Lord of the Fireflies

I have been meaning to write this for ages....well tonight I find myself with an internet connection and a few hours to kill. (I'm staying with friends in Manila before my final foray into Taiwan...3 more sleeps)


So a few months ago I joined 3000 fellow bike riders on the Tour of the Fireflies. Which is a 20 mile bike ride around Manila. Expertly organised, the roads were closed and despite the agonizingly slow pace (to keep everyone together) it was a remarkable experience.



We had the roads completely to ourselves, everyone was talking, laughing and just..well enjoying the simple pleasure of riding their bikes really.


It was an amazing feeling..the traffic stopped for us! And it gave me a small glimpse of how the world could be if everyone got out of their cars and rode a bike...



Manila isn't a pretty city, in fact I've heard it called the 'armpit of Asia' but while that is a little unfair (I think Jakarta deserves that title) aesthetic pleasure and a clean environment is difficult to find. The experience is exacerbated by the traffic pollution and the oppressive heat.



However, at 6 o'clock in the morning, with roads blocked to traffic and 3000 friendly, non polluting cyclists the city is almost (and I say almost) attractive.

This photo could be of any major city in the world...



...speaking of attractive...look at the legs on this bloke! (what IS he doing to that bike?)



But it felt good, doing a little bit to help save the world....



Unfortunately the local chapter of the Hell's Angels turned up...





Luckily half of the Philippine army were there to keep them under control...



I'm really going to miss the Philippines.....