Part three .........
But what of my suggestion of spending nights together? Much to my surprise, Ruby agreed to this, but left me in no uncertainty that I would first have to meet her parents. So, the plan was that I would stay alone in the hotel on the first night and we would spend our first day together visiting her family.
Then, on my last day in the UK Ruby told me that she had a surprise for me, but I had to wait to find out what .. on the day of my arrival. I guessed, immediately, that she was planning to meet me at the airport. I questioned her and she assured me that she had been allowed the time off work .. this turned out to be her third lie to me!
Early the next morning, I set off for Heathrow airport - my wife even drove me there! Knowing the filipina predilection for chocolate, I had bought several bars to take with me, however, I bought even more when I got airside at Heathrow. I have always enjoyed flying so the 12 hour flight to Singapore was a pleasure, eating, watching films (my favourite movie, Notting Hill) and sleeping. The flight was a little delayed, so my 1 hour 20 mins transit at Changi became even shorter, but was still comfortable. It was only half way through the four hour flight to Davao that the enormity of what I was doing suddenly hit me! Here I was, travelling half way around the world, to meet a lady 30 years my junior, who I'd only known for 5 1/2 weeks on the internet - what on earth was I letting myself in for?
Well, I stepped off the plane in Davao, feeling that the entire situation was unreal .. a dream. I remember queueing at the passport control - I was one of the last to leave the plane - there were two passport control desks operating and I eagerly rushed to join the shorter queue ... what a mistake. Everyone else must have been in on the secret, apart from the three people who queued up behind me. This guy spent 10 minuutes checking each passport, placing the little red immigration stamp, signing and dating. I was the last but three to claim my bag in the baggage hall, and everyone else had long gone! I walked to the front of the terminal building, unaware that only passengers were allowed inside. Unlike most other airports, where the travellers are met as they leave the customs clearance, there was no one waiting to 'meet and greet'. That's it, I thought, I've taken so long to get out here that Ruby and Ayong have given up on me, decided I was bluffing after all, and gone home.
There were two automatic glass doors by which to exit the building - I almost broke my nose on the first one because it was not operational. I successfully escaped from the building through the other door, to be surrounded by a gaggle of taxi drivers all eager for business. No, Ruby had warned me to trust no one - I muttered at these cabbies as I pushed through, looking for a friendly face as I did so. I really was beginning to feel abandoned - I looked up and down the pavement, crossed the roadway, then my eyes alighted on two familiar faces at the top of the steps opposite me, emerging from the shelter of a tent. The guy carried on towards me, while the young lady turned and went back inside the tent - not a promising start! However, Ayong greeted me part way up the steps, shaking my hand firmly, and taking my bag from me. I learned that Ayong is the perfect host - he's never left me to carry a bag at any time.
We carried on to the top of the steps and Ruby came back to the entrance of the tent. With Ayong making a tentative introduction, Ruby and I smiled sheepishly at each other, then hugged and kissed cheeks. It felt good .. very good! After a few moments, Ayong led the way to the waiting van, while Ruby took my hand. We were soon loaded into the van - Ruby and I sat side by side in the back while Ayong sat up front alongside the driver. We were soon on our way and I turned to look at the beautiful young lady beside me - we smiled, leant against each other, locked arms and held hands - it didn't take long before we summoned up the courage to kiss on the lips. My eternal memory of that journey back to Davao is of me resting my weary head on Ruby's shoulder, and the wind from the open front window blowing her hair into my face, like lots of tiny whips. It felt good .. very good! I was informed that the plan for the rest of the day was that we would stop of at the hotel in Tagum, check in and drop my bags, and then go on to Asuncion to visit Ruby's family at home.
