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This blog post is just about our recent summer “R & R” to Manila. They say that we should not be strangers to our own land. So we visited the tourist’s spot of our lovely country.

We specifically knew what place we wanted to visit. On the list was Pagsangjan falls, Villa Escudero and the Manila Ocean Park. Watching an “acrobatic-opera” called “Wanders” at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) was also on top of the list.

My mother was the one who made the list. I don’t know why she wanted to visit Pagsangjan falls so badly, we just went along with her wishes. Besides, we haven’t been there.

So together with my parents, my brother Alfred, my sister Norlene and my son Zed Avalon, we flew to Manila via Philippine Airlines on April 9, 2008. My wife couldn’t join us because she was in Thailand for a week. My brother Aldin couldn’t join us as well as he was in Baguio.

We landed at around 11 a.m. It was my first time to land at the Centennial terminal. Every time, I go to Manila I always take Cebu Pacific because of three reasons. First because of the ease of online booking, second because it is cheap and thirdly because it is near my favorite hotel, the Kabayan hotel in Pasay Rotonda. My parents however preferred flying with Philippine airlines (PAL). It took us some time to wait for our luggage because we had too many bags. That is the disadvantage of traveling with a group. I always prefer traveling light. Usually I only bring along one bag for 3 to 4 days trip, and if possible a Pacsafe travel bag.

We then grabbed a cab and checked in at the Cherry blossom hotel in the Malate area. Cherry Blossom Hotel was known for its affordable rates and nice rooms. We got a huge family room with a living room, two television sets one king size bed and two extra beds.

We had lunch at the Robinson’s place (Malate) food court. Dad had to do some business and my mom has to make travel plans for tomorrow, so the rest of the gang went to the hotel to grab some shutter eye. My mom then came back and told us that she has figured our itinerary out already. Thursday would be Pagsanjan falls, Friday would be Manila Ocean Park in the morning and the “Wanders” show in the evening. Saturday, would be spent at Villa Escudero. Sunday morning would be church, Sunday afternoon will be spent shopping and then we fly back to Cebu.

After we had our nap, at about 5 p.m. we then proceeded to the Mall of Asia. Our first stop was the SM Science Discovery Center.

My brother, Alfred and my son Zed truly enjoyed the science museum. We all watched a science documentary on the possibility of life in other planets in the museum’s dome theater. (Probably the only one in the Philippines) I have seen that movie before when I first visited the science museum.

We then proceed to grab some chow. The restaurant I recommended to my folks was Fish and Chips. I’ve eaten here two times already. I have always loved this restaurant.

We wanted to get some ice cream at Cold Rock, probably the best ice cream I have tasted ever. I tell you, if you have tasted Cold Rock ice cream, you don’t want to taste any other ice cream ever. Unfortunately, Cold Rock has closed shop at the Mall of Asia. (I don’t know if they have a store somewhere, if you do know drop me a comment)

Because we were so full, we went strolling around the mall. I bought a book entitled “Rule #1” by Phil Town. This is probably the best stock market – Fundamental analysis book I have ever read to date. We wanted to watch an i-max movie at the Philippines’ only I-Max theatere, but the show that was on was some kind of rock concert so we just skipped that and decided to go home.

We still did still did not arrange for transportation for our trip to Villa Escudero on Saturday, so we decided to ask the “Tammaraw FX” that we hired to take us to the hotel if he can drive us there. He agreed and named his price. We did not make a commitment yet, but we got his number and told him that we would call him if we decide to hire his services.

Tired and exhausted for the day, we made our last trip for the day to dreamland.

Watch out for next week’s post on our Pagsanjan falls trip.

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