Some more pics, with a brief commentary, from my recent trip.

[grahamw48]

I've been trying to organise my pics into some sort of order, as we had a bit of a wander back and forth during my 3 weeks there.

My girlfriend had to stay at, (or at least visit for few hours each day) the hospital near Ermita (Manila) for a few days after my arrival, as her sister was undergoing an operation. This shaped our plans during the first week or so.

After getting off the plane I took a taxi to the Sogo Drive Inn hotel in Pasay. It's handy for the airport, and where my lady lives, reasonably priced, and always has a room available day or night to get your head down and catch up on your sleep after the long flight. Very clean, peaceful and efficient too...despite its large size. Around p1400 a night, but no room wi-fi.

I did find the bellboys'/porters transport rather amusing:

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After meeting up with the love of my life (Mercedes), I was invited to the house of her employer (but more like a grandmother to Mercedes), which is situated in one of the wealthiest parts of Manila, with some fabulous properties and facilities. Mercedes is the lady's live-in carer, along with another sister of Mercedes. I received a warm welcome, and later 'Merly' and I strolled down to the local Rugby/Sports club to sample some of the rich folks' facilities...courtesy of a guest pass from a neighbour.

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To be continued...

[grahamw48]

Some sort of fruit in Merly's garden...

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[Moy]

Some sort of fruit in Merly's garden...

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they were my childhood fav fruit its Macopa.. sort of version of berries but more succulent in taste..best eaten with salt not much just to sprinkle to enhance the sweetness...how i miss my life...eating those

[Terpe]

.....best eaten with salt.....

Doesn't that apply to all fruits in Philippines Moy...

[stevewool]

very nice Graham, and very nice houses too

[cheekee]

Those fruits look interesting.

Are they edible and did you try them ?

[grahamw48]

Those fruits look interesting.

Are they edible and did you try them ?

Yes, they're edible. I've forgotten the name of them, but I'm sure one of our Filipino members can enlighten us.

Just organising some more pics...watch this space.

Oops....thanks Moy !

[tiger31]

Those fruits look interesting.

Are they edible and did you try them ?

yes they are edible we had one of those trees in my last place and the kids scramble up the trees all the time to grab some fruit ,never tasted them but they look like the colour of a spud inside with similar texture

[Doc Alan]

Thanks for posting Graham, look forward to the next instalment

[highlander01]

Nice pics Graham...

[cheekee]

Macopa ?

I must try next time I visit.

They look lovely.

[grahamw48]

Some more from the sports club...me getting a wash.

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Padded bed at Sogo Hotel...for those livelier moments.
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My sweetheart in her souvenir T-shirt:

Merly is an absolute diamond. I'm a lucky guy.
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[Arthur Little]

I've been trying to organise my pics into some sort of order, as we had a bit of a wander back and forth during my 3 weeks there.

My girlfriend had to stay at, (or at least visit for few hours each day) the hospital near Ermita (Manila) for a few days after my arrival, as her sister was undergoing an operation. This shaped our plans during the first week or so.

.


.


.

.

.

.

.

Some more from the sports club...me getting a wash.

.

.


Padded bed at Sogo Hotel...for those livelier moments.
'

.
My sweetheart in her souvenir T-shirt:

Merly is an absolute diamond. I'm a lucky guy.
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Joking aside ... 's a GREAT collection of photos, Graham ...

[stevie c]

Great pics graham

[grahamw48]

Cheers folks...and we haven't even got out of Manila yet.

Plenty more to come...

[Michael Parnham]

Thank you so much Graham, very enjoyable!

[Terpe]

I always enjoy other people's photo's ......thanks for sharing Graham...

[Moy]

I always enjoy other people's photo's ......thanks for sharing Graham...

[grahamw48]

During our visit to Robinson's Mall, Graham was also able to demonstrate one of his (few) skills to our accompanying teenagers....playing car racing games, as well as dazzling the passing crowds.
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[grahamw48]

Thanks folks...and to continue:

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After a brief stay at the Sogo, I decided it would be more convenient to move to a hotel nearer the hospital where Merly would be staying with/visiting her sister, which was in the Ermita/Malate area. Had a quick wander around and found myself a very nice room in a lovely old hotel in Malate called the Adriatico Arms Hotel. Lovely clean place, comfy bed, friendly staff, and (what had become a priority)...good wi-fi in the room. All for p1600 a night.

Merly seemed to have a thing about taking pictures of beds during our holiday, so here it is.

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Here's the very nice restaurant...though we actually ate at the local canteen around the corner.



I had arranged for one of my nieces to visit with us (and her boyfriend), and later we all trouped off to Robinsons, just down the road , for a bit of window-shopping and a Pizza.

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Meanwhile, (as an ex-male model ) Graham was asked to pose...in his personally hand-cut and stitched designer shorts.
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[Dedworth]

How about those pics of the subdivision open air pool Graham

[grahamw48]

Next: Off to the seaside !

Merly's sister has had her operation and all is well. She also has her employer's blessing to take a holiday with a certain Yorkshire reprobate.
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As I was familiar with the place, had friends there and we'd been before....off we shot to Subic Bay, on the Victory Liner bus...with great wi-fi on board !

[Arthur Little]

After getting off the plane I took a taxi to the Sogo Drive Inn hotel in Pasay. It's handy for the airport, and where my lady lives, reasonably priced, and always has a room available day or night to get your head down and catch up on your sleep after the long flight. Very clean, peaceful and efficient too...despite its large size. Around p1400 a night, but no room wi-fi.

... but you already had a "wifey" in your room, I thought ...

As I was familiar with the place, had friends there and we'd been before....off we shot to Subic Bay, on the Victory Liner bus... with great wi-fi on board !

Top of the range ... Mercedes, no less!

[raynaputi]

Great photos and stories Graham!

[grahamw48]

Behave yourself Arthur.

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Here's 'wifey' at the seaside...more to follow.

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[Arthur Little]

Behave yourself Arthur.

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Here's 'wifey' at the seaside...more to follow.

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... and that one, ^ too ... she's so relaxed looking in it.

[Terpe]

Nice story Graham......still enoying those great pics too

Makes me feel like jumping on plane and getting back

[grahamw48]

...from another angle, while drifting helplessly out to sea.

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[grahamw48]

Thanks Peter ....meanwhile:

The bus trip to Subic from Manila took about four and a half hours, including one or two brief stops, where bowels could be relieved and nicotene levels topped up.

The whole (3 week) trip, we enjoyed pleasantly mild and sunny weather...for the tropics.

Upon arival in Olongapo, we'd normally have taken the rather exciting 3-4 mile up hill and down dale winding road trike ride, but a rather pleasant man with a brand new people-carrier taxi offered to take us there for a mere 200 pesos...only 50 more than the trikes. We clamboured in and enjoyed our luxury ride to my first choice of hotel, down on Baloy beach road. This however could only offer rooms at a price slightly above my strict budget, so we had a wander further along and settled upon T-Ric's, a rather smart place with a lovely restaurant looking out on to the beach. p1600 a night. I don't think Merly took a pic of the bed in this one.

View from the restaurant:
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An unusual event this...Graham actually buying a meal in a hotel, rather than sneaking off to the nearest local canteen for the cheap stuff. (must have been something on the menu for less than 100 pesos).
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[stevewool]

great pictures and the story too, you are a amazing fellow Graham ,