Sometimes it sucks, but growing older is better than the alternative.
My neighbor Mike celebrated his 78th birthday yesterday and invited us to join in the celebration he hosted. I understand some Hispanic guy named Jesus also had a birthday on the 25th, although he’s quite a bit older.
Mike’s an interesting guy. We grew up in the same town in Southern California, Westminster. We attended the same high school, but, since he was eight years older, we never met. Mike is also a Vietnam War veteran, and yesterday he shared a photo album of his two tours of duty on the battlefield. During that time, he earned two Purple Hearts and was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery. After returning home and recovering from his wounds, Mike became a well-known music promoter and worked with numerous famous bands and musicians. He had some amazing photos from those days as well.
After he retired, he lived in Brazil for several years before settling here in the Philippines. And now he lives less than a block from my house. It is indeed a small world after all.
Mike (seated) is still going strong at 78, an achievement I hope to emulate.The guys at the party.And the gals (plus interloper Matt)The food Mike prepared for us included roast chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans.The view from Mike’s back porch.
The party started at 2 pm, and folks started heading out around 4:30. But the fun wasn’t done, as some of us reconvened for a nightcap at Thumbstar Bar around 6 pm.
I do admit that I’ve become somewhat cynical at weddings these days. During the vows, I recalled similar words from my most recent soon-to-be ex-wife. I muttered “promises, promises” under my breath…
Sadly, Mat and Sohee divorced a couple of years later. Subsequently, Sohee committed suicide.
Speaking of the not-yet-ex wife, she sent me a Christmas message saying she still thinks of me and is sorry for letting me go. Yeah, thanks for that. Ten years too late.
I also heard from my daughter and she sent me this:
She says animating photographs is a new hobby.
Today’s YouTube video is another one of those warnings about retiring in the Philippines if you are not financially prepared to do so. Sadly, common sense isn’t too common these days.
And before I go:
He’s right whichever way he goes, so the wife loses.Doggone, that’s bad.I can’t do much worse than this. I’ll strive to improve.
We went all the way out to San Antonio for our Wednesday hike this morning and didn’t get back to Barretto until just now. And man, am I tired! Too tired to blog today, so consider that your Christmas gift. I’ll try to get you caught up on things from here tomorrow.
Another day in the life is in the books, so why not on the blog? Don’t worry, there wasn’t much to it.
We did our weekly Decay Dance, passing out candy to the children of San Isidro. I only took one photo this time, but it captured the three things that make the Philippines so special:
The mountains, the women, the litter.
Later in the day, as I made my way to the Hideaway feeding, I saw something that made me think of Kevin Kim’s love of abandoned gloves.
It looks like this one pushed over a big old tree.
The feeding went as usual, with the gals’ hunger finally satiated.
Enjoy it while you can.
Then it was time to meet up with Swan at John’s place for dinner. Swan was already there when I arrived. The cook came out to tell Swan that the birria meat was not available from the supplier, but she had held back enough for one more order in anticipation of Swan’s visit. She also revealed that John’s was going to be closing at the end of the year. We asked John’s daughter whether they would be open next Sunday, but she wasn’t sure. So, it may have been our final meal at John’s place last night.
Our fellow Sunday diners. It’s hard to stay in business when you have no business.Swan’s birria tacos were served without guacamole.No complaints about my bulgogi.Our dinnertime view.
I’m going to miss the dining experience at John’s place.
After our meal, we did the usual stops at Red Bar and Jumpin’ Jacks. Spread some Christmas joy (cash) to our waitress friends, which put smiles on their faces. Played a couple of games of pool and got my ass kicked, but it was nice to be participating rather than just observing. I’m planning to do more of that in the New Year.
From the April 2016 LTG archives is this remembrance of a bargirl in Itaewon who rejected me twice–ten years apart. The post title is “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” I had to smile at that because it took a long time for things to change, even after I moved to the Philippines. Although Filipinas are more receptive to old men than Korean gals seem to be. I recall feeling invisible once I turned 60.
Speaking of change, in today’s YouTube video, Reekay says money rules will be changing in 2026. I’m no expert, but my own transactions are limited and relatively simple. My pension goes into my USA bank account, and I withdraw cash from ATMs when I need it. I use wire services (Wise works well for me) to transfer funds to other accounts, like Swan and my landlord. Hopefully, I won’t have to adopt and adapt to new methods.
Humor time:
Consider this my Noah Fence post.That’s not worthy of even a bubble of laughter.What a pussy…drink it black.
Today is the annual Hash Candy Walk. We’ll be traversing the streets of Barretto, handing out sweets to the kids we encounter. I’m technically one of the Hares, but there was no trail to mark. Pubic Head mapped out our route, and we’ll do a “follow the Santa” routine. I’ll let you know how that works out tomorrow.
Came across this Taco Bell blast from the past. Once I became a pothead, this was my go-to venue for the munchies.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I also found this Nancy Pelosi meme:
Those tacos are good when you’re stoned.
Speaking of feeding, we did our annual charity outreach event yesterday in the village of Mampueng, Barangay Old Cabalan, out in the wilds of Olongapo. Two hundred hungry families were provided with a bag of rice and other staples, as well as a meal of spaghetti and chicken. This is the third year I’ve helped sponsor this event, and it always feels good to spread some joy to those in need.
The route we took to get there was sixteen kilometers long.Mampueng is out past where the pavement ends. The road gets a LOT worse than this before you get there.As we arrived, the locals were gathering in anticipation.A shoutout to my teacher friend, Grace, who did the heavy lifting of filling the goody bags from the money I donated.The Old Cabalan barangay folks, who also helped with logistics.Our group of contributors who prepared the food we handed out.The spaghetti and chicken dishes Sheryl prepared. Swan also made a serving that included a wiener, chicken nuggets, and rice.Come and get it!Everyone seemed happy with the food bounty.Every little bit helps.Ashley collected and donated some used clothing (ukay-ukay in local parlance) to be given away.Some of the village fashionistas searching for their size. The line for the goody bags.
With the handouts taken care of, it was time for a hike. We hired a couple of locals as tour guides and headed out. None of us were feeling up to a 2-hour hike to the Mampueng Falls (one of the guides looked at me and said, “he’s too old”), but we still enjoyed a nice 3K walkabout.
Off we go.I’m only out this way once a year, so it all feels fresh.The first of several river crossings.Life on the riverside.
Most of the group opted to stay at the river and set up camp; the remaining four of us marched on.
A nice woodsy trail as headed for the hills.The path along the river turned rocky and a bit more difficult.We encountered these two hunters. One with a makeshift rifle (that plastic barrel was odd looking), but given the bird in hand, it must work.A jungle-like portion of the trail.The river serves as a laundry, a bathtub, and a place to brush your teeth. Some native artwork.This is the Philippines after all.
Made it back to our campsite, where the gals had grilled some sausages and other items were ready for lunchtime dining.
Mission accomplished!
Back home, safe and sound, where I napped and blogged, then prepared myself for a Saturday evening in Barretto. Annex Bar to kick things off, then some dinner at Sit-n-Bull, and a nightcap at Gold Bar brought the day to an end. It was a good one.
In the April 2016 LTG archives is this post where I weigh in on my religious beliefs. I had stirred up some controversy at work when I wrote on the blog about Mohammad being a pedophile. What else do you call someone who marries a nine-year-old? It occurred to me that getting attacked for my opinion was tantamount to criticizing my religion. The same alleged offense for which I was being harassed. This post was intended to forthrightly declare that my religion requires me to be critical of other religions. I’m glad I didn’t have to sue anyone for religious discrimination.
For today’s YouTube video, let’s check in with a vlogger who thought buying into a beach bar would be a good idea. After losing 3.6 million pesos ($60,000), he realized it wasn’t a smart plan after all. I watched this because I’ve fantasized about opening a nice beach bar here in Barretto, but I know the dream would likely turn into a nightmare. Who needs the headache?
