Two flights took us to Manila, via Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, which looks so stunning from the approach into the airport that we wondered why we hadn't worked in a stopover for a couple of days. It's always fun to be in an airport somewhere else in the world and watch the screen for the regular flights that depart from that area - in this case, some tiny slices of heaven in Micronesia. It's exciting just to be on the cusp of this area of paradise!

But for now it is the Philippines, and we are squeezing in this country somewhat spontaneously after some fellow travellers raved about it. Our time can best be summarized as a bit of a slow-motion journey. The country is approaching its hottest time of the year, and the temperature, and more importantly, the humidity, is sky high. So we moved sluggishly, and when we broke down and decided to travel in taxis, we moved even more sluggishly, as there is some intense traffic happening in this capital. We visited Intramuros, the old walled city, and later joined a food walking tour of Chinatown where we stuffed ourselves with fresh spring rolls, sweet treats, and other delicacies. We also visited the SM Megamall (mostly for its lovely air-conditioning), and enjoyed watching people LOVING ice skating in the indoor arena. Ah, what a novelty when it is 40C outside.

Many people here are smiling and singing while working (at the front desk, at the cash register, driving the taxis, etc.), which is so charming. 80s and 90s soft rock hits especially (we heard some Anne Murray a couple of times in our taxis), and Clare thinks this should be encouraged more at home.