Asia ’25 #19: Manila to Brunei

Read this blog: The one where we watch an International fireworks competition

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March 2025

Robert wanted to tick off his 53rd Hard Rock Café so we ordered a Grab to take us to the Mall of Asia, a large shopping mall built on reclaimed land. Momo the happy Corgi welcomes visitors to the Mall of Asia.

The Grab dropped us at the Conrad Hotel and, while Robert was paying the fare, a charming hotel attendant opened the car door for Matilda and asked her if she had come for the fireworks. He explained that there was a competition going on and that there would be fireworks over the bay that night. A quick google search revealed that the 12th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition [PIPC] was taking place on Seaside Boulevard and that on 8th March our home team the UK, represented by Pyrotex Fireworx, would be up against South Korea’s Faseecom.

The restaurants in and around the Mall of Asia were gearing up for the crowds and whilst we did not want to stay and become embroiled with the masses, we felt we might be able to see something from the Sky Bar at our hotel.

So, once we had ticked off the Hard Rock Café we returned to Intramuros.

Robert, whose sense of direction is far more evolved that Matilda’s decided where we were likely to get the best view and we settled down to wait. Our hotel was adjacent to the Lyceum of the Philippines University Culinary Institute [LPU Culinary Institute] and the training includes gaining practical experience. Several of the staff at the Sky Bar were interns learning their trade. We worked out that this was why they operated a system with two sittings. It wasn’t because customers were limited in the time they could spend – we were never asked to leave – but it signified a change of shift for the students. They were charming and perhaps a little over deferential – Matilda felt it was unnecessary for them to keep referring to ‘Sir Robert’. Robert for his part thought Matilda was put out because ‘Ma’am Matilda’ didn’t have quite the same ring to it.

Rain had been forecast and the clouds did look threatening but in the event luck was with us and it stayed dry.

Although buildings obscured some of the view, most of the rockets were high enough for us to see between the skyscrapers [see also Video of the day] although we could not hear the accompanying music.

As we were preparing to leave Manila we felt we had learnt more about the impact of colonialism and world conflict on the Philippines. Having fought for and gained independence from Spain, Manila was thriving: it had the longest pier in Asia and the first commercial air flight in the region before the Japanese Imperial Army invaded.

The following morning we flew from Manila to Brunei in one of the emptiest planes we have ever been on.

It was so empty that we were able to have a window seat each to watch the scenery.

As we left the airport, we were about to book a Dart cab when Robert saw a gentleman holding up a sheet of paper with his name on. He is adamant that he did not book an airport transfer for us but it seemed rude to turn the man down. When we got to the hotel they asked for payment. We are still bemused as to how they knew which flight to meet.

When we checked in we were reminded that it was the month of Ramadan and that as well as being a completely “dry” country no food or drink could be consumed in public between sun up and sun down. We arrived as the sun was sinking and went for a short walk before being allowed to eat.

This took us past the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. We stopped to admire the building and take photographs.

We were shocked by the loud sound of a cannon firing and a puff of smoke which we later realised was the signal that the sun had set and the fast had ended.

We continued on to the Brunei River to look across at the Kampung Ayur water village.

There was definitely a carnival atmosphere as we walked through the area around the mosque and families were congregating to break the fast in public.

The mosque was reflected in the man-made lagoon [see also feature photo].

We returned to the hotel to eat where the only option available was curry [see Dish of the day] washed down with Perrier water.

Video of the day:

Selfie of the day:

Dish of the day:

Route Map: