1/26–Show before we sail from Manila

We are back aboard, cooled off, and hanging around.  Taking pictures of the skyline from the aft deck of the ship.

We will find out later that this is the first – and only – time that the Millennium will be in Manila.  So it is very special for the crew, of course, but also for the city.  They have pulled out all the stops for us and it is lovely.  We mentioned the band in the morning, but there is also a show this afternoon before we leave.  We can sort of see it from our balcony, but end up heading to the promenade deck to get a closer view.  What a great show.  There is the marching band which is made up of the widest assortment of people – young and old – so it isn’t a school band.

They have accompanying Majorettes who are just great at dancing and twirling and so fun to watch.

And then there are the flag girls.  Oh my.  They are precious.  There are some who are older, but a most are little – maybe 7, 8 or 9?  And one who just steals the show! 

I could watch them all night!  As we sail away, they all march down the dock to the very end, serenading us as we pull away.  It is so amazing sweet and heart rending.  Love it.

And, as an odd, and totally separate aside – as we were in dock, there was a US naval ship across from us, being fueled.  We watched as sailors came back aboard in what looked like sports uniforms (maybe basketball or something?) and then a bunch of uniformed officers boarded.  Just interesting that it was a US ship there.  So over the course of the next couple of days, as we were reading about the US naval vessel that sailed a little too close to the Chinese islands that are in dispute……yep…..it was that ship!  Pretty wild, huh?