Intramuros Again and Manila Ecclesia

Sunday, 23rd October 2011

Having promised Silas at the beginning of our holiday that he could have a ride on a horse and carriage, we made good our promise this morning, by taking a taxi to Fort Santiago and taking a horse and carriage around Intramuros, with a guide.

Pretty fancy, hey

It was very informative, and Silas enjoyed sitting up next to the driver. Our horse's name was Richard. We were able to hop off at particular tourist spots for photos and Eden saw her very first wedding at the oldest catholic church in the Philippines. Apparently you have to book two years ahead for your special day, and there are about 6-8 weddings there a day!

Inside the church

Original road

Golf course around the walls

More of the original wall

Towards the end of the tour, we stopped at the souvenir shop, which offered 60% off the marked price to those people who had taken the tour. Not sure how much the prices were inflated in the first place. We had a look anyway, and saw lots of lovely souvenirs, but didn't buy anything, as our bags are already full to overflowing.

The tour ended at the entrance to Fort Santiago, where we tipped the driver and guide (and made their day), and then walked over the moat and through the ruins. It was really good doing this the second time, to hear a lot more about the history of the Philippines and feel like you understood a bit more about the place. We, in Australia are a very young nation.

Silas and Noah - the sentries

Our taxi drivers were really good today, using the meter automatically. Most of the time they are really good, it's just the few that try to overcharge you, which leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

After having our final meal at The Old Spaghetti House, which was a disaster as far as Noah's behaviour went (sleep time is not a good time to be eating out), we went back to Shalom to get ready for the memorial meeting at Rothman's. Last time we were at the meeting here, it was at 9.00am, this time at 2.30pm.

It was good to see everyone again and even some faces we weren't expecting to see, like Sis Janet Alabab. She is working in Manila, but originates for Bangui, Laoag, right at the very top of the Philippines. We weren't able to get up there this time, although we would have liked to – three months isn't long enough.

Matt gave the exhort on Mark 6 – Christ stilling the storm, and working together as an ecclesia. I really enjoyed it (maybe because Noah slept through most of it). After the memorial meeting, Bro Jeyrold did the lecture on “The Goodness and Severity of God”, which was done in Tagalog, but the powerpoint slides were in English.

After the meeting we took photos, and photos and photos. It was really nice to see Vads and Carina, and their baby Zain. We would have liked to spend more time with them, but alas, our time has come to an end. Another person it was great to see was Jet Jet Gimeno – Noah is named after Jet (Noah Ryan Jethro). The last time we saw Jet he was 12, and now he is all grown up. Time flies. Hopefully it won't be eight years before we see everyone again.

The Manila Ecclesia

Jet and Noah

Zain and Carina

With Sis Janet

Noah with Eman and Lovely

Jeyrold and Jet

Zain with Uncle Matt

Irene and Emerson

Emerson, Irene, Sarah, Noah, Carina, Zain and Vads

Saying goodbye was hard, and the walk back to Shalom was quiet. In a way, it would have been nice to go straight to the airport, and hop on a plane, but instead we went back to Robinsons for our final meal, and went back to Shalom to pack. How much stuff we have accumulated over three months is unbelievable. Even with all the things we have left behind, fitting everything in is a squeeze.

Another late night, again – actually an early morning. We need to go back to Australia for a rest.