An ode to Singapore Airlines... currently my favourite airline ever, sorry BA and Virgin. For those of you who know me well then you will know that I love to fly, it is indeed rather more accurate to say that I am obsessed with flying and get ridiculously excited about the experience. Quite beyond the norm of that usual start of holiday feeling, I really ought to be a pilot. Ok so James and I have probably had one of the best flights ever and we weren't even upgraded. Singapore Airlines are fabulous, first came the hot towels before we were even taxing to the runway, then the rather comprehensive menu (shame it had economy class written all over it) the first page of said menu listed all the drinks we could partake of on this trip my eyes were instantly drawn to the words 'Singapore Sling'.Once we were in the air and the promised drinks trolley began to circulate the two Singapore sling's were ordered and rather fabulously not poured out of some ready mixed icky jug but mixed to order! Next came the profusion of decent films, dinner, sandwiches, crisps, peanuts, chocolate bars, countless more cocktails and a good time was had by all! It all seemed great fun at the time but that many cocktails when you have a three hour wait in Singapore and then a further three hour flight to Manila might need a little re-thinking.

So onwards to Manila, we duly passed through immigration only getting quizzed a little about or dodgy looking 59 day visa from the consulate in South Africa, stepping out of the airport the heat and humidity hit us, that big jumper and hat can finally be packed away.Our taxi driver was hilarious; one of the first things he asked us was whether we had heard about the hostage taking a couple of days ago in Manila, only 8 dead and were we scared! Welcome to the Philippines...He then proceeded to tell us about the typhoons and cows ending up caught in electric pylons and fridges on roofs. On route he also kindly pointed out the part of town where the 'w****s' are, lots of them apparently!Arriving at our planned abode we were a little surprised to see that it no longer existed and seemingly had been bulldozed quite some time ago. This probably worked in our favour in the end as we went to a much nicer hotel where, pretty plush for us and a good night's sleep was almost guaranteed.

Our first full day in Manila was spent trying to figure out how to get out and in true Souter style we managed to use 3 forms of public transport on our first day. The first was a sedate taxi which took us to the wrong place. Second, a Jeepney (converted US jeep left over from the war) crammed full and driving like a madman and third the LRT - sky train. Whilst waiting for the train James was asked politely by a police man to move down the platform as he was in the female only area! Groping is clearly an issue - how fab would it be if they brought that in on the Tube (not the groping of course).All of this excitement was to get ourselves a bus ticket, only to find that we couldn't book in advance.

Before even stepping out of our hotel my flip flop broke finally giving me an excuse to do some shopping. The shopping centre near our hotel was soon calling and we were both a little bemused by the sheer size of it and to James' fear the cats with the waving arms appear to be back. But I love being back in Asia, there are not many places where you can purchase two pairs of flip flops and a watch for less than a fiver.

Our next destination is Lucap for the one hundred islands national park for a bit of snorkelling and island hopping. Fingers crossed the rain holds off.