Travel to the Philippines requires at least 22 hours, which felt very long as I traveled by myself this time. I am not the most patient person so you can just imagine the tosses and turns I did on the plane and in lobbies during layovers. I had watched 5 movies, 3 documentaries and several sitcoms. It didn't help that I found it extremely difficult to fall asleep. The longest time that I had dozed off while on board was 2 hours, I think. And that was just on my way to the Philippines! Double that to account for the additional 22 hour (at least) travel coming back.
BUT the wonderful time I had with my nephews, some family members and old-time friends more than made up for the very long travel. Add to that the beautiful, familiar sights. Okay, this part, I will let some of my photos do the talking because I will not be able to aptly describe them through words.
This was my first "breakfast" inside Manila's domestic airport while waiting for the early flight to my final destination (that was another 4 hours of wait plus airtime right there). I would have wanted a traditional Filipino breakfast (TFB) but I couldn't find any close to my boarding gate and I was already extremely exhausted to scour for TFB. I thought there will be plenty of that coming.
I took these pics shortly before we land which was around 7 am. This was the last leg of my airplane ride. After that was another 2 hour drive to a special place I call "my first home".
On the way to my sister's place coming from the airport, we stopped at this seafood place where they cook fresh catch of the morning/day. It's by the sea and so not only did I get a sumptuous fresh seafood brunch (with tropical fruits on the side), I got treated to this magnificent view.
I stayed with my sister and her family during my visit. The house was where I grew up and is my first home. While it is now my sister's (and her family's) home and some parts of the house have changed thru the years, some nooks and crannies of the house feel and look the same and make me feel quite nostalgic.
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| Sam, a new addition to the household. He wasn't around in my previous visit. |
On the second day of my visit, I watched a part of the annual city Kaliga festival. It's a thanksgiving celebration and a way for the city to commemorate and honour its early settlers and ancestors.
I like this boy. He gamely posed to everyone's delight. He exhibits the residents' joie de vivre attitude to life in general.
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The sight of lush, green mountains is very common. Coconut by-products are some of the region's merchandise and you can see why from this pic.
If the sight and sound of the seawater relax you, there are beaches along the China sea or Pacific ocean (depending on which side of the coast you're at) that are always there waiting for you to be drawn in by their peaceful charm.
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On days when the sun is out, walking along the beach, fishing, or maybe just goofing around with friends is enough to while away a weekend afternoon.
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| I took this shot while waiting for our lunch |
Every visit to the Philippines, specifically Manila, is not complete without paying homage to our (MDH's and my) beloved university. It's where MDH and I met and where we met some of the wonderful, smart, funny, and loving friends we've kept over the years.
And what's a visit to Manila without some shopping. Well, it was mostly window shopping for me, but shopping nevertheless. I couldn't put these items down when I spotted them inside a shop called 'Kultura'. It's a very ingenious way of recycling old newspapers and magazine prints. I shouldn't be surprised, really. Afterall, Filipinos are known for their ingenuity and creativity.
