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Norwegian Training Center in Manila

Sunday 26th of January 2014 and I woke up at 2 o'clock in the morning, 1 hour before my alarms (2 of them) was set to go off. I got dressed and I walked to my local 7 Eleven and I bought a bottle of Diet MAX. The car was waiting when I came down at 4 o'clock and we took off towards Suvarnabhumi Airport.

We arrived at 04:30 and I discovered that the check-in was closed, they didn't open until 05:00 and I was soon to discover that I had made a mistake with the departure time. Never mind, I had Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkokwoken up at 2 and as I was rested it was impossible to fall asleep again and I haven't lost any sleep. And it was quite nice walking around an empty Suvarnabhumi.

I sat down in the check-in lounge reading a magazine when I got bored with the empty Suvarnabhumi. There were some interesting things about Chiang Mai and I might go there for a weekend when I'm back home. I have not been there for 10 or 15 years and back then Chiang Mai was for sure nothing I wanted to visit again. Well, we see.

Check-in and I spent the time waiting by surfing the internet. They also had some excellent almond Danish in the Thai lounge so I tried a few of them. But what make them think it is comfortable to sit in an armchair having the computer on the floor?

A table should never be lower than the chair, I got pissed off and I went to get a higher table. Seriously, what are they thinking when the put tables just 20 cm high in a lounge? It is like going to a Japanese restaurant where you have to sit on the
Environmental impact

The most widespread use of disposable chopsticks is in Japan, where around a total of 24 billion pairs are used each year, which is equivalent to almost 200 pairs per person yearly. In China, an estimated 45 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks are produced yearly. This adds up to 1.66 Chopsticksmillion cubic metres of timber or 25 million fully grown trees every year.

In April 2006, the People's Republic of China imposed a five percent tax on disposable chopsticks to reduce waste of natural resources by over-consumption. This measure had the most effect in Japan as many of its disposable chopsticks are imported from China, which account for over 90% of the Japanese market.

American manufacturers have begun exporting American-made chopsticks to China, using sweet gum and poplar wood as these materials do not need to be artificially lightened with chemicals or bleach, and are appealing to Asian consumers. The USA also has an abundance of wood, reducing the number of trees that are cut down in Asia.

The American-born Taiwanese singer Leehom Wang has publicly advocated use of reusable chopsticks made from sustainable materials. In Japan, reusable chopsticks are known as maihashi or maibashi (マイ箸?, meaning "my chopsticks")

From Wikipedia
floor. Well, that is kind of OK comparing to sit on a chair with a table not much higher than the floor.

And when the rant is going I can as well continue with the chopsticks. There are spoons and fork and they still think eating with chop sticks is a very good idea. And I can't think of any situation or meal where the spoon and fork isn't better than the chop sticks. Environmental impact, we who are concerned about the environment wouldn't mind using a spoon and a fork.

Same thing with the stupid straw, every time at 7 Eleven they fill up a bag with straws if you buy a drink. Well of course, I always say no. Billions of straws everyday and it will end up in a disaster. Well, as I said to the Greenpeacers when we were cruising the Greek archipelago

They were going water skiing after the rubber boats and I asked them if this wasn't what we Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stwanted to stop. And I was very surprised by the answer.
- It is only us doing it
- And a billion of other people around the world


Thai Airways flight TG 620 departs from gate D1a so it looks like I will have to go by bus, an all time favourite. But I'm off to Manila and I will arrive just in time for lunch. Lunch at TEMPURA on Robinsons? Most likely.

We were delayed by 20 minutes or so when we took off. So it looks like it will be a late lunch. As soon as they turned off the “fasten seat belt” I reclined my seat and I felt asleep. I woke up with Aladdin's adventure on Manila International Airportsomeone hanging over me
- Excuse me, Sir
And it was repeated like a mantra and I opened my eyes.
- Do you want to eat?
- I'm sleeping!
- Oh! I'm sorry

At least a professional air stewardess should know never to wake up anyone sleeping on an airplane. Darn hard to fall asleep and when you finally have managed to fall asleep someone wakes you up. Well, the seat was comfortable, a Boeing 777 and I was soon asleep again. I woke up and it was 11 o'clock, well, I had forgot to adjust the time and it was Aladdin's adventure on Manila International Airport12:00 local time and we were descending to Manila. I could see that here were a lot of new high risers under construction when we flew in over Manila.

Nice to get off the plane and immigration was empty so this didn't take more than 2 minutes, but to get the bags was another story. Belt #2 TG 620 and a EVA flight. Waiting and suddenly someone came screaming that the luggage from Bangkok would come on belt #3.

But the screen still showed TG 620 and EVA Air on belt #2 and it still was when I left through the custom. ATM and I soon had 20 000 Peso in my valet and I went to look for a car.

I had forgot how it was in Manila, people asking for tips just because they talked to you.
- Where are you from?
- Do you have hotel?
- Where you go?

They went on and on and I just wanted to be left alone after my flight, and of course, they top off the whole thing with a:
- Do you have something for me?

We were soon at the hotel and you guessed it, even before we reached the hotel the driver was asking for tip. I told him that I didn't have any Pesos. We got out and when he opened the back of the car to get my luggage they brought a dog to sniff on my luggage. Most likely a bomb dog.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Well, the dog found nothing but old under wear

I checked-in to the hotel and as I'm going to stay here for 2 weeks I put my shirts in the built-in wardrobe. 1 shirt for every day plus 2 emergency shirts and I will have the laundry service in the Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilaweekend. I arranged my stuff and this will be my home for the next 2 week. Well, it didn't take long. But there is a difference coming for courses or to come for holiday. Holiday and it is never mind, you will most likely be drunk most of the time.

