Philippines, pt 1

(still catching up on trip notes)

Philippines, arrival Dec.2013

Maganda umaga! (Good morning)

Thx to Air Philippine, had a very long (14 hr) trip, but the movie selections, food, service, & passengers were splendid! My friend Jingle & her brother picked me up from the airport in Manila for a near-hour long drive through the hot, humid, busy streets to their family home in Marong Province. I barely met everyone before I heard, 'kain na!' (let's eat!) & eat we did. I fell in love with toddler niece Angel (sitting on rocker), who called me 'Tita Lonnie' (auntie Lonnie), so did all of the children who were so smart, sweet, & funny!

We visited an open market where items were bought for the next day's visit to Villa Escudero's museum & wonderful restaurant with tables in the basin of the waterfall, reached by Caribou, We saw & felt little fish in the water while we were enjoying delicious (all-you-can-eat food). Really tickled! 

(Pics; flight, Jingle, Angel & cousin, Jingle's family, Caribou ride, more family pics, Jingle w/husband Eugene, commemorative photo) 

Aruba 5, on tour, final post/thoughts

End of my Aruba visit pics:

Arikok National Park, Fontein Caves used by indigenous people centuries ago with ancient drawings. Lunch at Big Mama's Grill, local lizard, and yes those Black Pete characters on the streets and TV, supporting Sintaklass. Of all that I saw in Aruba, I will remember them most. 

My least favorite: nearly drowning in a 'natural pool',  seeing and the Black Pete characters (socially and culturally offensive to my sensibilities)

My greatest highlights - learning about the island's history, my daily scenic serene walks, excellent weather, nice apartment, vibrant pops of color everywhere, celebratory music and festive dances. 

 

Aruba, my near death experience, pt 4

Aruba:

Land Rover island tour, to the Natural Bridges (fallen and standing), Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins, Vista Chapel (built in 1750), California Light House, Ostrich Farm, Donkey Sanctuary, beautiful beaches, ancient caves.

When we visited a 'natural pool', the waters were so turbulent, I felt like I was in a washing machine. Thankfully, life vest were mandatory, and snorkeling equipment provided. With face in water, I saw more flailing legs than fish! Too many people in the pool, water too rough, and giant waves splashing over the rock wall and into my air tube. I panicked, was unable to keep my mask and tube clear of water, and was unable to reach the rock wall to climb out. I grabbed a big man's shoulder. "Are you ok?" he asked.

My exhausted response, 'no I'm not...I need to get out of here.'

He swam me over and assisted me onto the rocks where I sat, frightened, tired, and searching for another route to get off the rock wall and completely away from the pool. To my horror, the guides were literally plucking multiple distressed people out of the turbulent waters. One guide told me that I'd have to get back in the water so he could pull me out the only safe route, but I had to wait until he got more folks out of the water. I saw a mother holding onto her 2 small children, none of them were wearing life vest? 

Once I caught my breath, grew tired of waiting for help, and regained my fight, I slid back into the agitated waters and climbed out on my own...grateful to be standing on dry land again...whew!

I asked a guide, why would they allow people to get in a dangerous situation that they had to rescue people from. He responded, that 'the water is never usually that rough'. I shook my head & walked away... grateful to be alive.

Aruba, pt 3, Bon bini Cultural show pics

Pics from a Bon bini cultural show! Traditional Aruban Folk & Carnival dances.

Really appreciated the vibrant colors, music, aromas (food vendors present), taste (food was delish!), stories, songs, dances. The energy was infectious!

Aruba, submarine tour & downtown, pt 2

Aruba, Nov. 2013

My first excursion was a submarine ride (down to 150 ft deep) to check out sea life, and an old ship wreck. Came back into downtown where cruise ships were in port, reminding me of 3 yrs working (medical officer) aboard 8 ships for Carnival Cruise Line. 

Downtown Oranjestad, and steel pan drummers playing beautiful music.

Aruba, Bon bini say the Dutch people in Blackface? pt 1

Yes, I'm waaay behind on my travel blog, but plz forgive me & plz leave  a comment, as I play catch up:

Aruba: Nov.2013

I booked an Airbnb accomodation which included an airport pick up. Rick was gracious, filled me in on local island happenings, island geography, shopping, beaches, etc. I checked into my studio apt, showered, changed, unpacked,  walked across the street to the beach, enjoyed my ipod tunes, and an amazing sunset. 

After grocery shopping, preparing dinner, sending emails, watching tv, sleep came quickly.

The following morning, I walked to the local mall for coffee, only to run into pre-xmas festivities, a Santa accompanied by his helpers in 'black face'? I mean tar black face, neck, hands, legs. Wow! I was startled, confused. Fortunately, Rick & his girlfriend 'Sally' came along. Rick explained how Sinterklass was originally a Dutch story, much different than the one celebrated in the West as Santa Claus.  For the Dutch, there were no elves, but there were the Moors, from Spain, who are 'honored' &  remain represented in black face (some say it represents chimney soot). Wow!

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

if you really want to get into the entire backstory. Upon research, I learned that 90+ % of the Dutch people don't see the portrayal as racist, but there has still been opposition, that has resulted in some marketing changes that have abandoned 'black face'. 

I definitely felt some kind of way, but resigned to the idea that if local blacks weren't protesting about it, I, as a visitor, would respect their culture and let it go. Hell, the racists in my country rarely wear black face.

Other than that, my arrival to Aruba was without incident!