Happy 7th Birthday Silas!

Coal Mines and Cake

Friday, 30th September 2011

Happy Birthday Silas! Seven years old today, we hope you have a great day celebrating your birthday in the Philippines.

When we woke up, Silas and Eden were already awake and sitting in the back of the multi-cab, so we went and joined them and gave Silas his birthday cards.

After breakfast Matt, Silas and I went with Felcris by tricycle to find a birthday cake for Silas. We eventually ordered one from someone's house, they have a home business making and decorating special occasion cakes. We chose the least ostentatious one and came home. Silas was a bit put out that he didn't have a cake to bring home to show Eden, but we told him we would be picking this one up at 6.00pm.

The Birthday Boy with a picture he drew

Lunch was early so we could ride up the mountain to Balaas to hold a Bible study. There is a coal mine at Balaas, which was something Silas was really looking forward to seeing. He had told me a couple of days ago that “Dad said he would organise to show me a real working coal mine!”

The ride up the mountain in the back of the new multi-cab was a memorable one – almost as good as going in the back of Bro Frans's multi-cab up to Isabela. This time Matt was in the back with us. He was holding Noah, who fell asleep and made his ride even more uncomfortable as we found all the potholes in the road, both large and small. Sis Conchita and Sis Ester and Bro Felcris were also with us  in the back, Bro Sonny was in the front to be our guide.

Silas, Felcris and Noah in the back of the multicab

The beautiful foreigners!

Watch that smile slowly disappear. This was the start of the journey!

Sis Ester and Sis Conchita

Here is Matt's description of a ride in the multi-cab:

Hell-on-wheels! I can't sit up straight without hitting my head. I can't see where we are going and the winding road makes me feel car-sick, then you add some exhaust fumes for good measure. The small van darts all over the road with Bro Frans weaving his way along. Being so small and light it gets tossed over all the bumps. It seems that nobody in the Philippines can drive at a constant speed, whenever travelling along a straight section of road it is necessary to continually pump the throttle (it's just a pity that there is not turbo & blow-off-valve, because if there was Frans would be the dozing king of the Philippines). Many of the gear changes are flat-changes, just a bit more power and we would be turning the rear treads. Corners are best divided into two of three sections, each attacked seperately. When braking for a pot-hole always make sure that you keep braking while hitting the hole. The best way to take off up an incline is to jump quickly off the brake, give it a boot-full of revs, and side-step the clutch (just make sure that all the children are well secured). All-in-all the trip is quite horrible, I ended up sitting on the floor and looking out the back door which helped a bit.

My strong recommendation is that all Australians try to never travel more than 10mins in the back of any multi-cab. Sis Conchita and Sis Ester both said that they would rather travel up the mountain on a motorbike than go in the multi-cab.

We staggered out of the multi-cab at the end of our journey feeling very sick and ready for a rest. Matt and Noah managed to find some wooden benches under a shady tree and lay down next to each other, it was very cute.

Resting before the Bible Study

How can they be smiling? That ride was torture!

The Bible study was held at Bro Borbon and Sis Lita's house. Sis Lita has recently had a stroke and cannot walk without help anymore. Sis Linda, Bro Ananias, Mary Grace (Sis Mary Jane's daughter) and some of Sis Linda's children joined us for the Bible study, which was on Mark 6 – Christ stilling the storm.

Noah was very noisy and had to be taken outside, back to the shady tree, where everybody seemed very intrigued with Noah. A man tried to give him some turkeys to hold, and then a chicken, and a lady asked him many questions and gave him some snacks. Noah did not seem phased in the least by all this attention.

The boys and the birds

Relaxing in the shade after the Bible Study

More people relaxing in the shade

After the Bible study, we went to have a look at this coal mine. Shocking conditions and even more shocking pay! Unbelievable that people can work that hard (all done manually - no machines) and be paid so little (P120/day (approx AUD$3.00) for  an 8-hour day). Silas loved seeing it all, and was even able to dress up as a miner. What a great birthday experience! Unfortunately, the photos are on our other camera, and are too large to post here.

Buddy (Sis Mary Jane's husband) and his youngest daughter came back with us in the multicab, along with two sacks of firewood. Sis Conchita sat regally upon her throne of firewood, while the rest of us squeezed in to the available spaces. Matt was on the floor. Great we thought, only an hour to get back to the hall, and then they decided to go a different way home, to see if it was a smoother road. It was probably slightly smoother, but it was about 3 times the distance. We were just about dead by the time we got back, and the kids were beside themselves, from hunger, thirst and tiredness. I vowed I would never go in the multi-cab again – it is definitely torture!

