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.