LET'S GO TO MANILA! July 13, 2008

Here we are, in the cattle section (oh, that's supposed to read Coach) on Cathay Pacific headed to Manila, the capitol of the Philippines. Punkie Dominoes and I were a little squished, but since anything under a six-hour flight is a short one, we didn't mind too much. We got to watch movies and play games on the in-seat entertainment. Fun!


Evidently we did not time our travel too well since the evening we arrived, a tropical storm arrived as well, so the first few days were a little wet. We made trips to the shopping malls near-by, and let me tell you that is really different. In order to get into the mall, you have to pass through secruity and have your bags checked. The thing that was a little different is that the security guards were really armed - no handguns for them - let's use rifles!

We didn't try this common type of transportation - the jeepney. There are literally thousands of them plying the roads in Manila. People sit in the back on benches on the sides, and you enter through a door in the rear. The jeepneys would stop in the middle of the road (middle lane at that) to let people off. What a wild ride that must be! They are very colorful, too.





One day we went to Fort Santiago, built around the 1590's. It is strategically located on the banks of the Pasig River and overlooks Manila Bay. The Intramuros area has many historic buildings, but most had to be rebuilt after WWII.



This is the Catholic Cathedral which was originally built in 1590 and subsequently destroyed by fire, typhoon, earthquake, and the war. This is the sixth building rebuilt on the site and was refurbished in 1954.








This was in a courtyard in a typical (wealthy) Spanish home that was commissioned by Imelda Marcos.

















On the walls of Ft. Santiago, guards kept watch!

CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND

You just have to love that notification of new boxes feature on Atlasquest for your favorite searches! It let us know that someone had planted a box on Cheung Chau Island. So, off we went!

We headed to Hong Kong Island and then jumped on a ferry heading to the Island. Cheung Chau Island is around 6 miles southwest of Hong Kong Island and has been a fishing village since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is noted for its beaches and particularly for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. In ancient times, a devastating epidemic attacked the people of the island, who held the first Bun Festival in an attempt to clear their little homeland of disease. The epidemic suddenly disappeared and the festival is held every year now. There is a large parade and celebrations fill the streets and alleys. There is a Lucky Bun competition where climbers scale a tower of lucky buns grabbing all the high scoring ones they can - largest total number wins!




We started our hike at the waterfront and quickly made our way to the Pak Tei Temple which is dedicated to the Northern King. Then we climbed up, and up the trails. Did I mention it was a very hot, very humid day? But, please notice that is was a "blue sky" day. We count them over here, you know.






OK, this is something you don't see every day. These are fire beaters used to put out hill fires. Accidentally start a little fire? Whack it out with these and then return them to the holder.










Yup, we're just hanging around here! It was tough getting up that boulder!

We were really hot and needed more water and something cold, so after monkeying around here and taking the trail to one of the pavillions, we headed back to the main road for water and ice cream. Yum!







After being refreshed, we hit the beach! Let's start with a sand castle or two and then . . .










Let's get in the water! Wow! That feels good!

You can see some of the other Hong Kong islands in the background.


Well, we didn't have time for a seafood dinner at one of the restaurants along the main road, so we had to head back home. Bummer!

THE BRIDE'S POOL

June 22, 2008


We decided to take in the Bride’s Pool Nature trail in the Northern New Territories one hot, steamy June afternoon. The Bride’s Pool legend says that a bride was being taken to her wedding when one of her sedan bearers slipped as they passed the pool and she fell into the pool and drowned. Some even say the see the bride combing her hair and using the pool as a mirror. Well, we can verify that the falls are still there, but we missed seeing the bride. Of course, there were quite a few people there when we were so perhaps they had frightened her off.

The trail down to the falls was quite nice and the shade was enjoyed by all. To get to the falls, you have to cross the creek using stepping stones (rather large ones at that) and then walk up the left-hand side of the creek carefully stepping from boulder to boulder.




(Check out the rocks in the middle of the creek - they are treacherous)













(Then walk up the left-hand side!)









(To get here!)

We finally arrived at the pool, and it was rather nice. We decided to stay dry and not stand under the falls, but there was a heavy mist coming off the falls which was refreshingly cooling.

The hike back was a little different. In order to re-cross the creek, you had to jump across the stepping stones, but instead of jumping down you had to jump up and over. Well, we almost made it, but not quite. Our wet clothes dried fairly quickly, but it happened as around 20 other people were waiting to cross as well, of course. I am sure they were amused by the spectacle!