Our 3rd day in the Philippines was entirely made up of a city tour of Manila and surrounding areas.

First stop: Greenbelt

The shot below is in front of an outdoor chapel where we were able to individually pray and reflect.

Our next stop was at the Manila American Cemetery.

We learned that most of the (perfectly lined) crosses were unnamed since only a small number of bodies were ever found or discovered.  Regardless, every individual one lost in this war had a cross put up to honour them.

It was time for lunch so we went to a popular place called Market! Market! where the students had free time to eat and do a bit of shopping.

After Market! Market, we headed to Rizal Park.  It was a coincidence that our city tour also coincided with Rizal Day here in the Philippines.

This is where some of us were brave enough to try “balot” (a boiled duck egg with a mature fetus inside).

We also visited Fort Santiago!  It felt like we were in a Harry Potter movie.

Our last stop was San Augustin Church, the oldest stone church in the Philippines where there was an actually wedding going on.

To end this day off, we caught the sunset over water heading back to the hotel!

Tomorrow: New Years Eve!