Manila, Philippines - November 4, 2013

Day 2 in Manila, a great mix today as we started out with a visit to the Manila Hotel, a beautiful iconic hotel here in Manila. General MacArthur stayed here for six years (1936-1941), occupying the entire 5th floor. If no one is currently staying in the remaining dedicated suite (two bedroom, office, dining and sitting rooms - about $2,000 US per night), just by asking at the concierge desk you can have someone at the hotel give you a tour, pretty cool. After touring his suite and the hotel (the music Tap Bar has been graced by the likes of Liza Minnelli and Michael Jackson) we headed for a stroll through Rizal Park on our way to the LRT metro. Okay now the LRT, fun (???), picture this, a skyTrain type train but 100 plus degrees, minimal AC, and people, lots of people, just when you thought we were all packed in another 10 would squeeze on - kind of like being in a sauna getting a human massage as the train rattled and swayed along the tracks. By the time we got off some 15 minute later you are soaked in sweat vowing to return by any other sort of transportation. Our LRT took us to an excellent market that went on for blocks and blocks, Jan picked up a great deal on a knock off purse. This market had the most friendliest people we have ever seen, everyone wanted their picture taken, including posing for the shots - maybe they don't see many tourists like us here.

Half hour later in searching for another form of transport to take us to the Mall of Asia we found ourselves in a Jeepney - really fun. There are many pictures here of Jeepnies, they are extended jeeps that look like a small bus, so yes duck your head and slide along the plastic seats. Cheap, less than a buck for a twenty minute ride. Just a note on these and some of the people here, as mentioned in the previous posting, many people here sleep in the streets and many of the Jeepney owners sleep in their Jeepnies at night, so in essence this is their home. They are very proud of their Jeepnies and some are just beautiful.

The Mall of Asia, ah, back to air conditioned civilization. We had three tasks to accomplish here in the Mall, One, a mani/pendi for the girls ($12.00 for an hour and a half) and a hour, fifteen minute, foot reflexology and shoulder/back massage for the guys (another $12.00 each). Two, a traditional lunch, including Halo Halo specials for dessert - google it. And three buying a traditional shirt (Barong lumban) for me. After accomplishing all three we took the $5.00 cab ride back to the ship. Based on price you may ask why not just take the Cab both ways and my response would be where is the fun in that, traveling is about experiences and in Manila here we did just all the types of transportation options, except the side car motorcycle things - they looked why too hard to get out of.

Back at the ship they had two marching bands performing at the pier, including flag and baton twirlers - excellent, even the Captain took in the action. They played us right out of the harbour, tunes including everything from Christmas carols to Gangman style (sp). Another footnote from HAL here, a local orphanage asked if they could perform for the guests here on board. Of course was the response, so 22 children ranging from about 6 to 12 came on board - they were asked what they wanted for lunch, anything HAL said just ask. Well they had chicken nuggets and french fries. Without asking for any funds the guests wanted to contribute to the orphanage. The ship crew quickly organized themselves to facilitate collecting and over the following 90 minutes the guest contributed a record $4000 plus dollars to the orphanage - just amazing.

We now have three days at sea, oh hang on check that, it was just been announced that we could be heading into a Typhoon (Haiyan), direction change. We will not be making a call in Yap and will have 6 days at sea on our way to Papua, New Guinea. Yes we are floating here in the real world and sometimes must adapt, not the first time on this cruise. I believe this is the third modification of the cruise.

On other news, I just signed up for a beginner Scuba lesson in Rangiroa on November 25th, hmmm something I always wanted to do and then all of a sudden it was offered, so here I go.