Manila - 24th. February 2011

I rose at 5.30 am and was up on deck at 5.45 awaiting the dawn. The sun did not disappoint and between 6 and 6.30 I was greeted with the most beautiful of sunrises. I was alone on deck and marvelled at the beauty of nature.

Today was all about being a tourist with a full day’s excursion booked up into the highlands above the huge sprawling metropolitan city. Our coaches were small 20 seater mini-buses and we were whisked away at 8.30am escorted by four police on their motorcycles. We were told that they were there purely to help get us through the traffic but I think we all realised that in today’s climate of terrorist activity that they were actually there to offer us a modicum of protection. What horrendous publicity would be caused if a group of P & O tourists got highjacked !!!!!! Actually these four young policemen were the absolute highlight of the day. They sure did whisk us through the traffic – it was just like being royalty for at every intersection traffic was stopped so that our small convoy of mini-buses could speed through. When the roads got particularly congested one of the policemen would direct all traffic on the other side of the road into one lane so that we could go down the free lane (in the wrong direction) and so not be held up. At points where the traffic was light the two police in front of our convoy would show off and make their motorcycles “dance” for us. It was all tremendous fun and when we did eventually return to the ship at the end of the day it was they who got a tremendous cheer and many hand shakes.

But what did we see on this day out in the countryside? To start with we were taken to the “Bamboo Organ Church” which is exactly what it says – a church which houses an organ made almost entirely of bamboo. An organist even gave us a little tune on it during our tour and it really was most remarkable. We drove through shanty towns of grime and poverty and through beautiful countryside where the fields were planted with pineapples and bananas. Up and up we went until we were greeted with the sight of Lake Taal and its volcano within a volcano. What a tremendous view – and what luxurious surroundings we were in - The Taal View Heights Country Club which is only for the very richest of Philippine residents. I don’t think that we disgraced ourselves !

We sailed at 5.30 and again I was up on deck – but this time to catch the sunset. At this time of day I was definitely not alone but I was able to click away furiously on my camera trying to capture something of the magic as the sky burst into flame with reds and oranges streaking through the clouds. What a sight.

Next comes a relaxing day at sea before calling in at Borneo.