I can't stop going on about the shops!
We were staying in an area of Manila with no fewer than 13 malls.
THIRTEEN! They were the sort of malls I love too. A few international
stores, but mainly quirky (cheap!) local boutiques interspersed with
restaurants, salons and cafés. I have travelled a fair bit
(and shopped a fair bit...) and I have to say that Manila gets Jo's
number one award for the shopping experience. Kuala Lumpur is a
close(ish) second. Buenos Aires definitely has the edge for shoes
and bags. Hanoi, Delhi and Bangkok for silk. Singapore for tailors.
The boutiques here are as even better than the ones I love in Bangkok
and Singapore, and MUCH cheaper. Ladies, you heard it from me: shop
in Manila. Sales assistants don't follow you around like they do in
Indonesia, or shout “Largie” at you like they do in South Korea,
and they stock more than 2 sizes like they do in Japan (small, and
way too small). I shopped for 2 hours and bought 4 frocks, a pair of
discount CK sunglasses, a bikini and a bag and then ran out of money.
Apart from the sunglasses, my purchases were all between 3 pounds and
15 pounds. I saw lots of other things I liked too and plan to lose
David for a few hours when we pass through again.
