The past Week....

There are only a few times when I wish I have a better phone or digital camera. Yes, I have neither. One such time was the past week.

The week started last Saturday with my visit to Sariaya Quezon. With my renewed quest to find myself a decent beach resurrected, I was pleased to know that a friend of Jheng was willing to tour us in Sariaya Quezon. Good Emer took us to Beachwood Resort where we got a very generous price for an air-conditioned room which I shared with Jheng and our good friend Elise. The water was ok, sand was dark but fine. We were fortunate to have noticed that there were jelly fishes in the beach only too late... when it didn't matter anymore. We also had a good dip into the deep when we went boating and was asked to jump off for snorkling over 50ft. high water! Really stupid if you'd ask me... but what can we do...we have already depended our lives to the boatmen who took us there. So we enjoyed what we can and got back to shore soon after. For what it is worth, I guess, the highlight of the trip was my time alone with Jheng in the beach... (Elise spent her time reading by the shore...and yes in the boat) I realized we haven't had that much time to talk since I could remember. We have long been eaten up by our other concerns, friends and work. But hey! We're sisters and nothing will change that.

The next day, Sunday, hospitable Emer fetched us to have lunch at the "Kamayan sa Palaisdaan" near Lucban. It was a very refreshing place to spend lunch in. You eat inside floating cabanas and feed the fishes while you're at it. Of course, we have to eat by our hands too. There was no rush eating in that place. You'd just like to hang out longer, a very good place to talk and just relax. The ambiance is amazing.

Next stop was the Grotto in Lucban where many people have received healing. Good Emer was such a good fellow he thought of bringing us there because of my psoriasis. It was almost dusk when we arrived so we didn't really go up the 252 steps stairs to the top of the grotto (with our very full stomachs to boot) so we just spent some time in prayer and off we went to the terminal to start on our way home. Had it not been for Emer, all that travelling would have been such a bummer!

Tuesday of last week was also a good time for me. My good friend Mond is in town and true to his promise that we'd spend some time singing... (you remember we were supposed to do this before you left last december?) and chatting, we met in RedBOx Greenbelt for a whole night of chatter and songs! I have to give it to the guy. He is one friend who could make you feel that no time has lapsed since your last meeting. His friendship is as fresh as ever. Thanks!

And finally, last Friday, I flew to the southernmost part of our archipelago to Zamboanga. This province was a real surprise to me. I thought that the place would be swarming with Muslims in their turbans...I have nothing against that but I did expect it. Surprisingly, the locals tell me that the province is predominantly Christian testified by their wonderful churches and landmark places of worship. There was only one shopping mall in the city proper but I didn't go there. Spent my time "pearl hunting" in Barter instead, a local place for imported (from Malaysia) chocolates, sarong, and yes, pearls. I also got a chance to check out two beaches, Gulf and just today, La Vista del Mar where I finally caught sight of a vinta. I have such luck at getting to beaches just before everybody else does. I spent this morning (around 7am) walking alone in the beach just peacefully appreciating the sight. And of course it was time to leave. Zamboanga have hospitable people, lots of pearls and lots of good food. I don't mind visiting again. It's such a pity that it has been stereotyped to be a "war zone" along side the nearby island of Basilan. I took a dip into Gulf Beach at 7pm Friday and I couldn't have felt any safer...or was it just me and my naive expeditions? Anyway I had a good time.

So there goes my latest escapades. :) See you soon my friends!