The weather conditions en-route are favorable. In the afternoon the usual thunderstorms are predicted for the Manila area. However, unexpectedly our flight permissions for the Philippines are questionable. Because of the extended week-end on Independence Day a new application would take 2-3-days. Andrew Rudd is our “fire brigade” this night and finally manages to get an extension of the approval. About 2 o'clock at night we receive the good news and so we can take off on time at 07:00 o'clock local time.

The day awakes over the endless jungle of Borneo. In the north of the island we pass the Mount Kinabalu. This 4095 meters mountain is the highest within ASEAN region. Past numerous islands and atolls we reach Manila. The radio communication with the radar controllers is widely free of any problems and during most of the trip we fly under radar control. We land just before a massive CB 20 NM north of the field moves in and produces heavy rain for the next day.

The CIQ (Customs, immigration and Quarantine) in Manila is finished relatively fast. The following taxing process to the parking bay on the north side of the airport is by far more complicated. For that 7 km taxi distance we have to call four different ground frequencies in order to receive the respective clearance.

At the end of all the taxi maneuvers Joy Roa receives us warmly at his hangar. Joy is a two times earth rounder and runs an aviation-technical enterprise for jets and helicopters at the international airport of Manila. Further he produces very exciting serials about flight adventure from all over the world. We got contact to Joy by our friends of the Indonesian aviation sport association. For the coming nights our Cessna finds a well protected parking bay in Joys hangar.  Many thanks for the great hospitality and the nice evening with interesting talks about flying to Joy Roa.

Manila – a modern city with many landmarks of a moved history. Intramuros forms the historical core and represents the Spanish architecture of the 17. – 19th century. Heat and high air humidity lead our steps soon to Manila hotel, one of three big old hotels of colonial past in South-East Asia. Tea time in good-quality atmosphere with chamber music make us feel like in another century.
It is a national holiday – so we escape the ordinarily chaotic traffic on a Monday morning of a big city. However, the chrome-flashing and brightly decorated "Jeepneys" are omnipresent: Relics from the American occupying time. Chassis and construction extended, they offer room for 16 (and more) passengers. They form the biggest “private traffic company” without tickets and timetable. The respective destination is shown in the windscreen – that’s it. Thus hundred thousands are transported daily uncomplicated.