There’s no escaping it, I’m going to be doing an awful lot of typing in these next few days. If I thought journaling Japan was tough for 2 weeks then I can only pray to God that he gives me the strength to write for 7.

Let’s start at the airport. Where adventures begin. I’ll happily admit to feeling the nerves set in when mum dropped me off. However with the famous GOI approach (Get over it, get on with it) I checked my bags in, waltzed through security, got told off for waltzing and then spent the next 20 minutes in a state of considerable stress hunting down the seemingly non-existent donut store, finally I satisfied myself with a chocolate brownie. I also nearly walked straight into a mirror and had a bewildering thought of “who else in this airport can possibly be carrying a ukulele?!”. Mirrors… They fool me every time without exception.

As I boarded the airplane I felt the deliciously cool sensation of the entrance tunnel, was greeted with a “Good morning Mr I”, I feel like dad… It’s not often I’m addressed as Mr I. The take off was wonderful, I class wonderful as not ending up as a fiery meteorite plummeting out of the sky.

On the journey I rediscovered David Scheet who is a comedian with a piano who I intend to find in Adelaide when I return. As the plane came down to land the guy next to me seemed quite determined to open a conversation and due to his clenching hands I deduced it was to calm his nerves a bit. We talked about travel generally and what he was doing in Sydney.

Afterwards I departed the aircraft and walked my way down to the shuttle bus, with all the signs around I’m starting to believe that even a child can do this. So far no calamities have occurred save me forgetting about pressure and nearly choking to death after opening my water bottle at 18,000 feet.

Had lunch after I boarded at Sydney. I honestly haven’t the faintest idea why people say airplane food is terrible. I had an absolutely amazing beef curry. It was so tender, and the raspberry muesli bar made for a delightful dessert. I watched Superman, man of steel, I enjoyed it immensely as it starred one of my favourite actors (Henry Cavill) and yet there was perhaps, maybe, just possibly a little bit too much banging, booming and explodyness.

One thing struck me on the plane, never before and most likely never again will there be a voice like David Attenborough. You can probably guess I’ve started watching documentaries but he is more than an icon of it… He’s a fundamental part. Whenever you watch a documentary (or at least when I do) the first thing I notice is the voice, sometimes it’s the proper one, and sometimes it’s a truly jarring realisation when it’s gone and some American impostor tries to fulfill his role. I’m rambling but after 6 hours on a plane I’ve got little else to do.

I feel a squirm of genuine worry as I am informed that the temperature is 31 degrees. I’ve done more than that it’s true. 45 is my record but I’ve never had to handle significant humidity. I’ll guess that I’ll either die or I won’t.

I can see a mountain! It’s been so long since I saw a mountain, I actually mouthed the word wow when I glimpsed it. Mount banahao… Which now hat it occurs to me has the top blown off. I do remember reading that the Philippines has something like 3000 volcanoes… Hmm.

It’s also slightly worrying when you pass over Manila and see nothing that looks like an airport. On the plus side I have a wonderful view of the mountains on the horizon, the hulking monoliths that they are, slightly obscured by the clouds, the shadows and the cloud’s shadows.

Manila airport was a smooth transition, except that I was nearly denied half of my trip as the official didn’t see my visa in my passport. It was a bit like a tennis match.

“How many days?”

“51”

“51?!?”

“Yes…?”

“I can only give you thirty”

“Thirty days?!”

“Yes”

“What about the visa?”

“What visa?”

“Right there! Hidden on the next page”

“Ahhhhh… Sorry about that”.

I didn’t reply. I had pretty much sagged to the floor in relief.

After I made it through I spotted Mister B and his very identifying beard.

I had arrived.

I’m in the traffic… Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness! The maniacs! I had my toes clenched tightly for the first half an hour. Not only are we driving on the wrong side of the road but I’m in the wrong side of the car and really feel like I’m the driver with a missing steering wheel. (They drive in the American style over here). Organised chaos. My first 2 seconds allowed me the view of the famous jeepneys. The brightly coloured taxi trucks based in the old WW2 jeeps left behind. Mister B gave me a tour by darkness and we had a lovely chat for the 2 hour trip (for 17km). So many different things caught my eye. Shopping malls the size of cities, the multitude of Christmas lights sparkling in the blackness and perhaps most of all the 7-11s. I cheer at the sight of them which earns a puzzling look from Mr B. I explained I hadn’t seen one since Japan and desperately craved certain items inside them. I hope there is a crossover between what was in the Japanese 7-11s and these ones.

For a quick and easy dinner we had McDonald’s. I have amended my vow not to eat McDonald’s (having worked in one as a student) to be allowed to try foreign McDonald’s. But there is absolutely no difference. Except for one thing. Never before have I seen Price: 268.00 on a cash register in Australia. But both of us were fed for I think about $6.80. I love this country already. By the way apparently Tomorrow is thanksgiving. Never thought I’d be experiencing american traditions in the Philippines but there you go. Embrace all cultures wherever you may be.

I love the family already. Master B is really cute and a proper christian man already in some aspects I think. Miss B has a lovely smile and is already proving to be a good laugh.

Mrs B is a lovely hostess and reminds me of my American grandma with her welcoming manner and charming accent. And Mr B… Well we get on fabulously already and that’s largely due to both of us loving Krispy Kreme donuts.

The family and I went out for mango ice cream and I spoke my first word of Tagalog. A thank you (Salamat) I hope to learn so much here and from so many different groups of knowledge.

And that was the end of day 1. It’s been action packed and one I’ll never forget to my dying day. My introduction to the Philippines.

Is it just me or has it been a really long day today? Nope. I’ve had 2 extra hours. I went to bed at 1:30am by our standards. Despite that I know I’ll wake up at about 5:00 here. This will take some getting used to, no doubt about it.