The Philippines - 7,107 Islands and One Crowded Capital - Manila

Muhammad Ali touted it as the Thrilla in Manila, but I wasn't quite as impressed upon my first look at the city. Regardless of your intended destination, unless you're just popping over from somewhere in Southeast Asia, most every itinerary ends up going in or out of Manila.

(Huge lines fight for spots on the passing buses and extended jeeps (jeepneys). Rain and polluted streets greeted me on my first day in the city.)

(Tapsilog - a very traditional Filipino breakfast of garlic rice, fried egg and strips of beef. One of my favorite meals in the Philippines.)

(The Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, a small area of the city enclosed with historic stone walls and filled with bike taxis wanting to give tours around the area.)

(Intramuros also has a few relics from the numerous WWII events that took place in the area. Manila was bombarded by both sides during the war, and it has taken a long time to recover.)

(A view from the edge of Intramuros over the Pasig River, looking across to another part of downtown Manila. Loaded with tons of traffic, overcrowding and bits of pollution, Manila isn't the most endearing city upon first inspection, but the incredibly nice Filipinos help make it more pleasant.)

(One of the more scenic areas of the city, again in Intramuros. Overcast for most of the day, the night greeted me with heavy rain and thunderstorms, so I was nice and wet for my overnight bus ride up to the center of Luzon later that evening.)

(Inside Fort Santiago park at the edge of Intramuros...a bit of peace and quiet away from the busy streets.)

(Meat dumplings, pancit - ubiquitous Chinese noodles, rice, soy sauce and a little lime thing known as calamansi...not a bad meal.)