Philippines Vacation Blog

Rubbed and Wrapped

We woke up a little tired today but had an early appointment at the spa for our wraps. Kenny and I agreed to take it it easy on the spa activities for a few days and plan on doing more outdoorsy stuff. I felt like canceling the treatment but was curious enough to go through it.

It was quite an experience! First of all, I had a lot of fun seeing Kenny in a very tight disposable underwear that he was given to use. The expression on his face was utterly priceless as he struggled to put it on. My bad! I can't even bring myself to stop laughing even as we laid there on the table. The therapist started slathering him with mashed cucumber which was apparently cold on his skin. He can barely contain his yelps and groans. On the other hand, sea weed mud was applied on me and I can't help but think I look like I just got into a mud fight and Kenny was looking like a green monster. Again, fits of giggles overcame me. A few minutes later, we were both wrapped up and fairly unable to use our upper extremities when a fly started flying over our faces topped with cucumber slices. Oh, my word!!!The comedy just won't end. Finally, we got showered and lived to tell the tale to Mariah and Tom. It's safe to say they have no plans on having the same treatments in the near or far future. Neither will we ;-)

Against our better judgment, we found ourselves at another mall for an afternoon of facial treatments and more shopping. The guys were miffed about being dragged into the mall. They preferred to lounge around the lagoon or just relax and asked to go back to the resort ahead of us. Mariah and I finished with our shopping and decided to visit the hot spring at the spa  to unwind from the day's stress. The mood was a little somber and there's some tension in the air. Sheeesh! What a party this was getting to be. I hope things will get better once we talk things over.

Seafood or Dance?

We were awaken by the thunder and lightning storm in the early morning hours. It got us a little worried since it reminded us of the tsunami catastrophe last December. After almost a couple of hours, it finally subsided and we went right back to sleep.

We were planning to go for a snorkeling trip in the morning but the Dive Shop canceled their boat trips   due to overcast skies and possible rainstorm. By noon, the skies cleared and we were able to book the afternoon trip to Hinutungan Island.  The weather was great and at the dock, we found out that Rita's relatives were also on the same boat trip. It was indeed a lot of fun. The island was a fish sanctuary and was just teeming with marine life. It's almost like being inside an aquarium, in a world unlike any other and it's so easy to forget where you are.  We saw 3 scuba divers and I wished we took the time to take PADI classes before coming to Cebu.

        

We got back to the lagoon and spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around until it was time for our massages. Kenny got sunburned so he opted for a gentler massage but I don't think he enjoyed it as much as the previous one. For tomorrow, we got ourselves scheduled for body wraps; sea weed mud wrap for me and cucumber wrap for him. We've never done those before so it will be interesting to see how it'll turn out.

We didn't feel like eating at any of the resort's restaurants so we took a chance and went to a seafood resto a few minutes away from PB ( Plantation Bay). The food was decent but the ambiance and overall vibe wasn't much to my liking. While waiting for our food, a few young men and women in Filipino attire approached our table and started selling souvenirs and pastries. I felt that it was inappropriate as we didn't come to the place to be hustled into buying things we didn't want or need. I bought a package of dried pineapple slices just to stop them from harassing us even further. As if that wasn't enough, we suddenly heard the thunderous volume of Filipino folk music blaring from the speakers which were positioned pretty close to our table. Apparently, the resto also provided entertainment much like the one we had at the PB. This time around, I wasn't in the mood for it as it was distracting us from what we came to do...dining. We can't even have a decent conversation as the music was too loud and we have to stop eating occasionally to clap politely. Also, at the end of the Tinikling dance, the dancers came to our table to invite us to learn the dance steps from them on the stage. In my mind, I said, " What the ? I'm trying to eat here and I really didn't want to have an indigestion later from jumping and hopping in the middle of my meal." They can be pretty persistent and I mustered whatever good manners I have to decline their offer. Maybe I was just being a grump but suffice to say, I will not be eating there again nor will I recommend the place to anyone. 

Spa Addicts

We agreed yesterday that it will be a financially sound idea to buy some groceries to consume at the resort as we will be racking up a huge bill at their restaurants and from room services. Luckily, Plantation Bay has a "No Tipping" policy so it wasn't so stressful thinking all the time how much and when to tip. The staff was so accommodating though that you feel like tipping them anyway but we stuck to the policy ;-)

When Kenny and I got picked up at the airport yesterday, the resort used a rental car service as a complimentary service. The driver handed me his card in case we need him for any transportation needs.  We decided to call him up today to take us to the SM Mall in Cebu for our grocery shopping.

One thing I've noticed whenever I'm shopping in the Philippines is my lack of appetite for it. Oh, there were so many goodies I would have liked to check out and purchase, but, for some reason, I just didn't feel so incline to shop for myself. I was more interested in finding items for Kenny and he didn't want me to spend money on him anyway. He'd rather we spend more on fun and relaxation activities.

