Manila Escapade

You see, I'm the type of person who is spontaneous. So one day, I decided to pack my bags and travel to Manila all on my own. And it was just right on the week of my birthday, Nov. 22! It was not a sudden trip, though. I decided on the trip as a birthday gift to myself way before so I got a ticket months before my actual birthday.

Nothing to do.

I arrived at Manila's NAIA at around dawn so I spent some hours at the airport. I didn't get bored, though. After all, I brought my ever reliable NEO laptop with me and my white headset. I managed to find an outlet at the airport and I sincerely asked the guard to let me plug my laptop. The guard was kind enough to allow me, though. It was just a little bit later that I realized that it was fine to plug a phone or a laptop there even without asking permission. LOL.

Since I also had my broadband, I researched some places that I will likely go to during my entire stay. I planned to go to Star City, Enchanted Kingdom, Intramuros, and Manila Aquarium during my entire stay. I did not know back then that I won't be able to use this itinerary.

When the buses were already running, I immediately boarded a bus that will lead me to Taft Avenue. From Taft Avenue, I rode a jeepney that will allow me to go to a jeepney terminal (sorry, I forgot the name of the terminal) with a jeep that will go around the university belt area. My friend's dormitory was there so that was the first place I went to.

Once we met up, the next thing we did was look for a place where I can spend the night. Oh, God, if I remember it right, we walked a few kilometers for it! I did not imagine that I will be walking the entire university belt just for the sake of finding a cheap place to stay in for my two nights at Manila!

Here's the look of the place I got to stay for a measly 1000php for two nights:

Two double-deck beds all to myself. Dibs on the upper left bed!

Again, kitchen and bath all to myself!

During the first night, I spent it going to MOA or Mall of Asia. I can't believe it was such a big place! I went there alone, though. My friend has a prior engagement so I was not able to bring her. I visited the Ice Skating rink first, but I was too chicken to try skating by myself.

Just MOA.

The Counter.

The Rink.

The next day was actually really TIRING.

In my plan, I was supposed to go to Intramuros after finding a place to stay in. However, that did not happen because my friend dragged me around UP on a sightseeing tour. It was a fun tour since I get to see a lot of things but it was difficult because I got used to riding cars here in Cebu. My body did not expect to get the rigorous exercise of - again - walking around the big campus of UP Diliman!

Closest to Nature. UP is unexpectedly eco clean.

I think the top of this tower is where an old bell was located.

I think I remember JN telling me that this is where the UP kids do their cheering.

The making of the Philippine flag.

You know this guy, right?

What's engraved underneath the naked guy.

Another fun thing about this is that there was a Destiny's event ongoing there. It's the church that JN, my friend, belongs to. We went to her practice there as well. They have this performance where they will have to hold the letters and flip it over when a signal is given. I just looked on.

Practicing the performance.

Hustle. Bustle.

After the practice, I excused myself from JN. I need to go to the event that I was so excited about even before the actual date of the trip. Actually, it was the only event that went as I scheduled. It's the KOMIKON! I'll be writing up the post for it so better watch out!

My proof!

While I got so pleased about my loot at the KOMIKON, the next day came in a flash. I got to participate in a worship event of Destiny. It was actually eye opening. My faith got stronger because the speaker's words were very inspirational. I think this is the part of my travel where I forgot how tired I was from walking around and thought that I got blessed for coming to Manila at such a time.

Lastly, just before the original flight back home, we went to Star City!

Welcome to Star City!

The Ferris Wheel that I never got to ride.

The Pirate Adventure that I never got to venture.

The Viking that I rode with enthusiasm.

Waiting ~ *impatient*

And we're on!

Needless to say, it was fun!

However, there was an underlying horror to my fun time at Star City. I did not expect that the traffic at Manila is much - MUCH - worse than my expectations. I got late for my flight.

Yeah.

The horror, right?

And it was already night time.

So, again, I spend another night at Manila unexpectedly. We stayed the night at my friend's cousin's house. Also, I needed to book another flight back home. I just got so lucky since I still had money on me to book for another flight back home within 24 hours. I got so worried that I may not be able to come back home.

Whew~