I don’t know, maybe someone will find these humorous:
Just a guess, but the gal on the right might be on the left, if you get my meaning.Too soon?And then the hairdresser said, “Oops!”
Another busy day that has me running late, so let’s get to it. Not much to say about my yesterday, but it included a Naugsol valley circumnavigation and a Christmas party at my old dart bar hangout, Alley Cats.
My fellow hikers.A carabao marinating.Easter Mountain as seen from the valley floor.Down in the valley, the valley so low…Standing tall and proud.Falling down.We lost the trail and had to do some bushwhacking.Back in the valley, things took a turn for the wet.Now what do we do?I recognized that shack and knew we’d find a walkable path from there. We did.A Bridge Four crossing.The river we crossed.The route of our 7K adventure.
Swan and I headed out to Alley Cats and arrived at 4:30. The place was packed, and we were lucky to grab two seats at the bar. Lots of warm greetings and many familiar faces from my dart-playing days made me feel right at home.
A dart tournament was in full swing when we arrived.
Sitting there soaking up the dart vibes made me miss my old hobby. The other night I dreamed about playing darts again. Perhaps the seed has been planted, because I’m thinking about buying a new set of arrows and getting back into the groove with some practice and an occasional tourney. I’m not going back to the five days a week mode, but once in a while, it might feel good again.
Swan knows a lot of the Alley Cats’ regulars and seems to like the idea of my rejoining the darting community.
There was a tasty buffet dinner (I contributed some brownies) and a gift exchange. We brought presents for all the Alley Cats crewmembers and enjoyed the spirit of the season.
I came home with a nice new Alley Cats ballcap.(The bar is officially named Alley Hideout, but the old-time regulars have always called it Alley Cats.)
It was after eight, and the party was still in full swing when we departed for home. We had an early morning charity event to attend to today. I’ll share that adventure tomorrow.
Moving on to April 2016 in the LTG archives, I posted about my darting life in Itaewon, including this shellacking of an opponent named Ricky:
I was good back then. And Ricky? Well, he kept on working on his game, and these days he is a professional darter.
It was also the anniversary of my marriage to Jee Yeun. I sent her this message:
“Today is the anniversary of the promise you made and did not keep.”
She didn’t respond.
Over at the BigHominid blog, I’m the poster boy for bad habits. A then (8 years ago) versus now photo is the evidence. I came across another photo from my first year in the Philippines which shows just how much I’ve gained from living here:
That shirt don’t fit no more for some reason.
A little late for me, but in today’s YouTube video, the Filipina Pea provides tips that will make your vacation in the Philippines a happy one.
On to the humor:
Oh, I’m so lucky!I don’t drive anymore, so I’ll take a pass on this one.
A motorcycle officer stopped a man who had run a red light.
The guy was a real jerk, yelling, “Why am I being harassed by the Gestapo?!”
The officer calmly explained the violation, but the man exploded into a tirade, insulting the officer’s ancestry and orientation in every way imaginable.
The officer stayed calm. When he finished writing the ticket, he scribbled “AH” in the corner and handed it over.
The man snapped, “What does AH mean?!”
The officer looked him straight in the eyes and said, “That’s so when we go to court, I’ll remember you were aggressive and hostile.” Then he walked away.
Because the man already had a terrible driving record and risked losing his license, he hired a hot-shot attorney. In court, the attorney asked: “Officer, is there any unusual marking on this citation?”
“Yes, sir. At the bottom there’s an underlined ‘AH.’”
“And what does ‘AH’ stand for?”
“Aggressive and hostile, sir.”
The attorney smirked. “Are you sure it doesn’t stand for A$$hole?”
The officer grinned. “Well, sir… you know your client better than I do.”
I had my share of run-ins with the law back in my younger driving days. One led to my arrest. I guess “fuck you, pig!” was a little over the top. Lesson learned.
For I shall always let thee do, In generous love, just what I please. Peace comes, and discord flies away, Love’s bright day follows hatred’s night; For I am ready to admit That you are wrong and I am right.
I’m going to need to rush through today’s post as I’m a little behind schedule and have a Christmas party to attend to this afternoon. Two journeys to report on from yesterday: a morning walk with Swan to the Subic marketplace in search of chocolates. The 8K walk was successful, but the quest was unfulfilled. Later in the day, I hoofed it over to Cheap Charlies to quench my thirst and I’m happy to report that I was successful in that endeavor.
Oh, and it is envelope season. Folks who provide services, like trash collectors and subdivision security guards, leave envelopes in hopes you will fill them with holiday cheer.
See what I mean?Joy to the world, or at least 500 pesos worth.Ready to hit the road.A river runs through it.We delivered some holiday cheer to this family, whom we occasionally encounter when our walk takes us this way. The woman’s daughter and mother of these kids passed away last year, the father took off, and grandma is raising them the best that she is able.The route of our journey to the Subic market.
Swan dictated that I enjoy some “me time,” so I was on my own for the beer o’clock activities, and I set about fulfilling her wishes. It’s been a while since I’ve documented an excursion, so I figured, why not share the joy with my reader(s)?
Leaving my house on Bryce Street.A few steps on Roosevelt before turning right on Capitol Avenue.A view from Capitol Avenue.My first residence in Alta Vista. It’s been vacant for months. Bet the landlord is sorry for trying to raise my rent now. I guess I should thank them; I have a better house for less money now.A stroll down Everglades Avenue.A shortcut out of our “gated” subdivision.Passing through a shanty village.Onto La Union Street.Then Gabaya.And Del Pilar.A few steps along the National Highway……and my destination awaits.1.2 kilometers, door-to-door.
My Cheap Charlies views:
It’s about time I did that ridge in the background again.Another busy day on the highway.And some quality time in the comfort room.
I had a nice chat with the bartender and apologized again for my boycott of lady drinks at Cheap Charlies. They raised the price to an inexplicable 250 pesos for a SINGLE LD, one of the most expensive in town. I’m not even a cheap Charlie, but I consider that price level a scam, and I won’t pay that amount as a matter of principle. The bartender said she understood, and they appreciated that I bought them food and treats during my visits. So, last night it was chicken wings, chicken fingers, and lumpia from Foodies downstairs, each item priced nearly the same as an f’n lady drink.
I did my nightcap at Green Room for some of the same old, same old, which is still enjoyable for me. And that’s how I spent my Thursday.
At the end of March 2016, in the LTG archives, I was going strong in Itaewon. For all the feedback on my current beer-drinking lifestyle, it is only a shadow of what it used to be.
Today’s YouTube video asks: If you could choose immortality, would you? The first thing I thought of was an old comic book story: “I have eternal life, and it’s killing me.” Suffice to say, it didn’t end well–an eternity of being crushed to death, resurrecting, and being crushed again. Anyway, while I think I’d give an eternity of reliving my current life over and over again a shot, the idea of living into the future without end doesn’t appeal to me. So, my answer to the video’s question is no.
R. Crumb authored that comic I mentioned above. While looking up his Wikipedia entry, I came across this quote:
Killing yourself is a major commitment, it takes a kind of courage. Most people just lead lives of cowardly desperation. It’s kinda half suicide where you just dull yourself with substances.
There have been several times over the years when I considered taking “the easy way” out of life. Luckily, I didn’t have the courage to follow through. Call my current lifestyle what you will, but it is better than being dead.
Let’s end this post with a smile or three:
I could use some of that; I’m up every hour or two all night long.That’s a good example of a teachable moment.At least her fingers are clean now.
Anyway, we got invited to the Alley Cats bar Christmas party, and we’ll attend for old times’ sake. At least we’ll be off our beaten path for a while.