I left for Robinsons one block away. There had been no improvements in the area since I was here 3 or 4 years ago. Quite the opposite, everything looked even more run down than last time and back then I would have thought it was impossible. There was a Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stlady with a baby on the other side of the street and when she saw me she crossed the street.
- Sör!

She followed 3 meters behind me all the way to Robinsons and there was nothing stopping her. She went on and on.
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
- Sör!
And like this wasn't enough o drive you up the walls I also discovered that I had forgot my memory card for the camera in my computer. I went in to a shop at Robinsons but they didn't have any memory cards. I asked if he knew a shop nearby.
- On the third floor
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st - Hmm, third floor or go back to the hotel?

I was hungry, but I decided to go back to the hotel and as I was going back to the hotel I could as well bring some San Marino Tuna Paella and Diet MAX. I asked for Diet MAX at the hotel.
- We only have Coca Cola products
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st - Only Coca Cola products? Are you joking?
This was obviously a set-back and disappointment. So I will have to go buy Diet MAX in a convenient store close by and I could as well take this opportunity to buy a few bottles of the good stuff.

So I will have to fill up the mini bar with Diet MAX, but there is San Miguel Light so that won't be necessary. There is the Filipino mango juice, best in the world, but of course, I will have to check the mini bar for missing stuff for the hangover kit when we're approaching the weekend.
- But HEY! Why don't you buy San Miguel Light at the grocery store? Cheaper than the mini bar!
- HEY! We're in Manila! If I pay 50 Peso or 20 Peso, never mind. 30 Peso is exactly 0.0

San Marino Tuna Paella

I bought two cheese & ham croissants at the bakery and I ate them while looking for the Tuna Robinsons in ManilaPaella. I bought everything they had and 3 bottles of Diet MAX and I walked back to my room. I left for TEMPURA at Robinsons for the second time and this time I had the memory card in my camera.

I left towards Robinsons leaving my by now arranged hotel room, the only thing I need to do now is to get the staff to understand the chopped onions and tea routines. I didn't recognised any of the Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilastaff from last time i was here so it can take a few days to get them to understand the chopped onions and tea routines.

Last time I was in Manila there was there was a convenient store in the corner outside Robinsons, but this place was gone and they are building something new there now.

I stepped in to Robinsons and I walked straight to Tempura, Japanese grill on the ground floor. I was soon sitting down with the menu on front of me and I asked for some Teriyaki stuff plus a bottle of water and 2 bowls of steamed rice.

Aladdin's adventure at Tempura, Japanese grill in Manila

Aladdin's adventure at Tempura, Japanese grill in Manila
Teriyaki at Tempura

I had seen a Dairy Queen when I entered Robinsons and I can't remember having seen any Dairy Dairy Queen in ManilaQueen in Manila before. Well, anyway, I went over and I had a mango ice cream that I enjoyed while walking around Robinsons.

Dairy Queen, good to know, there might be some upcoming hangovers and a mango ice cream to alleviate the hangovers are not bad.

They were not able to provide me with many cans of Tuna Paella at Robinsons Dairy Queen in ManilaSupermarket. I asked at Thai Airways check-in this morning how much luggage I could bring back to Thailand
- 40 kilo
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st I made a quick calculation in my head and I realised that I could bring back 100 cans of Tuna Paella, that will be about 30 kg and that will be 40 kilos including my clothes.

So I decided to take a taxi to SM Supermarket at the Mall of Asia. I left Robinson behind with a very important decision, NO MORE RESTAURANTS IN MANILA. Only tuna and onion from now on. And tea of course. I will bring a can of tuna to school with a bottle or two of the Diet MAX and that will be Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilait. Well, anyway, I got in to a taxi and we were soon in a middle of a grid lock. I never experienced something like this in Manila before.

The driver had obviously never seen something like this before and he called someone. We were informed that Roxas Boulevard were closed and there was a Nino festival.
- What the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st is that? Can't the police put them on a soccer field or something? I asked

I gave up after more than one hour and 160 peso on the meter. I paid and I left the taxi behind. The traffic was at full stop and when I reached Roxas Boulevard I realised why. There are 4 or 5
Sto. Niño

The Sto. Niño is a representation of the Child Jesus which literally means “holy child.” Filipinos, being largely Roman Catholics, venerate and are faithful devotees of the Sto. Niño. Many feasts are offered in honour of the Child Jesus and are celebrated particularly in the month of January.

lanes in each direction and the South bound lanes were closed. There must have been a million of people and it was like a carnival with music and dance. They had decorated wagons for as long as I could see in each direction.

They were celebrating the Feast Day of Sto. Niño de Tondo and it was party, no alcohol, but it was very fun. They threw candy and there must have been a million of people along Roxas Blvd.

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard
All the wagons had number and the last wagon had number 190.
And many of the wagons had number 80A and 80B so there were more than 200 wagons in the parade

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Many beautiful girls

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
More beautiful girls coming down Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
More beautiful girls coming down Roxas Boulevard...

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
...and handsome guys

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Sto. Niño festival at Roxas Boulevard

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
There is no end to it

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Every one wanted to have their picture taken

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
Every one wanted to have their picture taken

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
There is no end to it

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
There is no end to it

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
There is no end to it

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
I went up on the bridge, but by then it was too dark

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
I went up on the bridge, but by then it was too dark

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
It goes on and on

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
It goes on and on

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
The pink TEAM

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
The pink TEAM

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
More wagons and people for as long as I can see

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
They have a good time

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
They have a good time

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
They have a good time

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
And everyone wanted to have pictures and to have their pictures taken
I was surprised not to see any other tourists here.
Everyone stopped me and wanted to have pictures and they wanted me to take pictures of them

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
And everyone wanted to have pictures and to have their pictures taken
First picture was not good so I asked her to take a second picture

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
And everyone wanted to have pictures and to have their pictures taken
When she took the second picture someone threw candy and the children started to chase the candy

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
And everyone wanted to have pictures and to have their pictures taken
When she took the second picture someone threw candy and the children started to chase the candy

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
And everyone wanted to have pictures and to have their pictures taken
Third picture and I gave up, she was obviously not going to make it

Aladdin's adventure on the feast day of Sto. Niño in Manila
The last wagon

When I reached something called HK something I discovered that it was there they started and the last wagon left when I arrive. My plan had been to go to SM Supermarket at Mall of Asia. Not far away, but now I had been running around for hours and I wanted to have a taxi.

