Philippine holiday (31 July-20 August 2005)

Much to our delight, we were able to spend this year's holiday seeing Ivy's family in the Philippines. David managed to get special permission from work to have three consecutive weeks off, which enabled the trip to be much more comprehensive than our last visit at Christmas 2003. We spent a lot of time in Davao with Ivy's parents, brothers and sisters. Then we went to Cebu to stay with David's sister Philippa, who is living there. While there we were able to visit Olango, the island off the coast of Mactan where Ivy's Mother's family come from. Then we spent a few days in Malabuyoc, Ivy's birthplace, visiting her Father's family and her cousins. Along the way we met up with quite a few of Ivy's friends, but inevitably didn't manage to see everyone. So, to anyone we missed .... sorry .... but we'll look forward to seeing you on our next visit!

We'll be putting lots of photographs on the website in the next few days. Meanwhile you can get a good idea from visiting Philippa's website: www.hainault.net

THE DAY AFTER WE ARRIVED

Charles & his cousin Ren-Ren, just having got up!

Ivy's father watching his grandson create havoc.

Charles having discovered the laundry basket, pretending to be a monster!

Beautiful flowers.

The afternoon snooze!

Snooze part 2

Wednesday, 3rd of August

GAP FARMING

Gap Farming Resort is a ten hectare orchid & tropical fruit farm, set in a valley amid landscaped parkland. The Japanese dug a tunnel there to hide plundered treasure; the tunnel is still there, sadly without the treasure! It is a peaceful and relaxing place to visit. They also have sculptures of indigenous Philippine tribes, national heroes and presidents. There are also sculptures of supernatural beings. It is located in Ma-a, just off the diversion road to the west of the city.

THE PARADE OF THE INDIGENOUS TRIBES

Ivy poses with her ancient ancestor

FLOWERS AND FRUITS

TICOUE

GENTENIAL

CALADIUM

RAMBUTAN

ONE OF THE STAFF HARVESTING RAMBUTANS

LANZONES

POMELO

DURIAN

(When Charles first saw a Rambutan, he asked what it was. We told him. He was excited and said, `Can I try an Orang-Utan please?')

WORLD OF SUPERNATURAL BEINGS

The White Lady

The hand of Lazy John

A selection of local ghouls!

Lazy John was a giant, known locally as Juan Tamad. When he was young, it was prophesied that he would become very wealthy. So he sat back, did nothing and waited for the riches to arrive. Alas, his laziness invalidated the prophesy and he remained poor all his life.

AROUND THE FARM

View from the entrance down into the valley

Carabao monument of a poor pioneer settler as one of the great developers of a very rich Mindanao.

We have never seen anyone actually swimming in the pool, but it's here just in case!

Below this Tamarind tree is an earthquake tested Japanese cave dug during the second world war (1941-1945).

Joanavi (Ivy's sister) at the Grotto of Our Lady of Fatima, adjacent to the wishing well.

Joanavi again, on the ridge overlooking the paddock from where horses can be hired.

Not illegal logging in progress, but a montage illustrating the perils of environmental damage.

Gabriela Silang (Ivy's role model-she went to battle against the Spanish after her husband died. She was one of the bravest Philippine heroines) and Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Philippine National Hero) in the parade of national heroes.

Fairies and toadstools inhabit the Philippines too ... but, unlike in England, with a miniature elephant in attendance!

Beautiful red dragonflies were flying over the lake.

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