Having the correct currency was a constant problem. The local currency is the Filipino Peso. At the time of our visit, the exchange rate was 24-25 Pesos to 1 US dollar. Upon arrival we did not have any Pesos and, unlike Mexico, few if any vendors want to accept American currency. To get the best exchange rate we went to a slightly black market money exchange. The place we picked to exchange our money was a rather intimidating store near the airport in Manila. The outside of the store sported a sign saying money exchange but there were shelves of consumable goods inside as if it was a normal business. However, these goods were covered in a thick layer of dust which clearly marked them as false props.

I was carrying most of my money in traveler's checks. This was a mistake as only banks in large towns accept them. This money exchange only wanted American currency and on top of that, the larger the bills the better. I exchanged $100 in $20 bills at an exchange rate of 24.4 to 1. If I had a $100 bill, I would have gotten an exchange rate of 25 to 1 or better. In exchange for my $100 I received two P1000 bills, four P100 bills and some change. Herein lies another problem. Once outside of Manila only the largest of establishments had ever seen a thousand-peso bill, much less do they have the ability to make change for one. As we got even further out into the provinces away from civilization, the P100 bills became worthless for the same reason. I found myself borrowing money for a P12 Coke even though I had thousands of pesos on my person. In a large restaurant in Peurta Princessa on the island of Palawan I tossed down one of the P1000 bills to cover a P200 tab thinking surely a large establishment would have change. They did, but unfortunately Kurt had just done the same thing and the restaurant used all of their change breaking his bill. The waiter brought my bill back and asked if I had something smaller.

It is a very helpless feeling to have money and not be able to spend it. I will take precautions to avoid this problem in the future.

Once we were back in Manila, we had no trouble finding a bank to exchange our dollars for pesos. Three blocks from the hotel where we spent several nights was a reputable bank. In fact, after a week, the dollar exchange rate was better $1 to P25.64. Banks generally accept traveler's checks and treat them as cash.

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