Back in the USA

Just got back last night and trying to recover from the trip. Tons of paper mail that I have to open. Anyway, the plane ride wasn't so bad this time around. No kids and only 10 hours(thank you jet stream). The airport baggage took 45 minutes to recover. I guess I'm jet lagging big time since I slept till 3:00pm Sunday which would make it about 6:00am body time. I'm gonna drink a glass of wine and try to get to bed early tonight.

Hong Kong

So Michelle and I decided that we would take a little detour. Since we had an 8 hour lay over in Hong Kong, we took the Express train to Hong Kong Central and Kowloon. I've never seen Michelle's eyes grow that big before. It would probably be like me going to a Fry's nation. Anyway, we are winding down our trup and I'm writing this at the airport terminal in HK. The trip was quite memorable. Many goals achieved, some that are just too private to discuss in this blog but I'm sure we would be talking to you all in person. I'm dreading the 15 hour plane ride. Sleepy as hell.I'm well prepared though. I have some Durian candies in my pocket. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a kind of fruit that tastes like heaven but smells like ass. Yes, I kind of like the sound of this. Smelling like ass to any seat kicking perpetrators behind us. Oh yeah, got tons of cool dvds. Will be sharing when I get back. Wish us good trip. See you all back home.

Marketing Genius

So I ran across this bakery or at least I think it's a bakery. John, would you like a nice "chessy" empanada from here?

Sinulog's revenge score

Me
Mango shake -- no effect
Fruit Basket -- no effect
Shrimp -- no effect
Salt Water - no effect
Sun -- no effect
Hella Barbeque -- no effect
Fried Banana -- no effect

Michelle
I ask her how she's doing -- stomach ache, sea sickness, head cold, heat rash


We need to get out more.

Boracay

The day after my birthday, we headed off to Boracay. For anyone who likes all the water activities, this is the place to visit. We got here early in the morning. Lots of Europeans with their new brides. They still had their postage stamps on them. Crazy puts. Today, we took a trip around the island for snorkeling and lunch at the opposite beach. The water was warm but the boat ride was really choppy. Michelle got sea sick and it didn't help that she had a head cold. The snorkeling was cool. It felt like I was swimming in an aquarium. The guy brought some bread but it kinda freaked me out when all the fish started going for it. Frigging piranhas. Stomach of steel! Michelle still has a stomach ache. Oh yeah, and I left some hopia on the counter so we had a bunch of fire ants but I told Michelle it was her potato chips. heh heh.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

My cousin was nice enough to prepare a birthday party for me! It was cool to see most of my family under one roof. Some of my childhood friends came too: Cielo, Angel, Hilda and Judy. Yes, I ran with some of the pretty girls in the neighborhood. The party reminded me when we were kids running around our old house where everyone use to gather except now the next generation is running around making all the old fogies crazy. All in all it was a pretty good time for me. All my cousins came up to me and started quizzing me on who they were. Got an A+. I'll have to post pictures a little later.

Bohol

We went on a day trip to Bohol on Friday. The place feels like the Philippines. Very clean and inviting in comaprison to Cebu. We took a trip to the Chocolate Hills but since it's winter time, it was more like mint hills to me. We also went to the man made mahogany forest but it was crawling with big ass centipedes. We had lunch on Loboc river which was pretty cool. So laid back. The kids were just hanging around swimming in the river at 12:00pm in the afternoon. There was a site there that has the Tarsiers monkeys. I took a picture with one on my shoulder. It looked like a cross between a rat and Golem. The trip is pretty good so far. My stomach of steel is holding up. Michelle is starting to get her heat rashes which really sucked for her. I guess all the skin softening moisturizing reatments have their side effects. Unlike me, all leathery.

Family Time

Michelle and I met a few of my relatives this past few days. The last time they saw me, I was only 12 so it was a little surprising to many of them, specially my aunts, to see me. They kept saying how much I've changed. To me, this whole place has changed. It is completely packed. I can't recognize any of the streets or any of the people. Luckily, the driver I hired knows all the shortcuts and the tourist spots here. My cousin's wife also showed us around and she prepared a small package of lost family pictures for Michelle. Tre cool.

Motherlode

Today, we hired a bus to take us around town. We went to a few key places, mainly where they sell knockoffs at the cheap. We found this place that had a bunch of Louis Vuitton and Gucci purses for less than 10 bucks. I also found this place where they sold bootleg mp3s and software for like $1.25. I think I'm more or less a criminal at this point.

