Manila - Blogabond

Arrived in Manila 7am yesterday,March 11.The ship was docked on the starboard side,where my cabin is and from about 7:30 a band played,dancers dressed somewhat like American Indians did a dance and a group played drums and cymbals.The dancers mopped their brows and sat down after each session.It was hot and humid.This went on all mornin

Dancers on the pier

We had to get a pass and have a thermal scan before the Philippine authorities let us on the pier.
Several of us took the shuttle to the huge Mall of Asia (air-conditioned) and walked around.Prices seemed high but the shops on the pier had better value.

Globe opposite Mall of Asia

Today I went on a tour "Modern Manila"This is a bustling city of 8 million,12 million including the outskirts and it is growing at the rate of 1.2 or 1.3 million a year.This is incredible.

Skyscrapers from the bus

View from the bus

The city is known for the "Jeepneys",WW11 jeeps bought privately ,enlarged and covered and decorated.They hold 20 people and are inexpensive.Tourists are advised not to use them.I couldn't get a decent picture of them as the bus was moving too fast.
We visited the American Cemetary which is beautifully kept.There were curved rows of crosses interspersed with Stars of David.
We also drove through the old walled city which the Spanish built refusing entrance to the natives and the Chinese.It was the last refuge of the Japanese during the war and was bombed repeatedly by the Americans.Most of the wall remains and the Cathedral,but little else.The Lyceum of the University is there and a renowned technical college.

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Some old buildings are now dorms for the college students.I would have liked to have taken pictures outside the bus but we didn't stop as this was not part of the tour.
Because of the tsunami the refuelling tanker was not allowed to fill up so it will get here late.Refuelling takes 5 hrs.pouring in over 130 cubic tons (or is it tonnes?) of fuel.We are now scheduled to depart at midnight.This will delay our arrival in Taiwan so tours may be cancelled.

written by

edoyle on March 12, 2011 from Manila, Philippines

from the travel blog: World Cruise

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Hi Edna,
I have been enjoying your blogs very much. Your pictures are incredible. My brain must have been on idle because I didn't think of you in relation to the earthquake and sunami aftermath. Hope everything is OK for you. Sue Murray

written by Sue Murray on March 12, 2011

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