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Published: January 25th 2008
'Banka Boat'
Local kids arriving to the 'Santo Nino' FestivalFirst off… Thanks to everyone for the lovely comments from our first BLOG… while we are loving our time in the Philippines updates from home are always great!!!
Currently we are on a small island called Siquijor (See-Key-Hor). It is a very beautiful island and we are staying at a lovely little place called Coral Cay Resort and we are loving the beautiful weather and our scooter (Red Lightening). A couple interesting things we have come to discover about the Philippines are:
#1- Everyone speaks English to some degree, all the signage is in English and so is TV (not that we have seen much of it!!!). Communicating and getting around is super easy... a luxury we do not take for granted when traveling...
#2- There are very few westerners in the Philippines so the local people treat you like celebrities... when we go cruising on our scooter kids scream, wave and run after us and even adults stare at us in disbelief and interest!!! I have said to Dan numerous times that I think they are so intrigued by us because they are in shock at how white my skin is... ha,ha,ha!!!
#3- The varying degrees
of wealth of the local people is staggering... some people have large 4-5 bedroom "western style" homes that are gated with manicured laws satellite TV, gas stoves, glass windows and SUV's in the front yard... the full meal deal. Others on the other hand live in small nippa huts made of bamboo and palm leaves... no running water, open air windows, no furniture, only an open fire to cook on and no power what so ever... the shocking thing is a huge big home will be right beside a small village of nippa huts. Regardless of their living situation we have found all the Pilipino people to be very gracious and helpful... the vibe however is much different then Thailand as the Pilipino people are very Catholic (the Spanish influence) as opposed to Buddhism which is predominant in Thailand.
#4- The cuisine is odd, good… but odd. There is not one specific style of cuisine that is "Pilipino"... it's like they borrow cooking styles from Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, North America and even Italy... never the less the mangos are to absolutely DIE for and we are definitely NOT going hungry. PS- Because of the Spanish influence wine is readily
available in larger cities which is a big upside for us wine loving kids however, my bag is grossly over weight after every major port city we pass through!!!
#5- Pilipino people are obsessed with AKON and Sean Kingston… everywhere we go their songs play in supermarkets, videoke bars, open air markets, taxi cabs and local radio… it’s like our ongoing theme song… absolutely hilarious!!!
Anyways... that's a little insight into what we have been experiencing in terms of the Pilipino culture. We will stay in Siquijor for a few more days then make our way to the large island of Negros. The boat trips between islands have been an adventure... varying from small 'banka boats' (pump boats) that seat 4 people, to slow ferries that chug along at a snails pace and put out more diesel fumes then one cares to image to Super Fast Cat catamarans... which in my opinion are way too fast and a completely WILD ride but Dan loves it... of course!!! BC Ferries ain’t looking so bad anymore!!! Needless to say thank god us Westcoast kids do not get sea sick (knock on wood!!!).
And so the beach goes on… our
Chocolate Hills
Natural phenomenon of over 1200 'bumps' on Bohol Island love to everyone…
Until next time…
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kelly
non-member comment
seek eee hor
that tiny monkey is super creepy looking! and now i think i know where the inspiration for the chocolate hills on mario kart came from. I'm in Phoenix AZ at the mo enjoying the SUNSHINEEEE, been working, going to shoot a machine gun tomorrow before i fly out. Random. miss you guys!!! xo k