DAYS 8 - 17: WITH PICTURES!!!

(editor's note: Hey guys, this is the rest of what my mom wrote and it covers until we get back. She wanted me to at least post the whole thing and make it complete. Hope you enjoy!)

We set the alarm for 5:00 am, and got up in time for the boat pick us up at 5:30. The boat is taking us dolphin watching today, and it had to be early. We all embarked on the 12-seater boat, and headed towards the ocean. After about an hour and a half though, we still didn’t see any dolphins. Our driver couldn’t understand it either! The waves were calm and the weather was perfect for them to come out, but we had no luck. We also saw other boats circling by looking for them as well. At 7am, we decided it was time to give up, so we headed back to shore to get some breakfast. On our way back though, we were treated with a very big school of tiny black colored fish jumping in the water – very tiny (as in “dilis” tiny). It looked like they were travelling somewhere and made a jump over the water a couple of times before we couldn’t see them anymore. We saw these a few times before we reached shore, so even though we didn’t see the dolphins, we still felt like we had a treat – just a smaller version of it.

(from left to right: our boat driver JoJo, Sarah, Rachel, Claire, Yagi, and CJ)

After breakfast, we headed to Balicasag Island – a 45 minute ride from Alona Beach, where we planned to snorkel and eat lunch. We found a nice beachside resort owned and operated by the Dept of Tourism, and dropped our stuff on one of the tables made available to guests. They charged a cover charge for visitors, but the charged was waived if you ordered food from their restaurant, so we decided to eat there. The food was disappointing and took forever to be served, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone (also, the day we were there, they ran out of ice. That meant not only no cold drinks, but also no smoothies. Dissapointing.)

The snorkel experience however, I'd highly reccomend! Our boat was not allowed within the sanctuary, so we had to hire smaller boats (2 passengers each P150) to take us snorkeling. With 5 boats, we headed to the snorkeling area, and armed with snorkels, masks, fins and life vests (and some bread provided by the hotel for feeding), all except me (you missed a lot, mom)descended down the boat to start viewing the world under water. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a first hand experience of what was under there so I’ll let Robert do it, but even from the boat, I saw diff colored fish that made my trip worth it.

(I'll let this picture explain)

(taken by CJ)

After about an hour, we headed back to have lunch and all decided to go back to the beach. Unfortunately, we didn’t have sunshine that day, so it wasn’t good for sun bathing, but it was not too cloudy, and the waters were still warm enough for a swim, that the kids still had fun. Dinner was again on the cliffside at Amorita, where we joined the rest of the resort guests for some grilled dishes, some made to order pasta and freshly made crepes for dessert on top of what was available in the menu. We were all sad that this was our last day in Bohol, and everyone agreed to meet by the beach early in the morning to get one last dip before we head to the airport at 11:30. We decided to take our free massage tonight (still included in our package) and all of us enjoyed our last night in Bohol.

(Rachel drinking Buko)

DAY 9
LAST DAY IN BOHOL then BACK TO MANILA

After breakfast, we spent the morning on the beach, mostly discussing the possibility of extending our stay. All of us felt like it was too short, and another day or 2 just enjoying the beach would have been nice. The resorts certainly looked like they could have allowed an extension because it didn’t feel like it was full at all, but unfortunately, the logistics of calling the airline and arranging work replacements for some of us was too difficult to arrange. Besides, we were scheduled to attend Renne’s nephew’s party upon arrival in Manila and Tita Dolly and family was also attending Tita Ling’s party later that evening. Oh well!

Our flight went without a hitch back to Manila and by 3pm, we were on our way back to the hotel. Renne’s sister picked us up, and we headed to the hotel to drop off our bags and freshened up before leaving again to attend Renne’s nephew’s birthday party. The party was held at Tropical Hut, and the host certainly entertained those kids with games and prizes and a special appearance by Burgie! (I told mom: I would have laughed if they played 'Burgalicious') We met some of Renne’s relatives, and after the party headed to Renne’s home in Kalaw Hill to meet some more. Because it was a children’s party, some relatives opted to stay at their home where the party extension was going on. We stayed until about 10pm, then headed back to the hotel for a much needed rest.

DAY 10 - 17
MANILA

I’m consolidating the last days in Manila because to be honest, we didn’t really do much here except eat, shop, and eat some more J (<-- another smiley face)

On Monday, we braved the “tiangge” in Greenhills where Claire went crazy bag shopping (well not that crazy as most bags being sold were counterfeit and those were not allowed in the US). But we saw native goods that were very nice and Rachel found some school bags and wallets for use in Sept.

