1. Around the World in 106 Days with Ray & Claire!! Part 19 – Manila

2. Today, the population of the urban area of Manila is around 16.3 million and the population of the whole country is at about 94 million, making the Philippines the world’s 12th most populous country.

3. The name Philippines comes from King Philip 2 nd of Spain who was married to Queen Mary 1 st of England

4. The island has a lot of American history from 1898 onwards, when USA “bought” the country for 20million US $ from Spain, ending their 400year old colony

5. Hours after the Pearl Harbour bombings in 1941, the Japanese invaded the Philippines and controlled the islands (all 7,500 of them) until the end of the War

6. The Rizal monument is dedicated to Jose Rizal, a doctor and a pacifist whose execution by the Spanish colonists on December 30th, 1896 sparked the Philippine revolution. This is also the location where the declaration of Philippine Independence from American rule was held on July 4th, 1946.

7. The Allied troops defeated the Japanese in 1945, but by the end of the war it is estimated over a million Filipinos had died On July 4, 1946, the Philippines attained its independence and work started on rebuilding the country after the ravages of war

8. Ferdinand Marcos was the 10 th President of the Philippines but his wife (Imelda Marcos) is probably more famous as a shoe shopper with over 3000 pairs of shoes in her wardrobe

9. Olive-Strewe people searching through rubbish in Manilas' s Smokey Mountain The economy improved during the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, who was elected president in 1992, but even today there is a distinct divide between the 60% of people living below the poverty line and the top 5% of millionaires

10. The Black Watch arrives in Manila

11. ...and is greeted by dancers and a band and (you guessed it, stallholders selling J..U..N..K)

12. During the night we found that a Preying Mantis had hitched a ride Some minor repairs to the dockyard

14. Our first stop was at the Manila Hotel which was the Headquarters of General McCarthy after the War

18. Nice pool but...no thank you, its raining and I don't want to get my costume wet

19. ...and as if to prove a point!!

20. The Rizal Monument and Park

22. The Intramuros area contains the walled city made by the Spanish in the 16th century

23. What is left of the US Forces Sgts Mess

24. The Gates of Fort Santiago

26. Its nice an cosy under here Ray – care to join us?

27. No thanks – its n ice and dry in here!

28. Dr Jose Rizal and his long walk to martyrdom

29. Dr Jose Rizal was a well known speaker and activists for the rights of people and his eventual execution by the Spanish Colonists in 1896 sparked the Philippine revolution Above left is a statue of the Dr in his cell and the footsteps marked his route to his place of execution

30. A local family say “Hello and welcome to Manila”

31. Shopping is a popular pastime in the Philippines (which probably accounts for Imelda Marcos’s love for shoes!) and The Mall of Asia is probably the biggest in the Philippines Fortunately our Couch Tour did not allow us to go inside the place!!

32. utside the Mall, is a huge Globe which, at sunset, presents a fantastic photographical opportunity

33. Manila skyline The Philippine Stock Exchange with the statue of Benigno Aquino Jr (Marcos‘s chief rival Opposition Leader in the 1980’s)

34. John Pennock Street during a quiet period! Notice the Jeepneys which serve the city as taxis

35. Jeepney’s These taxis (i.e. modified US Army Jeeps) can carry 15 passengers each side!

36. It was still raining - but we didn't let that stop our visit to the wonderful San Augustin Church and Monastery and the equally wonderful replica of a typical Spanish/Filipino house designed to withstand earthquakes being stone at the bottom and wood at the top.............

37. ....called Casa Manila Intramaros

38. The inside the house the rooms and their contents are exact replicas of the original that is still standing in Manila’s Chinatown

39. Roxas Boulevard looking North (our Ship was anchored at the northern edge of this picture)

40. But all too soon..........it is time for us to leave Manila

41. ..and so it was back to the Black Watch for a Smart Casual Tropical Night

42. South Seas here we come!!

44. Reg and Jean Keith and Claire

45. The Black Watch Show Company entertain Lucy...and the Team

47. .....and then it was time to “Buckle up and enjoy the next part of the ride” !!