Celeste Makati

... 6,000 passengers a day. Near Tokyo's Narita airport, 500 rooms have been secured by the Health Ministry to quarantine infected passengers. We heard from a stewardess on the flight to Manila that on her previous flight they had pulled a couple of people off the plane and made those around them to wait for an hour or so. It was funny and yet just a little scary seeing the inspectors on the plane covered in surgical gear ...

... for the twilight zone discussion about our pool-worthiness.  The manager arrived, a finely coiffed Filipina, who said that there had been a misunderstanding, and only guests could use the pool.  However, as there had been a misunderstanding, we could use it for 350 pesos.  For a hotel where only guests can use the pool, it was odd that they had a pre-set fee for non guests and we could use it "this time only, due to the misunderstanding".  So we had access to 5 star ...

... up the atmosphere while Jason got over his cold. Of course the cold wasn't helped by the fog of car exhaust and pollution that sits over the city. We left Manila yesterday and arrived in Puerto Princesa, which is the "capital" of Palawan. It was a wild flight in with the most amazing views of gorgeous islands and coastline. Absolutely awesome. We are staying at the Puerto Pension which is a little pricey for us (god forbid we are shelling out $45 a ...

... cost 12 pesos. Today I went to see more of Manila. I decided on Chinatown and Quiapo. I took the LRT to get there. Chinatown was packed. There were vendors everywhere selling their trinkets and fake designer goods and throngs of shoppers buying them. It was hard to move through the crowd but when I did, I reached Quiapo Church, which is one of Manila's best known landmarks. Next, I went looking for San Sebastian Church and after ...

Salut tout le monde Nous allons bien J'ai oublie de vous conter hier que Rejean c'est fait baiser la main par une fillette (lors de la procession). Elle lui a prit la main et elle la colle sur son front comme si ca pouvait lui porter chance. C'etait plutot extreme comme geste. Nous en avons quand meme bien rigole. Les gens scandait "candy, candy", meme les adultes dans la foule sautait sur les ...

... our chances of completing the process correctly. Our ballots came just in time for the last ballot party. There were a number of people coming and going from the ballot party which was an informal event held at someone's home. There were a surprising number of Filipino Americans who were there to vote and they were very fired up about Obama. I thought that the party would be primarily attended by a bunch of born and bred Americans who just happened to find themselves ...

... like a scene taken from an old China photograph, where the cold mist added to the tarnished hazy ambience of a coterie of an old temple, a small bridge, and brick sidewalks. Inside the building was another jewelry store and as expected, my companions started to shop again. Right in the middle of a store was a stone statue of a Chinese animal, which appeared to be like a cross between a dragon and a gargoyle. Ms. Chen told me the statue was sacred and believed to make wishes come true if I ...

... one of the worst things that you could do. Its a trait that backpackers fail miserably on when buses are late, taxi drivers rip them off or things just don't work out as they would back home. It's really embarrassing to see an angry backpacker shouting at a Filipino.). My last night here in the rainy but lovely village of Luplupa and there were many visitors after dinner to bid farewell. Johnny and the family..then Victor...then our guide from the hike brought round some ...

... journal La Solidaridad. I am particularly impressed at this self criticism. One would never see such a thing in a country, say, like China. However, you may find it ironic to note that the Tagalog word "trabaho," which means "work," is also a gift from the Spanish. Later I walked down a street which is one that hosts a number of quality hotels, suggests a certain guide book. I wondered if it was the Manila equivalent of Ko San road. Had I not found my remote ...

... for dinner, Do you want to come along?" "Yes, I'd love too. I would like to share with you in blessing them.", I replied. I know it will be too much for her to give a shout(Aussie term to make libre) to everyone since she's also a volunteer herself. This team of missionaries she's working with haven't really spent much time in Makati, the business district so we planned to take them there. The OM office is currently located in Antipolo and they ...