Philippines - Cebu & Siquijor (Jan 9 - 16)

On Jan 9, we caught a flight from KL to Manila and then a connecting flight to Cebu. At the Cebu airport, we were warmly welcomed by 2 family members of a co-worker of Dan's from Calgary. This connection came about after we had started making our travel plans and Dan had mentioned it at work. One co-worker, Dario, who grew up in the Philippines, suggested that we were welcome to visit their seaside family cottage on a smaller Philippine island called Siquijor. Following communication with his family members and meeting their approval, arrangements were made for us to visit.

After an overnight stay in Cebu, we set out for the island, accompanied by Frank, Dario's brother. There were 2 options of travel: 1) a direct fast ferry that should take 4 – 5 hrs, or 2) a 4-5 hr bus ride, then a 45 minute ferry, a tricycle (rickshaw) ride to another port on the other side of this island followed by another 1 hr ferry. For a couple of reasons we opted for the second option primarily due to stormy seas and the likelihood that the fast ferry would be cancelled. It turned out to be the right decision as the faster ferry was in fact cancelled and our boat was the last one for the next couple of days. The woman on the seat behind me was praying out loud for much of the trip, it could be that she practices this on a regular basis, however her body language and loud sighs whenever the boat was heaving seemed to indicate her concern about our safety. Ultimately, the trip took a lot longer than normal and the boat was re-routed so it could dock in a calmer port.

The family property is in an amazing location where some family members live year-round while others visit as often as they are able. The property has several cottages that can accommodate family and friends. There are 2 fresh water wells only meters from the sea, the beach and ocean view are spectacular, fresh seafood is readily available and the area has an abundance of fruit trees. We have seen mango, coconut, star apple, papaya, banana, and jackfruit, (there are likely others).

The property backs onto the ocean

The cottage we stayed in

We were royally hosted! Meals were prepared for us, fresh coconuts and papaya were available daily (I was given a lesson on how to handle a machete to properly cut open a coconut) and we were provided with wheels and suggestions to explore the island. 

Two step process - one to slice off a small portion to get at the juice, the second to split it in half to get at the fleshy part

Frank and his wife Lani also brought us jackfruit, star apples, dried fish and a type of sweet potato. One morning during low tide, Lani, went out in search of sea urchins and came back an hour or two later with a bucket full. She then cracked the urchin shell in two, removed any undigested seaweed and then scooped out the edible part, an orangy paste that has a slight seaweed flavour. Sound appealing?

Frank 'searchin for urchin'

Lani splitting the urchin shells

Ready to scrape out the edible part - considered a delicacy

The 'wheels' we were lent for the week to explore the island

One of several waterfalls on the island

A one hundred year old tree

Olive and I enjoyed scanning the tidal pools each time the tide went out. We saw many starfish with 5, 8 and 10 arms, sea urchins, colorful shells and small fish. We were also pleasantly surprised one night during a power outage to be able to spot fireflies. We had a great time at Siquijor spending time visiting with Dario's family and exploring the island. Particularly memorable will be a rowing trip with Frank to a secluded beach for a swim and more sea urchin gathering. Also memorable was being able to join the family in a special religious celebration called Santo Nino, in which a pig was roasted and a large feast prepared. What a privilege to have been there at this time to join in this celebration. Thanks Dario for the invitation, your family members were fabulous hosts!

Preparing to roast the pig - Coke makes the skin crispy and tasty

After 1 hour - hard work to constantly turn and ensure consistent cooking

2.5 hours later, ready to celebrate with a Feast

With Frank & Lani at the ferry dock 

Our next destination is the Philippine Island of Palawan where we plan to stay until Jan 25.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Jan 3 - 9)

Our time in KL was a little different from the past weeks. Instead of sightseeing, we pretty much stayed ‘close to home’ in order for Olive to have more concentrated time to work on her thesis. This has paid off as the last time Olive Skype’d with her advisor, her advisor expressed amazement at the progress Olive has made, great feedback to receive.

BlessingsHomestay - our home for a week in KL

Our accommodation in KL was with a Malaysian family. They have turned their home into a guesthouse called 'BlessingsHomestay'. Their house, like all the ones we saw on their street, had a remote-controlled front gate which opened into a courtyard containing numerous potted plants and a metal chair swing. It also had some lattices and trees that provided a fair degree of privacy, and a covered area with ceiling fans overtop of a large table, ideal for Olive to sit and work on her thesis and for us to enjoy our meals. We both felt a bit out of sorts in KL, not anything to do with the country or accommodation but rather a combination of dealing with some sort of virus and some fatigue after doing a lot in Singapore. Other than the day mentioned below, we did not do much beyond exploring the local neighborhood, called Bangsar, and its many eating-places. A unique aspect of this house that we will remember was a central indoor waterfall and a fishpond full of fish.

