CHRIS PELUSO

My attempt at some Filipino-style Mackerel

Not as good as Tita Lisa's... I'm missing the spiciness! =•|

Last days in the Philippines

                       

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Last_days_in_the_Philippines.zip (1635 KB)

Our last days in the Philippines were spent around Manila, Laguna, Calamba, and Los Baños.

In Manila, we visited the Sangri-La Plaza, "168", Makro (for all the goodies!), Market Market, and got to see some interesting nightlife...

We made a trip to Los Baños for some private pool-time and one of the best home-made meals of my life! On the way, we made a stop in Laguna to get 3 "original" buko pies, which were fresh, hot, and AMAZINGLY good!! We also grabbed lunch in Laguna on a water-front (or over-water) restaurant that served up lots of fresh fish and some great sinigang and desserts. When we settled down at the house and pool, everyone started swimming or "videoke'ing" until dinner was ready.. At dinner, I got schooled, as well as participated, in not leaving any part of cooked-fish untouched. That was a treat! ;) Oh, and our stop in Calamba was to pay homage to Dr. José P. Rizal, a hero of the Philippines, and visit his shrine in his this, his birth city.

I just have to say that I had so much fun in the Philippines... Palawan was gorgeous! Great food, scuba diving, island hopping, laguna visiting, snorkeling, sun-bathing, gracious local named Jamille(sp?) helped us the whole time there... WOW! More than I ever expected, and I owe it to Tita Del, plus everyone at her house(s) for being so hospitable and making me feel at home. It was great to spend some much needed quality time with Charlene's family... We agree that we want to make sure we visit at least every other year, and for longer than 2 weeks!! Can't wait!

Pictures: People walking in the streets / Jeepney "Ambulance" / Many Jeepneys / "168" market / Restaurant "over-water" in Laguna / Food at Restaurant / Pool House / Pool / Fiesta Market (Market Market) and all the food we ate (minus the lechon)

The mighty Balikbayan Box

I just witnessed my first Balikbayan Box packing event of about 200lbs worth of goodies! I think everyone should get to experience this once in their lifetime.

 Oh and more pictures and details of all things PI coming when I land back on US soil. Leaving soon!

Another day, another big breakfast!

Lots of fruit, fried rice, pork, pancakes, bread, ube, and of course, coffee!
 

I jinxed it!

July is the wettest month of the year, and I didn't want to be surprised by this, so I overprepared mentally that we would face all sorts of wetness when we got to the PI. We've been extremely fortunate and have had wonderful weather (as you can see from some of the pictures). Today, however, just as I was telling everyone how I thought there was going to be all sorts of rain.. it started raining, hard. That added to the delays in driving back to Manila. When we finally got back (after a quick trip to Jollibee for fries), there was a good deal of flooding in the streets, but Edwin was able to navigate the streets with relative ease.

Time to stay dry now and watch "TeeBee" and "DeeBeeDee's".

Taal, Batangas trip cut short...

       

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Taal_Batangas_trip_cut_short...zip (662 KB)

We went to Taal to visit Tita Del's house. The drive from Manila to Taal was very long (5 hours?) even though it's only about 130km. Traffic and some food stops added to the time. The house is right on the ocean (as seen from the pictures) and the yard is home to some chicks and fish, and a great little puppy named Kwago. Kwago was on sale as food at the market, but Tita Del bought him for P150 ($3) and gave him a home. I also had my first chance to drive in the Philippines... Mark gave me a few lessons on the motorcycle in the yard, then we moved out onto the street. He encouraged me to drive into town, and I did. It was quite the experience! No signs and lots of Jeepneys, "Tricycles", motorcycles, and pedestrians. I managed not to hit anything or anyone, but I still have a lot to learn. Charlene wants me to get some motorcycle or moped back in SF now.. We'll see.

We were planning on visiting some other beaches and go wake boarding, but John (my cousin) got sick. He's been fighting some bug, but it got the best of him. We had to leave today instead of Tuesday. It's ok though, we'll be back again to spend time there.

Pictures: Jeepney / Spanish church from the 1500's / Sunset from house / Breakfast spread (corned beef, garlic-fried rice, fresh bread with fresh ube, eggs, avocado, and rambutan)

In Manila for 36 hours... Off to Batangas.

Some pictures to come I hope. I heard it's similar to Palawan, but "not as nice". It will be about 2 hours from Manila via the TitaDel bus. :)

Flying into Palawan

     

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Flying_into_Palawan.zip (295 KB)

Going from Manila to Coron City in Palawan. Amazing islands and I've heard some of the best scuba diving in the world, including ship wrecks of World War 2.
 

Taking off to the PI now.

See you on the other side! Hmm. Never skipped a day before. I guess I will never see Saturday, July 18, 2009. My life is officially one day shorter. Weird!