6 Week Gap Year

Friday 1st June 2007
We got up and started and finished our packing and checked out. Had to listen to the rantings of a demented Australian who had abused the mini bar in his room and then only at check out did he complain about the prices and the hotel. “I’ve travelled all over the world and never been charged this much for mini bar. This is the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in!” Thing is, there is a large price list on the mini bar in every room so you know exactly how much each item is going to cost. If it’s too expensive for you, well don’t touch it! Go to your local bar or 7/11! Later, we saw him returning with Tiger beer cans and whiskey bottles so obviously he had gone out and bought replacements in the local 7/11 around the corner! The hotel is not too bad and I would recommend it if you visit SG. It was originally 2 separate hotels and they are joined by a Mezzanine on the 3rd Floor where reception is located. There is a good sized restaurant which was quite expensive for breakfast but I didn’t check the prices for dinner. There was a bar on the Mezzanine and a larger one a floor down which incorporated a Karaoke bar. There are 2 swimming pools, one indoor, one outdoor and a Jacuzzi.
Now we headed for the shops especially Robinsons, for Lu, a famous Asian department store where she invested in some new sunglasses and various items of clothing. Don't forget to get your tax free shopping vouchers where you can claim your tax back. Some stores will discount at their customer services desks and for other purchases from smaller shops you claim back at the airport. Also bought a dvd, the newish film directed by Clint Eastwood, Flags of our Fathers. SG$29. Hope it plays on my DVD player! Had breakfast lunch in an underground food hall just off Bridge Street and ate strange Malay/Chinese mix which was hot and interesting. Then went back to hotel, collected our luggage and took taxi to Changi. The weather seems to be taking a turn for the worst now. The skiy is darkening and the wind is getting up. As we get closer to the airport the heavens open and the traffic slows. After about 10 mins it stops abruptly and we are in sunshine and every where is dry. Changi is not too busy and we are through check-in and customs pretty quickly. The departures lounge is huge as I remember from last time and Lu wanders off for a bit of retail therapy. I got the laptop out but manage to nod off for about 10 mins - ooops! Lu bought a nice Tissot ladies watch and a few souvenir presents for friends and family in PI. We board SQ918 777 on time and take off 15 mins late. Meet a really nice guy called Manu from India who has made his home in PI and now runs a department store. We are entreated to call him and meet up during our time here. Great flight and food again from SIA, we really can’t fault the service or menus. Dessert was a Magnum and Lu said whilst eating hers “I’ve lost a large piece of chocolate, where’s it gone?” I found it an hour later, stuck to the bum of my light grey jeans. Got my revenge when Lu came back from the toilet later as she sat on her carton of water! We arrive almost on time in Ninoy Aquinas International and as we walk towards Customs there are large signs warning about the dangers of Avian/Bird flu. All passengers are monitored by heat camera as they walk towards customs. The reasoning being that Avian flu carriers, that is those whose symptoms have manifested themselves, will have a fever, ergo higher body temperature and this will be revealed by the camera. I stopped and took a brief look at the monitor. All the body images were grey, no red ones, whew! Customs was fairly quick, baggage reclaim slow and then immigration cards had to be handed in after all luggage was checked. The checking consisted of ensuring you had the same number of bags as you left the airport as you had declared at your embarkation point. We walked out of the airport to the passenger collection point. This is divided into different sections depending on the main passengers surname initial. You wait under your initial and your pick up knows where to find you! How simple and easy. Wow though. The heat and humidity. Nothing prepares you for it. Not even an acclimatisation stop in Singapore. We are at the start of the rainy season, temperature is 36c and humidity high 90% and this is at 10pm so how will it be tomorrow. We are eventually met by Ludy’s “adopted” sister, Bever and her business friend Dodie (who I thought was called Duggie) so they all laughed at me !
The car journey back to Goodwill town, Novaliches is fortunately air conditioned but the traffic is horrendous. Reminds me of Bangkok. Our welcome is excellent with supper being laid out for our arrival. Our host's house is built on the main road running through Goodwill Homes and at first sight is a 2 storey house. Actually the ground floor is the garage and laundry area with a little space at the rear for housing the dogs and cockerels. Upstairs we enter into the main living area with the dining table defining the dining area and sofas and tv at the other end facing the street being the lounge. At the opposite end is the kitchen and a door to the outside “dirty kitchen”. Off the main room next to the entrance door is the bathroom and then to the left are three doors to the bedrooms with the master bedroom facing the front of the house with en-suite. We ate our welcome dinner with the family who comprise Ate Bever and her husbund Guy (Kuya or Brother) who live across the road, their son Gerald (nickname Jing Jing) & his wife Sheila. Their daughter Rain and Sheila's mum Del who we call Tita (Aunt) Del 7 finally their maid Annabelle. Lu caught up with gossip and stories until we gratefully tumbled into bed in our air-conditioned room at 2.00am.