The Philippines

So on a whim, I suddenly decided to go the the Philippines by myself!! Why not? I'd earned a vacation!
I originally booked a tour to climb the world's smallest volcano, Taal Volcano, but due to volcanic activity, it was cancelled the day before I would leave! So I spent my last night in Tokyo racing home to rearrange the tour, only to be trapped on a packed hot, non-airconditioned (saving electricity) train for half an hour standing due to an earthquake, then running around in the rain trying to fax my details for a new tour, then packing.
The next morning ended up being worse when another (and larger) earthquake stopped my train for at least an hour (finally after an hour, some lovely nice old ladies let me share their taxi to the airport), and I was whisked through check in and customs to get on the plane barely in time. PHEW! Never again please..

After the initial stress & mess, my vacation was great!!! I spent my first day roaming hot and humid Manila to see as much as possible!

  Saint Augusta, a World Heritage Site in Manila.

One of many images of Jesus, the world's oldest bamboo pipe organ, and a stunning ceiling

A fisherman waved at me ^-^

 Making some new friends at a local Filipino restaurant

 

 At the edge of the largest lake in the Philippines, Laguna de Bay

 

Swimming under Panjaman Falls

 On my last day I visited the world's third largest Mall. It was HUGE!

AEON Farewell Party

Last month, in an emotional goodbye, I said goodbye to Aeon Hikarigaoka. The best time for a teacher is when you see your students' improvement, and to have been teaching some of my students for more than 18 months, I was proud of them all for studying so hard. It's sad to part when I won't be able to see them reach their goals, so I wish them every luck studying and improving!!!
Here are some pictures of students:

And here's my nerve-wracking speech (with subtitles!):