Friday nights at Cafe Havana

My favourite bar in Makati was Cafe Havana in the Greenbelt entertainment complex. As I travel to the Philippines on a fairly regular basis to hang with Mecky, go scuba diving and generally enjoy life, this was my bar of choice in Makati.

I generally departed Perth at 1.10 am early on a Friday morning for Singapore arriving about 6.30 am. It could be argued that I left late on Thursday, it was tiring after working all day. I have my connection to Manila at 9.30 pm and arrive at about 1.30 pm in the afternoon - it's always the same flights so I know the routine well.

But the time I travel to my hotel after clearing immigration and the Manila traffic - it's Friday afternoon and I'm ready for a little entertainment. Most times Mecky would make it down to the airport and pick me up before heading back to work. I would have a lie down, a shower and get ready for Friday night in Makati.

Friday and Sunday night, a long running band playing an entertaining mix of Cuban and salsa music - this is really a great evening out. I just love the set list, the Salsa and Latino sounds are great Friday night entertainment although I must admit, I can't recall us hanging out too many times on a Sunday night. We have walked past plenty of times though and just listened to the band play, yet I can't remember their name.

I generally travel to the Philippines three times a year for two weeks at a time, that accounted for three attendances at Cafe Havana on a Friday night per trip and nine happy experiences per year. That's more boozy outlandish Friday nights that I can care to remember for the decade I have been diving and holidaying in the Philippines. Mecky on the other hand had to work on Saturday morning and was much more sedate, but then again, she wasn't up all Thursday night either.