Al Fresco Resort Batangas

McRoo

I figured McDonald's had the same menu worldwide. Big chain, lots of promotion, new restaurants in many countries. So I was a bit surprised first time I hit a McDonald’s that catered to the local tastes and had something different from what I was used to having in the U.S. After the first one, we started searching out McDonald’s just to see if they had ...

... event and offered a pleasant setting whether the plan was for undersea adventure, socializing or just relaxing with a good book.

The diver's were lead by our divemaster, Gigi Santos, to the various dive sites along the reefs of Anilao. Diving in Anilao is always an exciting experience. The Philippines is at the center of marine biodiversity on the planet and Anilao is close to the bullseye. There are more marine species in this part ...

... where we booked the trip just to see how much rooms were because we didn't want to have to deal with the hostel again. Since it wasn't that much more, we decided to say there for the night- so nice to be in a hotel! We went to an internet cafe for a bit, had dinner and then headed back to the hotel. We had a good night's sleep and then were up early again the next morning to go to the airport. We were on our way to Vietnam :)

... us. Each woman received a hand bag and each man a hat. We really didn't want to take them as they had given us little hat necklaces when we had arrived but they insisted. We accepted them reluctantly and went on our way. I can't describe exactly how I felt, sad that people have to live in such poor conditions, but happy that they are trying hard to have a better life through the co-op. They also have families that are large ...

I was concerned my Birthday was going to be one of infamy, but turns out the Lord sent me a present. Gloria, our host's office appointed tour guide determined it was my birthday and insisted Pat and I go with her and her family on a trip Sunday. So when I woke up early today they came to our flat and picked us up in the family van. I think part of the fun was that we didn't really know where we were going and what it was we'd do ...

... second dive of the day was to the Koala - not sure why it was called this, however we had to swim out into the current and around a big rock/coral mound and got to see a myriad of pamrine life. I felt the felling of true boyancy for the first time and just lay there in the water watching everything around me. Both Neil and I found the whole experience so exilarating and not scary inthe least. Anilao is great for the beginner diver, especially ...

Although Taal Volcano is the smallest known active volcano, I think it is best never to underestimate a Volcano's difficulty to climb, especially in 45 degree heat! So the day started with Adler, his brother Ansel, and Carlo bartering a price for a boat to Taal Island (as the volcano is in the middle of a crater filled with rain water) from Tagaytay - which we got down to 1200 Pesos. The boat ride was gorgeous - I ...

... 20 minutes before we are able to get on a bus to Manila and we figure that's a much better way than waiting around Banaue all day and then being stuck on the same bus in the same seat for 9 straight hours. We try to entertain ourselves in various ways - making new inventions such as the bus head sling, the adventures of having my seat fold forward in half on me and then Stefen and a Filipino wrestling it back into position while I lie on the floor laughing and not ...

... and noshed on pizza with cream cheese filled crust. Sounds gross, but was actually awesome. Jumping soon after the pizza onto another bus, we basked in the eerie yellow-orange-burgundy glow of the sun refracting through the haze as we read our books until there was only enough light to verify once again that the speedometer was definitely not working. Disappointed that I would not be able to continue to read about Mexico's incredibly interesting political, economic, and social ...

... The Philippines did that to me, sent the creativity and feeling flowing back through my veins, making me feel like I was nineteen again instead of 25 going on 42. That was appropriate perhaps, because everybody kept telling me that I looked like I was 19. People often treat me like I'm 19 too, which I don't really like.