Yesterday and today we have been docked in Manila, the capital city and largest city in the Philippines. We were here two days instead of one, because we were unable to get into the last port. A lot of the crew come from the Philippines so they were very happy because their relatives came to be with them. The Amsterdam captain was very generous in giving them time off and providing for their visiting loved ones. A large tent was set up on the pier beside the ship. It had table and chairs in it and was set up with white table cloths and chair coverings. One would have thought that there was going to be a wedding. This is where the relatives were met by the crew members. Plenty of food and drinks were provided free of charge. The crew was also able to obtain passes for their loved ones so that they were able to come aboard the ship for a visit and take tours. A lot of them have wives and young children so you can imagine all the happy faces there were.
During our stay here, I had a tour offered by the company I am booked with, on the second day, but yesterday – the first day -- was a free day. With Lynn, one of the ladies who is at my dinner table, I took the free shuttle bus provided by the ship to the second largest shopping centre. It was huge ! ! ! I wouldn’t have wanted to go to the Asia Mall which is even larger. We didn’t even get to see half of this one. Our first task when we arrived, was to find a beauty shop so that we could pamper ourselves. I had a pedicure, she had the works – pedicure, manicure and hair do. By then it was noon hour and we joined Monique, an acquaintance from Ottawa, for lunch at a T G I F restaurant in the mall. Afterward, we went browsing and purchased a few odds and ends. I found a nice brown flared skirt which will match a couple of my tops. Our last stop was the Super Market where I got tooth paste, hair spray and a bottle of wine. By then it was about 4:30 p.m. and we had had enough shopping. The shuttle bus was there waiting, so we returned to the ship, tired but happy. A nice nap and a shower revived me for the evening activities. Most of the ladies who dance must have been too tired to come out, because I was one of the few, so I got in a lot of dances. My dance shoes are still holding out, Hong Kong is supposed to be a good place to purchase them, so hopefully we can find a good place to shop.
This morning’s tour was called “Charms of Old Manila”. We were three bus loads of people. Unfortunately it was raining, but we made the best of it and stopped at all the places of interest like Rizal Park and the old walled city which was built during the Spanish Colonial period. Our walking tour of Fort Santiago didn’t amount to much other than a brief walk through the park, seeing the Mardi Gras dancers perform and the obligatory stop at the washroom/gift shop. Here are some of the dancers posing for the camera.
Then we were off to see the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, which has intricate stone carvings, stained glass mosaics and rosette windows. We also went to the San Augustin Church – the oldest structure in the Philippines dating back to 1571. This was followed by a visit to a 19th century mansion which is now a museum. It is furnished with furniture and furnishings from the 16th to the 19th century. It is interesting to see how the rich people lived long ago. To end the tour we were driven to Hotel Manila, a charming, old hotel where Eisenhower spent 6 years of his life in the penthouse suite, before the war. Michael Jackson also spent some time there. The lobby is huge and the entire place is very elegant with its high wood ceiling and beautiful, large crystal chandeliers. We were treated to a snack and drinks there and shortly after 1 p.m. we returned to the ship.
There was a welcoming ceremony when the ship arrived here in Manila yesterday. A band and some drum majorettes gave a lively performance on shore. Today, there was a big farewell do. This time there were 2 bands as well as the drum majorettes. The sailors from the ship stood ashore in formation and the captain was there to bid adieu to those crew members who were leaving for a well deserved vacation. There must have been some tearful farewells when the family members of the crew who stayed aboard took leave of their loved ones.
At 4 p.m. this afternoon, some students and nuns from a local orphanage gave a performance on the stage of the Queen’s Lounge. They performed songs and dances. The children were really cute and they really put a lot of energy into their dancing. It was quite enjoyable. The captain and crew support this orphanage and the passengers were asked to be generous as well. I haven’t heard yet exactly how much money was collected but it was quite a healthy sum.
It’s hard to believe that the season of Lent begins on Wednesday. I meant to mention to you a long time ago, that Alexander Brunett, the former Archbishop of Seattle, who is newly retired is aboard the ship. He is a very friendly, personable man – still not terribly old and his sermons are quite interesting. He really gives us food for thought. Quite frequently he talks about the saint of the day and he suggests how we can take an example from their lives. Today, he suggested that instead of giving up something for lent, we should consider writing a 4 line psalm every day. What a novel idea! ! ! Thank goodness he’s not an old fogy. A lot of people attend mass daily and all have nothing but praise for him.
Now we are on the sea again, heading for Hong Kong. More about that in the next instalment.
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