I've told you about mommy and baby's escapade to Manila last week. I am just so lucky that baby was fast asleep in the plane, the sound of the plane taking off plus the pressure lulled her to bed. Thank God!
Apart from having to carry heavy baby from the plane to the conveyor belt, everything went smoothly. I had more reason to ask for help since I have lil one with me. Filipinos are generally helpful and they don't mind carrying your luggage and pushing the cart for you. This is what I loved about Manila- having helping hands around. Personal chauffeur, nanny, laundromat, cook, name it! They make having a baby as easy as can be. No wonder the population of the philippines is round 90M. Woah!
The weather was pretty humid compared to Hong Kong, so it was a good time to let baby wear her tank tops and mini skirts. However, because of the bugs around, this should be kept to a minimum. She loved dipping the pool with her cousin to cool the heat off. If you would like to make sure baby is safe on the pool, get some baby floats at Toy Kingdom (there are some in Bumps to Babes, Hong Kong too).
She was very happy to have so many people around her and was thrilled with all the attention. Too bad she had to adjust to just me and daddy when we got back and was in tantrum mode. Babies tend to be very spoiled in Manila since family can be overprotective of baby by carrying lil pumpkin everywhere we go (Filipinos are a bit hesitant to let the baby cry). We trained my daughter to be more independent at home so she plays on her own and develops the will to do things by herself and resulted to her walking early.
Another thing I liked about Manila is everything is cheap (except for strollers and Louis Vuitton). There could be some nice clothes l at shops like Gingersnaps, Bayo Kids, Big and Small Co., Baby & Co. and the ever reliable Shoemart. I couldn't help but get something from Baby Gap though because there is no Gap in Hong Kong. Selling baby stuff is definitely a viable business because of shopaholic moms like us. Must check the new Greenbelt 5 and High Street for great finds.
You know what business (related to babies) is doing well there? The Picture Company. It's a photography studio where you can rent it for an hour and pay for the prints that you like. The price is a bit steep (although not that steep for someone earning in dollars) because it is in primary locations (Podium, High St. etc.). Other options are Stork in Makati, freelance hobby photographer Melai Luna (recommended by cousin-in-law) and Cres Yulo. I didn't have the time to schedule a shoot though. Hopefully, I can do this the next time we go back. That means I have to start scouting for her outfits for the shoot. Good thing she is too young to wear makeup. That's one less thing to worry about!
My daughter gained a few pounds (hence the painful arms after carrying her) in Manila because she just loved the "lugaw" or congee, our cook made for her. There goes her "no white rice diet!" She also loved the pizza from the buffet at Spiral where I just stuffed myself to death. Both baby and Mommy looked a wee bit chubby after the trip haha! Good thing hubby still noticed me when he picked us up at the airport. So it wasn't that bad!
Manila, I keep coming back to Manila. No wonder there is such a song! The warmth of the people, good food, affordable stuff and of course, family and friends would always be a reason to fly there in an instant! Til next time!
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