Wednesday March 9, 2016
I have made plans for next week. I have booked 4 nights at the Turtle Bay Dive Resort in Moalboal (Sunday through Wednesday nights). It is a high end resort — with fees and all it is $80 per night. Expensive for Philippines (cheap for the bay area) but I think it is going to give me the best chance for snorkeling and drinking beer by a pool and on a beach. The picture of a beer in my hand, my feet on a lounge chair, and the ocean sunset is within grasp. This will be the luxury portion of this trip. I may even stay longer if it is what I hope it to be. Pictures below:
The selling point was a review from a woman who stayed here with her son. They walked right out to the beach and started to snorkel……sardine balls and turtles were everywhere. In fact, tour guides from other areas brought their divers to this home reef…….so, yes, it should be a good choice.
Now All is Cooking!!!!
I plan to do the same for the Island of Bohol (the nature portion of the trip). I can hire a driver for an all day tour for $50. Very cheap considering the expense of the flight to get over here.
Today:
The heat isn’t horrible. It isn’t as devastating as Redding in the summer. The temperature is 85 F with high humidity, so soaking wet T-shirts are normal. BUT, they are Merino Wool so they evaporate quickly and cool me off. Hydration is the key, just like in Redding. By the time you are thirsty it is too late. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate.
Side note: I am 100% back in health (albeit very out of shape). Life Is Good.
Today’s adventure is Poker. There is a poker club (free membership) that has cash games and tournaments. The cash games start at 25 cents / 50 cents and go up to $2 / $4. I’m resting during the day and going over this afternoon to check it out. I figure poker for the next three days (as well as a Python Massage at the zoo), then off to Moalboal for swimming, snorkeling, and beer (BEER!).
Lunch and the area
I found the world’s greatest BBQ. The lady couldn’t believe I only wanted 3 skewers of pork. I’ll get more next time. The entire lunch with beer cost 110P, about $2.40. It is less than 100 feet from my hotel (the food in the hotel is okay, but $4.50 a plate without beer).
The place was packed by the time I was served.
Below is my hotel and the living quarters right next door.
Around the corner (100 feet) is a block of buildings giving information of how to apply for a spot in the NBI…..the Philippine equivalent of our FBI (my finger was deliberately there to point to the NBI signs LOL)
And a main street runs right by the 7/11.
Ending of the Day:
Poker again was a bust. I took a taxi to find the Metro Card Club but we couldn’t find it. In the area was the Ace Card Club which probably was the same club? However, with the name change and the fact that the location was sketchy (hell, everywhere here is sketchy), I chose to have the driver take me back home.
Good News. Only one hyperventilation and that was entering the air conditioned mall. One bad breath and then okay. I cannot express the difference I feel walking around now. Time to hoof it and swim it.