Kenny and went for our massages together at the resort's Mogambo Springs Spa. The ambiance was quite soothing and conducive to relaxation. The staff were professional and courteous. Although I found it a little difficult to relax at first, I felt like a wet noodle at the end of the therapy. I think Kenny felt the same as he can barely speak for the first few minutes. We already got massages scheduled for tomorrow. I guess we're going to be massage addicts by the end of the trip ;-)

Cebu, Cebu

We got picked up from the resort early in the morning. My Tita Agnes gave us a ride to the airport in CDOC. We made a quick stop at her house and had breakfast with her husband. Kenny agreed that Tito T.H. was really pretty laid back and intelligent. People were just intimidated by him because of their lack of confidence in speaking English but he's really easy to converse with once you make the initiative and effort. It was also another trip down memory lane for me since it's been more than 12 years since I've been to their house. It was one of my favorite places to hang out at when I was in college and penniless.

While planning for the trip, I was glad that I might be able to witness my college friend Rita's wedding in CDOC. Unfortunately, due to our shortened stay with my family, we decided not to go anymore. Therefore, it was a great surprise when we saw each other at the airport.   We took the same flight to Cebu but they were heading to Boracay instead. Some of her family members will be staying at the Plantation Bay and Rita and her husband will rejoin them on Wednesday. We planned on hooking up when she gets there. She looks great, like a glowing new bride that she is. I'm really happy for her.

Plantation Bay was pretty much a Disneyland for the adults and kids alike. The place was like a huge pool interspersed with villas, facilities and sandbars. The staff were definitely very friendly, polite and helpful. It's like a well-oiled machine that runs smoothly. Hopefully, first impressions will last. I also noticed that there were more southeast Asians clientele than Caucasians. I hope Kenny and Tom won't feel like sore thumbs sticking out.

Tom and Mariah checked in just a few hours later, accompanied by some of her family members. I got to meet her parents, sister and brother-in-law. It was also nice to see Tom again. He looked comfortable around Mariah's family and they seemed pretty impressed by him. At least that's the vibe I got.

We took a quick tour around the place after a much needed late lunch. We checked out the Firing Range and shoot some guns. It was pretty fun,   but of course, the guys enjoyed it more than Mariah and I did. I suppose we will be coming back to the range again before the trip is over. We also got booked for massages tomorrow and we're all looking forward to it. It's finally feeling more like a holiday.

We were scouting for a place to dine at and came upon a Filipino Buffet that also featured Filipino folk dancers . Kenny was definitely appreciative, especially of the dances using the bamboo sticks . He's been interested about them ever since he saw the Filipino movie "Debut" years ago. He took a lot of pictures and didn't seem to mind that the meal was a bit overpriced. It was worth seeing that awe in his face. For me, it was another trip down memory lane again. There seems to be lot of that lately ;-)

Sunday Blues

The day started with snorkeling with the kids, Lola Dayan and Boboy. They were very enthusiastic and excited at seeing all the fish and even Ryan wanted to put on the mask although it didn't fit him. I have gotten used to our daily morning swim and I know that's one thing I'll miss from this trip. I also felt a little sad as it was our last day in Duka Bay and we'll be leaving for Cebu tomorrow.

We were supposed to go to church but we got there pretty late and decided not to go in anymore. We went instead to Tita Agnes's new cottage house. She had one built a short distance from my parents. It was pretty quaint and was really meant as her "rest" house. She told us that her husband wasn't in favor of it but she wanted one and got it anyway. She was also ranting about the bad press she got last night from a radio DJ. She got lambasted over personal matters and as much as she wanted to be a public and political figure, she wasn't too keen about hearing such comments. We just suggested for her to ignore them and not pay any attention. As long as she does her job well and knows it, she doesn't really have to worry about what others might say. That's just politics and it's the same anywhere else in the world.

Since it was our last day, we spent most of it with the family . Unfortunately, the kids were being their normal, high energy self (translation: unruly and noisy). They were all over Kenny and followed him around even when he was trying to rest and cool off. Ryan, the youngest of them all, got too physical and bratty. In a way, I was thankful that we'll be in a much slower and restful pace tomorrow. As much as I love my family , I guess I can only take them in smaller doses ;-)

I managed to take some individual photos of the kids to remember them by.

               I'm sure they'll look different next time we'll see them. Not anytime sooner though ;-)

Mall Rats

After an early swim and snorkeling, everybody got ready for the CDOC trip. It took about 2 hours and we got to the SM Mall by lunch, ate and got down to the business of shopping for whatever the kids want or need. The kids had a great time trying on clothes and shoes. They also got to play at the arcade with Kenny. I suspect the poor guy felt pretty beat trying to keep up with them. They can be pretty handful somehow. We also hit the Limketkai Mall for more shopping mainly for the grow-ups. Most of them got new shoes and clothes but we got my mother a new washing machine which will be pretty much for everybody's use. The one they had broke down months ago and Mama had been complaining that it's getting tiresome finding someone to wash their loads of laundry. Kenny and I already planned on buying her the appliance as a surprise. I sure hope it will help make things easier for everyone.

