I have been nursing this malady for more than a week. I caught some bug on Cebu Pacific and by the time I landed in Manila on 3rd of Feb, I was feeling like a (plane) wreck.
Pinanki and Chely picked me up, we went for a late lunch and then they dropped me at the hotel (after driving past some uber barrios!). Ewok, my roomie who came down a day earlier, was already out on a day trip with my other friends who came 1-2 days earlier.
About 1700hrs, I took a cab and headed to the 3rd largest mall in Asia - The Mall of Asia. Crazy, sprawling place. As I was alone, I really took my time.
There are so many wings to this building.
And yes, there's a huge-ass skating rink.
Was there for about 3 hours. My Pinoy regret was that I didnt stay much longer or buy more stuff. I was tired so I just did look-see. I also thought most stuff were expensive so I really only bought some bargain items - DVDs and a couple of books. Clothes-wise, well, the Topshops (and the likes) are more expensive while the local shops are..erm..not really my style. Haha.
Oh, another thing I bought was popcorn.
6 tubs of Chef Tony's popcorns to be brought home and given away.
Bloody addictive...and can only be found in Philippines.
Basket.
In Manila, the sun set earlier and so by 1830hrs, it was dark. As it was my first time in Philippines and I was alone, I decided not to linger (hence my lack of shopping and sightseeing). Jumped into a cab, got ripped by cabby (paid 80 peso in the day, but paid 180 peso at night) and I was back in the hotel by 2130hrs. Chatted with Pinaki for a while in his room and then returned to my room to watch a bit of TV. Ewok came back after a while and we both chatted and watched TV. By then, I was getting tired...aching body ...and was fast catching a cold.
Second day in Philippines (Friday 4th Feb 2011) started with breakfast and after that it was the process of getting ready for the wedding.
The church wedding ended at about 1630hrs and we then had to make our way to a hotel for the dinner reception. Ewok and I hitched a ride with Monica (a former colleague who's from Philippines). By then, I was feeling damn groggy, weak and also, my feet were killing me (no thanks to heels). It took us an hour to get to the hotel. Dinner reception started at 1930hrs.
Didnt take many photos here because I was busy eating and getting sabotaged by the mistress of ceremony. Plus, it's just Pinaki and Chely haha.
The wedding banquet ended surprisingly early. At about 2100hrs, we were all on our way back to the hotel (of residence). Ewok got ready and went to bed while I joined Abhishek, Harjinder, Monica (former colleagues), the wifeys, Pinaki's brother and Carole (Pinaki's French friend) in Abhishek's hotel room for some drinks and "intelligent" chats. Long night...we all eventually crawled to own rooms at 0330hrs in the morning. So much for wanting to rest because I was feeling sick.
Third day (5th Feb) and it was the day to get home. See...I told you it was a whirlwind ride to Manila.
Pinaki and Chely were supposed to send me to the airport at 1130hrs as my flight was at 1330hrs but we got delayed and by the time we reached the airport, it was already 1230hrs. I rushed all the way to the check-in counter because I was hoping to do some shopping at the airport (I still had some pesos with me then). Unfortunately, it was a budget terminal so there werent many shops around. I bought this hamper of Mango preservatives which cost me about S$40 and that's it. I brought home my pesos.
Blaaah!!!
Ride home was horrible. I was tired but I couldnt sleep. Began to develop cough, my nose was blocked and chest was getting congested. The mother and Lexie picked me up and ... boy...was I glad to see family.
All right.
It's 0235hrs and I think I should get to bed. A couple of days ago, I totally lost my voice. However, I managed to regain it yesterday (a bit) but the bloody cough and nasal congestion are still persistent. Maybe I should just succumb to take MC tomorrow.
Right.
Happy Valentine's Day to the believing lovers.
And hey, it's Grammys Day!
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