This week’s iteration of the Wednesday Walkers.He made it to 75. I’ve never seen a name like Ulpiano before, but it has a musical quality about it.A different angle on Easter Mountain.My dream cabin in the woods.Season’s greetings and a Merry Christmas to mountain mama, Onelia.A pleasant walk in the woods.A short and sweet 5K stroll.
Speaking of sweet, my visit with Dr. Jo revealed that according to my blood and piss, I’m a hell of a sweet man. If my glucose levels are to be believed anyway. More cholesterol than I need as well. As I understood Dr. Jo to say, “Urine trouble.” My kidneys are doing the heavy lifting, as indicated by the glucose discharge found in my piss. This will eventually damage my kidneys, and I’ll suffer a potential fate of the dialysis nightmare. That’s plenty enough to motivate me to implement some much-needed dietary changes. Goodbye sweets and carbs!
In the good news category, my liver function is normal. Hell, it ought to be. I give it a workout every night. Whatever the cause of my itchy morning rash (which has lessened in intensity lately), it does not appear to be due to my liver failing to fulfill its role in removing toxins.
So, I left with a prescription to eat smarter and continue my exercise regimen. This time I need to follow those orders.
After finishing with Dr. Jo, we hit the beach.
Swan says toes in the sand is the best medicine around.Our destination awaits.The sky upon arrival.We arrived a little earlier than usual, but things got busier as the day went on.As is my custom, I brought some biscuits and lollipops for the crew to enjoy.Time is passing.The floating bar is getting a tad on the crowded side.
There was a two-week millionaire on board buying drinks for a goodly portion of the working girls. That’s something I enjoy watching more than doing. Hike buddy Steven came out and had a swim, then joined us for a beer. I had a nice chat with an expat I’d never met before who lives in Baloy. Then someone pulled the rope to release the balls (a 1500 peso expense), and the gals all scrambled to grab them (they get 10 pesos per ball). A few balls rolled overboard, and one of the girls jumped in the bay to recover them.
You go, girl! There’s 50 pesos floating out there!Meanwhile, I was keeping an eye on this guy.Refilling the rope-pull bucket.
The thought occurred to me to throw a bucket of balls directly into the bay. I rejected the idea as cruel and unusual. One of my fellow floating bar mates didn’t see it that way and tossed the balls overboard.
None of the other girls were up for a swim, so this one did the ball rescue on her own.And then the sun completed its journey.
It turned out to be one of the more enjoyable afternoons I’ve spent on the floating bar. Word on the street is that the Arizona floater will be opening soon. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
We did our usual after-floater dinner at Treasure Island and had a pleasant visit with owner Bert. Things seem to be picking up tourist-wise in Barretto, and that’s good news for the business owners. After our meal, we hailed a trike and made our way back home. It was a good day and a nice reminder that I’m living in the right place at the right time for me.
From the March 2016 LTG archives is this trip report from a visit I paid to Cebu’s Mactan Island. It was good to check out a new place, and although I didn’t mention it in the post, I was visiting a Filipina I’d met online. It should come as no surprise that that one didn’t work out for me.
Facebook memories reminds me of something else from this day in 2016:
A Chinese girl I briefly dated in Itaewon.She was a whole other level of crazy.
Today’s YouTube video discusses seven signs that indicate how long you might live after 70. Hmm, for the most part, I seem to be doing okay. I’ll guess we’ll find out.
My sense of humor never gets old:
I’m happy to inform you that formality sucks.Another possible excuse for my ignorance.I was tired yesterday, and I’m tired again today. So, what does that make me?
I think that makes me lame. Oh, well. No apologies.
Yesterday, I said goodbye to Gina and hello to BOB.
My housekeeper, Gina (that’s her on the right), decided to go back home to the province. Her replacement, Jane (Swan’s niece), is on the left.
We dropped Gina off at the bus station in Olongapo on our way to the supermarket. She was a hard worker, and we’ll miss her, but I understand that family always comes first in this culture. I wish her the best.
The highlight of my day was attending the Battle of the Bars, which I call “the BOB” as it seems to be a derivative of the recently deceased SOB. It’s a dance contest featuring girls from five bars, although the format was a little different from what I’m accustomed to.
I was given a score sheet to judge the contest, with each team competing in four events.
So, what did I think? Well, the BOB is a quarterly event, so the gals participating seemed much more enthusiastic than I saw at the weekly SOBs. Overall, I’d say the gals were sexier, or at least wore sexier outfits, like t-backs.
Some of the Thumbstar dancers before the show began.Joyce, Davina, and Swan shared a table.And the menfolk in our group.Thumbstar was packed with attendees.
There wasn’t an empty seat in the house, and that created some issues. Late arrivers stood around the stage, blocking the view of those of us who had arrived early and secured what we thought would be good seats. Another problem was that the capacity crowd was more than the aircon units could handle, and the room grew uncomfortably warm.
But on with the show. Only the Alaska team bothered with wearing costumes, similar to what they used to wear during their SOB days. The other gals just let their shaking bodies entice the voyeuristic crowd of horny old men. Some of them were better at it than others (or had better equipment), but otherwise, there wasn’t a whole lotta difference in the performances.
Some of the routines went a little long, and it was decided by the powers that be to skip the twerking competition. That was disappointing because I was looking forward to seeing some of that booty jiggle. A couple of the banana-eating performances were disgusting. One of the bar owners dressed like a gal, t-back and all, and joined his team on the stage. Except his dick and balls kept falling out of the bikini bottom. That was something I didn’t want or need to see.
When it was all over, no one came to collect my score sheet, so I was thinking the fix was in. And sure enough, the host bar, Thumbstar, won the event (I had them in third place). The consensus of my group was that the show sucked more than it didn’t. I might consider attending a future performance if it is held at Queen Victoria, a bar with a large stage and plenty of seats with unobstructed views.
The BOB offers a VIP entry ticket for 1,000 pesos that includes all-you-can-drink at all five bars for one night. I purchased one and made sure I drank my money’s worth. I was pretty much at capacity after the show, but visited Queen Victoria for a couple more anyway.
I was tempted to stay for the Queen Vic live music that started in an hour, but good judgment prevailed, and we called it a night and headed home while I was still standing.
From the March 2016 LTG archives, this post was written in response to someone who took offense to my calling the Prophet Mohammad a pedophile. Except they didn’t call me out in the comments; they complained to my employer, the 8th US Army in Korea. Since I was a reemployed annutant, I didn’t have any civil service protections and could have been fired. Fortunately, the Army lawyers took a stand for freedom and said that since what I had written was just my opinion and was written on my own time, no adverse action would be taken. I was told to include a disclaimer in future posts stating that I spoke only for myself on the blog and that my views did not represent those of the US Army. For the record, Mohammad married a nine-year-old, so I stand by my pedophile description.
In today’s YouTube video, the vlogger talks about things in the Philippines that will turn you into a grumpy old man. Well, I already are one, but some of the things he mentions can trigger the scream equivalent to “get off my lawn!” But I try to remember my mantra, “Take a deep breath. Relax. Accept the Filipino way.” It does help.
To the humor we must go:
But what about her/his pronouns? Or should I say “their pronouns?”The punctuation stinks more than the fart.Well, there’s always Easter…
Alright, time to get on with it then. I picked up my blood work results yesterday and have an appointment with Dr. Jo this afternoon to discuss what they mean. And since I wasted my Tuesday at the BOB, I’ll venture out to the floating bar after my appointment to do some rockin’ on the water.
An unusual start to my day yesterday. Woke up, walked past the laptop, left my phone on the charger, grabbed a cup of coffee, and went up to the roof. I sat there alone for two hours watching darkness turn to light. And thinking. About my life. About the future and whether I wanted one. I felt like I was at a decision point: Let go? Move on? Hold on? Ultimately, I chose to continue down the road I’m traveling, but with a renewed sense of caution and situational awareness. No one knows what the future may bring, but I’m going to do my best to be prepared for any eventuality that may arise. Yeah, wish me luck with that.
