Back home in Barretto again, and before I get on with my routines here let me tell you about my yesterday in barangay La Paz, San Narciso.
Scott and Steve drove out to join us for the Wednesday Walkers excursion.And off we go on the beach road.We popped in to check out D’ Resort which is operated by a golf friend of Scott and Steve. The owner wasn’t there at the time though.Steve paused to have a gander at that old Ferrari.And then this guy came chasing us down the street. That’s Chris, the owner of D’s Resort. He was sorry he had missed us and invited us back for a visit after our hike.I fantasized about what life might be like living in this beachfront house. I’m pretty sure I’d like it!The pavement came to an end and we became beachwalkers.I don’t like walking in soft sand much……so I walked on the firmer sand at the water’s edge.Scott decided the low road was better, too.Enjoy the sandy soil!Approaching the riverside.Luckily, it was more of a stream than a river this time. Last year, fellow hiker Gary almost got washed out to sea.Taking the plunge.Like last year, a local informed us we were trespassing. Unlike last year, he told us our path was blocked. Luckily, Swan convinced him her hike mates were too old to turn around and go back.So, he reluctantly unlocked the gate and let us pass.On the side of the big Santo Tomas River. Those ships come here to harvest the lahar that still washes down through the riverbed over thirty years after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.There was also some big-ass excavation project going on in the riverbed as well. Must have been over fifty of those dump trucks moving the soil.I’m not sure how you restore a river, but you better hurry, rainy season is coming.But they were definitely hard at it.Leaving the big river behind and passing through a small village.And sweetening the day of some local kiddies.Then we were walking the banks of a smaller river (probably the same one we’d waded through earlier).It was a pleasant enough stroll.Enjoying the wide-open spaces view.That’s a nice view too.A tree that caught my eye.And a carabao trying to stay cool on a very hot day.The riverside route led us back to the highway, and this little food stand looked like a nice place for a rest and a drink.Some shade and Mountain Dew hit the spot.Then it was time to push on down the road.What’s a hike without a cemetery?At least you made it to 90, Donato. Well done!Heading back to the beach.And then arriving back at where we started, Mope Resort.A nice place to stay and hang out.And an after-hike lunch and a beer went down well.That’s a 10K trek you’re looking at, not bad for a hot-ass day.
After lunch, Steve and Scott stopped by to visit their friend Chris at D’s Resort. I went back to the room for a much-needed nap. Woke up, blogged, showered, and then it was our time to enjoy the beachside Sunset Bar at D’s. I’d actually seen the place the day before and didn’t realize it was part of D’s.
The beach bar is small, but nice.Looking back towards the main resort building at D’s.Owner Chris came out to adjust the Filipino flag, then joined us at the bar for some liquid refreshment and chat.The sun was fixin’ to do its thing.While Chris and I held court, Swan hit the beach with the camera.That’s my girl!Doggone. At least one of his legs is.No mas!
Had a great time getting to know Chris and look forward to seeing him again one day. Chris’ wife gave Swan a tour of some of the rooms, and as much as I like Mope, I think we will be staying at D’ Resort the next time we visit.
We went back to Mope for our nightcap (I skipped dinner again) and then I dragged my sorry, tired ass back to the room for some much-needed sleep.
Swan and I talked about the different vibes between our other beach town favorite, Pundaquit, and La Paz. La Paz feels more laid-back and quieter, with far fewer foreigners. Including Chris, I encountered only five other expats during my visit. I also appreciated that the places I like to visit, yeah, bars, are all within easy walking distance in La Paz. That’s not the case in Pundaquit. Anyway, when I asked Swan where she’d rather live, she said “both.” Of course, I have no intention of moving away from Barretto, but it is nice to have options should I ever desire to do so.
Here’s an old memory from February 2005: my first Itaewon bar hangout, Sweet Caroline’s.
And the sisters who ran the place. That’s Misoon on the left, who was to become my first Korean girlfriend.
From the December 2018 LTG archives, I talk about a couple of girls I met at the Hash who wound up working as dancers at the bar Coco Lips. I had a crush on Josie until she fucked me over (and not in the good way). Last time I saw her, she was living in a squatter shack with a new baby. A bullet dodged with that one. Sad in a way, but some gals make bad choices and live with the consequences. Hmm, that sounds a bit like that guy in the mirror.
For today’s YouTube video, when was the last time you ever even thought about Amelia Earhart? Well, this sounds pretty convincing that they found her remains three years after the crash, but didn’t know it. She was definitely ahead of her time.
And let’s see if these are worth your time:
Maybe the boss will give her a part-time job.I wonder if he is still alive.I hadn’t considered that, Joe.
Alright, they say that home is where the heart is, and as far as I can tell, mine is still beating. So, time to get on with the living thing.
