I had hoped that I would be able to extend my stay at Fairways and Bluewaters for another night, but this morning I learn that this is not possible. All of the rooms and villas are booked--they are having a golf tournament for the members this weekend--and so I must find another place. The front desk makes some calls, and by noon I am checking into Jony's Resort, which is near the rock formation on the beach. Well, what a contrast. It is definitely a riches to rags transition. Jony's is not a dump, but it is very basic, and I feel a bit overpriced (about $50US). But I do not have time to walk up and down the beach and so I take it. The location is good, and it turns out that the restaurant is pretty good. They have Mexican food, and so I have a taco and a burrito for lunch.
In the afternoon I go to the beach again (very easy today) and try to enjoy my last day of tropical paradise. As the afternoon ends I walk down to the strip again, and wait for sunset. I also find an internet café and check my email. Later as I am walking along the strip thinking about dinner I hear some recorded piano music--it is coming from the Crytal Palace restaurant. Well, what a pleasant change from all of the loud and somewhat obnoxious music at many of the other places. I decide that this is the place for me. The menu is quite large, and I order a grilled fish dinner. It was quite nice.
Later J closes-up her shop and we walk out to the beach and find a couple chairs. We sit and talk, drinking a beer, and watching the people go by and the moonlight on the water. Soon a young man comes along selling snacks. I get some fried fish skins, and J gets some fried pork skins. Not exactly healthy, but tasty with the beer, and only 10p each. What a delightful environment! What a great place to be relaxed and lazy!
J soon leaves and I start walking back to Jony's. Along the beach a young girl has made a very nice Mickey Mouse design in the sand, with candles to highlight the features. I am very impressed. She tells me that she does it for money--for donations for her effort. I donate 20p and she smiles. I ask her if I can take a photo and she agrees. Soon some young boys come along full of smiles and energy and also pose for my camera. I then had back to the room (no villa now) and go to bed.
I will take the ferry boat from Fairways and Bluewaters back to Caticlan later this morning, but first I have time for breakfast at Jony's which is included with my room. I have eggs over medium with ham. But, I save room for some pancakes. Last night I had found a small place called "Real Coffee" which serves pancakes for breakfast. It is just a short walk down the beach so I also have a second meal. Not as good as Mom's but still pretty good. Then back to the room to get packed-up and wait at the beach front for the boat. By 11:00 AM I am on the boat for Caticlan, waving goodbye to tropical paradise.
My flight does not leave until 1:30 PM, and so after checking in I have time for lunch at the Asian Spirit restaurant, gift shop, and lounge. The flight is a little late, and we take off about 2:10. Soon after 3:00 we are landing in Manila. I had sent a text message on my cell phone to D telling her that my flight was late, and when I arrived in Manila I called her on the cellphone. She was nearby with her driver, and soon we were driving to the Manila Hotel in downtown Manila.
D has suggested that I stay here at the Manila Hotel just for the experience and history of the place. Many important events had occurred here, and even now it is the preferred place for political and governmental meetings. It is located directly on the Manila bayfront, just north of the U.S. Embassy. The room rate is higher, at $89US, but not too bad. Later that afternoon I walk over to the boardwalk, which is a concrete deck over the bay with several small food shops and many people just enjoying the bay front and the view of the sunset. The water, unfortunately, is quite dirty, not at all like Miami. The air in the Manila area is also quite polluted, but it does give a good sunset.
As the evening progresses I take a taxi to Greenbelt, a shopping and restaurant area in Makati. I have been told that Greenbelt is the place to be on Saturday evenings, especially a place called Café Havana. I arrive a bit early, and soon learn that there are at least 3 Greenbelts--1, 2, and 3--and that Café Havana is at Greenbelt 3. There are walkways connecting the various Greenbelts, and also to other malls. I wander around and find dinner at a Thai Restaurant in one of the malls. I then walk back to Greenbelt 3. It is about 9:00 PM. There is high school jazz band playing music (very good), and suddenly the sky erupts with fireworks. A very intense 10 minute show! This is only done during the Xmas season.
I find Café Havana and walk in. It is a smallish place inside, but lots of seating outside. It is not yet crowded, and I find a seat at the bar next to two ladies. I ask them what did they order, and they say Cappucino. Yes, that sounds good, and so I order one also. We sit and talk, and after about 20 minutes a band starts setting up, and by 10:00 PM we are listening to Latin beats. The band is quite good, and they play a good variety of music. Soon the dance floor is full. I stay until about 11:30. The place was really packed, and I must say the scenery was world class!
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