From our guest blogger, Maureen...
All is well here - it is Sunday morning, Blake and Tess have walked to town and the rest of us are having a great slow day of books, T-pads and computers. (Pictured at left.) The wind is gentle, gorgeous downpour this morning and now beautiful blue in some areas of the sky. Last night's moon was breathtaking as it covered the entire ocean like a blanket of sparkling gold and with us being up about 300 feet above sea level. You can imagine the panoramic sweep of it all. We dined outdoors last night in complete dark under a rattan/palm roof lit by lanterns - again, sumptuous fare - bbq'd chicken and pork, freshly made spring rolls and rice followed by creme caramel. Honestly, these ladies are amazing.
Tess and Blake just arrived home by tricycle with arms full of groceries and Blake's shirt wringing wet - gotta love my boy! Blake and I took a tricycle to Sabang yesterday (this is the port where we landed the first night - I originally stated it was Puerto Galera - sorry, wrong about that.) Sabang is a huge diving port with diving shops everywhere. We puttered about, drank Coke at a teeny stand for refreshment, wandered on and off the beach and accomplished a first when "off" beach by strolling innocently into the middle of a wedding party and were politely ushered away with gesticulating arms from them and apologetic smiles from us. The rides were exactly the way they should be - bone jarring but as always, such fun and all part of the adventure. On the ride home the roof of the tricycle was so low that we slid down in our seat and sort of rode home in full slump position. (Left: Sebastian races around the track and then relaxes afterwards in his Go Kart.)
While we played in Sabang the Caldwell gang walked miles to and from home to Go-carts and ATV's. They highly recommend the facility called X-Treme Sports Philippines and run by a very kind and helpful gentleman, Herman. The triplets' legs weren't quite long enough for the go-kart pedals, so the owner allowed them to drive a small ATV around the track instead. Had a ball: Tess and Charles were happy to report that all four kids were very sensible drivers. Charles and I then went into bliss mode as two masseuses arrived and gave us 2 hour massages. The price is astounding: 2 hours for 1,000 pesos = 2 hours for $34 Canadian. And, one of the best massages I have had which speaks volumes. ...... Outside is now gorgeous and hot and calling my name. Oh! should mention that the kids' hair is green from the pool - really. I am not kidding. [Charles note: they put so much chemical - not sure it's chlorine - in the pool I am sure the kids glow even in daylight.] (Left: Carys about to drive an ATV and right, Sebastian attempts to run next to Sela on the track.)
And on another note - we have the most wonderful in-house pet who lives on the wall behind the fridge - he is a huge lizard (10" long - huge in my eyes) who has probably got the most fascinating and annoying speech! He loves to chat when we are in bed asleep and his voice is so loud it totally wakens you: he sounds like a large but high-pitched frog. This morning I was up at 6 and there he was tromping about the villa walls just as proud as you please. When I next checked on him he was back home behind the fridge. (Left: Jasper races around the track yelling and screaming. When we stopped JJ to ask what was wrong he yelled, "NOTHING, I FEEL LIKE JAMES BOND!")
Wow, Seb is looking more and more like Charles.
Posted by: joeinvegas | January 08, 2013 at 11:03 PM