Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

One of the first weekends we spent in Manila in June, we teamed up with Kai's old "Hanoian" friend Yuuki and his family and went for an excursion to the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, where the environmental NGO Haribon Foundation organized a weekend Mulle school. Anyone born in Sweden in the seventies knows exactly who Mulle is and what his school is about. It was strange to see the pictures of Nordic forests and lakes, copied straight from Friluftsfrämjandet, but the message was the same - take care of our nature.

The place is really nice, a piece of nature in the middle of Manila, but we've never been back. We have also hardly seen Yuuki and his family again. Moving around this gigantic metropolis takes forever and is just still beyond our capacity.

Green and reasonably clean.

And here and there animals in small cages, of course.

Silahis Art Center

And I have to say I found Intramuros a bit disappointing. Apart from the walls and a couple of horse carts there isn't much to see or do. For me, the highlight was the visit to Silahis Art Center. Totally my kind of place. We got ourselves a new breakfast table set - and a few other things.

Breakfast at Taketani's

Intramuros

Intramuros is the old Spanish fort and widely known as the tourist hot spot of Manila. Our visiting friends wanted to pay a visit and we drove through town for an afternoon stroll.

 

 Climbing the "muros".

Stylish guard and karate kid.

 Kids going for a "Pass RH bill" horse cart ride. Yes, please.

Taking a break.

And then we went for dinner to a sea side restaurat.
Apart from the fresh breeze that every now and then gives you a reminder, I keep forgetting I live in a sea side town (mega metropoli).

Also - spending time in Manila

Ok, now it looks like we do nothing but hang out on different beaches. It is not entirely true. We spend all weeks and most weekends in Manila. It's just that so far I don't find much to write about here. In Hanoi there were hundreds of beautiful little details or interesting things happening on the street everywehere, all around me, just driving home from town or going for a stroll around the neighborhood or around the lake. But belive me, there is not much interesting with moving around in Manila... (enough complaining)

ADB Avenue, Ortigas.

Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, heading home to Valle Verde from Ortigas.

On my way to pick up kids in school. Stuck in traffic.

On my way somewhere else. Stuck in traffic.

East Manila, view over pools and surrounding hoods from fourth floor tennis courts in kids fancy (but very, very nice) school. High walls all aroud to prevent any kind of peeking or sneaking in and out...

 

School view to the west over Makati City. No walls in that directions. Just big roads to the shopping malls.

 

A little bit of blue and green through my car window.
And I'll keep looking for whatever I'm looking for. Excursion to China town coming up, as soon as Christmas frenzy is over!

Long weekend at Aninuan beach, Puerto Galera

This weekend was a long weekend, both for kids and Keisuke and early Friday morning we drove down to Batangas and hopped on the "banka" to White Beach in Puerto Galera where we were picked up by Tamaraw Beach Resort's little water taxi and taken to veeeery family friendly Aninuan beach where we spent a relaxing weekend with the Gardner family. Kids were delighted to return to the very first place we visited outside Manila on our first visit here in March!

Shadow play. Under the palm tree.


Kids busy playing - Bella, Hana, Kai, Alex.

Dad busy relaxing.


Excursion time!

White beach.

A brief stop on some other beach.

Aninuan after sunset.

And we'll be back. I'm sure.

Lilom Anilao

A couple of weeks ago we welcomed our first guests. Some of Hana and Kai's best friends and their family came to visit from Hanoi over their autumn break and we had a great week together. Over the weekend we went back down to Anilao and this time stayed at lovely little Lilom Resort just on the shore, where we were constantly taken care of, provided with booties and snorkels for all and constantly served snacks, juices, food. Even a big jar of mojito suddenly showed up - to all adults joy.

Lilom resort garden and terraces.

Just love rooms with perfect ocean views from the bed - and to falling asleep with all doors open, listening to the gentle waves.

Excursion time! Rebecka, Kai, Elizabeth, Hana.

Ashore a small beach on Maricaban Island.

Green waters.

Fresh breeze.

 Passing little fishing villages.

Good old friends on the Lilom rock.
(Nothing wrong with the view from the garden (mojito in hand)).

And a bonfire. What more can you wish for.

Last night with the friends - before going back home to Hanoi.

 

Hot dog break on the way home.

Divisoria

Last week I went for an all day "excursion" with a friend to the Divisoria bazaar or market area in old Manila City, close to the harbor and just north of Intramuros. A completely chaotic place where you can get about everything you need and not. Our goal was the textile market but I also found all the colors, chaos and street life I miss - and a few other things as well.

Getting off the LRT at Recto station, looking for a jeepney to take us all the way.





Extra wires perfect for metal clothes hangers.

Christmas season.

 Corduroy. Apparently.

 A bit of Arabic feel in the textile bazaar maze.

Would happily pay extra for that wrapping.

For carnival. Or is it a hat?

Traditional textiles in a corner.

 

Abaca fabric. Will get some of that next time.

Not so cold fridge. Very hot and more like an oven in fact.

Got a pink and a long brown one for Hana.

Street life. Of some sort at least. Finally.

On the MRT, heading back home to our clean and green gated communities...