Robert unfortunately, got sick that day. He woke up not feeling well and had a stomach ache. He decided that he was well enough to go with us though, but by lunch time, he had a fever and had to be taken home. Tito Abe and Tita Dolly offered to take him home, and we stayed behind to finish up shopping. I couldn’t focus on the shopping because I was worried about Robert. Also, Rachel wanted to attend the gymnastics class at Sarah’s school, so we left at 3:30 so we can make it in time to the Fort by 4:30 – the start of the gymnastics class. Renne’s brother drove us, so Renne and I went with Rachel while Claire and Oliver stayed behind to finish shopping and as soon as they were done, headed back to the hotel to take care of Robert until we got home. After the class, we went to Market Market to buy dinner to go, and headed back to the hotel. Market Market was a nice place! It had a food court filled with Filipino style dishes, and along the courtyard, a lot of stalls that sold different delicacies from different regions of the country. Renne bought some goodies, and we opted to try this special pancit at Buddy’s – traditionally from Quezon where it is served on a bed of banana leaves and eaten with a splash of vinegar and without any utensils. Robert was feeling better, and rested early for the night.

He was feeling better on Tuesday, and went with us to Rockwell Power Plant Mall to meet some of my grandma’s former Mahjong classmates (one who reminded me alot of Maya Rudolph from SNL). They treated us out to lunch, and we spent a couple of hours in the mall, buying some music CD’s and enjoying ice cream from FIC (Filipino Ice Cream) (I think the F is for Fruit or something, although really don't know) – creamy mango, ube, macapuno and the kids chose raspberry chocolate and cappuccino. We also purchased some churros from Dulcinea (which sadly was too oily for our taste) but the hot chocolate was divine! We also tried some ensaymada and chocolate cake from Mary Grace before heading back to the hotel. Dinner was with Renne’s aunt, where she took us to the Intercon Hotel in Makati for some street food extravaganza. This was a great idea! Street food fare was served in “bahay kubos” by the pool side, and it was buffet so you can have as much as you want – fish and squid balls, balut (which all but Renne refused), diff barbeques, “okoy”, “tokwa baboy”, fried lumpia and puto bumbong and bibinka for dessert YUM!

(beautiful.)

Wednesday was my reunion with my college classmates and a short visit to the Thomson Reuters in Ayala Avenue. Renne and the kids went with me, but opted to watch a movie in the mall – “The Dark Knight” (yes, I loved it). Renne also met some former co-workers while we were there and had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant with them. I went to lunch at a restaurant called “Fely J’s” at Greenbelt 5 and their food was exceptionally excellent. Their menu was traditionally Filipino, but it was very good and you can tell that it was made with the freshest ingredients. I especially liked the “binagoongan” which, and I can’t believe I’m saying this because I haven’t yet found a dish that would have allowed me to – I liked over my mom’s (For any of my brothers and sisters reading this (and Dad that includes you, please do not relay that to Mom J) (<-- another smiley face). Renne met me and my friends at the Travel Café where we moved to have dessert and when I saw the kids weren’t with him, I almost freaked! He sent them to watch the movie on their own, and was picking them up at 3:30. The paranoid mom that I am, I was so worried about this, and couldn’t believe my kids were at a movie house in manila on their own. My friends assured me greenbelt was a safe place, but we headed towards the theater before 3:30 to make sure we were there before they headed out. We headed to my office, where I met my cousin (It's weird - I've never met her branch of the family before. Like I think I said before: people have way too many cousins here) who, incidentally, worked there as long as I have (something I didn’t discover until Nov of last year) and met a couple of work colleagues while Renne and the kids waited (long and boring). A quick taxi cab ride and we were back at the hotel, and we had dinner at Gerry’s grill with Tita Evan, Genevieve, Tricia (Ibe’s daughter) and Jennifer. Gerry’s grill had really yummy “sisig”, and their pork bbq and shredded garlic adobo was enjoyed by the kids. We didn’t fit in Jennifer’s station wagon, so Robert and I rode in the back (it was a short 10 minute ride). I must say that they are not strict at all at following passenger safety here – especially for kids. They pack the cars/vans with as many people as possible, and it’s kind of scary – especially since drivers don’t follow traffic rules carefully either. I caved in to this mentality as well, because not riding the back of the station wagon meant I had to wait for a cab which would have taken an additional 20 minutes and it was already almost 9pm!

(on the left side: Tita Evan, Tricia, Geneveive and Jennifer)

There doesn’t seem to by any sense of urgency around here. I thought I would be able to accomplish quite a lot as long as I had an agenda to accomplish but there is so much time wasted – on travel, on waiting, on certain inefficiencies that you just can’t rush. Just a visit to the bank to exchange money took more than half an hour! The concept of running very quick errands just didn’t seem to work. I found this out last week, but I just had to go with the flow, because I would definitely have been too aggravated otherwise.

(What else would you expect?)

