Wednesday, 8 June
We flew in to Manila on the morning of 8 Jun, Wednesday. There was a bitter sweet moment the night before when Erin saw us packing and ask Lani where she is going. Lani replied that she's going to the Philippines. Erin answered back saying "Erin going to Philippines too". It was heartbreaking especially because it was our first time to leave the kids at the same time. Our business trips had never overlapped so there was always one of us staying with the kids when the other is away.
The flight to Manila was uneventful. The fare was cheap so we couldn't complain, and Lani did in fact had a bit of fun eating on the plane because the food were really cheap - $2 seafood cup noodles, $2 man and cheese croisant, and $2 coffees. There was a bit of delay at take off but we did arrive on schedule in Manila. Traffic in Manila, on the other hand, is very eventful. Life-altering in fact. Feels like you hop on the car at 40 (yo) and get off at 60. It took us almost 2 hours to travel the 8km from the airport to Makati.
Upon landing, we were met by Ann and TJ who drove us to Makati. There, we had a mini reunion with Lani's college friends - Marti, Patty, Rosche, and Chris, who was celebrating his birthday. We ate at Vikings buffet - it was glourious! After dinner, we head to the hotel and was visited by Lani's family.
Thursday, 9 June
The following morning Lani and I spent on walking around Greenbelt, going to the office for quick meet-ups, lunch with Lani's highschool friend Mercy, and then shopping the rest of the day at Glorietta. We did have to stop for a bit because there was a work emergency (website went down).
In the evening, we went with JR, Marti, and Edwin for a barbeque and sinigang dinner at Mang Rudy's. We also visited Oscar, Joan and their new-born bub before capping the night with coffee at Starbucks.
Friday, 10 June
Friday was all about the wedding. Ann and TJ slept over at the hotel so we can set off early to Cavite, where the wedding is held. JR took leave from work and joined us. We left Makati around 10-ish and were at Robinsons Dasmarinas before noon. Had kwek kwek and Jollibee, then headed for a salon for Lani's ninang makeover.
Wedding was at the New Era chapel at 2pm. Saw many of our friends from Singapore. It was a very lovely wedding, despite the unforgivingly hot weather.
Reception was in Tagaytay proper, a 30min drive away. We decided to pass by Starbucks before going into the hall. The reception was fun. The host was very enthusiastic and everything was well-organised. Food was overwhelming.
We left Tagaytay around 8pm and was back in our hotel in Makati around 11pm. Traffic in Manila is terrible 24x7.
Saturday, 11 June
Started the day early with a 5:45am worship service at local of Jackson. It wasn't easy to find a cab so we decided to walk our way. We met JR after the service (he also attended there), so we went for McDo breakfast before heading our way to the hotel to pack and checkout.
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| Our good friend JR. |
Got to the airport around 8pm. Had dinner with Nanay inside the terminal then checked in to the gate for our flight.
We reach Sydney at 10 o'clock the following morning with the kids eagerly waiting for us in the Arrival lounge.
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| We're not young anymore |
