I awoke to the sound of raindrops pounding on the roof. But shortly after sunrise, the clouds broke up and cleared the way for a sweet group hike. This week, we made our annual pilgrimage to Club Morocco for a walk on its mostly vacant streets. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that the subdivision developer, Sta Lucia Homes, is the same company that created Alta Vista. I don’t know which came first or what the backstory might be, but Club Morocco is three times the size of Alta Vista but remains 75% empty. That said, the Clubhouse is infinitely nicer than ours, and some of the lots offer amazing views. It’s just eerie walking down street after street with no houses. Lots of photos from our trek to share, so let’s get started:
Jim and Scott comparing notes or something. The three of us took a bus to the Philseco area of Subic. Mike, who lives in Club Morocco drove down and picked us up there.Let’s get this show on the road!See those cranes in the distance?We began our journey near the Keppel shipyard. They had two ships in the docks for repairs, as busy as I recall seeing them.This house was abandoned the last time we were out this way. Now, it is undergoing renovation. It has a view to envy, that’s for sure. It is not so conveniently located, though, with access by a narrow dirt road.This small fishing village was much more rundown than before.The proverbial house on the hillThis is a nice-looking resort, but again, it is not easily accessible. The best way would be through Club Morocco, but we noted that the subdivision had blocked the road to here.And here we are in front of the ClubhouseVery nice, indeed. And unlike Alta Vista, this venue has a restaurant. I’ve toyed with the idea of opening a restobar in Alta Vista, but I don’t need the headache.The wide-open spaces of Club MoroccoBrian, the guy on the left, also lives in Club Morocco. He joined us for part of the hike. He’s carrying his drone in the backpack and filmed us during our beach walk. He hasn’t shared the video with us yet.This cracked me up. Apparently, whoever installed the sign was blind as well.On a road to nowhere.Interestingly, despite a nearly empty subdivision, more development is taking place out here.A view from hereGood luck with whatever that’s going to be.All this work will have been for naught when the big storms hitWe left the road behind for a bit and headed down to the water. This was the trickiest part of the hike—it was wet and slick from the morning rain.Our first wet feet experience of the day…but not the last.Heading through another ramshackle villageA little bit on nothing goes a long wayLife on the baysideThat looks like a cool place to hang outLow bridgeWorkin’ for a livin’Round two of wet feetSee that hut on stilts with the blue roof? I can fantasize about calling that home. Of course, how the hell I’d get groceries there is unknown…probably have to hire a boat. And the walk to the bars would be a bitch, too.Beach walkingI don’t recall seeing trees grow so close to the water’s edge. The must have deep roots to withstand high tide.This is another example of the litter problem. People didn’t throw that garbage on the beach; it washed up from the bay. I’ve seen it countless times on hikes, where folks toss their trash in the river with impunity, and it winds up in the bay and then on the beach.Where the river meets the bayWe decided to stop at the Clubhouse on the way backfor some rehydration.This monster pool is twice the size of what we have in Alta VistaHeading back to the carThe final uphill
We decided to stop at the 13 Resort in Calapandayan for a proper lunch.
You can see where we were from there (behind that ship and on the other side of the hill with that clearing)This gave me a bit of “Gilligan’s Island” vibeI’ve talked before about 13 Resort offering the only Monte Cristo sandwich I’ve seen in years. The original ones I fell in love with had powdered sugar frosting on the bread; otherwise, these are nearly perfect.The path we walked, a tad over 8K. You can see how huge the Club Morocco subdivision truly is. Perhaps they’ll sell some of those lots when the new shipyard opens.
I had already decided to spend my Friday evening at home, and the huge thunderstorm that arrived later in the afternoon confirmed the wisdom of that choice. Of course, the rooftop is no place to be during a windblown rainstorm. And then the power went out for a couple of hours. Once the rain stopped, I headed up to the Rite Spot to escape the darkened house with no fans.
No lights and some misty rain. I do have some solar lights on the roof, so I wasn’t completely in the dark.And when power was restored, I fired up my newly installed roof lights, plugged in my fan, and turned on the speaker to hear my favorite tunes.Santo Tomas looks much better with the lights onRoast chicken and potatoes with some sprouts and broccoli were served for dinner last night at The Rite Spot.And then the moon came out to wish me goodnight.
That’s my kind of day these days.
Looking back to other days in other years, Facebook sent me these reminders:
Fourteen years ago, I stood on the main drag through Itaewon waiting for a bus to take me and the wife to visit a temple in Uidong Eight years ago, I paid my first and last visit to Davao City where I discovered under police escort, that vaping was only allowed here. I blogged about that experience here.
Today’s YouTube video is from Reekay and he shares his budget for living expenses. Mine is more than triple what he spends, although I’m paying and feeding a staff of helpers and a lover.
Humor me this:
I urinate on an islandAn oldie but a goodie
Time to get ready for a Saturday evening with my girl. She got real excited about going to Treasure Island to see the live band. Her wish is my command.