Thursday we headed to “168” – a Divisoria type mall in downtown Manila (composed entirely of small stands that sell absolutely everything. The problem is that they aren't organized in any way whatsoever, so you have to really look to find what you want and it takes forever. And I thought shopping in malls was tedious). We rented a van and headed there at 9. I wanted to get Abby’s sweet sixteen favors from there, and also get some clothes for the kids. Another overwhelming experience! I didn’t even know where to look. There was just so much stuff!!! We did find the favors, and quickly gave up looking. By lunch time, we were ready to go back. We decided on a quick lunch at the food court then headed home to Project 4. On the way back, we stopped by Sta. Mesa to get Robert’s guitar. After a few minutes browsing the many guitar stores on the strip, he decided on an original Lumanog with a reddish sunburst design. He was very happy with the purchase, especially since it cost considerably less than we would have spent if we bought it in the States (P3850, which is about $75, which is an amazing deal for a mid-high quality guitar, hard case and a strap). Claire, Renne and I went to the hair salon to get haircuts where it was so cheap – PHP 190 complete with shampoo, blow dry and massage! Meanwhile, Sarah took Rachel to a nail salon place where they printed the design on your fingers. Rachel was truly delighted with that!

(and also her toes.)





Dinner was at Lola’s – to celebrate Yagi’s 29th birthday(or as he put it, his ninth 21st birthday). Of course she prepared a spread again – crispy pata, sinigang, fried fish, adobo, laing, and we celebrated with some singing and dancing. Even Rachel and Robert, who were usually shy about singing in front of people participated in the karaoke (I loved Tito Abe's rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and Bem Bem's hilarious performance of 'Silvertoes', both of which I have video of).






(Birthday boy has frosting on his forehead. Unrelated: I love this picture.)



Friday we headed to Cubao for some barong shopping and to buy the clothes that I didn’t find in 168. We rode a jeep and Rachel was super ecstatic about it! She even wanted to “sabit” outside – just like she saw many passengers did when the jeep was full. Mission accomplished with the shopping, and we stopped by Red Ribbon, where we tasted their Chocolate Margelaine cake (really yummy!) It was made with layers of peanut crust, cream and chocolate. Sort of like a sans rival but not as rich. Renne continued to go to Quiapo with his brother, while we headed back to the hotel for some rest before we headed to Tita Gina’s house for dinner. Claire and I loved the “Pancit ng Taga Malabon” and could eat it everyday. Tita (Dolly?) ordered it for us, and we also had some “Lechon Manok”. Renne opted to skip dinner, because he was having a “boys night out” at his cousin’s beer garden/restaurant. He left the hotel shortly after we came back from dinner and had a fun night re-connecting with his cousins and friends.



(Why don't I have pictures of this?)



Saturday was spent in Alabang to meet some of Renne’s co-workers and to touch base with friends that we haven’t seen in a long time. We hit a lot of traffic coming and going to Alabang and we didn’t get a chance to come back to Proj 4 until after 7pm, a little late for the party that Lola and our relatives are throwing for us before we leave. This is a chance to meet the rest of the Vega clan (my mom’s side of the family) and to spend some time with them before we leave. Yummy food and good company! The night ended late, and we headed back to the hotel for some rest.

Sunday was packing day. We went back to Greenhills to pick up the (three huge bags totalling 65 packs of) pastillas we ordered from Sevillas. All my brothers and sisters wanted pastillas, so we couldn’t buy just whatever was in stock. Also, we needed it to be fresh so we had to order it for a special pick up. We did some last minute shopping then headed home. Our “yaya” was going to visit today, and what a delight that was! She looked the same, but she couldn’t believe how much older Claire and I are. She said I used to be very thin (those were the days) and said that Claire doesn’t look anything like she remembered anymore. During our stay, Claire was constantly mistaken for a foreigner and people were surprised to hear her speak in tagalog. At the salon, she was even mistaken to be Renne’s daughter causing Renne to joke that he was never going back there again, even though technically, she could be! J (<-- smiley) We said our goodbyes because tomorrow, we head out to the airport early and will not have a chance to say goodbye to everybody. After a crying session, we headed for the salon for last minute appointments. Renne headed to Market Market with her sister and also dinner with his family, and we spent our last night packing our bags, and after a KFC dinner, hung out with Renne’s family after they drove him home.

What a wonderful vacation it was! Both Robert and Rachel met a lot of relatives for the first time and even though they don’t speak Tagalog, they were able to enjoy the jokes, the kwentos, and their company. They spent precious time with their cousins who never met them before, and with aunts and uncles and were able to get to know them. Most of all, they were able to see the places where Renne and grew up and met people who were part of lives when we were back home. Renne and I had wonderful time as well - we saw old neighbors, old friends, relatives from provinces we never before visited and got to enjoy a new side of the Philippines that we didn’t see before. I was so nervous and anxious to get on that plane and spent hours in a confined space thousands of feet up in the air. Now writing this on the plane back – I’m glad I did and Robert and Rachel feel the same way. They are as excited to go back to the Philippines as Renne and are!





(I know you guys are looking for witty perspective/retrospective from me, but you'll have to wait until I put together my documentary. Sorry, but I'm kind of writing this in a hurry. What I can say for now is that there are a whole lot of things that are way smaller than they should be in the Philippines. Like for example, a Wendy's Frosty.)

The End.