Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Field Trip

Field Trip

August 24, 2007, 5a.m. we were all awake and preparing for my youngest daughter’s Educational Field Trip.

Purified water, sandwiches, “kanin at ulam” rice with (jumbo) hotdogs, some biscuits, juices and “pampalit” extra shirts. You can see why.


First Stop – Villamor Air Base Museum


You’ll be greeted by a collection of photos of the Heroes of the Philippine skies. Hanging atop the high ceiling lobby is a gigantic or is it just a huge Philippine flag.

As you walk your way up to the mezzanine (2nd floor) you will see a
collection of past and present uniforms of our airmen and the flags insignias of the Philippine Air Force.

On the way down you’ll walk pass the balcony with yet another line of photo of past commanding officers of the force. Below you’ll see a display of aircraft engine, its cockpit and canopy plus the eject mechanisms. Also put on show is a sectional First Generation Jet Engine (there seems to be something missing in this description), and a two sitter jet trainer for our aspiring cadets.




At the back of the building is another exhibit of old planes and helicopters decommissioned of course.



Next Stop – Market, Market at the Bonifacio Global City

Or should I say the GoNuts Donuts Outlet in the vicinity of The Fort.

The children were given a comprehensive lecture on Dough its

characteristics and ingredients and how it turns to (gold) donuts, peeking into a see-through glass wall, everyone had a glimpse of how they prepare their donuts. They had the chance to decorate their very own donut-to-eat treats topped with choco syrup ala Hershey’s and sprinkled with colorful candy bits and a generous amount of small mallows.


Lunch and 3D Movie – Mall of Asia


At the mall we arrived earlier than expected so we had the chance to go around a bit but only within the vicinity of i-MAX theater. We ate at one of the fast food chains in the area and right after lunch we waited and rested at the lounge of the theater, well me and my wife that is. for Trisha and her friends/classmates it was a chance of a lifetime, PLAYTIME!







In a little less than half-an hour we were prompted to queue., as the Movie was about to begin.






Last Stop – Manila Zoo

The Last venue for the day is the age-old Manila Zoo, upon entry you will be welcomed by vendors of different novelty items that depict or replicate the animals in the zoo…winged birds with wheels dragged /drawn by a bamboo stick, rat/mice made out of painted air-con filters with strings, cylinder-like cardboard and rubber band contraption that make it wiggle and roll like crazy and the children...berserk.


By the entrance to the right is the elephant, a bit more inward are the reptile cages, in the center of the park are the feline cages (most of them only cages) and across the street are the horses and other hoofed animals. At the center-interior of this recreational theme area are the bird cages, the monkeys and the apes plus some of their look-a-like field TRIPPERS (thugs) who irritate the poor animals and bring the worst out of these creatures of God.


On your way out is the pond area, the spitting fountain and the artificial life sized giraffe and mother and cub elephants. Near the exit is the kiddy/kindergarten petting zoo (unfortunately closed by that time P.M.) and the photo booth where your picture will be taken while you hold a 10 feet albino python or a much larger Burmese python for a minimum fee of no less than 100 pesos.


On the way home my wife and I slept the entire way. Well don't ask about my daughter and the rest of the children, they were all eyes and ears in watching the on-board movie about the environment whose casts were raccoons and beavers and other nocturnal possums.

In retrospect, the activity was very tiring the fee for the trip is close to 600.00/pax. The weather was not so good for it was darn too hot in the earlier part of the day and it rained while we were at the Manila Zoo, but the experience, the bonding and the joy it brought us and our child PRICELESS!

see you later!
Unahin Natin Lagi Ang Diyos!
kabukiph

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