Philippines First Visit – 2017

10 July 2017 – Monday

Have been in Malaysia a short four days and next stop the Philippines… two first time countries. Anxious to see my friend Terry who works for Norwegian Cruise Line and happens to be home on leave. ? Also hoping to see my friend Jannette Manuel who is visiting from Seattle. Interestingly, she is part of the same NEA trainer cadre as Diane Van Toorn Gonzalez, who I hung out with in KL, and me!! ?

I’ve had a nice few days in Malaysia and found it to be very clean and modern. They take sponsorship to a whole new level though. First I saw ads on all the overhead bins on the plane, then gigantic LED billboards stretched over the four lane highways where in most parts of the world they are road signage… as if texting, phoning, and driving aren’t enough! WOW! ? Now, the side of the plane!! So I guess Camping World Stadium, etc., is mild in comparison. — Wonder how long before you know who gets the idea and we see, “Trump White House!!” ?

11 July 2017 – Tuesday

New country. I was in the mood for Italian tonight. Filipino tomorrow!I know I keep talking about a new first every day but it’s true on this trip! So I’m on this crazy bus… nice bus, just a rough road with a crazy driver going from Cebu City Philippines to Bantayan Island which is supposed to be like a three hour trip but it’s going to end up being about five. We just stopped for a potty break. You look at the picture and decide what’s going on. ??? i’m not sure what the girls did! — The ride just got crazier as we’re now going over a mountain!!

OK! Here’s another… I’m on the ferry to Bantayan Island. Sitting next to me on the outside deck I hear, “buck buck buck, bagawk!!!” I look over and see the image below! I thought it might be his therapy chicken but Terry says it’s probably on it’s way to a fight!! OYYYY!! Do I need to search for Chicken Man to come to the rescue?

12 July 2017 – Wednesday

It was nice being on the beach but the room was very dark and the bath was more than tiny so we’ve moved. This place is very nice and on the beach with a pool too but rather far from the restaurants and shops. We’re here for tonight (Wednesday) then back to Cebu. The crazy bus here was only $4 each but we’ve been told there are always taxis waiting to return to Cebu for $20! Guess who will be praying for a taxi tomorrow?! ? LOL

These scrawny babies are hanging around the restaurant at the hotel. Very skittish.

13 July 2017 – Thursday

Thursday morning, 11:15, in the Philippines on the ferry somewhere between Bantayan Island and Cebu.

14 July 2017 – Friday

Wow! This is my 11th time in an airport since leaving Orlando on 19 June. It’s been fine but I don’t know how business travelers do it ALL the time! OY! Manila here I come! First stop without any friends. ? (Hmmm… haven’t shaved for a few days and no hair product yet today! LOL

Since arriving in the Philippines, the days have flown by. Monday night I had the chance to meet up with another of my NEA trainer cadre, Jannette Manuel. It’s bizarre because I hadn’t seen her or Diane in several years and then I run into them on the other side of the world! It was really nice seeing Jannette. She teaches in Seattle; was born here but has been in the US most of her life and she’s home visiting family and friends. We went to a beautiful wine bar where we got a chance to catch up. (14 July refer 10 July)

15 July 2017 – Saturday

I think the 5 hour bus and 4 hour taxi back earlier this week knotted up my back again. Hoping aromatherapy massage will resolve that. 90 minutes of hoped for relaxation. Hmmm, let’s think… a 90 minute massage for 550 pesos or a Wendy’s meal for 529 pesos! Kind of crazy right?

16 July 2017 – Sunday

Did an afternoon city tour of Makati, Manila, Philippines ?? today including visits to the American Cemetery and Ayala Museum of Filipino History. The cemetery is the largest American cemetery of the WWII Pacific Conflict. 17,000 American graves and a monument to the 37,000 missing. — After seeing Buddhist Temples all over Thailand and mosques all over Malaysia, it was a big change to see Catholic Churches. I did not know 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic.

Late night flight to Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam! Anxious to meetup with my mates Derek Cowan and Trinh Viet Ha! — (Cheryl Keathley, Pat Walker, Paula Lamphere, Amanda McCaffrey, Lou Monople)