ALLEGRE

Disclaimer on the photos. I haven't done anything to edit these pics and have posted them in a hurry so...









Yesterday we made the 2-hour trek to our resort. It is very beautiful and relaxing here. Our driver said that they are only about 40% full with around 40 rooms so it is very quiet. Last night we at on a veranda overlooking the ocean all by ourselves! A vast contrast to the crowded streets of Cebu City. We took boat ride out into the sea with the hope of seeing dolphins. We saw ONE dolphin, but I was not at all disappointed. We saw many, many flying fish and it was just relaxing to be out on the water. Again, we were the only ones on the boat. No crowds here! The excursion was $20 per person. The same thing would no doubt be $60 - $100 in Hawaii or somewhere else. We road inside the boat for a while, but then the "captain" told us to take our life jackets off because it would get too hot. No problem. Then he took us around the outside of the boat (on a narrow little board) to the front of the boat...while we were still in motion. Seemed a little backwards and certainly not the American way, but it was all part of the adventure! :) The sea was very calm and we enjoyed it very much!

It continues to be very hot here! I think we all are trying to soak up the beauty of this place, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tomorrow morning we will be gone. I also think that it has caused us to be a bit reflective about how it can be so nice in a place two hours from Cebu City where life is so difficult.

The one last thing I will mention is about the Filipino people. I truly think they are the friendliest people I have ever seen. Almost everyone, from the airport, to the market, to the poorest neighborhoods, to the resort has a smile to offer. In most cases, they are very gracious. I am going to head back to our "bungalow" and enjoy the day. Know that it is very hard for me to experience all of this without the rest of my family, but I will try! :) Maybe another time!