Sunday, 12 August 2007

Happy Birthday John! I guess that we can be the first due to timezones and the dateline.

Today will be a fairly slow day. We'll be visiting family and picking up some groceries for a beach picnic probably tomorrow.

If we don't post anything for a day or so, it just means that we haven't yet purchased another 24-hr access code yet.

Visiting family in Matina

Last evening we visited Autie Lina and family in Matina. We enjoyed a home-cooked meal including some especially-prepared spaghetti. There was a tremendous rain storm and the back roads were flooded several inches deep. At one point several of us had to go out to run an errand so we rode a motorized tricycle (an old motorbike with a sidecar made from welded-up rebar clamped on).

We met Maricel's fiance Larry in Florida by webcam chat (Hi Larry!).

A lazy afternoon in the pool..

Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City

Devon has Jaws by the tail

Deric clinging to the pool edge

After a period of intense negotiation, Devon takes Deric for a float

Deric cuddles under a towel

We'll get to the sandy beaches soon, but for now the pool will have to do.

Breakfast at Marco Polo Hotel, Davao City

Deric enjoys some fresh calamansi fruit (a Philippine lime). Excellent for squeezing into fruit juice or onto BBQ'ed meat.





Razel is holding a rambutan fruit. It looks a bit like a strawberry that needs a haircut, but the skin easily peels off revealing a white fruit surounding an irregularly shaped seed.

Wiki links: Rambutan; Calamansi

Mt. Apo - tallest peak in the Philippines

9,692 feet tall - the first peak on the left. This is included in the view right out our hotel window.

Wiki link: Mt. Apo

Jet Lag...

4:30AM - "Daddy, I'm hungry... I want french fries lang."

Probably because he is often asleep during supper time.

Asleep at supper time...

Attended a baptism

Baptism of Joy's nephew in Cebu

After the baptism, we had luncheon at a local reception hall.

I noticed the sound system...

Acoustic cannon hanging from the wall...

I need one of these...

Mandarin Tea Garden - Davao City

Mandarin Tea Garden is a local chain that features Philippine treats such as Halo-Halo (mixed-up ube ice cream, ice, fruit, etc.), steamed buns, fried rice, pork asado, and much more. A complete lunch for five is about $10 and is totally delicious.

Davao City

Easy flight from Cebu to Davao. Smooth all the way, no problems.

Cebu airport waiting for flight to Davao City

We're at the Cebu airport waiting for our internal flight to Cebu (Cebu Pacific flight 5J595, 9 Aug, departs 10:10am).

I'm in a lounge that offers free Internet access and PCs. Better Internet access than I have at home...

Later.