Archive for the ‘Manila’ Category

Cooking Lessons

Monday, January 29th, 2007

I had to do some cooking lessons…or reminders… today. I was left home alone in my sister’s place, so had to fend for myself. I resisted the temptation to go out for breakfast (I’ve only got borrowed Pesos anyway due to the useless exchange at Bangkok airport), and had to make myself a coffee and some toast!!! Remarkable. The first coffee I’ve made for myself for ages, and definitely the first toast I’ve ahem, ‘made’, since leaving home! I even managed to cut a few slices of cheese. I’m just so glad I went to the pool for a few lengths to build myself up to it…..although for a moment it was looking like I was away to get stuck in the lift….not very reassuring when it stops a few floors down for someone, the floors are 8 inches out of line, it stops, the display goes off, but you can tell you are still moving.

Anyway, all sorted for tomorrow’s trip to Malapascua…fly to Cebu, will splash out on a taxi for the 2-3 hour trip to Maya pier, rent a boat for 30 mins to take me over to the island, and I should be there around mid-afternoon so I can speak to someone about what I’m going to do there. Oh, so many dives in such a short period…I really should buy a dive computer….. 😉

Really looking forward to the few days…the place is so small is doesn’t even appear in some of the guidebooks on the bookshelf…. an extract from Lonely Planet : “This little island off Cebu’s northern tip has everything the low-key, sun-seeking traveller needs. The island – LESS THAN 2 SQ KM IN SIZE (yaaaah!)…..has enticing, long, white beaches…..major drawcard of the island is underwater – the thresher shark….”

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Manila

Sunday, January 28th, 2007

Jeepney!


I arrived in Manila early this morning after quite a long day. I was getting ‘pestered’ by a Filipino girl (no, not like that!) on my last flight from Bangkok, who decided to have a mid aisle chat, then move to the window seat next to me (since I was the only one in my row). There was only one thing to do – pretend to fall asleep rather than read my book. Needless to say we were both sleeping together before long (erm, her head against the window, mine against my hand, one empty seat between us!). It was a pretty uneventful journey except some unexpected turbulence that woke me up. It’s the only time I wished the flight lasted longer – three hours sleep just wasn’t enough (it left at 0130 so couldn’t sleep before). I had quite a bit of time to kill in the airport, but a wee wi-fi fix always helps that, along with an episode of Futurama on my laptop!

I’m now sitting, Sunday late morning, in the comforts of a 36th floor apartment of my sisters, browsing the web, overlooking downtown Manila, eating home made fruit shakes, coffee and toasted buns. It’s nice to get a bit of comfort and home feeling for a change! I know I’m diving, and I can’t moan, but a week of this would have been nice. I’m even liking Norah Jones playing in the background to give the full on Sunday feeling.

We’ve also been for a wander along the river to get out and about. I’m sure they weren’t used to westerners walking down there as we got some funny looks. We then went to the American War Memorialto get some pics. Apparently it’s the biggest greenest quietest area my sister has came across in Manila!

Coming back here takes me back a year to my previous trip to the Philippines – another quick trip to Manila, with two island trips as well. Some funny stories in that link!

High rises in Makati city (from the living room window)

The contrasts in Manila :

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