I waited for an hour talking with people and when they started to move South I joined them towards Mall of Asia. All taxis were full and the South bound lanes were still blocked. I walked by Le Pavillon and I asked the guard for a taxi. He called someone on the radio and I was soon sitting in a taxi.

I bought all their San Marino Tuna Paella at SM Supermarket. I took the chance and I bought 6 bottles of Diet MAX and I walked back to the taxi stand. I was unlucky and I passed “The Aladdin's adventure at the Mall of Asia in ManilaPancake House” I don't know how I ended up there, but suddenly I had a cup tea and a crispy waffle in front of me. Well, it is the feast day of Sto. Niño today. But tomorrow it is a normal day with TUNA ONLY!

Mall of Asia in the night time and a taxi is not easy to find so I used the transportation service and I paid 350 Peso for a car to my hotel in Melate. And I was very happy after the Sto. Niño thing. It had been very interesting. And yet another reason to be vexed over that I didn't brought my real camera. There were plenty opportunities to get nice pictures at the parade. My small Canon just didn't make it, but it is better than nothing.


Monday 27th of January 2014 and they called me at 9 o'clock in the morning. I asked for a 9 o'clock wake-up call when I came back yesterday. My school starts at 14:00 but I don't want to stay in bed sleeping until 1 o'clock as it might be hard to fall a sleep tonight. A shower and I took a can of San Marino Tuna Paella and I went to the restaurant for my breakfast.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
They brought chopped onion

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
I added the San Marino Tuna Paella

The Tuna Paella wasn't as delicious as I remember and I decided right there and then that I wouldn't buy any more of the Tuna Paella to bring to Thailand. My very own TUNA & ONION SURPRISE ® is way better. At least I felt like this today, but the Tuna Paella might grow on me.

I enjoyed my tea, well, after the brought real milk. They gave me this condensed milk and I could Condensed milknot drink the tea. I called the waiter.
- Can I please have some fresh milk?
- You have milk, he said pointing at the condensed milk
- Can I please have some fresh milk?
- You have milk
- No, this is not milk
- You have milk
- No
- You have milk
- No
- You have milk
- Can I please have some fresh milk?
- You have milk, he said pointing at the condensed milk
- No, this is not milk
- What is that? He asked pointing at the milk
- That is condensed milk
- No it is vaporized milk
- What's the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st difference? I asked

Well, he went to get fresh milk.
- Thank you Sir, I said
Now the tea tasted good and I finished my tuna with onion and I was soon out of there. 3 hours to kill before it is time to go to school and I headed back to my room.

I was half asleep on my bed until 1 o'clock. I packed a can of tuna and two bottles of Diet MAX in my school bag and I went to look for a taxi. The bad thing with Norwegian Training Center is that there is nowhere to eat during the lunch break. Maybe good, or I would have been spending all the time eating at a restaurant. So a can of Tuna Paella comes in handy. I was in the restaurant asking Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilafor a spoon before I left the hotel.

I arrived to Norwegian Training Center 10 minutes before 2 o'clock. And even though I had not been at Norwegian Training Center since 2010 or 2011 they recognised me. Well, I'm used to it by now.

I was happy to learn that it was only me and one more guy for the course, maybe we can do this quick. 2 people are better than 12 student’s blah-blah-bla for hours and we're coming nowhere. The Teacher recognised me, it was the same Teacher I had last time I took the bridge Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilaresource management course. He asked what I did the course again.

We, we had a vetting complaints that there wasn't mentioned anything about “simulator” on my certificate so I have to do the course again.

Well, it was nice to be back in school and I felt as Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stgood when I started to study Thai again last week. We started with situation awareness and I don't remember all. It was 8 or 9 chapters. I got it all on a DVD, but I asked the Teacher if I couldn't have a binder instead. Hard to read from the computer screen.

I asked me to keep the DVD so I could give the DVD to some colleagues but I told him it was better they paid for the course if they wanted to DVD. And I have brought my school bag from Bangkok so I need something to put in the school bag. Cannot run around with an empty school bag.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
I'm ready to start the course

I had only had a can of Tuna Paella during the day so I was getting hungry. I had the can of Tuna Paella at 4 o'clock and it was delicious, maybe hunger is the best spice. I made a mental note to Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilabring 2 cans tomorrow. I also decided to top up my extra bag with Tuna Paella to bring back home to Bangkok.

We agreed on skipping lunch and coffee breaks and we could go home earlier. Good, that's what we have done during all my previous course, after pressure from me. 1 hour lunch break and here is exactly nothing to do in the area of the Norwegian Training Center. So it looks to be a good week ahead and I'm really looking forward to this.

It was dark when we left Norwegian Training Center and I had decided to go to Robinsons to have my dinner at Tempura, Japanese grill. Luckily enough I decided to have Tuna Paella in my room Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilainstead. I had tea and onion delivered by room service. The Tuna Paella is actually as good as I remember it to be. So what happened this morning?

Well, maybe I was thinking about the Cook and washing hands when I ate the onion & Tuna Paella surprise. And of course, the condensed milk was terrible.

