Today was an early start as we all got up to get ready and packed at 5:30am. Passport? Phone? Myself? Ok I had everything. It was a quiet morning amongst all of us. We sat and soaked in one last breakfast overlooking a glassy Sorsogon bay, only disturbed by the few fishermen who were out already starting their days work. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, as we gave hug after hug and kisses on the cheeks, thanking the huge family we've come to love this past month. Alana and Jack Jack were there to send us off and say goodbye. Alana's mother came up to me, thanking me for being so sweet with Alana. She went on to tell me how much Alana talks about me and loves spending time with me. That meant so much. Her and Jack jack are such great kids and I loved spending so much time with them.
Once all our goodbyes were made we piled our belongings into the Jeepney and climbed onto the roof for one last adventurous ride to Legaspi. Dodging branches down the windy road we took occasionally went unseen and smacked us in the head on the way. It is always exciting riding on top of the Jeepney, and you for sure have to stay alert or will find yourself face to face with a banana tree leaf. The morning was crystal clear and perfect as we drove into Legaspi. Mayon volcano was in clear view as we got closer and closer to the domestic airport. It is one outstanding volcano, and looks so incredibly steep. Some smoke was coming out the top of it too. Apparently some German hikers who aspired to climb to the top died a few weeks ago when we were here. Seeing it in person, it looked intimidating to climb. I wouldn't be that brave. My Dante's Peak adventures will be left to my imagination where Piece Brosnon can be the hero. Ill watch from afar, or on TV. It was another impeccable sight to see though.
We got to the airport, checked in and boarded our flight in a relatively short time. The flight was smooth and easy. Only 45 minutes long and a nice taste of what to expect when I sit on a plane for 25 hours tomorrow night. Good lord why can't I be Harry Potter and just aparate home? It's a brutal flight, and if the movies are anything like they were coming here, there isn't much to look forward to. We took a taxi to our hotel in Manila, the Sofitel and let me tell you this place is AMAZING! The lobby itself is impressive with the hanging chandeliers, spiral staircases, and orchids everywhere that fill the air with the sweetest of smells. It was like Alice and wonderland, from one extreme to another. Once we got our rooms and settled in, we went straight to the lunch buffet that they serve. A buffet is an understatement! They have foods stations with gourmet options from all types of cuisines. Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, sushi, Thai, a gourmet cheese stand, and every dessert possible. From frozen yogurt, Ice cream, 3 fondue fountains, cakes, past dries and a candy station to name the least. I gained 20 pounds starring at all of it and it was so worth it! The French scallop with leeks that was presented in a small black iron cauldron was my favorite. Then there was all types of breads and dipping oils and hummus and a salad bar that you could only dream of. Best part yet was the froyo! I've been craving it and it was like a Filipino pinkberry! I finished off the meal with a hot cup of tea and milk. It was delightful. How I've craved and missed my daily cup of tea. My dreams came true and ended with a very full belly. That was soon to be exercised off after a day of exploring Manila!
We all dispersed for a short while after lunch, some using the free wifi in the lobby while others like me went back to the room and laid on the wonderful down comforter bed. That became more popular as Jessica, Celine, Brigitte and I cuddled and napped while we waited for everyone to be ready to go out. We all headed to the lobby to decide where we wanted to go. We were looking for a Filipino market with authentic crafts and souvenirs we could haggle for and bring home with us. The online resources we looked up previously as well as some recommendations by the concierge led us to a place called Tesoro in metro Manila. The concierge gave us a map to follow with its location circled clearly for us, (it was only a 10 minute ride from the hotel) and we proceeded to hail a taxi and make out way there. Well this turned into quite the adventure. It took 2 taxis to fit all of us and neither one of the drivers who claimed to know where they were going did. Eventually they just pulled over, told us it was right down the street and dropped us off somewhere. It was not anywhere near our destination we came to learn and good thing there are no street signs anywhere in sight. Manila is an interesting city. It is quite dirty and doesn't have the most pleasant smell. The streets are crowded, filled with trash and to say the least being the city girl that I am, I did not feel particularly safe walking around there. We went up to security guards and anyone that looked somewhat like a store owner or could speak English to ask for directions to this shop. No one knew what we were even talking about and we all started to believe this place just didn't exist. It wasn't until Dan found someone who did know that led us the way. I'm pretty sure she was a prostitute, from the way she was dressed and the amount of "nightclubs" in the area, but hey at least she got us to our destination....which was like 8 blocks the other direction from where we were dropped off. Our journey there was as interesting as our time there. We all stuck out like sore thumbs. We even past a place where a whole swat team with like giant machine guns were running out and telling us to back up as they got into their armoires vehicles. Again the safety thing was not at all felt. Getting to the shop was an accomplishment and it was definitely worth it in the end. They had a lot of great things to haggle for and buy and I got some great souvenirs. Some of the guys except Ashik left to go back to the hotel as us girls decided to explore a little more and shop around. It was quite the adventure. If you ever go to the Philippines, go outside of Manila to really get the experience and enjoy the people and culture. We went to a few more stores just browsing and enjoying ourselves before we hailed another cab to go back to the hotel.
Once back we all took turns taking our most needed and anticipated showers. It was such a treat and I loved every minute of it. Hey it's the little things in life that your learn to appreciate. Once we were all showed and ready, we began the night's festivities. There was a small casino and sports bar in the hotel and we all spent a great amount of the night there, playing pool and foosball, enjoying each other's company for one last time as a group (until our New Orleans reunion of course). Dan had a flight at midnight to catch so we had to say our goodbyes around 9pm. Later we even got some sports bar food like mozzarella sticks and nachos to share (no one was that hungry after such a phenomenal lunch). We thought the Sofitel had a nightclub but apparently they got rid of it a few months ago so we ventured over to Le Bar across the hotel where they had a piano playing with an accompanying singer. I ordered myself a pot of tea which was delightful as we listened to one phenomenal singer belt out Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey songs all requested by ourselves. Her voice was unbelievable and it was such a fun and wonderful way to top off the night. Dr. Schuster and his family had a 6am flight and all came in around 3am to say their goodbyes. They have been absolutely wonderful, and I really can't thank him and his family enough for all that they have done for us this entire trip. He is quite an incredible physician, and I've come to believe there isn't much that he cannot do, that has been inspirational for us all.
Tomorrow we have another full day in Manila. Celine leaves in the morning, while the rest of us who are left leave in the evening. Daniella and I are the last to least the country. I can't believe it's almost over.
An absolutely "AWESOME" (there I said it) experience ! Reading this latest post I'm thinking, why didn't I get her to pack that pepper spray.
ReplyDeleteI won't lie, will be relieved when you land in U.S.A. You'll have to pay a visit to the Dr. in Boca when you get back.
Safe trip.