Getting Around

There are lots of ways to get around Manila.

Walk - cheapest and most interesting way. People will look at you if you look lost or foreign (like me). Be careful but assertive when crossing the road. Noone really stops for you, they'll just swerve not to hit you :)

Tricycle - You can get around in a bicycle/motorbike attached to a side car of sorts. These are good because they can get around the gaps in the traffic and the drivers quite confidently push and squeeze through the traffic. Ive seen upto 5 people fit onto one of these.

Jeepney - Perhaps the most unique mode of transport. Originally made up of old US Army Jeeps left over from the war, these are somewhat like buses but smaller, fitting between 10-15 people. These really stand out they normally have a shiny chrome exterior and are decorated to stand out. You'll see Jeepneys with various themes from Ferraris to Horoscope star signs. Very colourful to say the least.

This one's designed to go faster.

Taxi - Just like any other taxi in the world.

Of course theres lots of cars and heaps of bikes and mopeds running around.

Food watch: You can get McDonald's delivered!

Manila: First impressions...

Manila is different to anywhere I had ever been before. From the air you can immediately see some of the shantys people live in. Tito Ed and Sheryn kindly came to pick us up from the airport and I had my first taste of Manila traffic. Within the first 10 minutes we picked up a traffic fine for not being in the correct lane. I couldnt really make out any lanes to be honest but the fine was about P150 or about $4 so I guess it isnt too bad.

I guess you would describe traffic here as more or less a free for all. Just drive where ever you fit really. Of course there are two sides to a street and lanes but as for how much you decide to obey these "guidelines" is your call. Its not such a bad system actually. People drive carefully expecting the worst so they are quite skilled at avoiding cars, bikes, tricycles and pedestrians. Noone really gets too annoyed at eachother since most people are cutting at some point.

Flying to Manila

I love flying on Singapore Airlines. Theyre not that different to most other full service airlines but I love how they give you hot face towels every four hours or so. Something so simple and perhaps easily cut out in these financial times, makes such a difference when you feel nice and (relatively) refreshed after pasting a smouldering hot wet towel on to your face. Mmm...steamy.

I had never flown over Singapore during the day so this in itself was an interesting experience. Thousands boats, fishing boats and oil tankers mostly, led the way into the harbor which surrounds thousands of high rise apartment buildings. As far as you can see, the whole place is full of apratments. Apparently theres no space to build any houses here??

Upon closer inspection, the immediate area around the airport is immaculately kept. The streets are kept clean and very neatly presented. We landed in Terminal 3 this time and this terminal seems to be newer than the others and the nicest of them all.

A quick skytrain to Terminal 2 and we were on our way to the second leg to Manila.