Week 36 (Philippines (Manila) and Japan (Tokyo))

02/22

Slept long again. Somwhow i must be overtired ... i think. Feel good though.
Anyway, did a coffee in the park (a very nice old lady, victim of last years typhoon in Tacloban, runs a little coffee shop there (we talk easily)), went to the Mall to get shirts, socks and underwear. Even the largest are too small for me, so... just (too small) underwear. Go out later for a second try. Now cooling down in the airconned hotelroom. It's 33 celcius outside. Did the media, read the news ... laterz.

Slept again (man, what's the matter with me?), then did a 4K run in the Park. Showered and ate in nearby restaurant. Little stroll, but no PL football to be seen.

Back in the lobby. About to publish week 35 of my blog. Laterz.

Ad so i did. Slept long for the third night in a row after watching another QM documentary.


02/23

Slept long, did the media. About to have breakfast. Laterz.

Breakfasted with spaghetti and a coke at the nearby Jolly Bee (kind of McDonalds).

To the nearby mall twice. Bought new shirts, socks and underwear. Underwear was supposed to be Large. Well, i don't want to brag, but i went back and exchanged it for XXL. Took me the biggest part of the day actually. Did it in slow pace and i rose late.

Ate dinner at the park (no running ... my right hip hurts (it's a bit better now, but gonna take it easy for a while .. did quit a bit of milage ... )). A beer at the beer garden, now updating blog in the lounge of the hotel. Laterz.


02/24

Last day in MNL before take off to Tokyo. Woke up late again (sleep so much lately), breakfast in the park, strolled to a new part of town. Discovered a huge mall, with nice cinema (going to see some movies there later ...). Bought some more clothes (rest is so dirty and worn out). Ate delicious (greek salad and garlic cheesed bread ... hmm). Watched some tele, now updating blog in lounge hotel. Days get a certain pattern huh? Tomorrow off to Japan. Curious about it. Gonna see Mount Fuji (Mariya promised). Looking forward to that. And to see my dear friend of course! Laterz...

Did not sleep well! 4 hours only! Huh? Nervous?


02/25

Slept until 9 or so. Woke up, packed, said goobye and off to the airport. In time, coz traffic is chaos here ... and then everything goes smoothly , so arrive far too early at the airport (yes happened before). Had pancakes with sirup for breakfast and a big mug of coffee at the airports Jolly Bee. Yummy! Checked in (really fast (that's unusual in Phil) and then ... waiting ... There's wifi, so ... lets see what everybody on FB is doing. Laterz.
Had a nice chat with Luit (happens quit often actually (he can't sleep then and i just woke up)). So ... 1 hour before boarding ... tralala ... *sigh* .

Boarded too late, left too late, so.. sorry Mariya, will brobably arrive too late as well. Nice teriyaki chicken on board though. Laterz ...

When I landed Mariya was there with a big hug. So good to see her again. She brought me a (brand new!) coat and a jumper, since i only have some shirts and the climate is cold here. We took the train to Funabashi. Had a glas of wine at her friends (Joanne) bar "The Lighthouse".

Then to Mariya's house ... man, am I being spoiled! she bought me some more clothes (complete wardrobe), there was champagne, lovely cheeses, to go short ... i'll never come back  in Holland... well .. so to speak.
Slept bad (since we shared a bed ... ), but stayed in bed till 11.00.


02/26

Than a hot bath (yes, shared too ... mind?) and a great breakfast. Raining now, so no Tokyo Bay yet. Laterz (have to be carefull with the batteries (110 V here, so no recharging possible)).

Went out to go shopping in a big mall round 16.00. Umbrella's needed. Ate sushi and some other nice food in a local restaurant. My shoes turned out to be very water unproof ... wet feet which caused (later) a lot of pain in my right heel (dutch: hielspoor). For the time being no running and hardly any walking. Will be a problem I'm afraid.

Anyway, back home, watching movies, over wine and beer. Slept bad (3rd ight in a row) due to my painfull heel). Still love to be here though. Will be hard to explore Tokyo and Mt Fuji, but lets see how it goes.


02/27

Woke up early. Mariya rose (she went to bed earlier than me) and I slept another 1.5 hour. (...) Breakfasted. Walking is impossible. My heel hurts like hell. So, let's try biking. Laterz.


Erika (M's daughter) paid us a visit and lend us her bike, so we went to the mall first (to get me new sporting shoes, so i can walk a little), then we biked to the station, where we took the train to central Tokyo. Sun shone, lovely day. Strolled through Tokyo.

Heertje?

Ran into M's friend (Tumomi), who paid us belated lunch. Explored town some more and then back to Funabashi by train. Got our bikes, stopped at the lighthouse (bar, owned by M's friend (Joanna)), where we had a small party (they love karaoke here) with M's friends (Gena, Bebe and Helen). They all sang. Some of them really well. Went home, saw some last television and slept like an ox finally.


02/28

Woke up early, but stayed in bed long (...). Took a hot bath, had the best breakfast/brunch ever (so many new tasts here). M's taking a bath now. Plan to go cycling to Tokyo bay. Laterz.

And cycling we did. To Tokyo Bay. Nice and sunny weather. Lovely trip, two happy people.

Had a bath, then to a restaurant to have real japanese food with M and her 3 daughters (Karen, Erika and Mariya jr.). I was afraid it may become a bit dull evening, everybody being a bit shy, but... it was great fun. 4 very funny ladies. Silly to the bone and so... lots of laughs.

Went home, slept really well and long. No details.