Sampling food at the Sunday Night Market

We went from booth to booth to try their foods

Lots of fried foods

The day that we did go out to do some sightseeing, we decided to splurge a bit. We jumped into a taxi for a 15 minute ride downtown, grabbed lunch (2 platefuls of chicken biriyani & 2 sprites), stopped at a barbershop so I could get a haircut (an Indian barber who used a straight razor and included a head massage with the cut), visited a dentist to get an assessment on a toothache, dropped in at a roadside shop to each get a 30 minute back, neck & shoulder massage, stopped at a pharmacy to pick up a large tube of ibuprofin cream (for our aches & pains!), enjoyed coffee and dessert at Starbucks, browsed a bookstore and bought a Sudoku puzzle book, walked through Chinatown and ordered Chinese food for supper and lunch the next day, then took the skytrain back to our place. In the evening when I added up the days expenses, the total came to the equivalant of Cdn $75 for everything!

Strolling Chinatown on a rainy afternoon

Memories of Singapore

This morning (Jan 3) we left Singapore for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and are currently on the bus enjoying the roadside varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees. Thinking about our travels so far and particularly our time in Singapore and feeling overwhelmingly grateful that we can experience all that we are, for technology that enabled us to 'visit' with so many of our family and some friends over Christmas through Skype and Facetime, for the unique opportunity to make ourselves at home (for free!) in someone else's home in exchange for taking care of their cat for 2 weeks (we are hoping to do more of this in Australia, NZ and Europe) and for the fascinating people we are meeting in our travels. We know that what we are doing is not everyone's "cup of tea" but certainly for me (Dan), this is fulfilling a dream I have had for years and so it will likely seem very repetitive when I make comments such as. .... we so enjoyed. ... we were amazed at. ... but truth is we are so totally enjoying ourselves and so grateful to God for watching over us and all those we love so that we have peace about being away for so long.

Highlights of Singapore included: 

the food options available at the hawker centres, the 3 Christmas church services that we attended, the ease of getting around the city on public transit, the cleanliness and beauty, the gardens and parks, 

 

We made good use of the swimming pool at our apartment - a great way to cool off after an outing! 

New Years Eve light show at the Marina Promenade

Big White Wishing Balls floating in the Harbor - the one we signed is out there somewhere!

and all of the attractions we were able to see (zoo, night safari, river safari, bird park, botanic garden, Sentosa Island - including the luge ride -  and the river experience).

At Jurong Bird Park

Enjoyed the Luge ride at Sentosa

We plan to be in KL until Jan 9 when we head to the Philippines.

Some Sites, Plants, Foods & Animals in Singapore

At Singapore Botanic Garden

Well camouflaged

Catching some rays

Lush greenery at Fort Canning Park

Seafood, chicken and beef all in one meal, washed down with fresh guava juice

Juicy fruit

Chinatown shops

Street decorations in Chinatown

Merlion - noted Singapore monument

Marina Bay Sands Hotel and ArtScience Museum

Where the Singapore Sling originated - in Singapore $$!

Gardens by the Bay

Preparing dumplings

Dumplings ready to enjoy

Orchard Road Christmas Day Concert

Singapore Zoo (see note below)

Now I know why Olive finds me attractive!

Entertaining the crowds

Fascinating tram ride to observe wildlife at night

Fire-eating show

Singapore Part 1

As planned, we arrived in Singapore the evening of Dec 4 and checked into the OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) guesthouse, a lovely and affordable (especially by Singapore standards) haven for international workers and another wonderful opportunity to meet new people and hear more fascinating stories.

Singapore Botanical Garden

Singapore Hotel/Casino and Flyer (by day)

Same location at night

On Dec 7 we boarded the Costa Victoria cruise ship for an 11 day trip to ports in Thailand and Malaysia including Kuantan, Koh Samui, Malacca, Penang, Phuket and Langkawi. Highlights of the trip - soaking in the sun on some phenominal beaches, spending countless hours reading, getting caught in a monsoon downpour and huddling inside a small shelter with a Norwegian man and several Thai folks, eating all the seafood I could possibly want and just experiencing the culture in these countries. The only downside, Olive was briefly seasick on the trip up the eastern side of Thailand.

Phuket, Thailand (cruise ship in background)

Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand

On Dec 18 we returned to Singapore and after spending another 2 nights at the OMF guesthouse, we have now moved into an apartment for the next 2 weeks in which we are house and pet sitting for a British couple who have returned to England for Christmas. We are taking care of their cat, Alfie, a 12 year old white and black feline rescued from a shelter in Malaysia. Of course to be understood, we have readily learnt some common Malay phrases which roughly translate as. ... quit using the couch for a scratching post; no, you can't have a treat until later; and, would you prefer to be scratched behind the ears or on your belly?

If you can believe it, we have now been travelling for just under 3 months and up to this point all of our meals have been prepared for us. However, that will now change and fortunately there is a supermarket only about a block away from the apartment and lots of nearby eating places. We are looking forward to spending Christmas here and hope to take in some Christmas church services.

As those of you who have spent Christmas in a hot climate will know, it seems strange to hear "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas" as we wandered down Orchard Road, an elaborately decorated street that has choirs and musicians performing free outdoor concerts. At one mall, in addition to reindeer and a Santa Claus, the mall has foam generating blowers that blast out fake snow to the delight of youngsters and admiring adults.

We wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a happy new year. If you are on Skype and would like to have a face to face over the holidays let us know, we would be thrilled.

Our plan is to stay in Singapore until Jan 3 and then head to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.