We have a week off for the National Holiday, and so in honor of China, we left the country. We’re in the Philippines now, and for our first day, we’ve already learned so much.

Since the dollar is about equal to 41 Philippine Pesos, you can try to figure out the following.
Our ‘shuttle’ from the airport to the Cebu R Hotel was actually a taxi, and we were charged 600 Pesos (PHP) for a 30 minute ride. That’s quite a bit more than the 60 RMB 50-minute ride we usually take to church in Shenzhen (60 RMB=400 PHP), so that was confusing. I was under the impression that it would be cheaper around here.

A vehicle that would’ve been cheaper

That night, I checked out the bathtub, which looks nice, but it’s a bit small. The back is sloped, though, so still comfortable. It was a trick getting the water to not drip from the shower while filling the tub, but it works.

We decided to check out the Shangri-la Resort Hotel in Lapu-Lapu, since it was on the list of things to see. Our hailed cab told us it would cost 700 Pesos (ouch!) and when we got there, the concierge said they were too full to let us pay to use the facilities for the day. We asked where else we might go, and they helped us get another taxi, and mentioned that the drivers should turn on their meter. I’m so glad they use meters! It only should have been about 400 Pesos for the trip.
Our new driver from the Hotel was very helpful, and explained that the other place we were headed was a swimming pool, with no beach access. That’s not what we wanted, so he turned around and drove us to the Island Hopping tour guides. He said he knew some people that could help us go out for only 5000 Pesos, which sounded similar to what we had read about on the internet earlier that day. Some of the cheapo ones with no frills were advertised at 295 Pesos per person, but the price went up with all the extras, and we’re not familiar enough with anything to bargain, yet. We agreed, hesitantly, and headed out. When we got on the boat, the driver arranged the price of 3500 Pesos, and I was so grateful. I wish I had said a little prayer, though, because half-way through the trip, he said we had already arranged for 5000, so we would pay that. He tried to explain that the 3500 was going to be per person, so we were actually getting a deal.

We really had a great time, though. We took their little boat to an area called Talima on Olango Island, and then a restaurant on stilts in Cao-uy.

One of the places had so many beautiful tiger-striped fish that we fed with bread.

We got in the water with them, too, and snorkeled around for quite a while.

Sometimes we came up to dump out our mask-water.

Ella found a good resting spot.

Then we all joined.

After that we went to Cao-uy for lunch on the water, and I said I needed to know the price before we stopped there, but they kept saying they would tell me when I stopped, and then they would tell me when I chose the fish, and then when they told me, it was over 3000! That just wasn’t possible, and they helped us arrange a deal for 1000, which was still insane , but I guess it’s on the water, and some conveniences are really appreciated.

Choosing pretty seashells for a shell-fish lunch

A couple of sweet girls swam over and wanted to sell some necklaces to our children.

We bought two for 50 each, and the kids all played in the water and talked with each other. I asked the girls if they were hungry, and did they want to join us for our lunch? They were so polite and explained that they were hungry, but shy, so we said we’d bring down our leftovers. They were happy about that, but asked us to just give it to them, and nobody else. I was a little confused, but later, a group of kids gathered by probably looking for handouts or selling similar bobbles. Our new young friends must’ve shooed them away, though, because they didn’t stick around for the rest of our meal. When we were done, I was a bit surprised that the girls did indeed eat what was left (I brought it down to them in the water).
After the girls finished eating, they brought me a live starfish they had found, and we held it for a while and studied a bit with our kids about the little feelers, and the mouth, and such.

A live starfish!

We all got in the water to swim around; it was shallow enough that Jared and I didn’t feel like wearing our life-jackets.
At first it looked like the area was just yucky seaweed, but after donning the face mask and snorkel, I was surprised by all the coral and beautiful rocks nearby the little beach restaurant.

Karl found some fish.

On the way back to Lapu-Lapu, one of the boat riders said he could help us have a trip around Bohol for only 3000, so maybe we’ll have some fun with that later.