Christmas in the Philippines
So I've had a very strange Christmas. Hasn't felt like Christmas at all.
We flew to the Philippines on Thursday 21st late. The plane was delayed by an hour which was annoying. Particularly because two random drunk guys were talking to us, then decided to start screaming at the flight attendants because the plane was an hour late. He was escorted away by the police. Much to our relief. We arrived much later than expected, so our pickup from the airport wasn't there so we had to wait awhile, so we finally arrived at 7 am (we were meant to arrive at 4), so we decided to go to bed. and slept all day. bit of a waste but we were exhausted. Late night flights are a bad idea. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant then went back to bed. I know, I know.. we were TIRED.
Saturday was the best day ever. we went scuba diving, which was soooo much fun. we met a couple of swiss guys and a couple of canadian guys who work in Japan, Greg and Derek. they did the island hopping tour, but weren't impressed so we decided against doing that. Scuba was amazing as I said, i screamed a little bit with the mouth piece in when some fish swam right up to my eyes and stared at me. we were feeding them bread.
Sunday we did the city tour with greg and derek. and another guy John, Was really interested seeing the city. Wasn't what i expected at all. Very run down and very dirty. Cebu is a very poor area. was really sweet, we were followed by lots of kids as we were foreign. They were so funny. Funniest thing though was seeing dogs in nappies. animal cruelty?? pics are online.
Monday we had a lazy day and stayed by the pool. we went to the beach later in the afternoon but it was a bit of a disspointment. Cebu seems to be somewhat lacking in beautiful beaches. In the evening the hotel put on a Christmas party with lots of food (they changed the menu specially because most of the guests were western) so we got to have TURKEY!!! whoop. there were games where I won alongisde greg a free body massage. Greg had already had one so he was sweet and gave it to Jenny. we were planning on paying for one the next day anyway.
So Christmas day we opened our presents. Very strange not opening them with Theresa. I was half asleep aswell. We spent the day by the pool and having our 3 hour massages, which was awesome. Christmas day we actually had pizza. HAHA.
Boxing day we spent packing and by the pool. This was the day i burnt half my face. . was the hottest day so far.
The plane was delayed again by an hour which was annoying but coming back into HK airport was great. We got out so quickly cos we didn't have to queue. Our HK id cards made sure of that. Is all so high tech. This is officially my favourate airport.
Is good to be back home in HK now.
where we stayed
by the pool
Fireworks to bring in Christmas day
doing the macarena
the apple eating contest. he won. after eating 5 apples as quickly as possible. he looked like he would throw up.
Derek
great singer
greg and derek
Taoist temple
The fort
Guitar factory
Didn't know this photo was being taken
Church
they were gonna travel like this
cute kids who followed us
another nativity scene
a dog with a nappy on
a soldier
Mactan Shrine continued
Mactan shrine
scuba instructor dino
santa
a jeepni
nativity scene
We flew to the Philippines on Thursday 21st late. The plane was delayed by an hour which was annoying. Particularly because two random drunk guys were talking to us, then decided to start screaming at the flight attendants because the plane was an hour late. He was escorted away by the police. Much to our relief. We arrived much later than expected, so our pickup from the airport wasn't there so we had to wait awhile, so we finally arrived at 7 am (we were meant to arrive at 4), so we decided to go to bed. and slept all day. bit of a waste but we were exhausted. Late night flights are a bad idea. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant then went back to bed. I know, I know.. we were TIRED.
Saturday was the best day ever. we went scuba diving, which was soooo much fun. we met a couple of swiss guys and a couple of canadian guys who work in Japan, Greg and Derek. they did the island hopping tour, but weren't impressed so we decided against doing that. Scuba was amazing as I said, i screamed a little bit with the mouth piece in when some fish swam right up to my eyes and stared at me. we were feeding them bread.
Sunday we did the city tour with greg and derek. and another guy John, Was really interested seeing the city. Wasn't what i expected at all. Very run down and very dirty. Cebu is a very poor area. was really sweet, we were followed by lots of kids as we were foreign. They were so funny. Funniest thing though was seeing dogs in nappies. animal cruelty?? pics are online.
Monday we had a lazy day and stayed by the pool. we went to the beach later in the afternoon but it was a bit of a disspointment. Cebu seems to be somewhat lacking in beautiful beaches. In the evening the hotel put on a Christmas party with lots of food (they changed the menu specially because most of the guests were western) so we got to have TURKEY!!! whoop. there were games where I won alongisde greg a free body massage. Greg had already had one so he was sweet and gave it to Jenny. we were planning on paying for one the next day anyway.
So Christmas day we opened our presents. Very strange not opening them with Theresa. I was half asleep aswell. We spent the day by the pool and having our 3 hour massages, which was awesome. Christmas day we actually had pizza. HAHA.
Boxing day we spent packing and by the pool. This was the day i burnt half my face. . was the hottest day so far.
The plane was delayed again by an hour which was annoying but coming back into HK airport was great. We got out so quickly cos we didn't have to queue. Our HK id cards made sure of that. Is all so high tech. This is officially my favourate airport.
Is good to be back home in HK now.
where we stayed
by the pool
Fireworks to bring in Christmas day
doing the macarena
the apple eating contest. he won. after eating 5 apples as quickly as possible. he looked like he would throw up.
Derek
great singer
greg and derek
Taoist temple
The fort
Guitar factory
Didn't know this photo was being taken
Church
they were gonna travel like this
cute kids who followed us
another nativity scene
a dog with a nappy on
a soldier
Mactan Shrine continued
Mactan shrine
scuba instructor dino
santa
a jeepni
nativity scene
posted by Jo Payne at
12:36
1 Comments:
so sad to read about some of your "unpleasant" experiences in Cebu. It could have been a lot better had there less politicking and corruption. Being a person who grew up in Manila, Cebu is a lot better i should say. With it's warm hospitality and friendly smiling folks, and close proximity to everything. From downtown where you can shop for native goods, fresh seafoods at unbelievable prices, to the hills for a pleasant foggy afternoon for sweet corn and fresh produce down to Cebu's great beaches. actually they are fantastic. i just don't know how you ended up where you stayed and who brought you around and told you the things they know about cebu especially its beaches? I will be your host next time you give it a second try and i will make sure you get to enjoy what Cebu can offer and what they are known for. Beaches and lots of wonderful beaches. - jake
By
jerico, At
13 July 2008 17:35
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