Sinulog's revenge.

Okay, so yesterday we went to the mall with my cousin Joel. We had lunch then stopped in at a dessert place. I had a root beer float and Michelle had a brownie ala mode (her usual kalokohan dessert). I got back to the hotel and really felt quesy. I didn't even finish my float but Michelle cleaned her plate. All I saw were crumbs and a puddle of "vanilla" ice cream. Today, we spent the whole day at the hotel. She had a complete case of Montezuma's revenge on both ends. She's feeling a little weak but I brought a whole bag full of meds. Pepto and Immodium. Still, I know it sucks to feel this way and being away from home. I think I'm going to cancel our Island Hopping tour and play it by ear. She's feeling better than yesterday but not 100% yet.

On another note, the baklas at the salon where I got my haircut, clued me in on where to shop for the imitation purses for real cheap. I might use that to get Shell out of bed today.

I'm at the lobby waiting for everyone to get up.

Aunts and Meals

We met with my Auntie Heidi and Uncle Jerry today whom I haven't seen in 22 years. Auntie Heidi use to stay at my mom's house when they were kids. It was interesting to hear many of their stories about their childhoood and my grandma who died before I was born. Michelle felt out of place cause they were talking in Visayan but I tried to translate as much as I could. Today was spent on catching up with them and searching for a few key meals that I promised myself. Michelle and I took a taxi to the Ayala Center which is one of the big malls here in Cebu. Surprisingly, the prices at the malls are equal or even more to the prices in the U.S. I can't even begin to understand how people can afford the basic necessities let alone designer goods. There really is a discrepancy between the rich and the poor here. I don't think the middle class really exists here. The problem is that the price doesn't necessarily guarantee a real brand product. Michelle went to look for eyeglasses and I saw a Banana Republic branded pair which cost 8000 pesos ($160) and I know Banana Republic doesn't make any eyeglasses. Anyway, we resisted any impulses and just window shopped. It is weird to see alot of lower rated US brands sold as main brands here. For instance, one of the main imported beers is Colt45 and Mossimo is still real big here.

Day 2

Today, we went to the Sto. Nino mass at the Basilica. We left early in the morning to catch the 4:30 mass. I was surprised that there were people sitting in front of their houses at 4:00am just hanging out. The place when we got there was extremely packed.
However, I have never seen such devout and devoted people in my life. It's amazing how much hope and prayer they have and how it shows on their faces.

The Colegio de Santo Nino used to be my Elementary school. I was able to look at the school grounds after mass. Boy has it changed or maybe Boy have I changed. The grounds just looked extremely small. I was able to talk to one of the teachers there and asked about my kindergarten teacher who recently retired.

Still kinda jet lagged but managing.

Day 1

I am emailing this from the lobby of the Waterfront Hotel in the Philippines! The flight from SFO to Hong Kong was extremely grueling! 15 friggin hours! Michelle had the great luck of having a kid kick her seat all night long. Being the vengeful husband that I am, I promptly asked the mom to get her kid in line but when that didn't work, I put on my headphones and reclined my seat all the way back cutting the mom's circulation at the legs. She tried to get my attention by tapping at my backrest going "Sir, sir, my legs are falling asleep." Then I put on the Exorcism of Emily Rose on the video screen while I went to sleep so she can stare at that all night with her creep son. Oh the beauty of travel. Yes I know. Childish. Immature. But it felt so devilishly good.

So far, Michelle is sleeping upstairs while I'm taking in the hotel. There's actually a wedding here. On a Wednesday night! The hotel has a casino but the exchange rate being 1 to 50, it kinda feels like playing with monopoly money. I'm going to plonk down 1,000 on one hand just to say that I did it once.

We also had our first in room massage for a few bucks. Michelle liked it. I can honestly say that massages just don't do anything for me. Instead of relaxing, I'm just awake and nervous. I kept watching them so they don't get to stepping on my back. One rubber slibber touches my back and I'm throwing them out of the room.

Haven't really done much here just yet. Turned on the tube and it's all The Filipino Channel. Go figure..

Okay, better get back to the room and check up on the wife. I'll email you guys with hopefully a blog site with pictures.

Hope everyone is doing good,