We took a trike to pick up the cake. Amazing! It was even warm still. Rich chocolate icing and warm, moist chocolate cake. We invited Bro Sonny to bring his grandchildren back to celebrate with us. Dinner was delicious, with mango shakes on the menu once again! Sang happy birthday to Silas a couple of times, and enjoyed eating the wonderfully rich cake – yummy, yum yum.

Happy Birthday Silas!

The Birthday Boy with his siblings

The children were allowed to stay up for the Bible readings tonight, until Noah's behaviour deemed him fit for removal to bed. He was quite happy to lie down and go to sleep, and so were the rest of us as soon as we were able. What a busy day!

Castles Galore

Thursday, 29th September 2011

We awoke early again to Noah's sudden crying, and so the day was underway. Bro Frans left early to go back to Cebu city – to collect the new multi-cab for the ecclesia.

After breakfast and all our morning things we went to visit the local tourist attraction – a castle. Built about ten years ago by a collection of Belgian's and locals from local stones and concrete, it looks a little like an old medieval castle. There are secret passages and very narrow spiral staircases leading up to the towers. There are three levels to the castle itself and they are set up with dining tables and a bar. The whole complex is built on the side of a hill, so that behind the castle itself is a large walled courtyard, on the level above is a large covered swimming pool, the next level has accomodation and a playground. Then above this again is more accomodation, the owners house and two flying-foxes that span a small valley. Scattered around the grounds are cages holding monkeys, birds and other creatures, not very nice for the animals though. We spent about three hours exploring the place and I would have liked to take a swim in the pool, but it wasn't possible today. At the front of the castle is a moat with real crocodiles and a working drawbridge.

Noah and the crocodile

Walking across the drawbridge

The King and Queen and their children

Felcris and Silas

The swimming pool

Poor little monkeys

The start of the flying fox

Interesting

About to fly off on his broomstick

Inside the castle

More of the castle

At the entrance

Never smile at a crocodile

He's imagining how well you'd fit within his skin

I'm not scared

Queen Eden and King Noah

King Silas

We returned to the hall and had our lunch then all of us had a sleep in the afternoon, this idea of an afternoon siesta is to be commended. The afternoon was spent relaxing around the hall. I took the children for a walk to visit Bro Sonny's home, and we ended up coming back with Sonny, one of his grandchildren and a small bicycle.

All that I remember about the evening was that we had a nice tea (which included a fresh chefs salad, and mango shakes to drink), followed by the readings and then off to bed.

Mangoes, Motorbikes and Mosquito Nets

Wednesday, 28th September 2011

We awoke early after a good nights sleep, packed our bags and checked out. Then we walked next door to meet the others. After checking out there as well we assembled out the front and called Bro Felcris. While we were standing there Bro Sonny Matura arrived to collect us!

After being thoroughly annoyed by the accommodation we moved back to the hall and then decided to stay there for the remainder of our stay in Cebu. Sis Conchita and Bro Felcris made breakfast for us – along with ripe mangoes. The first time we have eaten fresh ripe mangoes while in the Philippines.

Bro Sonny arrived during breakfast and then took Silas with him for a walk afterwards. I followed soon after with Eden and Noah. We walked past the old ecclesial hall & Bro Sonny's house. I met Christel-May, and she accompanied us (taking Eden under her wing) to the river for to look around. The last time that we met Christel-May was eight years ago, and she was four years old them, she looks a lot like her mother (Sis Maristela).

Lunch was prepared by Sis Conchita again. After lunch Sarah and Noah had a sleep while the rest of us ride motorbikes up into the mountains. We Visited Sis Emma Delos-Santos and her youngest children. Mum looked the part on the bike, Silas was most excited and Eden was jammed between two adults and couldn't see much. When we arrived Silas and Eden went exploring with Bro Chris-Ian. I did a study on rain. Afterwards we were served young coconut juice. Silas returned with his pockets filled with guava's, he was a little disappointed to find that they were not ripe.

Go Mum!

Mum the biker

Sis Emma's house

The Bible Study was held at Sis Emma's house

One of Sis Emma's sons

Sis Emma and her youngest children

Silas driving the steam roller

When returned to the hall Felcris invited us all to come to the beach for a swim. The water was clean and warm. The beach is black stones and it is reasonably steep. Everyone enjoyed swimming, although Silas found the swell a little more challenging than the calmer water at Lingayen. We stayed until after sunset and then returned to the hall. After all washing we sat down for tea (there is no end to the food being served here).

On the way to the beach

 

Swimming at the beach in Argao

Noah wasn't too sure

Maybe playing in the sand is better

Beautiful sunset

Bro Frans arrived late in the day, he had travelled from his home in Pangasinan, took a bus to Manila, plane to Cebu and another bus to Argao (over 12hours travelling).

We did the NT reading (Luke 21) and I led a discussion on signs showing the soon return of Christ. Bro Sonny and Bro Belvic joined in the readings.

