Arrival into Manila

Well, not quite. We are waiting on the tarmac having arrived ahead of schedule at 6:10 am. But the plane doesn't move until half an hour later to allow us to disembark - argh.

It seems to have been the story of the past 24 hours. Wait, wait, wait. Last night at 1:00 am we waited an interminably long time in a queue to board - half an hour of standing. Goodness knows what the hold-up was. Finally departed half an hour late.

The flight was very ordinary. Cebu Pacific is like Jetstar. Incredibly uncomfortable. No meal service included. No movies. For a relatively short-haul flight it seemed it would never end. Definitely No Frills.

Finally we are out of the airport - Regis and his (personal!) driver Bong (!) are there to meet us and we are whisked away - not! The traffic is insane - a 10 km drive took 45 mins. Bumper-to-bumper.

Kathryn and Regis and the girls live in a very nice home in the well-to-do neighbourhood of Bel-Air in the business district of Makita.

We had some yummy fresh bread for brekky - and coffee - and got acquainted with the ins and outs of this big house. Sorted out security (we hope!): this is a gated community so we can get out but not back in if this is not sorted.

Meanwhile, the housekeeper Anna has some personal issues going on which means she might have to leave and Kathryn is trying to sort out something via the expat community. 

Reading the local “Philippine Star” I have to admit not being ‘up to speed’ with General Macarthur’s connection to the Philippines. In 1942, during World War II, he and members of his family and staff left the Philippines where his forces were surrounded by the Japanese. They travelled in  PT boats through stormy seas patrolled by Japanese warships and reached  Mindanao two days later. From there, they flew to Australia.

Kathryn drove us the very short distance to the security gate and introduced us to the guards. She has warned us - in the ‘outside world’ to keep our mobile phones out of sight as they are being stolen in drive-by type incidents. Regis was in the car with his driver the other day with his window open only a crack, when someone opportunistically slipped their hand in and stole Regis’s phone out of his hand!! We are on high alert!

After dropping us off - and looking somewhat concerned that we could take care of ourselves - Kathryn took the car back home; she has recently acquainted herself with the bus system and finds that to be an easier way to get to work - also no parking hassles. By the way, they drive on the right here.

So we checked out the huge mall just down the road and had an iced coffee for lunch at Starbucks - they are everywhere. We sat outside; there is a breeze and it is not particularly humid. It is 30 deg C at 11:40 am; hot in the sun. We are 3 hours behind.

Starbucks is opposite the entry to our gated community on a corner, giving us a good vantage point to watch the traffic come and go; in particular, my respect for the security guard manning the crossing swelled and I realised we can’t afford to assume the traffic will stop for us (even on a crossing). 

The “Philippine Star” today also reports on the ongoing saga of the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte. Now apparently the charges against her include misuse of public funds; an alleged assassination threat against President Bongbong Marcos; and involvement in extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.  Not a bad rap sheet. 

We are back now after a hot walk and having successfully negotiated security. Will rest until the girls get home from school. They have left little notes on our pillows to welcome us. Very sweet. 

Anna is in the kitchen, hopefully preparing something nice for dinner.😀