Like I asked my Teacher in Bangkok when she told me that the food was excellent at the Asoke/ Sukhumvit protest site. She told me it was the best Cooks from some famous restaurant. Well, I don't believe that. I asked her where to bathroom was.
- ????
- Yes, they work 12 hours, where is the bathroom?
- They don’t need to go to the bathroom
- Where are they washing their hands?
- They go to Terminal 21
- Are you joking? The walk 1000 meters to go wash their hands, do you believe that?
- Oh, yes they are

But she didn't looked very confident and I guess the free food don't taste as good next time. Well, I would have to be pretty desperate before I eat anything along the street. Well, the BBQ they have at some places are good, but then it is delivered on a stick. But you don't see many of them around anymore. I realised that they were gone 15 to 20 years ago, before they had the BBQ carts all over Bangkok.

But back then they told me it was Thaksin who wanted to get rid of them to make Bangkok more like Europe and USA.

Well, anyway, I finished my Tuna Paella and I left for Robinsons to see if they had got any more of the San Marino Tuna Paella, and I also need more of the Diet MAX. They have a soda machine at Norwegian Training Center, but only Coca Cola products, undrinkable.

They had not got any new Tuna Paella, but I was happy anyway. I didn't stop for any ice cream. I went for a haircut and I lost 50 gram instead of gaining 500 gram. Very good and my diet is on the right track. For how many days? Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Hopefully for the remaining time in Manila.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila

Tuesday 28th of January 2014 and They called me at 9 o'clock and I had had a very good sleep during the night. I went for breakfast and today I had 2 cans of Tuna Paella with me to the restaurant. Strange, the Tuna Paella does not taste so good in the restaurant. I was back in bed waiting for the clock to turn 1 so I could go to school.

I did my Thai books yesterday evening and the plan is to read them again when coming back from school so I had nothing to do while waiting for the clock to become 1.

I left my room 10 minutes past one and I was soon talking with a taxi driver.
- Tesda, Taguig
- OK
I got in to the taxi and we took off Taxi Manilatowards Tesda. We had moved 10 meters on Mabini when the driver told me it was very long to Tesda and he wanted 50 peso extra.
I got furious. Believe me, this was not what I wished for and I screamed at the driver.
- What the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Take me back to the hotel!

This was not the reaction the driver had been hoping for and he told me he was sorry and we continued towards Tesda. And most of Manila is not any nice sight. 25 years ago Manila and Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in ManilaBangkok looked about the same, well, parts of Bangkok was better.

But otherwise pretty much the same. Bangkok today, it is a nice city. But what happened to Manila and the Philippines? It is the same and expect some high risers in Manila it looks the same as it did 25 years ago.

Back then you walked 50 meters along the streets in Bangkok and a white shirt had turned black. It had become a wee bit better in Manila but not much. In Thailand it is all new cars and many are using LPG as fuel. Manila, same cars as it was 25 years ago. What happened?

I had one Teacher a few years ago and he was on the battle field taking the radio station in Manila fighting Marcos. He told me he was disappointed and the Philippines are an embarrassment.
- We risked our lifes for what? This?

Now they have elected robbers and thieves running the country. Once one of the richest countries Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilain ASIA is now, well, Phnom Penh is not looking worse.

The Philippines, a beautiful country and it is cheap so all the tourist going to Thailand could as well come here. But the rivers and cities are full of garbage and beautiful scenery is destroyed. Manila looks like a garbage dump with garbage all over and a few years ago Manila was under water because the sewers were full of garbage.

Now you think they have learnt something, no, it is still the same. So the only tourists coming are the sex tourists. Who would like to bring the family here? Walking around in a slum full of garbage.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Manila 2014 - Same as when I was here 25 years ago

I arrived to school quarter to 2 and I went to the office to read a magazine while waiting. There Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilawere 3 Teachers and they all recognised me.
- You are back!
- Of course!
We started to talk and the time disappeared and they had to come down in the office to get me for class.

We were in room 301 today, simulator and we would spend the whole day in the simulator, this can be fun. I open my school bag and I arranged my Tuna Paella cans (today I brought a double Tuna Paella) and 2 bottles of Diet MAX on the simulator bridge. Now I'm ready to take on anything and we will do this without lunch breaks or coffee breaks and we can go home earlier than the scheduled time 21:00. Good!

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Simulator at Norwegian Training Center

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Simulator at Norwegian Training Center

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Our Teacher is setting up the simulator

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Our Teacher following us from the "control room"

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Our tracks are recorded

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Running the simulator

We finished all the exercises quarter past 7 and that's even though we had run a few extra “experimental” exercises. We finished at 7 and our Cadet had started the last exercise, with a terrible result. Of course, he is 19 years old and this is his first time. I completed the drill and the Teacher was screaming from the control room
- Like a fan, beautiful!!!
He followed our tracks and we were going from stand still, turn around 180° and get out from the anchorage. Easy, but there were 4 ships next to us and we only had 2 ships length to turn around on. We were in the control room laughing at the Cadets tracks and admiring my “fan” The Teacher asked the Cadet if he wanted to try one more time.
- Or we go home... Our Teacher suggested

I could see that our Cadet wanted to try one more time, but as he is a Filipino it was all Sir, Sir and Sir and nothing about what he wanted. So he didn't dare to say that he wanted to do it one more time. Scared that our Teacher and I wanted to go home but I could see that he wanted to run the simulator again.
- Of course you want to do it! I said
He smiled and I said:
- Let's fire up the simulator again.

Our Teacher and I gave him pointers and when he started he did an excellent job and the Teacher was screaming from the control room.
- Looks like a motherfoocking fan!

We left Norwegian Training Center and our Cadet was very happy. I grabbed a taxi and I was soon in my room having a quick San Marino Tuna Paella before I took off to Robinsons. I was going to Tempura, Japanese grill in ManilaTempura, the Japanese Grill. And I wanted to check out Robinsons Supermarket if they had got any delivery of Tuna Paella.