So, living this life I’ve chosen includes a Sunday Sweets Stroll. I put aside the negative thoughts and headed out to help spread some joy.
That ain’t chestnuts roasting on an open fire.Smiling faces make it all worthwhile.Life is full of blessings. Embrace them and be thankful.I’m not sure I grasp the meaning of this artwork, but it’s better than anything Hunter Biden has done.The view as we neared the end of our sweets stroll.
I took care of the Hideaway feeding, but I’m thinking I won’t continue that effort in the coming new year. It’s getting expensive, and frankly, that money could be better spent on other charitable endeavors. We shall see.
Next on my Sunday agenda was dinner John’s place.
I was pleasantly surprised to be informed that birria tacos were back in stock.The shell was a tad overdone, though.The view from my dining perch.
As is our custom, we hit Red Bar after dinner, and then moved on to Jumpin’ Jacks for our nightcap. Suffice it to say, the evening concluded much better than the night before.
From the February 2016 LTG archives, I had begun my new walking lifestyle, and in this pictorial post, I share my journey to the top of Namsan and back. It was nice to see those old familiar scenes once again.
Six years ago, I learned my dear friend Sohee had chosen to end her life. None of us knows the internal pain those around us suffer, but I wish there had been a voice to tell her to choose life.
In today’s YouTube video, the vlogger recounts ten facts about the Philippines that most people don’t know. Well, after almost eight years, I found nothing surprising on his list. I was reminded why I dislike Manila so much. (The graphics in the video are not AI-generated, so don’t let the cover below put you off.)
And on to the funny business:
Just my luck…That was naughty, Santa!That looks like something I might have done.
Anyway, things are pretty much feeling back to normal now, although I’m keeping my guard up so as not to get blindsided down the road. I’ll be heading out to the Hash soon, and we’ll see how I fare on a Leech My Nuggets trail.
I ask but one thing of you, only one, That always you will be my dream of you; That never shall I wake to find untrue All this I have believed and rested on, Forever vanished, like a vision gone Out into the night. Alas, how few There are who strike in us a chord we knew Existed, but so seldom heard its tone We tremble at the half-forgotten sound. The world is full of rude awakenings And heaven-born castles shattered to the ground, Yet still our human longing vainly clings To a belief in beauty through all wrongs. O stay your hand, and leave my heart its songs!
–Amy Lowell
On and on it goes, where it ends nobody knows. I woke up still breathing this morning, so I reckon that warrants sharing another installment from this journey through life.
Kicked off the morning with the Decay Dance, the first one after a two-week hiatus.
Heading out of the ‘hood.Loaded down with sweets known to rot teeth.I’ve got nothing to complain about compared to this guy’s journey.Hmm, not many teeth showing in those smiles. What’s up with that?
Before heading out, I’d loaded up the crockpot with a batch of beef stew. It was Swan’s idea.
It tasted at least as good as it looks.
Our evening journey began at It Doesn’t Matter. A couple of newbies in town asked about the Hash, so I showed them the Hash Facebook page with tomorrow’s trail location (the 13 Resort in Calapandayan). I also gave them some recon on places to eat and recommended they check out Baloy Beach and the floating bar during their visit.
After IDM, I took Swan to dinner at one of the restaurants I’d recommended, Myleen’s. Alas, they were out of birria tacos. I wonder what’s up with that? Oh, and that newbie couple showed up shortly after we arrived. That’s a small town for ya.
The Christmas vibe permeated our table top.Sorry, no birria for you!I went with the beef enchiladas. Spicy they were!
And then we moved on to Wet Spot. Things went wrong, and then they got worse. And for now, I’ll leave it at that. It was a good reminder to embrace the lessons of a lifetime. I’m at a point of no return, so situational awareness is a must. All I can do is hang on and hope for the best.
It is now February 2016 in the LTG archives. In this post, I share photos from the surprise gathering with the Shenanigans staff at Gino’s Pizza in Itaewon for Valentine’s Day. I’d forgotten about that good time with some good people. Sadly, sometimes it is only in looking back that you realize how grand the life you had really was.
Nine years ago, I was keeping things in perspective:
Supervising the decorating of the office for Christmas.
For Today’s YouTube video, let’s check in with Reekay for his take on the reasons the expat dream in the Philippines may be dying. Well, I got here well after the end of the glory days he talks about, circa 2012, but nothing much has changed since I arrived in 2018. Regardless, I ain’t going anywhere. I’m too old to start over.
My sense of humor is as impaired as it ever was:
Fa-la-la-la-la…Elly May, can I see two too?Better than being a proctologist at least.
Life is full of surprises; the best you can do is hold on and try to enjoy the ride as much as you can. Fuckin’ roller coasters.
Paraphernalia never hides your broken bones And I don't know why You'd want to try It's plain to see you're on your own
Ooh, I ain't blind, no Some folks are crazy Others walk that borderline
Watch what you're doing Taking downs to get off to sleep And ups to start you on your way After a while they'll change your style I see it happening every day
Ooh, spare your heart Everything put together Sooner or later falls apart
There's nothing to it, nothing to it And you can cry and you can lie For all the good it'll do you, you can die But when it's done, the police come And they lay you down for dead Just remember what I said
My favorite from Bukowski. Unlike me, it never gets old.
Just another Friday, but I’m glad to have had it. That makes it special enough.
My fellow Friday hikers.Not much of a river, but it grows on you. Especially during rainy season.A street scene in Matain.A view of the bay.A narrow passage.Back in the wide-open spaces.The view from here.Exiting Santa Monica near the end of our 6K trek.
At beer o’clock, we headed into town and kicked off our Friday revelry at Sloppy Joe’s. One wine and three beers later, we moved up the road to Jewel Cafe for dinner.
Those filet mignons keep getting smaller, and this one came out blackened.
The innards were still fine, and I ate all of it. That’s what you get for 600 pesos these days.
After dinner, we paid a rare visit to the Alaska Club. Owner Jerry was there, and I purchased a ticket for the “Battle of the Bars” event taking place on Tuesday at Thumbstar. Jerry then joined us at our table, and we had an enjoyable chat reminiscing about the good ol’ days when his bar was in Angeles City, the bad days that led him to relocate to Barretto, and the recent lack of tourists that makes the bar business here a struggle.
We did our nightcap at Cyclone Bar, which now incorporates the staff from the recently closed Cloud 69. The music was blaring so loud that we almost turned around and walked back out. The bartender graciously turned it down a notch, and we stayed. Still too loud, but tolerable. Our waitress friend Sheryl joined us for a couple of lady drinks, and we watched a couple of two-week millionaires in action (buying multiple lady drinks for multiple ladies). Cyclone seems to be doing well; it was by far the busiest bar we saw last night. Happy for them, as a return visit from me is doubtful. Why go to a place and suffer ear damage when I have so many other available options that are much more pleasant?
A trike ride home brought our night out to an end. I enjoyed myself, but that’s just the way I roll.
Here’s some good news:
That’s the highest exchange rate I’ve seen since moving here. The rich get richer!
On the last day of January 2016, here at LTG, I was writing about an Itaewon Friday night. Not to put a positive spin on it, things didn’t go or end well. I guess I’ve always been a mess.
From Facebook memories, I got reminded of my South Carolina home life twelve years ago.
Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end…
Today’s YouTube video tells us what Filipinos are made of. No wonder no one here speaks Spanish.
Humor time:
Stop, you’re killing me!Ho! Ho! Ho!Still better than having a blast at the bomb factory…
I’m not complaining, but I liked those 70s better than these ones…My morning looked like this when I woke up.
