We sailed into Manila’s South Harbor this morning shortly after 0900 and were along side the pier at close to 1000. Disembarking was a bit delayed (performance by a local group – the dancers doing men’s parts were excellent, those doing the women’s parts not as much but the percussion section was amazing).

We took the free shuttle bus to Robinson Mall. There was a Starbucks (sick of this yet?). The young man at the counter said that the “you were here” thermos type containers instead were the clear plastic designed for cold beverages. Ok, I can do that. Sorry I didn’t figure that out in Hong Kong…Ah well.

Oh – the electric wires strongly reminded me of New Delhi –

The mall? Like just about any mall anywhere. We headed back out and walked toward Rizal Place and Monument. The walk was interesting but not particularly pleasant. The traffic is heavy and I saw more people sleeping on the sidewalk or next to it including dozens of small children. Most of those areas reeked of stale urine. I expect there were also contribution from a few dogs tethered to carts and some feral looking cats.

Rizal Park was green, open and inviting. The monument is on the harbor side (west),

the Japanese Garden & exhibits on the north to include the Phillipino Flower Sundial.

From there we went to the National Museum which featured exhibits on history, poetry, archeology, and some amazing art.  

in the central courtyard from found plastics.

A both factual and artistic representation of Magellan’s voyage and his navigator who was a slave originally taken from this area. 

there were lightbulb people

and pottery, and ceramics, and costumes and stories collected from across the islands. 

and objects both artful and useful. 

The rest of the textiles are in a separate post. 

I made it through 4/5 floors before my body said it was time to go back to the ship. That was an adventure in itself – trucks, jeepneys, cars, and motor scooters everywhere and too many intersections where pedestrian cross walks weren’t really obvious.