I was dreaming about Teriyaki during the 23 minutes’ walk to Robinsons, but when I reached Tempura I regret my decision. Diet or bust! I will be dead in 15 or 20 years and I really want to obtain my V-shaped torso before I die. Or they will have to use a foocking Caterpillar to get me out of my apartment.

I walked right pass Tempura, the Japanese grill and I passed Dairy Queen as well. I really wanted Hangover in Manilato stop. Well, I'm pretty sure I will come by to cure my hangover, or at least to alleviate the hangover on Sunday.

I steered well clear of all temptation and I ended up at Robinsons Supermarket. I went straight to the aisle with San Marino Tuna Paellacanned fish. Still an empty gap where I took the last 30 or 40 cans of San Marino Tuna Paella last Sunday.

There was a guy filling up the shelves with tuna cans and I asked him for Tuna Paella.
- No more
- Can you please check the store room.
I saw that he had boxes of tuna in a shopping cart and they contained 48 cans. So I told him that I needed 1 box.
- One moment Sir!
- He was soon back and he told me that he only had 35 cans.
- OK, let's go to find the cans
I followed the guy thinking about the purchasing manager at Robinsons Supermarket. They are all computerized and when I was here last Sunday to buy all their Tuna Paella is should have set off an alarm on the purchasing manager's computer.
WE'RE RUNNING ALARMINGLY LOW ON THE TUNA PAELLA!!!!!

Well, the guy brought me to a shelve and he filled up my shopping basked with the last Tuna Paella can, and it was not 35 cans. There were 42 cans and I told him that I would take all of them. Now I hope there is a huge steam whistle going off at the purchasing manager's office.
WE'RE RUNNING EMBARRASSINGLY LOW ON THE TUNA PAELLA!!!!!

I said thank you and I left to look for Mango juice, can come in handy if I wake San Marino Tuna Paellaup with a hangover this very upcoming weekend. Better off being prepared.

I asked one of the staff if they had Mango Juice and he pointed at a shelf, and I didn't recognise any of the brands.
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st - Hmm, last time all of them were pretty good.

They had the Minute Maid, same as in Bangkok, but Minute MaidI don't understand how you can make the best orange juice ever and fail so with the mango juice. So Minute Maid Mango was an obvious “skip”

There wasn't much space in the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stshopping basket, but I filled up the remaining space with Mango Juice and I put 2 bottles of Diet MAX on top of everything and I went to the cashier.

I walked back to my hotel and I was soon in my bed with my Thai books. Tomorrow is the last day we start school in the afternoon. Thursday and Friday and we will start at 9 o'clock in the morning. A good thing is that I managed to talk them out from starting 7 o'clock in the morning. 7 o'clock is OK, but 7 and I would have had to wake up 5 thirty. And we will finish early afternoon and I can spend the afternoons exploring Manila. Just hope Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st I can avoid exploring any new restaurants.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila

Wednesday 29th of January 2014 and when I woke up I was soon to discover that they had forgot to wake me up this morning, it was 9 thirty. I had a shower and I went for breakfast.

I brought my Tuna Paella, 2 cans and I took a seat at a table next to an old couple from Guam. They were drinking coffee from beer jugs and I asked the Waiter for a beer jug for my tea. Strange, I usually have 3 cups of tea in front of me and the Waiter should have suggested the Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilabeer jug. Well, now I know and I will use the beer jug from now on. And when I have my tea and onion with the room service I will also ask for the beer jug.

I had my onion and tuna cans before I returned to my room and my Thai books, good, no need to Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stthink about reading the Thai books tonight.

I made a stop at the “Business Centre” to make a print and a copy before I left to look for a taxi. So I was a wee bit later than normal today and it was almost 1 thirty when I was sitting in the taxi. We turned off Roxas Boulevard and we were soon stuck in the traffic.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Views from Manila City on my way to school

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Views from Manila City on my way to school

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila
Views from Manila City on my way to school

I reached school 5 minutes before school and we were soon started with the simulator again. The first exercise took 4 hours and when we were ready we had the Cadet to do one drill and that took Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilaus about one hour and it was almost 8 o'clock when we left school.

I had 2 quick cans of Tuna Paella when I was back on my room and it was 8 thirty when I left for Robinsons. I wanted to have a Pizza and I went to Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stlook for a pizzeria.

I was lucky, everything closes at 9 and they were closing when I arrived. I also tried a coffee shop with some nice looking cakes, luckily enough they were also closed and Tempura was full. So I went to check out Robinsons supermarket to see if they had replenished their stock of Tuna Paella, not surprises, a disappointment.

Well, soon weekend and the chances are, well, slight, but anyway there is a risk for an upcoming hangover. A hangover kit can come in handy. I went to look for some choco milk and strawberry milk. I could only find the choco milk. But I found Mango drinking yogurt!!!

I sent an e-mail to my friends a few weeks ago stating that I had given up drinking. He was obviously thinking that I meant San Miguel Light, but I meant Aladdin's adventure with NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt Drink, Mesmerizing Mango in Manilathe orange flavoured drinking yogurt.

NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt Drink, Mesmerizing Mango this is something that really have a great potential to become the best drink ever. I bought one bottle, I don't want to find out it taste like and I will sit there with a Aladdin's adventure with NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt Drink, Mesmerizing Mango in Manilacubic ton of NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt Drink, Mesmerizing Mango that I can't drink. So I will buy a bottle to try. I topped up my sopping basked with a few bottles of Diet MAX and I returned to my room.

I stopped at the restaurant and I ordered a pot of tea and some chopped onion to my room. As soon as I was in my room I ripped open the bottle of NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt Drink, Mesmerizing Mango.

FOOCKING HELL!!! WE HAVE A MOTHERFOOCKING WINNER!! This was the best drink ever. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stYes, we have a winner and I will be back to Robinsons Supermarket tomorrow to buy more of the NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt Drink, Mesmerizing Mango. It is Hangover Manalmost like I'm looking forward to my hangover.

