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Well I'm back home and back at work after 7 great weeks in the Philippines. After my last update from Market Market I went home and finished the book I've been reading - "I am Charlotte Simmons", that night Eleanor, Justine and I went back to the Chef and Brewer to listen to some live music and enjoy a few drinks, the frozen Margeritta was great. Saturday was a bit of a lazy day, in the morning we just relaxed around the house and at around 3pm we went into the tourist area of Manila, we visted Paco Park, Rizal Park, Intramuros and the Bay Walk along Roxas Boulevarde. Intramuros is a city within a city with centuries old walls and plazas, it reminded me of Vigan with the old spanish buidlings, cobblestone streets and horse and carts. We visited the San Agustin Church, a plaza with cafes and shops and walked around. We then moved onto the Bay Walk and were able to watch a procession of native dancers in a parade along Roxas Boulevarde, it was a part of a Fiesta.
Sunday Eleanor and Justine went shopping whilst I stayed at home and started ny new book - "Runaway".
That night Mummy took us out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant, Dad also came along, it was a bit of an effort getting him in and out of the van but it was good that he was able to come with us.
Monday morning I did my usual check of my travel documents, Eleanor noticed and decided to check hers, I then heard her say "Where's my passport?" It wasn't there and to make matters worse it was a public holiday in the Philippines and the Australian Embassy was closed. This put Eleanor into panic mode as she tried to remember when she last saw it. I told her that the last time I saw it was when she took it to the airport when Michael left, we think she lost it there. Around 9am Jimmy (aka Captain Rico Hermoso) arrived at the house with some documents that we were taking to Australia for him. He said he knew someone from the Embassy and gave him a call, the guy he rang was Chris and he was in Canberra, after a bit of small talk Jimmy told Chris about the lost passport and gave the phone to me. I
explained the situation including that we were due to leave later that day. He said that he'd get someone to call me from the Embassy in Manila, shortly after I got a call from Richard who was on the golf course. He was very helpful and asked Eleanor and I to meet him at the Embassy in Makati at 1pm. We arrived a bit early and Richard was right on time at 1pm, his passport officer - Amy, was already there. Anyway Eleanor was issued with an emergency passport and I had a good talk with Richard, he had been in the Philippines for nearly 3 years and had lot's of stories to tell. We really appreciated their assistance, without their help Eleanor would still be in Manila. That night we left for the airport at around 5pm thinking we'd have plenty of time, we arrived at around 5.35pm and after the usual security checks got to the Qantas counter about ten minutes later. I said to the lady - "it's good that we are early" and she replied "actually we are just about to close the counter, the flight leaves in 40 minutes". I thought the plane was departing
the same time as Michael's cancelled Qantas Flight - 20.40pm, I was wrong, our plane departed at 18.40pm. Unbelievably we had made it on time. The flight went quickly, before I knew it I was being woken for breakfast. The plane stopped in Brisbane before reaching Sydney, it took us a while to clear Immigration and Customs and by the time we got out it was about 8am. Justine's boyfriend Mat, best friend Sarah and her boyfriend Bro were at the airport to welcome Justine home. After getting home and unpacking Eleanor and I visited my mum in the nursing home, we then did some shopping and had an afternnon nap. At around 7pm I barbequed lamb chops and suasages and Eleanor made a salad consisting of avacado, tomatro and fetta cheese. We washed it down with some Aussie chardonnay.
This update is coming from my office in Sydney CBD, I've been going through the 300 or so emails and need a break from them. Anyway this is my final update for this trip, hope all those who have been reading about my trip have enjoyed the updates.
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Robb
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Great Trip
Thanks for sharing your trip back home. Came to California from P.I. in 1982. Place must be great now. I surf as much as I can, all year long (freezing cold during winter months). Man, it must be awesome surfing in the P.I. with that warm water. Well, anyway thanks for sharing..really had a great time reading this. take care.