The kids were in to bonding time so I heard that little voice in my head, Bob, telling me not to waste a moment and take the time to do some trips. Manila is not the real Philippines, like Honolulu is not the real Hawaii, so I took off with Ramone to visit Tagaytay. It is about an hours drive south of Manila and is the site of the smallest active volcano in the world. The Taal Volcano is located in Taal Lake which sits in another volcano. Romone took me to the ridge and we visited with his friend, Henry, who manages a small zoo/restaurant/hotel. We had a personal tour of the zoo - I saw a white lion, camel, beautiful birds and lots of fish and snakes. Cal - I saw this fruit bat - huge - I also saw little hamster babies - so cute. Kyle - you would have cringed at all the snakes - I even saw snake eggs (I've never seen those) and a cobra.
We had lunch overlooking Taal Volcano. We had St. Peter's fish which is local to the area, chicken/pork adobe (not as sour as Pa use to make), pancit and mangos and pineapples. You would have been proud of me Bob - they kept putting stuff on my plate and I kept smiling and trying to eat.
The best part of the day was the drive where I was able to go through the various barangays - small units. They each had a different speciality - furniture making, plants/flowers, pineapples/mangos/coconuts. There were rice paddy's, pineapple fields. All very close to the street and very simple. I also took a picture with a tiger cub - strong - about bowled me over.
We finished by going up to Peoples Park - at the very top was a residence that was built by Imelda Marcos that they found after Ferdinand was deposed and Imelda exiled. They are now refurbishing it and making it a tourist attraction. You can see the whole valley - the beautiful new vacation homes and the golf courses that they are erecting. Definitely for the wealthy and foreigners.
The kids just left to go to ICAB with Katrina to receive the official papers from the Philippines that will enable them to take Katrina home. I am going to meet with our nephews sister, Pamela Reyes for lunch and then go on to the Ayala Museum.
The days here have flown. I definitely would love to come back here. Right now I have two people working on hunting down information on my father. Maybe we will have something before I leave.
We are good - can't wait to get home and have all of you meet Katrina. Bob, she is like our little Ava.
PS - Jeanine - shoes galore, prices are great. Elle - you would love seeing all the activities that they cram into the malls - they are a destination. Robin & Smitty - I see lots of people that look like you guys so I am feeling right at home.
Love to all of you - Lola Mareta
Pictures as soon as I can get them up.
We had lunch overlooking Taal Volcano. We had St. Peter's fish which is local to the area, chicken/pork adobe (not as sour as Pa use to make), pancit and mangos and pineapples. You would have been proud of me Bob - they kept putting stuff on my plate and I kept smiling and trying to eat.
The best part of the day was the drive where I was able to go through the various barangays - small units. They each had a different speciality - furniture making, plants/flowers, pineapples/mangos/coconuts. There were rice paddy's, pineapple fields. All very close to the street and very simple. I also took a picture with a tiger cub - strong - about bowled me over.
We finished by going up to Peoples Park - at the very top was a residence that was built by Imelda Marcos that they found after Ferdinand was deposed and Imelda exiled. They are now refurbishing it and making it a tourist attraction. You can see the whole valley - the beautiful new vacation homes and the golf courses that they are erecting. Definitely for the wealthy and foreigners.
The kids just left to go to ICAB with Katrina to receive the official papers from the Philippines that will enable them to take Katrina home. I am going to meet with our nephews sister, Pamela Reyes for lunch and then go on to the Ayala Museum.
The days here have flown. I definitely would love to come back here. Right now I have two people working on hunting down information on my father. Maybe we will have something before I leave.
We are good - can't wait to get home and have all of you meet Katrina. Bob, she is like our little Ava.
PS - Jeanine - shoes galore, prices are great. Elle - you would love seeing all the activities that they cram into the malls - they are a destination. Robin & Smitty - I see lots of people that look like you guys so I am feeling right at home.
Love to all of you - Lola Mareta
Pictures as soon as I can get them up.
Mareta, This just came up on my computer. I was a bit concerned because there wasn't anything today and then all of a sudden, there it was. Sounds like you are having a great time checking out the sights. I am so glad that you have some time to do that. Can't wait to see the pictures of your sightseeing. See if you can get a pic of Katrina showing her dimples... heh?
ReplyDeleteKeep having fun and safe travels.
Love, Sue and Mike
Thank you for keeping us updated. We have been spoiled for the last few days and every morning I come to the computer to check and see what is new. I have to admit that I really look at the pictures first just so I can see what little girl is doing then I go back and read what is going on. Tell Alicia that I think she should keep up the site so we can see her first meetings with all her special people - her cousins, Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles (ooh and the dogs too that should be fun for her). You are brave Aunt - I think that I would do the same with the food only because I have never experienced it (and I could just see if UB was there - he'd be giving you the look when you were loading up your plate - and maybe give a laugh like "are you sure?" My neighbor Paul brings a big plate of Lumpia everytime that he has a party - Joey loves them and I always say that it is the Filipino in him - Lumpia are always welcome. I am so glad you were able to share this experience with Alicia, Dustin and Katrina - it is one that will always be worth hearing. Love you - travel safe. Nean
ReplyDeleteI was amazed you had that tiger cub on your lab. Siegfried and Roy would be proud.
ReplyDelete