24-5-2009
Flamin time zones, no matter how tired you are when you go to bed, you still seem to wake up at the usual time your sorry butt rises back home. For us this was 4am and, despite a urgent desire to fall asleep again, we just laid there talking about what we would do during the day.
Ning's parents rather maganda maid - can't remember her name.She left half way through our stay - Yes I know what your thinking. Perverts
As the sun started to rise above Manila, we had showers and went for a walk across Ermita to the new Oceanarium, the Manila Hotel and back across Rizal Park checking out the usual array of hornbags and jeepneys along the way.
The gang at Tagaytay. Hard to believe all of us, plus photographer, fit into two vehicles.
Talking about hornbags, at a park to the west of Rizel (on Roxas Boulevard) they seem to have a huge group exercise session to loud music on weekends. All come along wearing their respective exercise wear and the location becomes a photographing perverts paradise.
Should you not be a pervert, the motion of the exercisers all in unison also makes for a very interesting photograph.
On the bay outside the Manila Hotel is there passenger ship, an older Italian liner used as an extension to the hotel and a nearby landing where the first water plane from America to the Philippines landed. I can’t remember the year, but did obtain photographs of the plaque.
Effrell, Bolinday and that maganda one yet again at Tagaytay.
A brief session of Jeepzaling around Rizal Park, breakfast at Jollibee, spending at Robinsons Ermita, adding to the Tanduay bottle collection, and we were soon back at the Mabini Mansion waiting for Annabelle to turn up.
It was then off to Chowking for lunch, a chinese food type fast food chain than never quite seem to be able to get your order correct, a bit like Sylvania McDonalds I suppose. Today, yet again, it was a matter of putting ice in my drink after being told not to, then trying to just remove the ice without giving me a fresh one.
Prayer area in Boliday's subdivision at Tagaytay. I prayed for less traffic on the return to Manila - sadly he didn't listen!
Following lunch we hit on a awesome Manila rort that gives visitors, especially those of a western appearance, beautiful aerial views of Manila from 28 floors up. No real effort is needed, just walk past a new block of condos and make sure the people there see you.
These agents virtually beg you to come in for a look and will take you right to the top in an effort to sell you their best offering. You are assured of at least 30-40 minutes of unparalleled views of this beautiful city, all for ZERO cost. Where else in the Philippines do such fantastic tourist attraction attract a negative charge?
Another real estate agent has offered to drive us up to Antipolo City to view some houses there, they will even pick us up from QC. I look forward to this free tour as I have always wanted to see Antipolo.
Kim and, hay naku, can't remember her name either, seen at Tagaytay. God old age is a bastard........... :-)
Just remember to tell them at the end that you have to discuss it with your wife, girlfriend, mistress, kids or bandage slave – then walk on to your next tour.
But today’s freebie soon came to an end with Ana’s brother, coming to, supposedly, pick up a friend of ours at the hotel.
The afternoon and evening was subsequently spent visiting Ana’s relos living in the Payatas area, as well as meeting the 30 kids born since the last visit, before heading back to Mabini Mansion for our last night there.
25-5-2009
Another early morning start on the day of our moving to Quezon City. Most of our luggage had been dumped in QC the night before, so only a camera bag and small case needing to be carried.
After much begging, Ning allowed this transfer to go via Tutuban station. Members of the Philippine chapter of the ‘Railways and Industrial Heritage Society Phils. Inc’ were there putting the final touches to the BUDA display.
BUDA 22 is the first restoration project of the 'Railways and Industrial Heritage Society Phils. Inc' of which I was associated. Karel and his band of workers have obviously done a remarkable to get this looking like it does today. The last time I inspected it, in 2007, it was a rotten old wreck at Caloocan workshop.
Talking of Caloocan Workshop, I gave the manager a copy of our Australian Locomotion book as thanks for his kindness.
It was here I met our local president Jaime, secretary Karel (who I knew from my last trip), my dear diesel friend Alberto and a few other members. Also had the absolute pleasure of meeting Caloocan chief engineer Mr Bismonte.
An inspection of the yard was done, but since this was all dribbly foamer related it is included in a separate report.
You are never lonely when railfanning in the Philippines :-) My friend Karel is seen here while we were, trying, to check out boxcar numbers :-) Patience for a few of the kids, the last four remaining to the end, when I pulled out my large pile of change and let them go for it like seagulls. Great to see them so happy.
While we looked around, Ning headed on to Payatas via public transport, with Jaime kindly dropping me home later in the night.
Join us Thursday for another enthralling installment.
Dear me, what can I say. Some, well many, Pinays are just born photogenic, so you lucky readers get a bonus photo thrown in. I still don't know her name though. :-)
ENJOY
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