I don't understand Thailand, I have been looking for Mango juice in Thailand for I don't know how many years, they have plenty Mango in Thailand. Of course, the best Mango in the world is from the Philippines. And in Philippines they have everything Mango, ice cream, juice, yogurt and much more. Why don't they export some to Bangkok? Well, maybe I'm lucky, I could have been two cubic ton instead of one cubic ton.

They knocked on my door and they delivered a “mega” thermos with hot tea with a bowl of chopped onion. A beer jug to drink from and all to the cost of 0.0


Thursday 30th of January 2014 and it felt like I just had felt asleep when they called to wake me up quarter past 7. 15 minutes’ early, what the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st?

I got in to the shower, the last shower in this room. I haven't had any hot water since I moved in Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stand it had not been a real pleasure with the showers. So yesterday I decided to get a new room or to ask them to check the hot water today.

Well, anyway, I opened the tap in the sink this morning and the valve was in the “left” position. I Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stbrushed my teeth and suddenly it was like steam coming out. I got in to the shower and I turned the valve from right to left and suddenly I had hot water.

Darn, 4 days with cold water. I had tried the right position but as it wasn't coming hot water instantly I turned the valve over again. Actually, it felt a wee bit colder when I changed to the hot side.

So, no need to ask for a new room and the water was so hot it was steam coming out from the shower head. And it was a very nice shower and thus I was late for breakfast and I arrived to school in the nick of time. I had breakfast with the old couple from Guam but I only had time for one beer jug of beer and 2 very quick cans of Tuna Paella. I was off to school in a taxi and I was in a very good mood due to the hot water.


We were going to run the simulator today again and we got started as soon as I had set up my bottles with Diet MAX and my cans with Tuna Paella. Today we were driving in River Schelde Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilaoutside Antwerp and it was fun with the manoeuvring. But the tedium was overwhelming when we were driving in the River Schelde and nothing much happened.

But we had yet another chance to perform the “fan” manoeuvre turning 180° in the River Schelde.

We did 2 exercises in River Schelde before we watched a move about a grounding outside Fawley. It had been a good day and we will come back for the test plus some other stuff tomorrow and then I have finished my first course and week in Manila.

We started in the morning so we we're in the middle of the afternoon traffic going back to the Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manilahotel. But the Driver took a different way and we were soon reaching Mabini Street and my hotel

159 Peso for the ride and I gave the driver a 500 Peso bill.
- Give me 300
He only had 240 Peso in change and I told him it was OK.

He took a different way to the hotel and I didn't recognised the way as it was the first time, or just simply because the cars are very small and I can't see anything outside the windows, only street and legs on people we're passing. We were stuck in the traffic.
- Where the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st are you going? Why not going in the other direction as I use to go every day?
- Traffic in the other direction
- Yes, we're stuck here as well.

was questioning his decision. So I gave him 260 Peso for the ride. Good to be able to buy myself some good consciousness. I went to the security locker to pick up an ATM card. I withdrew 20 000 Peso when I arrived and it seems to be impossible to spend the money here. But an upcoming weekend and I'm better of having some extra “buying” power in my valet.

Yes, 2 or 3 extra Peso in the pocket can come in handy. I left for Mall of Asia and it took us about 7 minutes to get there in a taxi.

I was walking on thin ice, finish school in the evening and no time to go to any restaurant. But now Aladdin's adventure at Crazy Crepes at Mall of Asia in Manilait was 3 o'clock in the afternoon and there were plenty restaurants. I passed a Crazy Crepes and I just glanced on their display. Almond Crepes, that sounds good.

After all these years I have finally learnt that a crepe is what we call a pancake in Europe, and that's the good kind of pancake. If you ask for pancakes in this part of the world they give you an American pancake. An American pancake is like a fried sponge cake and it is terrible, so when outside Europe Aladdin's adventure at Crazy Crepes at Mall of Asia in Manilayou will have to ask for crepes.

Anyway, I decided to try a Almond crepe and I Aladdin's adventure at Crazy Crepes at Mall of Asia in Manilapaid 70 Peso and I was soon having the crepe. Good, well, it was not bad.

The darn Almond crepe lasted about three steps and it was gone. Were not much of it and the crepe disappeared like an aspirin. I continued and when I was about 10 meters from Crazy Crepes I heard a girl behind me. I turned around. It was a girl driving an electric car. She pointed at the seat next to her and she wanted me to come sit next to her.
- I will take you on a tour around Mall of Asia!
I was reluctant at least to say, this is a car, or more like a cart they transport invalidos, old people etc with. How would it look if she was driving around with a few ton of Aladdin next to her?
- HEY! LOOK AT PORKY HE CAN'T WALK BY HIMSELF!!!!
Never mind, I decided to say yes to her offer and we were soon taking off to explore Mall of Asia.

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
I was offered a tour around Mall of Asia

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
We're ready to take off on an exciting tour around Mall of Asia

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
Flytta er för helvete! Här kommer vi!

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
We stopped to have a “romantic” look over Manila Bay

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
OK, this was the best he could do. A waste of time to take this picture

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
För HELVETE!!! Kan ni inte se att d kommer VIP folk som vill komma fram??!!

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
Men för SATAN!!! Hubba er!

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
I suggested that we should try to chase some of the shoppers with the car

This ride was maybe the most fun I have had in Manila, at least since the festivities last Sunday on Roxas Boulevard. Ok, it was fun all the way until she told me she was single. OK, by then I had seen most of the Mall of Asia, we had been at every corner and it was better that we went back. I got off the car/ cart where we had started and there was a group of Japanese tourists that wanted to take our picture.
- OK, enough of the fun already!

