Monday, November 28, 2011

The Grand Kids Arrived . . . . . Day 1

Sunday November 20, 2011

We got up early and headed to Manila to pick up the Murri family from the airport. We left early to avoid traffic and to catch a Sacrament meeting before their plane arrived. We were surprised to find that it was Stake Conference. We attended the Manila Stake Conference in Makati. We met Elder Nelson of the area Presidency as well as Brother McAllister, attorney and Brad Anderson, the controller for the Philippines.
This is the oldest LDS church building in the Philippines.
It is situated between high rise office buildings. The grounds were beautiful. And the chapel is much more like the buildings at home.~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We drove to the airport and arrived just as our guest were coming out of the airport.
After about 14 hours of flying, our weary travelers arrived . . . It was so fun to see each of the kids!
The first thing Brooklyn said was "It is so hot here!" And this is the cold season here . . . .

We then headed to the Walled City in Manila. This is where Fort Santiago is located - one of the oldest fortifications in Manila. It was built in 1571 on the site of a native settlement, Raja Soliman. Over the years it had been destroyed and rebuilt several times. It was occupied by the British Army in 1762. It was occupied by the Japanese in 1942 where hundreds of civilians and guerrillas were imprisoned, tortured and executed. It was destroyed in the battle of Manila in 1945. It was used by the US Transportation Corps and turned over to the Philippine Government in 1946. (A little history lesson for you . . )
Ready for some sight-seeing . . .
The gate leading into Fort Santiago
The moat around the fort with water lilies growing in it . . .
notice the tall city buildings in the background
this is in the heart of the city.
Austin is walking on the path of foot steps that represent the last walk that
Dr. Jose Rizal (a national hero) took to his martyrdom Dec. 30, 1896.
The dungeon . . . Murri family sitting on the wall looking over the river . . .
Ryan and Britain trying to cool off some in the shade . . .
Grandpa enjoying taking pictures of the kids
Everyone was starving, so it was off to McDonald's . . . in the Philippines!!!
Grandma and 'Little Man'
Happy to here . . .
Austin and grandpa having a serious discussion while driving through Manila.
Britain was so tired that she just could not stay awake any longer . . .
she hardly woke up the rest of the evening . . . we did get her to
take a few bites of dinner when we got home then it was right back to sleep!

**To be continued . . . .

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