Day 1
We flew from Incheon International to Cebu International. Flight time 4 hours, three beers and half a bottle of Crown between us. A WAY overpriced cab ride to Isla resort, and we were there. 3am, what better time to go for a walk?
I left the gates of the resort after talking with the armed guards who suggested this might not be the best time for a stroll. For some reason I was determined to walk where I want when I wanted. They allowed me to leave but said again not to stray too far. I walked for about 20 min before turning around. In that time I was offered prostitutes three times and almost ran over twice. I also stepped in a rather sizable puddle. Back in the comfort of the hotel room I laid down to sleep...
Day 2
5am (one hour of sleep) I wake up to a knock at the door and welcomed Ben, Kate's friend from Singapore. We celebrated his arrival with a drink from the now half empty bottle of Crown. We dozed for an hour then got up for breakfast. The morning was spent swimming and lounging by the pool. For lunch we went to one of the best buffets I have ever been to. We all ate till we hurt. We walked around for several hours trying to work off the massive meal. We got an hour long, intense, massage for under 10 bucks. The massage resembles full body combat at times, at one point I was sure my masseuse is trying to dislocate my shoulder in the most relaxing way possible.
I left Day Tree Shade Spa feeling relaxed and refreshed. We finished the evening in another resort's bar where I decided to "buy the whole bar a shot of tequila". (side note, I have always wanted to do that) Luckily there was only one other person in the bar at the time so he came and joined us. His name was John Cripps and he lives on the island for half the year. We had some great conversations and a few good laughs. When the bill came, 4 hours and MANY drinks later, John offered to pick up the tab. We argued but he insisted so we allowed him to pay. (during the conversations we learned that he was in fact a multimillionaire...so we didn't feel too bad).
Day 3
We woke up late and set out to find a beach to enjoy for the day. The beach everyone insisted was the best in Cebu was behind a mega resort on the other side of the island. We took a cab to check it out. We were kicked off the grounds within 10min. The beach, like the rest on the island, was "private". We were given the option of paying about $18 each for the pleasure of staying or we could "get the F@%K off their property". We chose the latter and I am glad we did.
A block away we talked to the owner of a dive shop who knew a guy with a boat that would give us a tour all day for about $60. $12 each for the boat plus another $3 each for food. It got us a boat, snorkel equipment, company of our three crew, a couple of coconuts, beer, soda, coffee, 2 chickens, and about enough rice to feed half the country. We ate, we swam, we took silly pictures.
Sailing in the warm water, one of the crew sat with me and we talked about traveling, girls and tattoos. He wanted to do two of the topics and asked how much the third had cost me. I had a moment of embarrassment as I realized how much "disposable income" had gone into my tattoos. The one he asked about was the newest and most expensive. I told him I spent $150 (I didn't mention the $30 tip I also paid). Then multiplied for him and explained it was about 6450 pesos, the local cash. That amount would have been able to buy about 70 roasted chickens, or 174 beers at the bar, or 32 trips though an all you can eat sea food buffet. I felt guilty. These people had spent the last few days calling me sir and waiting on me as if I were royalty. I am no better than them I want them to have just as much as me.
We tipped very well and went home. We stayed up late talking.
Day 4
We woke up late again and had breakfast. We took a cab to the Tree Shade Spa and again got pummeled by small women. We went directly to the airport and spent the next hour getting ringed dry of every last peso we had. A mandatory 550 peso "airport usage fee" was my favorite. I bought a small plate of spaghetti covered in soy sauce, on the menu it was called "Chow Mein". It cost me another 400 pesos, the equivalent on the street could have gotten me three chickens and a couple sides of rice. It was obvious they knew they had a captive audience.
Another 4 hour flight returned us to snow.
The Good, The Bad, The Beautiful:
It was hot, sunny, relaxing, and pretty. But every where you looked there was poverty beyond belief. It was sometimes hard to enjoy myself among all that need. Yet I have returned to my life and want the same things I ever did, a new bike or a nicer camera. They were just getting by, many by working 12 hour shifts 6 day a week. I will work half as much make their years income in one month and still I want more. There is something wrong here and I don't know how to fix it. On a lighter note...
A few pictures from the trip:
Why yes that IS a colt 45?!
This was Greggy....a very nice bar tender.
My Amigos: Kate, Sharron, and Jessica
Some cool fishys
Gotta love Koreans and their love of the peace sign.
Our boat
Wait....how did that get in there.
(sadly this picture was taken while completely sober. I was told to pose "sexy")
