Manila whirlwind

The last few days in Gensan

Here are some pictures from the last few days in Gensan before catching the plane to Manila.

Blog updates

As Trish said, we are in our final stretch....what an adventure!! We are using University of Manila computers right now and won't likely be able to add more photos until we return home. Thanks for following the blog - there will be lots more added as we go through our photo collections so stay tuned. See all our American friends and family soon, and we will sure miss all of our Filipino friends.

Take care!!

In Manila already

Wow! I can't believe that we are in the final stretch before returning home. I could stay for a few more months at least and still never see all there is to see. We are staying in the home of Sonny and Lyndia Ventura and the hospitality has been on par with what we have come to know as customary for guests. We arrived yesterday around noon and were quickly escorted through the airport and baggage claim, then on to the waiting transportation. There we were greeted by Lyndia Ventura and Carmen Kobaiashi and taken for a wonderful lunch. After some sight seeing and a visit to the American Cemetary, we went to to rest for a few minutes then had dinner with Sonny and Lyndia's family and fellow rotarians. We shared stories and laughs. This continues to be a truly memorable experience that I will not soon forget. More pictures to come...

Waterfall at Lake Sebu

These photos almost speak for themselves - we did a little "Indiana Jones-ing" to get to the falls - and it was gorgeous!!

A glimpse of Koronadal

As has often been the case, so much happens in such a short time it is hard to capture it all. These two posts will just be a sample of the things we enjoyed in Koronadal - as always, our new friends top the list (including Nanette who was a Rotex my same year and who shared so many of the feelings I did from my year in Mindoro when she spent her year in the US - we had so much to talk about - it was wonderful), but we also took in some amazing sites as well.

We continue to be delighted by the many modes of transportation and the creative ways people get what they need to where they need it. Check out the bags of rice on the tricycle. We were able to get a gorgeous shot of the Waling-Waling orchid, and spent time at a small grade school that was part of a dentist mission. The children were awesome and seemed delighted we visited and grateful for the Rotary project.

Polomolok - too much to post

Starting Tuesday my time with RC Polomolok was amazing...let's see how much I remember!

Thanks to the club, but especially Wang for taking me everywhere, I saw

• The Fish museum at the Sarangani Provincial center






• We had coffee at resort in Sarangani






• We bought balut






• Trish ate balut at the mayors office!






• I had a remarkable dinner at Sarangani Highlands (I know I am missing some things)

Then Wednesday I woke at Xaviers and toured Polomolok with him in the early morning hours. Then we hit the fish port, a fish packing plant, the dry docks, the Sunsweet dried fruit company, had lunch at Delores garden, went to the Durian garden and saw butterflies, flowers and exotic animals, went to a club member's asparagus farm, bought wonderful fruit at a roadside stand - love chicos! - saw the Nipa hut builders, went to Polomolok police station, had a rest at the Dole plantation and ended the night with a club potluck and fellowship there.
PHEW!

Ask any mermaid you happen to see...

So the fish port was fun and almost a no-go for Marie. They failed to mention there was a dress code - no shorts or sandals - though one picture taken through the fence revealed - there are lots of violators to those rules. Fortunately after some serious negotiating - took almost an hour - Wang got Trevor and me inside.

Saw a Diana (?) fish - about the size of a 55" halibut, but orange, and lots and lots of tuna. Amazing and fun.

Lot's of Tuna - Otherwise known as these people may be really small, but REALLY strong.

Trish faces down the Balut

I wish this had sound, but I can pretty much narrate what I am saying here.

Trish: Oh wow, that is a little duck.

Balut: Don't eat me, I am just a baby.

Trish: Hmmm, well, we are in the mayors office, so I think that I am going to have to do this. Oh, it's kind of chewy and a lot like an egg. The white part is really chewy.

Balut: By the powers of grayskull, I summon forth the revenge of the Balut on you and all that follow! Mwah ha ha ha!

The team has invaded GenSan

Ok - the log is a bit behind, but our schedules are packed. Each of us is being hosted by a different club and we are getting individualized attention and itineraries. We will have lots to hare, but right now it is early up and early to bed for the next day...so one post from me is all you get right now - and these shots are from today's lunch - where we all met up.

Consider the photos: BEFORE, AFTER, and WAY AFTER

The "chicken" was both fun and contagious

A few more shots of us and our friends

Mardi Gras Fun

Our table, the NH team, and some of our outbounds. And check out the tuna sashimi.