Monday 20th of February
Manila is one of the most important stops on this cruise not for us passengers but for most of the crew who are Filipinos. There has been some excitement and also trepidation in the crew wondering who would get shore leave and who would not. I think they have all had some tiome ashore with the possibility of meeting up with their families and friends.
They were all on deck by invitation of the Captain to wave farewell to their loved ones. Who knows when they will see them again It would have been so cruel to be here and not to be able to see family and friends, I hope they all had a great time they are all such wonderful people so helpful and cheerful.
Manila is another busy place with its own brand of road rules (or lack of them). We made a visit to old Manila and saw some of the history attached to this place that has had so many changes of colonisation. However they regard Spain as the mother country strange as it was Spain that “sold” manila to the USA in a secret deal covered by a phoney war. Also of course they were occupied during WWII by the Japanese and a lot of the City was ruined in the short fight that went on and where famously General McArthur had to retreat saying “ I Will Return”.
We were welcomed on port by a display of Filipino dancing and singing with the people dressed in traditional dress.
The local transport is what are called “JEEPEYS”. They are jeeps cut and estended into long public taxis. Apparently one takes one’s life into the hands of the drivers of these vehicles because they answer to no one and frequently let out their fares in the middle of the road regardless of the danger from the traffic.
It rained here; a warm and sticky rain that was not in any way refreshing. Visiting the old fort the only building not touched in the war the Cathedral and other interesting places I was very moved and blessed because when we went into the Cathedral there was a service taking place which seemed to be entirely for children and when they began to sing hymns I was moved to tears it was so beautiful.
A lovely place with lovely people!
Leaving Hong Kong
fred visiting manila
The voyage here from Hong Kong was not a happy one with force ten gales and many people including us suffering from sea sickness!!!!!!
Fd
No comments:
Post a Comment