Getting back in the groove with my participation with the Wednesday Walkers for the first time in two weeks. Scott also made a rare appearance for the group hike, so it felt like old times. Scott brought his car, so we had some additional trail options to choose from, and we settled on a hike out Naugsol way. Oh, another benefit of having Scott along is he takes better photos than me which I shamelessly steal and post here.
Off we go!The backwards glance.One of many friendly locals we encountered on our journey.Farm hands working those fields.Swan wasn’t along, so the handing out sweets duty was on me.The way ahead.Keep your puddles to yourself, damn it!A turn for the better?You lookin’ at me?Over the river.The final cookie delivery of the morning.And a look at Eater Mountain’s ass side.A 5K walk on a hot morning was just about right.
Since we had missed our usual Tuesday visit to Baloy Beach, we headed that way yesterday at beer o’clock.
Swan has a toes-in-the-sand addiction.And I enjoy having some cold beers on the floating bar.All aboard!
Then something unusual happened. One of the other customers approached me and gave me the traditional Hash “On-On!” greeting. He told me he had noticed my Hash shirt and wanted to introduce himself. His Hash Kennel is in Columbus, Ohio.
Nice to meet you, Brad!
Brad spent some time in Subic during his Navy days and was here doing reconnaissance on places he might like to call home in the future. He did Makati (Manila) and Angeles City before coming here. So far, he likes Subic best, but he’s flying out to Thailand today to check out that scene. We chatted for an hour or so, then exchanged phone numbers so he can contact me when he returns, and I’ll give him a guided tour of things to see and do in the area.
Meanwhile, the sun was doing its thing:
Thanks for the show!Sundown is our cue to head back to Baloy Beach and grab some dinner at that well-lighted place known as Treasure Island.See you next week, Kokomo’s!
Dinner is served:
I satisfied my enchilada craving.And Swan enjoyed her beef stroganoff.
As we were departing Treasure Island after our meal, this guy challenged me to a belly contest:
After 61 years of service with United States Forces Korea, Mr. Kim, Yong Tae, announced his retirement.
In my thirty-five years of government service, Mr. Kim was by far the most outstanding employee I’d ever encountered. Sadly, he didn’t make it to retirement, passing away after a brief illness. During our last conversation, Mr. Kim told me his only regret was not retiring sooner, so he could enjoy more time with his family. Those words resonated, and when I was asked to extend my employment with USFK for one more year, I respectfully declined.
Facebook memories reminded me today that two years ago, I was recovering from the surgery to remove some nasty nasal polyps.
It wasn’t pretty…But everything came out okay……except for the stains on my pillow.
I can breathe through my nose again, but I’ve lost most of my sense of smell. And life goes on.
I came across today’s YouTube video by chance, but I was surprised to find an old movie I actually remembered: the original Planet of the Apes, released in 1968. I was only thirteen years old back then, but I enjoyed the film despite the flaws I hadn’t noticed until seeing this video:
Some funny shit happened at the end of this post:
Well, maybe funny is an overstatement. Punny is more like it.Okay, somebody give him an Apple.Ah, so that’s why you’re not laughing!
Back at it with the Tuesday routines. We hadn’t been to the grocery store for two weeks, so I spent a little more than the usual weekly amount restocking the shelves, but less than I would have paid in two separate trips. So no complaints.
In the afternoon, I had an appointment with Dr. Jo at 2 p.m. I prefer three or four because it keeps me on schedule for my bar business, but alas, those time slots were not available.
The waiting area at the 1 Health Medical Clinic.
I had three issues I wanted to discuss with Dr. Jo. The most concerning was an itchy rash I’ve been dealing with for the past several weeks. It pops up in random locations every morning as soon as I wake up and sit down at my desk. And two or three hours later, it mysteriously disappears.
Here’s a picture I took to show what it looks like.
I told Dr. Jo I was using an over-the-counter hydrocortisone to deal with the itchiness, but she advised against doing so, saying that the medicine has side effects that can damage the skin. She gave me a generic ointment to use in the interim. As we discussed the recurring rash, it seemed unlikely that it was caused by an allergic reaction to external factors, especially since the rash also broke out while I was in Siargao and Pozorrubio. One possibility is that my liver isn’t processing some toxins while I sleep. I thought to myself, yeah, maybe my liver was drunk! Anyway, I’m going to have some blood tests done, and one of them will measure liver function.
The other issue is that my blood pressure has gone way up recently (153/86 this morning). Dr. Jo wants to review my blood results before deciding on new BP meds.
Finally, I asked about Ozempic meds as a method to deal with my weight gain. After discussing the pros and cons, we both agreed that more dietary discipline on my part was the better solution.
Now I just need to get scheduled for the blood work, which requires fasting. I’m planning to go next Tuesday.
It was 2:30 when I was finished with Dr. Jo. Swan said I needed a haircut, so we walked up the highway and got that taken care of. We were on the far side of town from the road to Baloy Beach, our usual Tuesday hangout, so we decided to postpone the floating bar and go to Cheap Charlies instead.
I ordered my Zero, and Swan asked for her usual red wine. The bartender advised they didn’t have any red wine in stock, and I’m thinking, shit, here we go again. Except this time, they just asked if Swan minded waiting a few minutes while they ordered a bottle for delivery. We were good with that.
Every time I pee at Cheap Charlies, I enjoy the view from the CR.There was some cute pussy in the bar too!And then a rainstorm blew through, confirming we made the right call to pass on the floating bar.
We asked for a Foodies menu from downstairs and ordered up some grub. Since I no longer buy lady drinks at Cheap Charlie’s inflated 250 peso price, I bought the girls some chicken wings and lumpia to enjoy, which cost me the equivalent of two lady drinks.
I enjoyed my beef stew……and Swan said her pork Kare-Kare was tasty as well.
We did our nightcap at Green Room, then headed home at an ungodly early 7 p.m. Well, since we started at three, we were maintaining our four-hour out-on-the-town routine.
The 2016 New Year has arrived in the LTG archives. It didn’t start well with this post recounting the circumstances of my beloved wife leaving me for reasons I still don’t understand. It was the end of one life, but the beginning of another. And ten years later, I’m still standing. Most of the time, anyway. I’m not sure what lessons I should have taken away from that heartbreaking event, but I do know I never want to experience anything like it again.
When I came across today’s YouTube video, I thought, “Now you tell me.” But then I remember reading something very similar on Kevin Kim’s blog long ago. But the wisdom in knowing that everything happens for a reason can be comforting, even if you can’t discern what those reasons may be. Life goes on until it doesn’t, so we should just count the blessings that come with each new day.
Let’s take another crack at some humor, shall we?
Dr. Jo is always on time and one of the few doctors I’ve found in the Philippines who operates on an appointment basis. Most places you arrive, sign in, and are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. The wait can be hours long.Reminds me of the brainless Scarecrow for some reason. I’m not talking about the kid, but rather the woke mentality that makes this sign funny.I’m going to punt and take a pass on this one.
And now it is on with my Wednesday. I can almost hear the floating bar calling me.
This song helped me get through the time of sorrow and loneliness I mentioned above.
When the day is long And the night, the night is yours alone When you're sure you've had enough Of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go 'Cause everybody cries And everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong Now it's time to sing along When your day is night alone (Hold on, hold on) If you feel like letting go (Hold on) If you think you've had too much Of this life, well hang on
'Cause everybody hurts Take comfort in your friends Everybody hurts Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand If you feel like you're alone No, no, no, you are not alone
If you're on your own in this life The days and nights are long When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes Everybody cries And everybody hurts sometimes And everybody hurts sometimes
So hold on, hold on Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on Everybody hurts
Normal around here means nothing much of interest to blog about, not that that’s ever stopped me. I’ll keep it short at least, promise!
