*~ W1N73R BR34K~*

On the last day of my Friday class in December, I went to catch a plane home [back to SF] a half an hour it ended.  I had 5.5 hours to pack for the Philippines.  I stayed in Manila with family for  about 10 days, and then was back in the airport for China.  We went to visit Xia Men, the city where my Grandfather [on my mother's side] was born before moving to the Philippines.  There were 12 of us:  My mother's side of the family and their families.  We were there for 5 days, and then came back to the Philippines for another 5 days.  After the 13 hour flight back to SF, I had another 5 days to recoup before we dropped off my sister to the airport to go back to CMU, and then it was road-tripping down to Valencia for 6 hours.  Talk about a vacation...!

Tons of pix and more:

Anvaya Cove [a far-away get-away country club]:

The Havaiana Store [@ one of the many malls we went to...oh yes, Greenbelt]:

Trying to be Green?

The most orderly Traffic in the city I've seen so far!  [@ least people are staying somewhat in their lane.]

Indoor market--no bugs!

Rockwell Powerplant Mall Xmas Tree:

Our Xmas Tree [was up when we arrived]:

Parols @ UP [Universitas Pontificia -- St. Tomas -- Grandparents wedded at the Church]:

[traditional Xmas lanterns in the Philippines that are usually made of bamboo or capiz shells in the shapes of stars]

Downtown Manila's Chinatown [1st time for all of us, minus the Grandparents]:

Still Downtown:

Mall of Asia:  Xmas Day...

New sensor system to tell you how many spots are available.

It's definitely not a Small World [no pun intended]...

At the Filipino culture store:  Kultura

Look--I have my own liner!

Xmas Dinner and a Great-Uncle's Bday at one of my Godmother's [a family of movie producers]:

*--------------*-------------*-------------*

XIAMEN

Nanputuo Temple [3-in-1]:

Dr. Tea [House taste testing]:

Shopping District [we were more interested in the buildings and lights]:

10-Thousand Rock Botanical Garden:

[M0R3 1N 7H3 N3X7 P057!!!]