Then bed, it was a hot night and the mosquito net was not big enough (it only went down to my knees) so we had to sleep with a sheet over our legs.

Extending our Visas - an Expensive Ordeal

Tuesday, 27th September 2011

Some days are better than others, today was an “others” day. On a brighter note, Sarah, Noah and I all slept in until 8:00am. Then mum and the other children all knocked on our door – dressed and ready for the day.

There was a nice buffet breakfast that we enjoyed in the restaurant before going back to our rooms to pack up. Felcris arrived about 9:30, and before 10:00 we checked out. We left most of our bags at reception and took a cab to the immigration office to extend our visas, it was raining.

People were lined up outside the immigration office! Eventually we worked out which desk we were supposed to go to to collect our forms, then get them stamped. Then submit them for processing, then take them over to the payments counter. Then there was a problem – I didn't have enough money on me to pay for the visa extension. Felcris and I quickly went and found another cab that could take us to a bank with an ATM, the first ATM was out of order, but the second one was okay. The cab driver waited for me and took us back to the office. Then we could pay for our visas, then we had to wait for more processing, and then finally – we could leave, now it was 12:00 and everyone was hungry.

We took another taxi to another shopping mall to get lunch, and more money out (there is a limit to the amount you can withdraw in each transaction). And go to the toilet, and buy a birthday card for Silas, and finally we could leave and take another taxi back to the hotel to collect our bags, and then get dropped to the bus terminal. There is a terminal fee so that the taxi can get into the terminal that we had to pay, Silas dropped this down the side of the seat of the taxi and it couldn't be found.

Once inside the bus terminal we had to pay another terminal fee for each of us, then I was allowed to buy tickets for all of us (change is not given until you are on the bus). The bus trip is a little under two hours. 

Bananas and more

Can you believe it?

Sights from the bus

More sights...

And more sights

When we arrived, the seven of us with our baggage fitted into one trike (plus the trike driver) for the short journey to the hall. This was the first time that we have seen the new hall – and we are quite impressed.

Sis Conchita and Sis Jacqui served us sun biscuits and drinks for merinada. Then a little later they served us dinner. Afterwards we took a couple trikes to the hotel.

Sis Conchita setting the table for dinner

We got to Bamboo Paradise only to be told that only one room was available for us, and that another room had been booked at the resort adjacent! I told Bro Felcris that there was no way I was going to split up my family. The outcome was that Sarah, Noah and I stayed in Bamboo Paradise and Silas, Eden and Mum stayed in Palm Island next door. We took the children's pj's  around to them before the doors were locked for the night, then later on we had to pass some drink bottles over the fence into next door.

Finally we all went to sleep in clean air-cond rooms.

And now we're off to Cebu...

Monday, 26th September 2011

Happy Birthday Brendan! Hope you have a great day. We will celebrate your birthday in the wonderful, warm, tropical Visayas.

After a restless night's sleep (the pillow was too fat for my precious head). I was up early and used the opportunity to update the diary. Silas slept in well after everyone else was awake. We walked to Mr Poon for breakfast – Silas and I enjoyed delicious hamburgers.

After finishing in our rooms and checking out we took a cab to the airport. We toured from one end of the teminal to the other before finding the right check-in counter. After checking in and going through to the departure area we treated ourselves to a Mister Donut each.

Felcris, our very own porter!

Noah and Silas with Uncle Felcris

The 1 hour flight to Cebu was a little rough, although we all took it well. Philippine Airlines served us a hot drink plus two biscuits, and (this is the best part) chicken adobo flavoured peanuts! Upon arrival the children got to see some traditional dancing just outside the terminal building. Then we took a cab to the hotel for the night. The taxi driver kept on saying that he was overloaded (seven people plus luggage), I said that he could just leave us at the airport and we would take a different taxi if he didn't like it. We stayed at the Castle Hill Hotel, it was quite good accommodation, but they still didn't have any proper coffee. I ordered a cafe latte in the restaurant and got a drink that tasted like a mocha made from a sachet. However the t-bone steak that I had for tea was very nice! Noah was very cute pretending to read the menu and say what he wanted to order.

Have you noticed how much of the blog is about food? Interesting isn't it. I wonder why?

Noah enjoyed all the attention from the waitress.

Following dinner we all walked to the local shopping mall – it was huge (as seems usual over here). Sarah and Eden each bought a head band, and we bought some nappies for Noah. By now the children were making all the “I'm tired” signs, so we returned to the hotel by taxi and put them to bed. Bro Felcris did not stay the night, instead he went to stay with his brother who lives in town.

Walking down to the shopping mall

It was only a "short" walk

Noah sleeping peacefully in our hotel room