I got mugged in Manila

As the title suggests, I did indeed get well and truly mugged. It started at around 5pm when I decided to go and have a look at the old town here in Manila. I got a taxi there and started to walk inside what can be best described as a court yard when a man come up to me and offered a half hour tour on his horse and kart for 250 pesos (2.50 pounds). I’ve done this before (in Cambodia) and was a very wise move, the guy in Siam Reap, Cambodia had so much knowledge and enthusiasm I would have never learnt or got to see as many interesting places just studying a guide book — I hoped, or should say, expected, the same.

I agreed so I popped on the horse and kart and away we went. The first 15mins was great, we stopped at a few nice buildings, he offered to take some pictures etc. Then when stopping at the oldest church in the Philippines he confirmed that the rate was 250 per person. Hmmm I thought… Okay, I can live with that, although he should have told me before hand. Anyway, on the way back he picked up his friend along the way, at this point I smelt something fishy. He dropped us off in a dark alley and I quickly gave him 500 so we could get out of this shit hole. He then started screaming, demanding 1000 as the tour took longer than 30mins. I told him no way, I was only expecting to pay 250, then up to 500, now up to 1000. He got so angry, yelling at the top of his voice that I thought as most guys here have guns, it’s probably best to just give him the dough and get out of here. So I did just that.

You can picture it, I’ve just been shaken up, in a dark alley, on our first full day here. Could you believe it, we couldn’t find a taxi. Every taxi that drove passed wouldn’t stop. About an hour later we did manage to get a taxi and headed to the hotel.

We took a little breather before heading out to get some dinner, we fount a nice Chinese restaurant, we just sat back reflecting on the day drinking Chinese tea which was very nice.