Part 4: Manila...*
After a really quite pleasant 3hour flight, we where preparing to land, and a good 20mins ahead of schedule too.
I took a glance out of the window to see what awaited me, pausing slightly to think that it all looked relatively normal from the sky.
The captain warned us of the humidity and heat outside, but by now I'd hoped my body had acclimatised somewhat after Singapore.
I left the plane then joined the line for immigration. 'Ah...Italiano?' smiled the gruff, unshaven officer as he checked my Passport.
He joked if I spoke the native Tagalog to which I politely replied no, then he questioned what I was doing in the Philippines. After I told him I was here touring and backpacking, he stamped my passport granting me a 3 week travel Visa.
Then I made my way to the baggage reclaim and through the arrivals lounge to meet my Filipino friend Cy. We had met almost a year ago online, becoming buddy's and fellow gaming geeks - this was the first time we actually met face to face.
She was waiting outside in a no park zone directly in front of the Airport, signalling to me to hurry up after handing the police officer a small wad of cash.
She greeted me with a hug and told me to quickly get in the car, or the officer would want more money.
'Welcome to the Philippines' she smiled - welcome indeed!!
Just how crazy can this place be I thought to myself, well I was just about to find out.
One of my friends who had previously been to Manila described it a little like Bangkok but with out all the sleaze - I had no idea what to expect.
Nothing would prepare me for the absolute cacophony as we left the Airport for the short drive to my condo; it was like nothing I had experienced before in my life! Describing the traffic condition as chaotic was actually an understatement and definitely not just your ordinary bumper to bumper gridlock traffic, this was crazy with no apparent order on the road whatsoever, it was every man for himself!!
Motorbikes, bikes, trikes, busses, jeeps, taxi's, local transport, a deafening screech of car horns and bells. People randomly in the middle of the road, planes flying freakishly low above, street traders shouting, armed guards stood outside shops, security checkpoints, barefoot kids playing in the bustling streets. Traders and beggars tapping on the windscreen.
It was quite intimidating and overwhelming for a noob like me.
I was taking it all in and my absorbing my first Filipino experience, looking all around me at the gigantic Filipino advertising boards with big smiling faces, and the low tangled black electricity power cables that looked like spaghetti.
Manila has earned itself an unsavoury, and according to my friend here, an unfair reputation as a hotbed of criminality, with an inadequate infrastructure. My first impressions of this city so far were frenetic and raw, but it would be unfair to judge it to quickly and what better way than to see it first hand for myself.
Cy skilfully weaved in and out of the bustling traffic, shouting in Tagalog at some of the drivers, trying to cut her up. 'loco loco ka ba!!!' which meant 'are you crazy'
She knew a short cut and we eventually reached my condo tower in Paranaque City, but not before being stopped by 2 armed guards at a checkpoint to the entrance, who asked for my identification then letting us proceed into the complex
We parked up and I carried my bags to the tower block where I was staying and yet again were met by 2 more armed guards who once more checked my details. Finally we were allowed entrance.
Apart from feeling it would take a tank to get passed these guys, I could not help but get the impression that they where there for very good reason.
The room was modest, but good enough, and was fully furnished with an 80's style old tv. This place had all I needed including air con.
Although I would need to learn how to take ice cold showers with a pail or a 'tabo' as its known here. Hot water is a bit of a luxury, especially in budget blocks like this one. But since I wanted the full Filipino travel experience I would have to learn quickly and get accustomed.
The bed was comfortable and I was 10 floors up with a great view of the city suburbs, business district and mountains about 5 miles away.
That evening as I wound down for bed alone I couldn't help but feel nerves, apprehension and a little excitement all rolled into one at what would lie ahead.
The next morning I felt relatively refreshed after a decent nights sleep and a cold filipino shower. This would take a bit of getting used to, but believe you me it certainly wakes you up.
My friend knocked at the door early, looking sprightly and ready to go.
But not before she gave me a quick crash course in do's and dont's telling me to be extremely weary of pick pockets and over friendly locals.
We decided on taking the short walk across to one of the shopping centres to pic up some basic foods and amenities for the condo, greeting the armed guards as we passed them.
It was just as chaotic as the day before, well if anything more so on foot.
Locals were looking at me, and small barefoot children were tugging at me asking for money.
Street traders lined the pavements, the roads where bustling with traffic and people literally flooding the streets.
The roads were full of public transport utility jeeps - brightly coloured trucks, and tricycles.- awesome looking motor cycle side cars, jam packed with people as they chugged through the traffic.
It was quite daunting walking through the crowds because trust me, I stood out like a sore thumb!
We crossed a small foot bridge over the road, there were more armed guards stationed here. Looking down I got an exact picture of the scale of traffic, which stretched back as far as the eye could see.
On entering the mall we were searched with metal detecters by yet more armed security. This was something we would have to get used to but to be honest I didn't mind it. The mall was really busy and I was the only westerner there. And inside there were yet more stares, just to make me feel a little more uncomfortable than I already was.
We decided to take a break and stop for a coffee and I took the time to gather my thoughts - it was a million miles away from back home.
Granted it was a little bit out of my comfort zone but what better way to get the full on Filipino travel experience than the suburban city of Paranaque just outside Manila.
Or that was what I kept telling myself....