Most days, it feels like I’m just filling the hours. But yesterday, the hours were full of fun and adventure. Fulfilling indeed!
Things kicked off when the Friday group hikers traveled to the wilds of San Marcelino to explore the shore of Mapanuepe Lake. The lake was formed after the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 blocked the river and flooded the valley, creating a lake and drowning three villages in the process. Check out the link for the interesting details.
What was unique about yesterday’s hike was that none of us had ever been here before. Well, I came this way two years ago, but we were across the lake in the campground area back then. The terrain we explored this time was virgin territory. I had it in my head that we could go overland to the campground, but I was wrong about that. We also had thought we could hike some of the way on the lake shore, but other than where we started in the village of Aglao, that was not to be. Still, everything being new and us being clueless added to the feeling of adventure. We were only on one hill but went up and down it twice, looking for our way. Ultimately, we had to retreat and retrace our steps to get back to where we started (and where the car was parked). We all agreed it was a fun trek and enjoyed the beauty of nature that surrounded us.
With the long drive and beer stop on the way back, I got home much later than usual. And I had a grand opening to attend. So, I dashed off a blog post, took a shower, and we set about heading into town.
Good luck to MacArthur’s. It’s a tiny place in a small town with fifty other bars, but maybe it will become an expat hangout. I doubt I’ll be more than an occasional customer, but I’m looking forward to the Baloy Beach venue.
We also had a dinner date with the neighborhood group from Alta Vista on our schedule. Papagayo was the chosen venue, and it is conveniently located almost next door to MacArthur’s.
After the meal, the group moved up the highway to another newish venue, Red Stars. Yeah, we made some commie jokes about that name.
It was getting close to nine p.m., and the group was going to make Green Room the next stop. I’d had enough by now, and I pride myself on knowing when to say when. So, I said goodnight, and we caught a trike for home.
It was a gooder day than most and I am grateful to have had it. Here’s what it cost me:
- Salary: 1000 pesos (part-time helper)
- Prescription Meds: 1400 pesos
- Jeepney: 50 pesos
- Trike: 200 pesos
- Dinner: 415 pesos
- Lady Drinks: 520 pesos
- Tips: 200 pesos
- Alcohol: 1840 pesos
- Total for October 11: 5625 pesos
To the memories from my glory days:
Seven years ago, I experienced a different kind of danger in Boracay:
In today’s YouTube video, Filipina Pea explores something that used to be near and dear to my heart: transactional relationships. She poses the question of whether, in truth, ALL relationships are transactional. Thinking in terms of me and Swan, I’d say no. But there is a voice in my head asking what would happen if I lost my pension and the house and lived on the street. As am I wont to say, I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’d probably die before crossing that bridge anyway.
And now for some humor:
This evening, we plan to visit Treasure Island on Baloy and enjoy some live music. Hopefully, the rain will hold off. See you back here tomorrow!
And the “first time hearing” video:
But yesterday, the hours were full of fun and adventure. Fulfilling indeed!
I couldn’t help but notice that the Google map spells it “Barreto,” with one “t.” Pretty much every reference that is not local spells it that way. Which is funny because you’d think the locals would know best. I’ve seen enough “Barretto” spellings in your blog’s photos to know you’re not insane for suggesting there should be two “t”s… but I do wonder at why non-locals insist on spelling it with only one.
A church steeple is all that remains of one of those villages
Okay, that’s kinda creepy.
It seems the lake is full of clouds
Really nice shot!
A tree I liked
Nice tree. I tried to look it up with Google Lens, but I can’t tell what species it is.
No idea where we are going, but we are heading there anyway
Seems to me that you can’t get too lost as long as you know where the shore is.
So, we stopped in this place for the first time during the drive home.
The term mukbang (official phonetics: meokbang) is a mashup of syllables from the words meokda (to eat) or meokgi (“eating” as a gerund) or meongneun (“eating” as an adjective) and bangsong (broadcast)—so an eating broadcast. Some people find it bizarrely satisfying to watch others on video, Hoovering up a ton of food as part of a show. I guess is this is especially true of skinny little women Hoovering up impossibly huge piles of food. I’ve seen maybe part of one mukbang, and that was enough. Not my thing. Anyway, that’s where the word comes from.
I’d had enough by now, and I pride myself on knowing when to say when.
Snicker. Sure. Whatever. Until the next photo of you on the floor.
Here’s what it cost me:
So hard to get below $100 a day.
I had a roommate who loved the band Styx. I said they sounded like Air Supply, which pissed him off, so I kept saying it.
Enjoy your live music at Treasure Island.
Kev, the misspelling of Barretto is fascinating. I didn’t realize how frequently the second “t” is dropped until I fooled around with Google Search. There is no question that the official spelling has two “ts”–the Barangay building and vehicles spell it that way. Ah, okay, just did some more research about the origin of the name, and this confirms it:
•Before WWII, Barretto was known as Sitio Maquinaya (headed by then municipal mayor Ruben Geronimo for the creation of Sitio Maquinaya into a full Barrio)
• On July 5, 1961, The municipality of Olongapo and duly approved by the Zambales provincial Board – Barretto was constituted as a regular Barrio
•And the Barangay was named in honor of then Zambales Governor Manuel Barretto (1955-1967)
That cloud reflections on the water is one of my favorite shots. Got there at just the right time.
Well, there is “lost, lost” and “how do we get there from here?” lost. It’s usually the latter we deal with on our hikes.
Thanks for sharing the meaning of “Mukbang.” I had no idea. It’s weird that they’d pick that name, but Korean pop culture is pretty big here.
Now, now, I only get “floored” once or twice a year. 🙂
It has been interesting to see just how high my average daily spending has been so far this month. Then again, I could average $200 a day and not go broke.
Styx was a big deal back in the day. A friend named his softball team Styx, which sounded pretty cool. I’d never thought of similarities with Air Supply until you mentioned it. Same era, tad different sound, but I think they fit the genre.