As is our Sunday custom, we headed to John’s place for Swan’s weekly birria taco fix. Except it was not available. Neither was the pulled pork. Something doesn’t feel right, and I fear this may be the beginning of the end.
Swan settled for the pulled beef sandwich. I had a bite, and it was tasty.
As we left John’s place, I noticed that both big freezers where the beef steaks are stored were empty. I asked the “waitress” (John’s daughter) if the restaurant was going to close. She denied it. We shall see, but a place named “John’s Sushi and Steak” not having steaks is a tad concerning.
We did our usual visit to Red Bar after dinner, but things felt a bit off there as well. The usual classic rock had been replaced by 21st-century music. Okay, they have dancers inside, so I can accept that the young ladies prefer music from their generation to sway to. What I couldn’t get used to was the outdoor speaker (we sit out front on the open-air patio) blasting so loudly it made conversation difficult. I asked our waitress if the outdoor music could be toned down some, and she said it was tied to the speakers inside. Hmm, it was never played so loud on my previous visits. Also, I know those speakers have separate volume control. As we paid our tab, I tipped her and said, “Next time we hear the music this loud, we’ll just keep on walking.” I hope she heard me.
We did our nightcap at Jumpin’ Jacks and enjoyed quality music and a respectable volume. We had the place to ourselves at first, but a bit later, a group of Westerners came in and took a table up front. It was a bit unusual to see a middle-aged white woman with them. They asked whether there would be live music, and were told there wouldn’t be on Sunday. Then the manager set up the karaoke machine and handed them a microphone. Oh shit. I told Swan to finish her wine because I didn’t want to be subjected to bad singing.
Then the heavyset white woman started to sing. The volume was right (no distortion), and my goodness, she had a beautiful voice. I didn’t recognize the song she sang, but I enjoyed it. I thought to myself, she’s better than the live singers that typically perform at Jumpin’ Jacks. When the woman was done, she handed the microphone to her boyfriend, and he was also a good singer. I don’t recall ever enjoying a karaoke performance as much as this one—a nice way to finish our night in Barretto.
Onward in the December 2015 LTG archives, and in this post, I talk about a lunchtime meetup with the esteemed Kevin Kim in Itaewon, where we witnessed a parade honoring the birthday of Mohammad. In that original post, I called him “the pedophile Mohammad,” which caused me some trouble at work when someone who read the post complained about my disrespect. The lawyers said the remarks were made on my own time and were protected by the First Amendment, but I was told to specify in the future that I was not speaking for 8th Army in LTG rants. Well, Mohammad did marry a twelve-year-old, so my pedophile description was accurate, but for the sake of peace and harmony, I deleted that reference.
For today’s YouTube video, let’s check in with Smart Girl Philippines. What she says in the beginning about Filipinas never forgetting is true. Everyone seems to know my name. I’ll go to a venue I hadn’t been to in months, and get the “Welcome, Sir John” greeting. I’ll be out hiking, and some gal who isn’t even vaguely familiar calls out, “Hello, John.” As for the getting arrested for arguing thing, I’d just say don’t step out of line because if you are a foreigner, it is always your fault.
Humor me this:
Not yet, but I’m working on it.Sounds like BS to me.Breaking up ain’t so hard to do after all.
Okay, my work is done here. Now it is time to prepare for the Hash. It’s a Guenter trail, so I’ll be shortcutting. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.
Hey, I drank for free all night yesterday. Thanks again, Dave.
(I did a post earlier covering the Dave Fischer memorial yesterday. Be sure to scroll down if you want to see it.)
I actually don’t have any green grass in my yard, but that song came up on the Grab driver’s playlist as we rode to the airport to catch the bus home, and it somehow felt appropriate.
Manila traffic was typically nuts on the way to the airport, and there was some question of whether we’d arrive in time to catch our 8 a.m. bus to Clark airport, where Jeff had left his car. We made it, and I even had time for a piss before boarding.
We even found seats to gather together at the back of the bus.That would be us.Some of that crazy Manila traffic I mentioned.A Korean language school in Angeles City. Filipinas try to learn the language so they can get housekeeping or caregiver jobs in the Land of the Morning Calm. Or jobs in the bars.
Picked up Jeff’s car, then hit the highway for home sweet home.
On the road again.I got a laugh out of this. KKK is indeed flammable, especially around wooden crosses.
Arrived in Barretto around noon, got some rest, then headed to Baloy Beach for Dave’s memorial. Each guest was given two drink chits, and I accumulated several more from folks who didn’t use theirs. We went to Wet Spot and Green Room after the Treasure Island ceremony so we could continue to honor Dave’s memory (and I could use the rest of my coupons).
Thanks for the good times, Dave.Swan got gifted this nice Wet Spot cap.Our tablemates at Wet Spot.
We did a nightcap at Green Room, then headed for home, no longer feeling any pain.
Woke up this morning to my regular view from the patio I hadn’t seen in a while:
It’s good to be home, green grass or not.
That might be the best part of travel, you see new places and come back home with a greater appreciation of what you have. Yes, Siargao is cleaner, has less traffic, and nicer beaches. But I have the comfort of being around people that I know, most of whom are closer to my age than the folks I encountered on the island. If there was a local expat hangout on Siargao, I never found it. I also like the convenience of nearby grocery stores and a hospital should I encounter an emergency (traveling an hour by boat sounds like a death sentence for Siargao residents; maybe that’s why old folks don’t live there). I’ve got nice beaches an hour away in Pundaquit, and Subic has a Hash and hiking groups. So, this is where I belong as I live out my days.
We chatted with a business owner at the Cloud 9 surfing area. She told us the two leading causes of death on Siargao Island are motorbike accidents and getting hit in the head by a falling coconut (we all looked up at the tree we were sitting under, and she laughed and said they keep the trees coconut-free).
Anyway, if I were a younger man or a surfer, I might consider living on Siargao. I do plan to make a return visit someday for the different vibe it offers.
It’s that time of year when kids approach and sing carols (or beat on drums) to solicit coins. Well, it is slightly better than begging, I suppose. We’d encountered some from our second-floor perch on our last night in Siargao, and we tossed them a few pesos. When Swan and I departed, Jeff and Davina were still upstairs. So, I figured, why not give it a try? Davina recorded the moment.
And now you are up to date on my so-called life.
Back to the LTG November 2015 archives. I wrote a post called “End of Days” as I prepared to return to Korea after a holiday visit to South Carolina. I didn’t know that it truly was nearing the end of the days for those things I held dear to me back then.
Speaking of coconuts, in today’s YouTube video, The Filipina Pea demonstrates climbing a tree to get some. I’ve seen it done, and it’s scary just to watch. But if you want to eat, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.
And now for the funny business.
What’s up, doc?Me too. That’s why I pun instead.I prefer catsup and pickle relish myself.
Alrighty, then. Time to get ready for my last night in Barretto. Yep, you heard read that right. I’m heading out of town again tomorrow morning. This time, it will be Pozorrubio in the province of Pangasinan, here on Luzon Island. I even double checked my spelling and added the second “r” required to get it right. I’ve been there before; it is where the annual Haggis Hash Bash is held at a La Union Hasher’s farm. I’ve been attending for the last two years, and it’s always a unique Hashing experience and a good time. The events are all-day affairs, so finding a blogging niche tomorrow and Saturday may prove difficult. I’ll do my best, but it may be Sunday before you get the full report.
Dave Fischer built the Treasure Island Resort, and that’s where we bid him a final fond farewell. The place was packed; I guess a couple of hundred folks were in attendance at his memorial gathering. He was honored by those who knew and loved him, then his ashes were carried out into the bay where they were laid to rest.
Drinks were on Dave.Memories floated in the air like helium balloons.I met Dave’s widow for the first time and conveyed the sense of loss all in attendance were feeling.It was a full house at Treasure Island.Then we moved to the beach…And held candles in remembrance.Gone but not forgotten.
