Asian Poker Tour - Manila

Well great journey out here with Singapore Airlines. The flight left Manchester at 10am and was only about one third full, so we all had 3 seats each, so very comfortable and relaxing 13 hour flight to Singapore. A 3 hour stop in Singapore and we were on our way to Manila. 3hrs30minutes later we arrive in Manila at 1.15pm local time, 32 degrees celsuis (90f+) with 80% humidity. It's sticky!!!

Our transfer transport is late, but gives us a chance to stretch our legs and smoke some cigarettes. Anyway the minibus turns up and we load up. The drive from the airport to the Hotel is an experience and a half, with initially 5 lanes of traffic, somehow they have managed to squeeze 7 lines of vehicles over the 5 lanes, chopping and changing lanes left right and centre, horns blaring, lots of construction work going on, with a new airport due to open next year they are busy upgrading all the surrounding road network and the famous Philipino Aluminium buses.

We arrive at the Dusit Thani hotel where we are staying and the poker is being played there too, very handy. We check in and head straight for the poker room. Several cash games are in full swing and it becomes apparent that there is plenty of action on every table. I give the young lady 10,000 pesos ($250) to buy into the 100/200 NLH game. I manage to double up without even playing a hand, when a guy comes back from the cash desk and hands me 20,000 pesos in chips. Result!!!!! The game itself is pretty uneventful and I'm pretty tired, so after 3 or 4 hours I grab a couple of the guys we are with and head into town........to be continued........