Pondering The Meaning: Travel Day Day 3 to 10: Philippines [Manila]

I know it's been a while since I've been able to update this but I haven't really had a lot of time/opportunities to come on the net! Well firstly I'm in the Philippines! There's so much to write about and I can't really be bothered telling you every single detail! So I'll try and just share with you the exciting parts!

Firstly the most important facts you need to know:
- The Capital of the Philippines is Manila
- The exchange rate is AUD$1 = PHP36.

Day 3:
Firstly when we got to Manila airport we had to travel 3 hours to a down called 'Pangasinan' because my dad's sister that lives in American, had built a house there for anyone to stay in [She was in the Phills aswell], they're a little bit rich and check out how they decked the house out! On the way to Pangasinan, you know how we have E-tag? They have tolls but it's like manual, people standing at booths and taking your money, time consuming and I counted how many lanes were open and there were 16 lanes open, 16! That's incredible since the most we ever have in Melbourne is like what.. 5!?

Day 5:
We left Pangasinan for Manila and a hotel! The traffic was unbelievable, and what was even more unbelievable was the way they were driving! It was insane! I could not even watch the road! 4 lanes had turned into 6 or 7 with busses fighting their way through the traffic! It was insane! It took like 30 mins just to get a couple of kilometers! By the time we checked into our hotel it was about 6pm. Although I was tired me and mum decided to go for a quick shop down to SM/Glorieta [SM = Shoemart, which is like a MAJORRR department shopping centre. It's like all you could need in the one store! and they are everywhereeee!!]

Day 6:
Today we decided to hit the market type shopping centres for some real bargains! Ugh you couldn't imagine how big these places are and the bargains they have!! I'm not sure how well you can really see the top but that was only PHP600.. so about $16...

Day 7:
Today we went to be in the audience for a Philippine TV show called 'ASAP', which is all like dancing and singing, I'm not a fan but my Dad watches it. Because we're subscribers of the TV channel ABS-CBN we got to have tours of the TV Studio and got to look close at some of their TV Studios.

Philippine Version of 1 V. 100

The Local News Room

Day 8:
Today was hopping! Went to The Mall of Asia which is like the 3rd largest shopping centre in the world! This place was amazing you couldn't even imagine.I wish I had photos to show you but they're on my mum's camera and I have no way of uploading her photos!

Day 9:
Today we checked out of the hotel. [The big is the view from the hotel] The city is in Manila in a place called Makati which is at the heart of Manila! After we checked out it was off to the airport to catch a plane to Tacloban which is in Leyte.

The reason we're in the Philippines this time is because my mum's parents live in Leyte [Also my mum grew up here] and it's their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year. They're making a big deal out of it and are renewing their vows, it's going to be like a whole wedding ceremony! Mum mum has 1 sister and 5 brothers and comes from quiet a big family! [My dad has 2 brothers and 6 sister, massive family too!] Leyte isn't for shopping, it's more about the scenery here and let me tell you, there's are some beautiful sites to see! [I will be adding more photos and I take more!]

Day 10:
Last night we stayed in a little hotel with air-con [because my grandparents house doesn't have air-con] because I haven't really climatised yet. Everywhere we've been and it's been hot, we've had air-con in our rooms! Anyway there's this dog... a puppy... Odie... and I love him so much! Isn't he adorable! I love him so much I want to take him home! Oh also, when we got to the house, we were fortunate enough to see a gorgeous group [I'm not sure what the right word is.. gander/squandron/heard of ducks?] of ducks walk past!