It’s Indeed A Lot More Fun In The Philippines...

Despite being extremely busy with meetings in Manila through the last few days, it has indeed been a fun trip so far.

Getting through the horrendous traffic in the city once again taught me the virtues of patience, that I had almost forgotten in Songdo. And then interacting with local people, right from hotel staff to the taxi drivers to my counterparts over here was a breeze - not only do they speak English (which was a big wow factor for me, coming from Korea) but they were all happy and content in their own way, and that had a rub-off effect on me.

And then Neeti flew in on Wednesday night, for three days of sightseeing in the countryside around Manila. So it was through Neeti's camera I explored the countryside, despite being busy in the city!

The Taal crater volcano lake at Tagaytay...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

The lush countryside is a far cry from the maddening rush and energetic pace of Metro Manila...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

Pineapple country...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

I loved this sight and I wished I was there...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

The jeepney factory...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

A jeepney model...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

And my joy knew no bounds when Neeti got back a bag of mangoes from Tagaytay...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

This aptly describes the Filipinos...

Chilling out at the hotel was fun...

And with lots of good music, the 1980s kind of music that Neeti and I grew up listening, a welcome change from K-pop!

And the next pit-stop for Neeti was Corregidor Island, which is located at the entrance of Manila Bay. Due to this location, Corregidor was historically a strategic military location to defend the entrance of Manila Bay and Manila from attacks by enemy warships in the event of war...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

During the Second World War, Corregidor was heavily bombarded and the ruins on the island have been made into memorials...

(Photo credits: Neeti)

While Neeti was away in Corregidor, I was in Makati for some meetings. And this time I was taking no chances with the traffic, I started two hours before my appointment but reached in 30 minutes, flat. And that was a good opportunity to have a hot cuppa, a cup of English Breakfast tea...

With the Independence Day on Sunday, the streets of Makati are decked up. Bright Filipino flags are every where...

And a local dress competition at this office in Makati to celebrate the Philippines independence day. It was more like a carnival! Who wouldn't love the Philippines for this?

Time for some retail therapy...

And I was surprised to this shirt was marked "Made in India"...

It's a pleasure to shop in the Philippines. Not only are the prices reasonable but sizes appropriate for us Indians are available here - that made me realise that the Koreans are indeed tiny!!!!

And time for some pampering for Neeti and me - a relaxing foot massage! It’s Indeed A Lot More Fun In The Philippines...