Day 1 - Mall of Asia, Monday, Jan 26 2009

The SM Mall of Asia is the largest shopping mall in the Philippines & we could see it from our hotel room balcony. It's situated near the Manila Bay & has about 600 stores.



The Chicago Popcorn Shop sells "The Chicago Mix" - a mixture of cheese & caramel popcorn. Sounds gross? Actually quite delicious! And they give you a sample before you buy it.

Lots of entertainment for the kids

This is an Olympic-sized ice skaing rink and is said to be the

largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.

There are so many restuarants catering to all tastes -
Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian, Thai etc...

This is an Indian restaurant - Prince of Jaipur

Mall security everywhere

View of Manila Bay

A Korean shop with some of my favourite drinks!

Day 1 - Rizal Park, Monday, Jan 26 2009

Rizal Park is situated in the heart of Manila. It's named after Dr Jose Rizal who was executed in 1896. His martyred death has earned him the title "Father of the Philippine Revolution".

The park has many food / drink stalls and people can be seen lying on the grass relaxing. It's also a popular spot for couples to just relax and escape the hustle of metro Manila.

The national monument to Dr Jose Rizal

Day 1 - Baclaran Market, Monday, Jan 26 2009

As soon as we checked in at the hotel, we freshened up and went out! Wondering down the street, it was simply bustling. This is Baclaran Market... now, having lived in Korea for over a year I'm used to markets - but this was different - it was bustling at all directions. You have to dodge people, vendors selling fruit or drinks... or motorcycles (which scares me beyond words... because that's what took my uncle's life in the Philippines two years ago).

Children, like this little girl start working from a very young age. They walk around selling plastic shopping bags to shoppers. I bought a bag from this girl, and smiled at her and took her photo. For a while, she followed me and kept smiling and waving back at me. So cute!

There are vendors upon vendors.

Check out that shoe stall and the guy selling mangoes in front of it!

While some of us are trying to get rid of our junk in our trunk,
some are not blessed with flesh in the behind... I guess it's like a push up bra!

Yep, obviously there's a McD's!

Colours everywhere!

Watermelon vendor

Fried pig intestines~

Day 1 - Baclaran Church, Monday, Jan 26 2009

A few feet away from our hotel was Baclaran Church, one of the largest in the Philippines. It is a Roman Catholic church and can accommodate up to 11,000 people during masses. On Wednesdays, devotees flock here... and every Wednesday has become known as 'Baclaran Day'

On the side of the church, people can light candles and say a prayer. I lit a candle for my uncle (Aurora's husband) who died in the Philippines two years ago.

Day 1 - Raf Mansion, Monday Jan 26 2009

We stayed in an area called Baclaran at Raf Mansion ~ it was the perfect location - 15 minutes from the airport and walking distance to the market place.

Day 1 - Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Monday, Jan 26 2009

Once you've collected your luggage and gone through customs, you exit the airport building. The customs officer saw my occupation as being a teacher and told me that's a really good job to have.

As I said previously, people stand out more when traveling alone. Other people are likely to start talking to you. So as we disembarked the aircraft, one Filipino lady asked me if I was just on a visit ~ and then she asked if I'm single... and went on to say that she's sure I'll meet a nice Filipino boy!

When you exit the airport building, you have to turn either left or right - depending on the first letter of your last name. Since mine is "Makhan", I had to turn right... and that is where you meet whoever is picking you up. This is a pretty good system and eliminates a lot of unnecessary congestion in the airport building. I was suddenly very aware of the jacket I was wearing... it was so hot in Manila!

I was giddy with excitement when I saw my aunt!
FLTR: Tita Maria, her daughter Luriene, my aunt Aurora and her brother

Day 1 - Early morning start, Monday, Jan 26 2009

My flight to Manila was at 08:25. I must have had only 2 or 3 hours sleep. I had to get from my apartment to the bus stop to get to Incheon airport. It was freezing and there was snow everywhere. I flew Korean Air ~

* Some people are confused about my aunt... so ~ My aunt, Aurora is Filipino and is married to my dad's brother. She has lived in South Africa for over 20 years. She went to the Philippines to visit her family and I met her there...!