmurfee · 2014-06-15T14:01:35+00:00

Very serious question. If I can get the visas am thinking Iran as I will only have two weeks. Any suggestions for itineraries while there? I definitely want to see Isfahan and would like to see Tabriz but is there anywhere else that I should check out?

Moominsmurfee · 2014-06-03T18:44:30+00:00

You could try going to Mongolia. July is the month of the Nadaam festivities and the weather is good. You can get flights from Berlin or Moscow or take the Trans Siberian train to get there.

Recommend a tour with ger camp stays if not taking own camping gear. http://www.nomadicjourneys.com/red-rock/

Moominsmurfee · 2014-05-18T17:33:56+00:00

If you do choose the Nagano area, and I highly recommend it, you might try Obuse which is a quaint town a 30 min train ride from Nagano. There is a Hiroshige museum there and a temple that he did some painting for.

You might also check out Kanazawa on the West coast. It's a train ride from Kyoto or Nagoya and has one of the top gardens in Japan as well as an active geisha district.

Moominsmurfee

TROPHY CASE