I smiled at this while we were raising our candles:
It seemed in keeping with Dave’s sense of humor that a rain shower would descend on the candle bearers.We carried on with the ceremony regardless.Wet Spot manager who worked for Dave for more than twenty years, carried Dave’s urn to the beach.And Dave’s widow accompanied him for the final journey.Into the boat…And onto the bay. A fine ending to a well-lived life.
Okay, I made it back to Barretto safe and sound, but I’m in a rush, so I will do an abbreviated update post about the trip from Siargao to Manila.
We said our goodbyes to Maria, our breakfast waitress at Romantic Beach Villas. Friendly and sweet, she greeted us by name every morning and engaged in some enjoyable chit chat.Nice to see you, beach. Until next time…
We scheduled a van through the hotel to take us to the airport. The same one that brought us from the airport last week, non-stop. Not this time. After picking us up, the driver made four additional stops for passengers. I was sweating it, but we arrived in plenty of time to depart as scheduled.
Our chariot awaits! I have to give props *ahem* to Cebu Pacific for being on time.Goodbye, Siargao!Hello, Cebu!
We had a three-hour layover before our flight to Manila was scheduled to depart. What to do? Well, we found a comfortable place to hang out for a while.
You gotta do what you gotta do to fill them hours.Lots of inspiring words to ponder while we waited.Yeah, no point in thinking about it. Cheers!Hangin’ with the neighbors.
We departed Cebu bound for Manila just a few minutes late.
Our seats were at the back of the bus.Flying high together. I got high a lot my first time through the 70s, too.Deplaning in Manila.
The airport in Manila sucks, and it sucks even more when you fly on Cebu Pacific. We taxied for about 10 minutes after landing before reaching our gate. But we actually didn’t reach a gate. We deplaned onto the tarmac, then rode a bus to the gate. When we re-entered the actual airport, we had to go through security again. That meant waiting in a long line for the single scanner, removing my laptop from my backpack, and taking off my belt, then repacking on the other side. Oh well, at least we landed wheels down.
All our bags arrived on the carousel, which is always a relief. Jeff and Davina do the Grab ride thing, so we dragged our baggage to the Grab pickup area. Except that no Grab drivers were available last night. So, it was back to the arrivals terminal for a wait in the taxi queue. And we needed two cabs to carry us to our destination, the Coco Hotel in Makati. When we finally arrived and got checked in, it was 9 p.m. Jeff was bushed and called it a night. I had a bit of hunger and thirst to assuage, so Swan and I paid a visit to Shooters, conveniently located right across the street from our hotel.
Shooters is a nice enough hangout, and it appeared to be full of locals. It was nice seeing old folks like me out and about after a week of mingling with young tourists in Siargao. Swan ordered something Filipino, and I went for the wedge-cut potatoes dish. They had Zero beer, so I enjoyed a cold one or three while we waited. And waited. Swan asked about the order’s status, and the waitress returned to say it was being “plated.” But when the plate came out, it was only Swan’s dish. It seems they had forgotten about mine. They offered to make it, but it was late, and I was tired.
Back to our room, and we called it a day.
A LONG day for someone like yours truly.
And now that I’m home, I need to get ready for Dave’s memorial service.
He had a good life and helped many others along the way. Dave is gone, but will not be forgotten by those whose lives he touched.
Back to regular posting tomorrow. I’ll try to fill in the remaining gaps from my trip.
Waiting for our transport to the airport this morning, so let’s see if I can dash out a quick post about our final day on the island spelled Siargao.
As already mentioned, we were supposed to take an island-hopping tour to bring our vacation to an adventuresome conclusion. The rainstorm and ensuing tour cancellation laid those plans to rest. Instead, we had one of those nothing-special days that can still be satisfying. A walk to the drugstore, a revisit to the Books Cafe for lunch, blogging, then a meet-up with Jeff and Davina for some drinks, dinner, then more drinks. Yep, almost like being home.
The Books Cafe was surprisingly packed when we arrived. And you can see the crowd was made up of those young tourists who dominate the scene in General Luna.Ah, that explains why it was so busy.They had several of these charging stations set up around the room, and almost all the customers were plugging in. Who knew a brownout could be so good for business?The oldest couple in the joint.I’ve never seen a club sandwich that looked quite like this one, but it tasted fine.
We had planned to start our last night on the town at a brewery Jeff had spotted up the road and down an alley:
Hmm, a few brews and I’m always ready for bed.They had these brewing tanks downstairs……and some more upstairs.Swan was getting comfortable…
We were looking forward to another brewery tasting, and then the waitress gave us the news: they were sold out of beer—all of it. That sure sounded like bullshit, but maybe they aren’t brewing much. Looks like Dr. Chris won’t have much competition.
So, we walked back up the road and climbed the steps to give this place a try:
It was okay for a couple of beers. Met a friendly Irish couple at the table next to us and shared some laughs.
Then it was time for some Spanish dining:
I’ve had lots of Mexican, but don’t recall anything from the motherland.Small but nice inside.That’s what the tacos looked like.Some of the other items we shared. A tad pricey: dinner and drinks for four came to 5000 pesos.
After eating, we went upstairs to the bar for our nightcap.
My kind of place.But there was something fishy about this wall art.Filipino youngsters on the street downstairs performing Christmas carols and hoping we’d toss some pesos their way. We accommodated them.
And then Swan and I headed back home, stopping for some ice cream along the way. The day was nothing special, but still a nice ending to our Siargao vacation.
Continuing on with the November 2015 LTG archives, my last trip to the USA with Jee Yeun at my side. Getting there turned out to be a nightmare. I hope today’s flights back to Manila go better than that one.
From Facebook memories:
My old softball team from 1974, the Ringwraiths.I was a big fan of the sport.
Eight yeas ago, I achieved this milestone:
The first and last time I’ve managed a 50,000 step day.My face when I hit the 50,000 mark.
For today’s YouTube video, I’ll share this short from Smart Girl Philippines about “secret menus” that Filipinas have to offer.
And a little bit of humor:
I don’t have anything to be ashamed about.I’m better at stumbling than skipping…“Let’s get something straight between us.”
By golly, I got this post done and still have an hour before my ride to the airport arrives. Yippie! We’ll see how I do from Manila in the morning.
My final takeaway from the Romantic Beach Villas’ complimentary breakfast buffet.
Taking a vacation from the regular routines does make blogging a bit easier.
Today’s our last day in Siargao, but I have some unexpected free time on my hands to tell you all about yesterday.
Martin and Joss invited us to join them for a beach walk to the Cloud 9 surfing area. We gladly came along and enjoyed seeing a part of Cloud 9 we’d missed on our previous visit. I opted out of the highway walk back and took a trike instead.
When we arrived at the hotel, our room and the one next door were being cleaned. Then we were informed that we were being moved from the Casa Grande room to the Casa Duo. I called bullshit and began to throw a fit, but Swan insisted I calm down while she sorted things out. Of course, the room maintenance folks had no say in the matter, so we marched to the front desk. Swan told me to let her do the talking, so I kept my mouth shut.
Now, here’s the thing. When I booked the room, I had to make two separate reservations: one for our Tuesday arrival with a Friday checkout, and the other for a different room from Friday through our checkout tomorrow. But when I checked into the hotel, I specifically asked whether I could keep the same room for the duration of my visit, and was assured that it would not be a problem. Alas, it was not to be. Now, why this was occurring on Sunday, I have no idea. But the front desk receptionist told Swan our Casa Grande room was reserved for an arriving guest, and we had to move. What makes it even worse is that the Casa Duo room is shit and also half the size of our prior room. Well, nothing to be done but suck it up and move. I let Swan handle the logistics while I calmed myself with a beer and a chicken burger next door at Barrel.
