Day 21 - December 8

We caught our flight to Manila this morning --- it taking about four hours to get there from Kuala Lumpur! We had brunch on the plane --- Debi eating French toast with no syrup and my eating egg crepes with diced tomato --- carrots on the side!! Go figure. There's a whole new way of eating on this side of the world! Plus, we both had chocolate gateau with vanilla creme for dessert! Dessert at brunch!! We landed without incident, and made our way through immigration and customs without a hitch. Found our driver easily ... and made our way through the streets of Manila enroute to Makati --- aka the Central Business District of Manila. Talk about a country of "have and have not's"! The streets before Makati were so sad --- such poverty and dirt --- people living in mere shacks. I'll never forget the image of seeing a very young woman barefoot sitting on the curb ... not much of a top on ... nursing her baby --- in the middle of all that traffic. You just want to take them with you and save them from such a life they probably will be faced with from now on! We are so fortunate. But once you entered Makati --- it's big city! And the Peninsula is on the edge of that big city! A very nice hotel ( and once again a great bathroom)! Security is very tight --- the taxis that are entering must go through a search --- and once you approach the front door --- you must open all carry-ons and be wanded with a detector by security officers. And, then there are police stationed here and there inside the lobby. A good thing, I suppose, that they are concerned with security ... but a little nerving nonetheless! The room was very welcoming --- a vase of fresh red roses, a plate of tropical fruit, an orchid ... and a personal note from the general manager welcoming you and explaining the strict security presence on the property. Bottom line ... they want to be able to provide a safe and secure environment for their guests. After checking in, Debi and I did venture out for a little bit ... going to the Greenbelt --- shops and restaurants --- and once again --- there were numerous security checkpoints where you had to be wanded before being allowed into the shopping/eating areas. So, we figuratively threw our hands up and went back to the Pen (as the Peninsula is referred to) --- not realizing it may be literally that --- the Pen!! :) But, it's a gorgeous Pen! Enjoy! And then ... a final note ... I'm sitting her blogging and I hear these loud explostions! I panic a bit ... but then look outside and there is this fantastic fireworks display going on! Have no idea why ... but by the time I could get the drapes opened, the camera turned on, the inside lights off ... only managed one picture ... but there were so many more moments like the one I captured . It was really pretty neat ... to see such firework displays outside your hotel window! We drive to Baguio tomorrow -- a five hour car drive --- will catch back up with you this weekend!