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Back in Manila last week, Alasdair told me about one of the funny things we'll hear, related to the greetings. The Filipinos are very formal and excellent with their hospitality. For hotel and resort training, they are given specific written instructions on how to properly greet guests and customers, and it naturally always begins with "Hello Sir/Ma'am" Well, that's appropriate, but many have taken it literally and left out the distinction of which one to use, Sir or Ma'am, and instead just say them both in a one word phrase "SirMom" or "MomSir" (it's really ma'am, but it sounds more like Mom). This morning Rosanna was greeted alone as "Good Morning MomSir".
It's quite amazing to realize that back at home we are months away from having self-driving cars, and in Myanmar, many regions still use ox and cart as their mode of transportation. And now, we transition back from the ox and cart to 5 star luxury, at Henann Resort in Panglao, Bohol. An hour after we arrived at our resort, a neighboring island in the Visayas experienced a 6.5 earthquake, resulting in massive power outages throughout several islands. Headlines in the local newspaper read "Panic, Destruction after deadly quake". 3 died and dozens injured in Leyte, but the issue in Bohol is the loss of power which also affects the water supply since they don't have backup generators in the water district. But no troubles in the land of luxury at our resort, as they have a huge generator system and all is pretty well up and running. But walk out of the resort property, and it's pitch black in many places, candles lit, and certainly no karaoke ! It is a geothermal energy system, and we're told it will be about 2 weeks before full power is returned, but limited electricity at periodic times for now. And, water supply has been shut down, including at our hotel at varying times of day. They've provided water bottles to get us by. Taking a shower with a water bottle can be interesting if this were to last. Not too rough, as the AC is still running in our presidential suite, and the bars are still mixing tropical drinks all day -- so life is good, MomSir.
The diving at Balicasag Island is terrific, just a small amount of reduced visibility due to some rain we've been getting. 86 degree ocean water, all the way down to 115 feet -- it's bathwater, and in between dives we take naps or read on the calm waters. After diving all day, it's time to get cleaned up a bit, have some cocktails in the hotel lounge, and make our way out into Alona Beach to see what we can find. But without generators, the karaoke bar we were headed out to is completely silent - no awful singing noise and no lights, just a candle and pitch black. OK, that's not going to work, so we make our way back in the motor-tricycle. These are meant for 1-2 people, but like the circus act fitting all the clowns in the little car, we do the same. Rose and Connor squeeze in the seat, Haley's on the floor in between their legs, and I'm hanging off the back of the motorcycle behind the driver -- why not, more adventure ! And of course, we pull up to the gate guarded entrance to the 5 star resort in this packed tricycle, as if he was trying to smuggle illegal immigrants across the border. Security stops us at the gate, bewildered look on his face, and before he asked for our room number, I spoke while hanging on the back folded and contorted: "You know, SirMom, I imagine this is going to be really hard to believe right now, but yes, we are in the Presidential Suite" It just seems like more fun this way instead of fitting in, and he let us in with our human trafficker cycle.
For our final night in Bohol, we head to CocoVida Bar (or something like that), amp'd up for some fun on a Sunday night. Live band all night, and we're making friends right away. Haley & Connor weren't feeling the same level of energy as Rosanna and I, so they went back after dinner. With the drinks flowing, JagerBomb shots, Monkey Brains shots, and San Miguels, it's all fun fun fun. We were lean, mean, dancing machines, and the band never took a break all night. In fact, when they performed their last song, and we weren't ready to stop, a couple thousand pesos made them change their mind, and the bar owner gave the green light to carry on - then next thing I'm up on stage with the band singing "You May Be Right". Rosanna was busy with her group of friends from England, a bunch of university nursing students, and wasn't able to get a picture of me -- but I was having fun entertaining all the local filipinos. One of the girls from England was telling me about where she's from, in Cambridge. I went on to tell her how I visited Cambridge, and saw Harvard and MIT universities, at which point she clarified "this is in Massachusetts, and I'm from England". Stupid American ! Excuse me MomSir ! After ripping and drinking through all of the money I brought with me for the night, it was time to get out of there. Sticky and sweaty from the humidity and excitement, Rosanna felt compelled to go into the pool fully clothed at midnight, but I don't remember any of this part. And Haley apparently wasn't too fond of our entrance, as according to her, I was screaming in the hallway and banging on the door to let us in, waking her out of beauty sleep. Too bad I don't recall this part of the story, as it sounded pretty funny the next morning ! Haley didn't share the same sentiment. . . I think it was an absolute fine way to conclude our time in Panglao/Bohol !
Rosanna did 2 days of diving with us, but then experienced some ear inflammation or infection, and the pain has steadily increased. Uh oh, not good for diving. So, we dropped off our luggage at the ferry pier, and taxi'd over to the hospital in Tagbilaran in hopes that we can get her ear looked at in the 45 minutes of time that we have to spare. I like the sign on the Emergency Room window:
"Waiting is good. It means that you're not going to die soon enough. The person you need to feel sorry for is the one who gets rushed into the E.R. and is treated first".
Got lucky, not much waiting, and the doctor did a quick consultation and examination of her ear, and prescribed some antibiotics for her. In and out in 30 minutes, but no diving for her in Dauin, bummer. She'll have to spend all of her time in the spa/massage facility, oh darn. But at least she will have 4 days of healing time with antibiotics and antibiotic ear drops, before the flight to Manila (which could be painful with ear troubles).
We are on our way to Dumaguete/Dauin for our 3rd island stop in the Visayas region of Philippines. I'm halfway finished with the first video production . . . coming soon.
Enjoy the pictures of our shenanigans in Bohol, MomSir !
Robert, Rosanna, Haley & Connor
- comments
Pat Hurley This is HILARIOUS, MomRobertSir! You are so right about the Filipinos memorization pattern for training. Earthquakes, rain, flooding and power outages are the main reasons I would never live there. I am sorry to hear about Rosanna's ailment, no fun on a vacation. You are a great story teller, Robert! I felt like I was there with you the entire way. I can see Haley's exasperated face right now! hahahaha
Maribel D Ramillosa Never heard Mom/Sir before but I guess that is the new in the Philippines since we were just there two years ago. Hope Sweetie Pie's ear get better. Those hurts and not fun! Been there when there was an earthquake. Pretty scary! Take care and as Mom always say....'BE SAFE". Hugs/Kisses/Love!!!!