Later in the afternoon, Jeff messaged that we should meet at the hotel bar at 5 p.m. and then proceed to dinner. I went down at 4:30 to escape my crap room, but there was nowhere to sit at the bar. So, we went next door to the hotel where Martin and Joss are staying and found a comfortable place to sit. Martin and Joss were lounging on the beach and came over to join us. I messaged Jeff to let them know where we all were.
When it was time to leave for the restaurant, Swan and I opted to go elsewhere. I just wasn’t in the mood for a fancy, expensive dining experience (1000 pesos each, according to Google). So, we said our goodbyes and headed up the road in the opposite direction.
Oh, I forgot to mention that we got hit with a “brownout” (power outage) earlier in the afternoon. The resorts all have generators, but I was surprised to see so many small businesses also equipped with an alternate source of electricity. The worst thing about generators is that they are noisy, which diminishes the joy of basking in the venue’s ambiance.
Our quest for a pleasant place to chill and eat was fraught with setbacks. Our first option was a nice-looking place on the beach, but it didn’t open until later. Then, there was an open-air second-floor joint that looked good until I saw the sign that only bare feet were allowed upstairs. Now most people wear flip-flops in these parts, but I’m an old-school shoes-and-socks kinda guy (unless I’m on the beach), so I said fuck that. The next place we tried told us they closed at 7 pm (it was already 6:30), so that was another no-go. We finally settled on a little streetside diner. They didn’t offer any alcoholic beverages except beer, so Swan joined me in a San Mig Light to wash down the shawarmas we ordered.
After we finished eating, I wanted to pick up some ice cream to take back to the room, but the shop we’d used before had the freezer closed and locked, apparently to keep things cold during the brownout. I suggested we go check the dessert menu at Barrel and Swan was down with that, saying they have wine there. Win-win! No ice cream at Barrel, but I brought back a tasty slice of carrot cake for my dessert.
And then the rain came and stayed all night. Our new room has a metal roof, and last night felt like being inside someone’s drum with the constant pounding overhead. I guess the generator ran out of gas or something, because for most of the night, we were in the dark with no aircon.
It is still raining this morning, and we were advised that the island tour hop has been cancelled due to the weather. That’s probably for the best, and it gave me time to write a longer-than-usual blog post. Sorry about that!
Pictures from the day say it better than I ever could:
The meetup with Martin and Joss on the beach.And away we go.Another leaning palm tree.A beached boat.Oh, shit! Now what do we do?We plod on, of course.We stopped into this beachside resort for some fruit juice refreshments. We asked about the room rates, and they were crazy high. The poolside rooms were 35,000 pesos (that’s $600) per night. I guess if you can’t afford it, they don’t want you here.The way ahead.Green Room? Where have I heard of that before?We have arrived at Cloud 9.They even have a Kokomo’s here!Let’s go surfin’ now…It’s a surfing safari!White girls on the white sand. Just a tad over 5K to get there.The Barrel chicken burger that appeased my eviction.The view from my table at Barrel.The souvenir shirt Swan gifted me.Hanging out with the neighbors.The view we enjoyed.Speaking of views, here’s a photo Joss took on the beach in front of their hotel yesterday.Brown beauties.Nice hanging with you guys!Except the party doesn’t start there until 9 pm. That’s past this old man’s bedtime.Why not?The shawarmas we had weren’t all that good, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
That was how the next-to-last day went down here.
It’s November 2015 in the LTG archives, and in this post, I write about how crazy Itaewon gets on Halloween. It was just seven years later that 159 people died in a Halloween crowd crush. I could certainly understand how that might happen.
For today’s YouTube video, let’s travel back in time and observe Filipino family life in 1956. In some of the backwaters I hike, it doesn’t appear to have changed all that much.
Time for a smile:
Been there, done that.Age is just a number.And it is still reigning here,
Okay, time to get on with making the best of my last day in Siargao. At least I’ve learned how to spell Siargao now.
I’m impressed by the animal-like behavior I’ve witnessed here, as I walk the beach and streets.
Another day lived and enjoyed on the beautiful island of Siargao. When you are staying at a beach resort, walking on the beach feels like the right thing to do. So, when the sun was up and the tide was out, that’s just what we did.
Let’s roll!Still high and dry.Then things started to get a little rocky.This tree seems to be saying to the sea, “Bring it on, bitch!”Maybe this place will be ready in time for our next visit.That’s a creative way to name your Korean restaurant.We decided to grab lunch here, mainly because it is next door to where we are staying.Comfy ambiance, but it gets loud at night when they turn on the karaoke.Some beef quesadillas……and garlic=parmesan chicken wings.
Food was good, but we noticed again how much more expensive things are here compared to Barretto. I got four wings for 350 pesos. You get eight for that price at Sloppy Joe’s.
I’m still not used to watching white women walking the streets. You rarely see that back home in Barretto.
All my fellow travelers were on a motorbike adventure, so Swan and I headed out on our own when beer o’clock rolled around. And lo and behold, as we walked down Tourism Road, Jeff and Davina pulled up on their scooter and told us of a place they had found off the beaten track. It was less than a kilometer away, so off we went. Jeff and Davina joined us there shortly after we arrived.
Hmm, an open-air, upstairs bar. That’s my favorite! And that name sounds familiar.Wait a minute! I’ve been to Hideaway before.
I messaged Joy and asked where she was. She responded that she was at work. I told her I was at Hideaway, but she wasn’t there. Then I sent the above photo as proof. Joy claims this is not the same Hideaway.
Yes, the view is much better from this one.Enjoying our perch.Only one gal at this Hideaway. Think of the money I could save on feedings. We even got to see the sunset.Down she goes!See you next time.The sweet life in Siargao.
We decided to give that birria taco place we’d seen earlier in the week a try. Jeff and Davina took their scooter, and Swan and I grabbed a tuk-tuk for the 7K journey.
We have arrived.The tacos…And for a change of pace, a birria burrito.
Swan judged the tacos to be okay. She said the shell was less greasy than John’s place, but she missed the guacamole. I found the burrito a bit too ricey, but otherwise it was tasty.
Satisfied diners.
As we were eating, a group of tourists came in and sat at a nearby table. Before long, Jeff had engaged them in conversation.
Turns out, one was an American (shirtless) from San Diego, a place where Jeff had been stationed as a Marine. The other was an Aussie bloke. Not sure where the girl was from, but she looks Indian to me.
Oh, and Isla Comida didn’t have San Mig Light.
So, I gritted my teeth and drank the original San Miguel beer, their Lager. It didn’t kick my ass.
After dinner, we parted ways. A tuk-tuk ride back to our side of town, then a nightcap at Barrel Bar next to our room. I judge it to have been another good day in paradise.
Continuing on in the October 2015 LTG archives, there was this post about work and darts, two things I no longer have in life. Well, at least I have the memories.
Raffy Tulfo is a Filipino broadcast journalist who often takes on cases involving scams, corruption, and violence. Or so I’ve been told. I’ve never actually heard more than snippets from his show. But for today’s YouTube video presentation, here he is interviewing a foreigner who got his ass kicked in Angeles City. Full disclaimer: I haven’t had time to watch all of this one either. I found it on one of the PI forums I frequent.
Well damn, here I am trying to save some time, and this happens. Click on the YouTube link if you want to watch.
Let’s do the humor, so I can go take a shower:
My gal is forty and a trained caregiver. I should be in good hands unless she decides to kill my sorry ass someday.Reminds me of the time I tried to look up the definition of “inexplicable,” and the dictionary said, “Cannot be explained.” So, I still don’t know what it means.Back in the day, I was sent to the principal’s office for being a smartass quite often.
Alright, almost time to hit the town, so I’d best get myself ready. Tomorrow morning, we are taking an island tour by boat to several offshore locations. I will blog about it as time permits.
