Philippines

So here's the deal. Internet had been really spotty in Palawan so I couldn't update consistently, hence the long winded stuff you'd gotten. I apologize as reading over it I realized how crappily written those entries truly were. So, no more line items for everything that went on in the day. Rather, I'll just jot down highlights and memories.

Palawan
After day 1 and 2, day 3 had the Honda Bay in store. Bad part was that I woke up with a burning throat, post-nasal drip, and a bit of congestion. I popped a Mucinex and was off to the BEST PART OF OUR VACATION thus far.

After renting a water proof case for Courtney's camera and a few snorkels, we boarded a boat and went to the 1st of 3 destinations on our tour. It was this floating bamboo structure that didn't look too impressive as we approached. But beneath the water was this incredible coral reef with all sorts of fishes. We took tons of pictures beneath the waves and really just tried to take everything in. Breathtaking.

Back on the boat and off to the next destination, this time a white sand beach with plenty of swimming and lunch. Swam with the fishes a bit more and was able to stretch out and properly swim without a life jacket. I forgot how much more buoyant one becomes in salt water. Oh, and how salty it is. I mean, I know it's supposed to be salty (it's the bleeding OCEAN for godsakes) but jeez.

Our last destination was another beach and more swimming. This time the sand was fine and soft like baby powder. There was a little section in a clearing of palm trees where you could get massages. We went back into the water and this time fed the fishes with some bread. Suddenly, we were surrounded by schools of all kinds of fish life: blue ones, striped ones, little ones with pointing noses. They were even eating the bread out of my hands. Crazy.

Honda Bay was incredible. It was the one part of our trip thus far that I would DEFINITELY do again. In a heartbeat.

We had one day of rest in Palawan which we had intended on spending at the pool. Instead, Courtney and I spent in our room, the both of us feeling under the weather, much to the chagrin of my sister. Oh well, on to...

Cebu
The hotel in Cebu was nice if a bit on the older side. Didn't matter too much since we weren't staying in Cebu for very long.

CJ and I took Courtney to my family's hometown of Naga, to the house where we spent parts of our childhood. It was a bit sad to see the place so rundown as it was about 20 years old without anyone living in it for the last 7 or so. But still, you could see the potential in the place. Courtney did too. She wanted to see  how much it would cost to renovate the place. We might just look into it as it would be kind of a waste to lose the place.

Other than the visit to Naga, we did a lot of shopping. That part of the trip was definitely a complete 180 from our Palawan trip. A bit more upscale but not as upscale as our next destination...

Manila
Our hotel in Manila is the nicest of the three we've been to. Courtney actually said that besides the hotels she's worked in, this one is the classiest ones she's ever stayed in. And I would be inclined to agree.

Got in in the evening and decided to get some grub. Of all places, we end up at Outback Steakhouse. All the way to the Philippines, and we end up at Outback. I think by this time we were all getting a bit home sick and wanted a taste of home.

Today is more shopping and possibly some massages and pampering at the spa. Haven't fully committed. The cool part is that our hotel is literally across the street from TWO MALLS. The bad side? Super-Typhoon Juan might be passing through Manila. Might. Praying that it doesn't.

Until next time...