We had passed a few art shops on our tour and I went to look for them, but there wasn't anything I liked so I left. I passed a steak house and must have been the boredom making me approaching the menu in the window. The US Sirloin rib eye looked delicious on the menu and I asked what side dishes they had.
- Do you have spinach?
He went out in the kitchen and he came back and told me they had spinach.
- Creamed?
- We can do that
- Good

I took a seat and I asked for Mozzarella fried cheese balls and the US Sirloin. I went to the bar and I went through their inventory of glasses. I found the biggest glass and I asked them to fill it with tea. And they only had Yellow Label tea, but that is better than nothing.
- And some cold milk please

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
Mozzarella cheese

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
US Sirloin Rib eye with creamed spinach

I was stroke by agony even before the food came on the table. The Mozzarella wasn't very good and the US sirloin was mostly fat, maybe good because I cut of half the steak. The creamed Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manilaspinach, I did not even try it. I paid 1600 Peso, about 1200 for the steak and the Tuna Paella would have been much better. It was not a bad steak, but the Tuna Paella is way better.

I left the restaurant and I knew that I would never come back. Now I was looking for a place to buy cigarettes to get rid of the taste in my mouth. It was not a Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stbad after taste. But it was the taste of “I could really have an ice cream now” and ice cream would have been the deathblow to my diet.

I passed a shop and the staff started to do a number at the entrance when I passed. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stObviously not enough to sell stuff, the staff have do dance as well. I would have been too embarrassed, but most Filipinos like to dance and sing.

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
They gave us the full dance and song at KULTURA Filipino

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
They gave us the full dance and song at KULTURA Filipino

I passed the ice rink and I stopped to have a look, the rink was full of people and the air is quite cool around the rink, so it is both fun and comfortable to hang around looking at the people skating. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stSame at world trade center in Bangkok, and they are good at skating. There were at least 5 people with a yellow jacket saying “Coach figure skating”

There were 4 young children training and 2 beautiful girls training figure skating. But no one had a Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.sthelmet on, well, except one guy. He was wearing full hockey gear and it was most likely his daughter with the hockey stick. It was fun to see her, maybe 6 years old and the hockey stick looked a wee bit out of her size.

Maybe upcoming ice hockey champions from Asia, they were playing hockey at world trade center in Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stBangkok as well. And I knew a guy from Finland living in Bangkok 20 to 25 years ago. He Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stwas playing hockey in Bangkok and they travelled to Dubai, Hong Kong etc to play matches. I don’t remember if they won anything, but I don’t think Malmö ice hockey or Rögle will lose any sleep over it.

I stayed for 15 or 20 minutes and I had to leave before they called the Police, never know Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stwhat they think about an old guy with a camera hanging around the ice rink watching Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stchildren ice skating. But I could not help wondering why they didnt had any helmet while ice skating. If I had a child on the ice I would at least have had them to wear a helmet. Yeah, I know, why not wear a helmet while walking?

Well, some of these people came down the ice in hundreds of kilometres and if they fall hitting their head it will be tears. Well, I'm out of here to go look for a place to buy cigarettes.

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
Ice rink at Mall of Asia

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
Ice rink at Mall of Asia
If this was your daughter, would you have told her to use a helmet?
Look at what must be her father, full protection!

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila

Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
Aladdin's adventure at Mall of Asia in Manila
I don't think the Coach is telling her to use a helmet

I managed to dodge the ice cream and I was soon sitting in a taxi bound for Robinsons. Let's see if they have replenished their Tuna Paella. I stopped at a coffee shop at Robinsons, they had apple pie with nuts. Sounded great!
- What do you serve with the apple pie
- Whipped cream
- No vanilla sauce?
Lucky me, if they have had the vanilla sauce I would have stayed for tea and apple pie. Yes, the perils of finishing school early afternoon. But it is better than trying to alleviate the boredom by Asian Timesbanging my head in the wall in my hotel room. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st

Surfing the internet reading about the protests and upcoming election in Thailand is getting boring after a while and the tedium drives me out on the streets. And there are plenty restaurants around. But today I found an interesting article in Asia Times about the Thai election So I was reading this and I was soon forgetting about my Thai school books. And I don't remember last time I saw a Learn Thai with Mod or a Alif Silpachai video.

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila

Friday 31st of January 2014 and they called at 7 thirty, I asked for an 7 forty five wake up call, but yesterday they called 15 minutes early and I adjusted the wake up time for today. And as expected, they called 15 minutes early. We did 2 simulator exercises and we had the test and both of us passed with flying colours.

They needed an hour to make my certificates, but as I will come back for my FRAMO course next week I left. I can pick up my certificate on Monday. I took a taxi back to my hotel and I asked for a pot of tea and I had 2 cans of tuna.

I read my e-mails and i checked in to Bangkok Banks' online bank to see if there were any interesting messages. They always fill up my post box with CDs and I lost it last time I emptied the post box from all the CDs from Bangkok Bank. What a waste of our recourses!

There are all the horror/ action movies about how we live in the future when we finally have managed to destroy our world. So we have a pretty good idea on how it will look in the future.

People are scared about climate changes, but they keep up their life style and everyone wants to have children. But they don't give a second thought on what they leave behind for their children. Imagine the future children.

- Mommy mommy, daddy daddy! Why can't we go swim in the sea? Where are all the wild animals? Where are the clean water and the forests?
- We had to make CDs to send to our customers and we needed a fleet of trucks to deliver them!

Of course, I wanted a stop to this nonsense and I sent them a message.

Bangkok

I was enjoying my tea reading about the upcoming election in Thailand when they came to clean my room. When they were ready I had a shower and it is the official beginning of the weekend!

Aladdin's adventure at Norwegian Training Center in Manila

I called room service and the brought 2 bottles of San Miguel Light in a jiff. What about the TAXI CD? Well, I don't have any blank CDs. So I need to go to 7 Eleven to buy but they didn't had any blank CDs so I had to go to Robinsons. All the girls wanted to touch me and they said it was to give them good luck. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st Is this because of the Chinese Charisma Man in ManilaNew Year? I don't know, but here in Manila all the beautiful girls smile at me and they want to stop Charisma Man and talk. Or to take him on a tour around the mall.

