Some of the reasons why the Philippines has never escaped its self-inflicted poverty.
What did I do with my Wednesday? What I always do: a Wednesday Walkers group hike and then some quality time on Baloy Beach. Why not?
My hiking companions: Scott, Swan, and Steve.Steve kindly drove us out to the wilds outside Mangan-Vaca, and we hit the trail from there.How now, brown cow?We chose to hike here hoping it would be shady. Not so much.Fire on the mountain. We could hear the “snap, crackle, pop” before we saw the flames.Swan found a mango tree with some low-hanging fruit and filled my backpack. She loves mangos almost as much as birria tacos.Feeling a little horse.The day’s first water crossing was a snap.Finally found some of that shade we’d been craving.Up the creek.Over the creek.In the creek.Livin’ small.Swan took a rest in the shade on this friendly local’s bench.We didn’t speak, see, or hear any evil.I was feeling a little insecure.Right around the 3.5K mark in our journey, we ran into Myleen, an old friend of Scott’s. Turns out Swan knew her too.Myleen and her American husband are building a small house on their 3-hectare lot way out here in the middle of nowhere. No electricity, but they are installing solar panels. Swan availed herself of one of Myleen’s hammocks.That’s the house under construction in the background.Then it was time to make our way back through the banana-tree forest.Goats enjoying the shade.The view from here.A cookie delivery.Follow me!Getting it done.The final water crossing of the day.Swan took the high road.Steve’s car was waiting where we left it.There and back again was 6K. Not bad for a hot day.
And now for the Baloy portion of the day.
Sunny beaches.You’ve heard of sand castles. Well, here’s the water version.Riding a parasail is definitely NOT on my bucket list.The sun at 5:30.No big spenders to treat the gals this time.On with the show!Bye-bye.Until next time.
“Dinner” at Treasure Island was once again a shared chicken quesadilla. I seem to have lost my evening appetite thanks to Ozempic. We wound up going home early and just chillin’ at home until bedtime. I partied a lot harder my first time through the 70s.