The one thing that I wanted to accomplish during this trip was to have a photo taken with everybody in the family. Sadly, Papa will be missing from this family portrait and that got me a little teary-eyed. Another person missing was my brother's wife but that is an entirely different story which I don't care to elaborate on.

When we got back to the resort, the kids tried on their new stuff and paraded around for everyone to see . It was pretty amusing to see their smiling faces and hearing their giggles. Out on the verandah, my mother, sisters and grandma tried to teach Kenny a few Visayan words and phrases. Kenny had been complaining that I never teach him anything. I just don't see much of a point in doing so as we communicate better in English and there's not a lot of opportunity for him to use the Visayan dialect except when visiting the Philippines. I guess I just don't have the patience and motivation. Oh, well... There's a few words / phrases I'd be interested to teach but my mother won't let me due to it's rated PG nature ;-)

In Slow Motion

I don’t know what it was but it seemed like our bodies have adjusted to the way of life here. We went down to the beach for an early swim and snorkeling. The water was very clear and we saw a lot of fish and corals.   It was a very invigorating start to the day and gave us a hearty appetite for breakfast. Wow! If only all mornings can be like this. Of course, it does help that we were surrounded by Mother Nature's beauty. 

 

We invited Charlotte over for lunch at the resort’s restaurant. There was a bit of afternoon rain shower so we opted to spend time indoors and had a little Filipino TV time. Kenny took a nap while Charlotte and I chatted away. There’s a lot of news swapping and catching up to do. 

It wasn’t until a little late in the evening when my family arrived at the resort to spend the weekend with us. We reserved another room adjacent to ours so we can hang out together. We also planned on taking everybody to Cagayan de Oro City tomorrow for a day of shopping so we got the kids to bed earlier while the grown-ups were out on the verandah just chillin’. With so many family members in one place, it's a pleasant surprise that there were no arguments or fights yet. Perhaps, everyone just really want this to be a great vacation for Kenny and me. So far, so good.

Home Grown Fun

Surprisingly, Kenny and I woke up earlier than we expected. We had breakfast followed by a quick dip on the ocean. The tropical scenery and the relaxed vibe of the Duka Bay rejuvenated us from the long journey endured hours ago.

              It was a slow start to a day that was filled with visiting and revisiting old and new haunts.

The family joined us for lunch at the first and new Jollibee in the city. Luckily, Kenny took a liking to their Champ Burger so it wasn’t much of a problem finding him something to eat. My friend Charlotte was also there and even came with us to visit my father’s grave site. We also paid our respects to our Tita Ging-Ging (my late Uncle Steven’s wife) who was buried earlier today. We decided not to attend the services as it was a bit too early and Kenny didn’t really feel up to going to another funeral as it will just bring back sad memories of his last trip. My father’s funeral was the reason for his previous trip to the country more than two years ago. This time around, we just want it to be more about fun and good times.

We also took a quick tour of my family’s property to give Kenny a perspective of my family’s history.   There was a coconut harvest going on and it took me to a trip down memory lane. I spent most of my childhood at this place and it amazed me that nothing much really changed. The rest of the afternoon was spent at my parent’s home. We opened the “balikbayan” box that was delivered yesterday. It mostly contained hand-me-downs but my sisters and brothers seemed okay with them. The kids were a little disappointed as they didn’t have anything much from the box. They already got their “pasalubong” yesterday but we also promised to take them shopping on Saturday. That seemed to cheer them up. We capped the night with a nice dinner with everybody. It was great being with my family again.

Here are some photos taken of the countryside:

         

The Eagle Has Landed

It was almost 26 hours since we left O'hare Airport and landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.The last leg of our trip was the flight to Cagayan de Oro City. Maria and Tom also caught their flight for Cebu. We were exhausted and bleary-eyed and the heat was slowly draining the life out of us. The  international flight was long and the one thing we agreed on is that we're not ever going to use the same airlines for any future trip to the Phils. There wasn't much leg room and the seats felt cramped. The food wasn't much to speak of, let alone eat. I've always flown on a different airline and I found it much better in comparison in terms of service and room. Oh, well. The only good thing is that Kenny was able to freshen up at the layover airport as they have shower facilities. Also, we arrived in Manila during the daytime and we're able to continue our journey during the same day.

My mother, sister and friend Charlotte met us at the airport in Cagayan de Oro City and proceeded to drive to Duka Bay Resort   for about 2 hours. It was just a relief to finally arrive and meet the rest of the family. The kids were very excited to see Kenny and were all over him. It was great to see my Grandma and brother. I can't get over how much my little sister have grown. She's almost my build and physique.   She has been getting most of my clothes now. I can see she'll out grow them soon. My sister's two boys packed on some pounds and were teased about eating lots of rice. All in all, it was a great reunion although we had to cut it short as we badly needed our sleep and rest. There will be time to hang out with them tomorrow. For now, lights out...