4 thoughts on “Friday done Rite”
I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that the subdivision developer, Sta Lucia Homes, is the same company that created Alta Vista.
Ah—so Club Morocco is a subdivision. I was wondering about the “vacant streets” of Club Morocco. It’s also the name of a resort, though, yes?
And a bit of trivia: Santa Lucia has her day on December 13.
Mike, who lives in Club Morocco drove down and picked us up there.
Spot the error! I confess that this is an error that I make frequently.
It is not so conveniently located, though, with access by a narrow dirt road.
Maybe that’s the way the rich people like it.
Interestingly, despite a nearly empty subdivision, more development is taking place out here.
Do you guys have the same sort of squatter problem they’ve recently been complaining about in the US?
Low bridge
Looks almost like a small Ent standing guard.
I’ve seen it countless times on hikes, where folks toss their trash in the river with impunity, and it winds up in the bay and then on the beach.
Yes, very sad. So what’s the plan?
Roast chicken and potatoes with some sprouts and broccoli were served for dinner last night at The Rite Spot.
I like how the chicken has that exploded look, as if an alien had leaped out of it.
An oldie but a goodie
Damn. I was sure the punchline would have something to do with blowjobs.
Have fun at Treasure Island.
There is a resort within Club Morocco subdivision, located at the Clubhouse. It offers rooms for rent, an amazing pool, covered seating near the beach, and a restaurant. I checked it out on Friday for the first time, and I was impressed.
Thanks for the Santa Lucia link. I was unfamiliar with her story.
Yep, I needed a comma after Morocco in that sentence. Seems obvious to me now.
I’ve not noticed anything like the squatter camps you see in places like San Francisco. I have observed that people fence their vacant property more frequently lately, and some even hire a security guard to sit out there, which I presume is to prevent trespassers/squatters. Squatters don’t have any rights here, and landowners, with police assistance, can reclaim the property and destroy whatever structures the squatters have built.
My plan is to keep shaking my head in disgust at the litter culture here.
Yeah, I was slow with the camera and Swan had already attacked the chicken to secure my favorite pieces.
“Damn. I was sure the punchline would have something to do with blowjobs.”
I like the way you think!
Is Club Morocco convenient to Barreto or would it be more of a trek to get to town from there?
Brian, Club Morocco is about 12K from Barretto. Back in my house hunting days before I moved, I found a place in Club Morocco I really liked. But being so far from everything and since I didn’t want to drive here, it wouldn’t work for me.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that the subdivision developer, Sta Lucia Homes, is the same company that created Alta Vista.
Ah—so Club Morocco is a subdivision. I was wondering about the “vacant streets” of Club Morocco. It’s also the name of a resort, though, yes?
And a bit of trivia: Santa Lucia has her day on December 13.
Mike, who lives in Club Morocco drove down and picked us up there.
Spot the error! I confess that this is an error that I make frequently.
It is not so conveniently located, though, with access by a narrow dirt road.
Maybe that’s the way the rich people like it.
Interestingly, despite a nearly empty subdivision, more development is taking place out here.
Do you guys have the same sort of squatter problem they’ve recently been complaining about in the US?
Low bridge
Looks almost like a small Ent standing guard.
I’ve seen it countless times on hikes, where folks toss their trash in the river with impunity, and it winds up in the bay and then on the beach.
Yes, very sad. So what’s the plan?
Roast chicken and potatoes with some sprouts and broccoli were served for dinner last night at The Rite Spot.
I like how the chicken has that exploded look, as if an alien had leaped out of it.
An oldie but a goodie
Damn. I was sure the punchline would have something to do with blowjobs.
Have fun at Treasure Island.
There is a resort within Club Morocco subdivision, located at the Clubhouse. It offers rooms for rent, an amazing pool, covered seating near the beach, and a restaurant. I checked it out on Friday for the first time, and I was impressed.
Thanks for the Santa Lucia link. I was unfamiliar with her story.
Yep, I needed a comma after Morocco in that sentence. Seems obvious to me now.
I’ve not noticed anything like the squatter camps you see in places like San Francisco. I have observed that people fence their vacant property more frequently lately, and some even hire a security guard to sit out there, which I presume is to prevent trespassers/squatters. Squatters don’t have any rights here, and landowners, with police assistance, can reclaim the property and destroy whatever structures the squatters have built.
My plan is to keep shaking my head in disgust at the litter culture here.
Yeah, I was slow with the camera and Swan had already attacked the chicken to secure my favorite pieces.
“Damn. I was sure the punchline would have something to do with blowjobs.”
I like the way you think!
Is Club Morocco convenient to Barreto or would it be more of a trek to get to town from there?
Brian, Club Morocco is about 12K from Barretto. Back in my house hunting days before I moved, I found a place in Club Morocco I really liked. But being so far from everything and since I didn’t want to drive here, it wouldn’t work for me.