What a difference from Bangkok where all the beautiful girls spitting and sputter at me. Well, seems like our hero is under attack. Can he defend himself? Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st
Friday night in Manila and this can of course be dangerous. Will our hero wake up newly married tomorrow? For sure, I hope not!

Charisma Man in Manila

All flights to Copenhagen with Thai Airways was full on the 12th of May so I had to make a reservation for the 11th of May returning home on the 24th of May and after that I will Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st hopefully not have to go to Sweden for another 5 years. I need to have my fire fighting course in Sweden every 5 years and I try to plan for it so I can take them in the spring time. October to April is just not a option to go to Sweden.

Flying to Copenhagen and train from there to Helsingborg so I will stay in Skåne for a few days. Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stBangkok is better, well, at least now, in May we might have a full civil war raging on the streets of Bangkok.

For them that say that this is impossible: Beirut was once (not long ago) the Paris of the Middle East. Well, anyway, I'm looking forward to 2 things in Skåne.
Laxbutiken
• I will keep an eye out for any PAP & Emblem concerts
• Rent a car and drive to Laxbtiken The best salmon in the world?
• Swedish spring rolls
Well, that was actually 3 things. Otherwise nothing to look forward to

Skåne staajl - Baggy jeans, kepsen på sne

I bought two bottles of San Miguel Light in the hotel bar before I left the hotel. I stopped a taxi Aladdin's adventure with San Miguel Light in Manilaoutside the hotel and I asked if he had a “working” CD player.
- Yes
I got in to the taxi and I handed him my CD and I opened a San Miguel Light.

I told the driver to take me to the Fort, one of the party areas in Manila.

If Melate, where I live is like we would imagine an African city to look like, it was totally different at the Fort. Looks like Bangkok and I might go live here next time, close to school. But last time I was here this area was an boring area. Still one of the party areas though.

But apart from that it was only offices and the place is not very exciting. Living in Makati is also very boring. Only banks and offices. Melate is nice with Robinsons and Mall of Asia.

Aladdin's adventure with San Miguel Light in Manila
Tony Roma's, now at the Fort
I don't know if they moved from Glorieta or if they have 2 branches in Manila

Aladdin's adventure with San Miguel Light in Manila
The Fort in Manila

I got out of the taxi and I could hear music and I went to investigate. The music came from the 3rd floor and I asked for directions at a restaurant. The restaurants were full, but the pubs seemed to be empty. Of course, it was only 7 o'clock. I missed the music on the 3rd floor as I ended up at a bar and we were soon having the TAXI CD on full blast.

I was alone at the place, I don't even think they had opened when I came in. They had the staff meeting when I opened the door.
- No music?
I turned around but they told me to come in and they turned on the TAXI CD. WOW, PAP & Emblem for the first time in Manila. And what an introduction, instant success, the staff was turning up the volume all the time and new customers came in. Only girls! As I always said, it is easy to attract customers with the music. Good music, of course, not any R&B bull shit.

I had several bottles of San Miguel Light, they played the TAXI CD 2 times and when they started the CD the third time I asked for the CD and I left. I had not been eating so I went to look for Aladdin's adventure with San Miguel Light in Manilasome salmon and hot sake.

I passed a Japanese restaurant when I got out of the taxi and I went back for some salmon ( and Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st hopefully avocado) maki. They didn't had maki, but they had salmon sushimi and I got half of an avocado, delicious. I ordered one more avocado and one more salmon.

I asked for hot sake and I'm used to get it in small ceramic jars. She brought me a bottle.
- Is this sake OK? She asked (What the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st do I know)
- I suppose so, I said.

I asked her if I could get the sake hot, very hot. She said and she took off. I have been drinking sake in many countries and restaurant and hot sake is brought in small ceramic jars. They brought a small Aladdin's adventure with San Miguel Light in Manilajar and a glass. OK, so far normal.

I tried the sake and it was terrible, tasted almost like Jägermeister or cough medicine. A taste of liquorice and to make things worse the Waitress was soon bringing a pot.

The pot was in the size of a super tanker, just the size I wish they had at some places I use to drink tea at.

I had obviously bought a whole bottle of this liquorice tasting sake. Well, thinking of it, maybe lucky I could not drink the sake. Imagine drinking 2 litres of sake on top of Aladdin's adventure with San Miguel Light in Manilathe San Miguel Light. A disaster, we're drinking responsibly now a day.

I paid my bill and I left the sake behind. I took a taxi back to Mabini Street and I got out of the taxi in the middle of the Chinese New Year’s celebrations.

There were fireworks and people running around dressed like dragons. The fire work was terrible, the street was full of smoke and I had to take cover in a bar. And I was very unlucky, it was a bar slash restaurant and I was soon having a pizza in front of me. 2 glasses of tea and I returned to my hotel for some sleep.

Chinese New Year in Manila
Chinese New Year on Mabini Street

Chinese New Year in Manila
Chinese New Year on Mabini Street

Chinese New Year in Manila
Chinese New Year on Mabini Street

Chinese New Year in Manila
Chinese New Year on Mabini Street

So January have come to an end and a new month and a new Chinese year, the year of the horse I think will start tomorrow. I think it is the year of the horse, when we were in Singapore they told me it was the year of the horse. Bt Chinese with their English and I thought they said the Ghost
- Year of the ghost? I asked
They were laughing.
- That would be fun
Well, any way, let's check out if it is the year of the horse or the ghost, so HANG ON!



       
                  

OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!

Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra

Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!

คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next” ข้างบนนี้

Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

Flag of Skåne / Skånska flaggan Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.


                                       

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