Manila in the Summer

I just got back from a half week in Manila, taking Yen home and getting some chores and work done, plus meeting her family and doing a bit of sightseeing.

We were actually on the same plane as Zeke and Julie flying AirAsia from Incheon. AirAsia is a budget airline and, while I don't mind flying less than Cathay Pacific, flying them for a 4 hour flight might be where my limit ends. However, once we got to Manila and met her family it was great.

We stayed near Bicutan with her sister the first two nights. It was nice but her place was crowded with all the family. That being said her family were all great so it wasn't difficult. As soon as we got there it started raining very heavily but by eight it was dry and warm so we grabbed a tricycle and headed to SM Bicutan for dinner. Everyone had been up since 4am and so no one had a lot of energy. We were asleep by 11.  On Sunday we hopped in a jeepney and headed to Mall of Asia with Yen's sister and nephew to do clothes shopping for me and take a few pics.

Yen, Carl and Jovelyn

Mall of Asia

again

I spent a huge chunk of cash getting a new suitcase, several shirts and two pairs of shorts. I need more, but I think I'll have to wait until October. Buying clothes in Manila is much easier than in Korea, and so I made a point of doing it while I was there. I may be an XXL in the Philippines, but the clothes fit perfectly and there is a variety to choose from. The mall itself is a sight, it is huge and next to the bay with hundreds of shops and restaurants. Manila has adopted the US shopping mall culture to a much greater extent than other places in Asia (or Canada for that matter), and they are the places to go for just about everything. We had a late lunch and headed back to Bicutan.

Monday was a chore day, we checked in to our hotel in Malate and spent half the day at the bank. We stayed at Casa Bocobo, where Mike and I stayed in May, 2013. We went briefly to Luneta Park, but the rain started so we went out for Korean BBQ (I know) because Yen's family wanted to see what we were having in Korea. It wasn't bad food. Yen and I then had an early night.

Yen and her family

Luneta Park

again

Lapu Lapu, the man who killed Magellan

A Jeepney

Three sisters

Rizal Monument

Yen Cooking

Mr. Park was unavailable

Tuesday was another day of shopping, picking things up for friends here and for Yen when she flies to her parents place etc. but Tuesday night we took a cruise around Manila Bay. It was fun but wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. A romantic cruise with a kids birthday party. They just didn't seem to know what they were trying to offer. That being said some great views of the Bay and I always like being out on the water.

Me at the Harbour

Yen Looking at the Ocean

Our Boat

Manila

Yen 

Roxas

Manila

Manila again

Me with city in the background

sunset

Mall of Asia

Wednesday was my last full day in the Philippines and we finally made it out of Manila to get to Tagaytay, about an hour south of Manila. We rented Yen's uncles van, and he was nice enough to drive us all down for a picnic and hike in the mountains. It was much cooler than in Manila and the views of southern Luzon were amazing. It was very muggy though, so the shots I took don't really capture the place. We ate a picnic that Yen's mom and sister had made, then went around the place. It was beautiful and well worth the trip out.

Palm Trees

Taal Lake

Lake

Volcanic island in the lake

Mountains

Volcano

plains below the mountains

lake

tropics

us

Sporting Champions

Southern Luzon

again

mountains

Thursday was a lazy morning, having breakfast and packing before Yen and I went to the airport and said goodbye. I feel that much of what I wrote in 2013 still applies. I already miss the Philippines. I am not looking forward to the next twelve weeks, but I think it will go by quickly.