Zai's Phlippine trip June 2024 by Zai

 2nd June

Steve  sent me off to the Auckland International Airport.   The airport has some changes, for drop off and pick up. It looks good, but the work is still on going. Stood in queue for an hour, was 4th in line. All went well. We then went to the departure area and had lunch at a Vietnamese resto. Steve had fried chicken and I had beef Poh. The soup was nice but the beef was chewy. Decided to go in early and said our farewells. Then I went though customs and immigration,  my bag was randomly selected for drug test. It was all good. I waited for 3 hours to board the plane. There was much turbulence during the flight, I got a bit scared. Thank you Lord, all went well. Inflight meal: I had Beef Rendang for lunch then Chicken Tikka for dinner. Online entertainment was so so. I was able to sleep a little. Arrived at Singapore on time, I searched for a place to sleep. I was able to catch a bit of sleep. But my body clock is still Auckland time so woke up at 3ish.  I searched for a place to eat and had Wonton soup and some sticky rice pudding like Sapin Sapin. It was just ok. Then took my meds. At 4ish, decided to got to T1 for the next leg of the trip.  Waited for 8 hours. T1 is not so bad, found a nice place to sit.

 

3rd June

Arrived at Davao International airport at 5 PM. Scoot Airlines go straight to Davao unlike Silk Air which used to go via Cebu. I was met by Zharina, Mattmatt Ate Zaida and BradPit. We then went to Tagum.



4th June

Went to get stuff for the house like curtain rods etc so BradPit can put it ip. Went to Citi Hardware first the Unitop. BradPit finished the curtain rod and curtain was up. We slept in the house, but it was so hot I could not sleep much.

5th June
The lights were flickering in the house. We decided not to sleep there. Did a bit of cleaning. Zharina and I went for a little bit of shopping.

6th June
More cleaning today in the old house. Then later I went to have Steve's pants altered for pick up in the afternoon. Then I went to have my teeth cleaned. Later, I went to NCCC  to buy some kitchen stuff.

 

7th June
Putomaya for breakfast. Did a little bit of cleaning. Then around 10ish, took Jangers and Lalang for shopping.  Jangers bought a  lot of snacks for Lalang.

 

At 2:45 Aurea arrived at home.We had a good chat about her recent problems with her hubby. Nova arrived at 4 pm, we had a short chat. Then at 4:50 we took a pedicab to Sitti Bistro. We were there first. Then Orlin came, had a short chat then Noel and Edwin arrived. We ordered food and chatted a lot. I gave Nena a short call. The food was awesome and the company was great. It was lovely to see and catch up with the gang . We finished at around 9.

8th June
Got empanada from Zharina's friend.  It was nice. Then at 10ish, Zharina and I went to Gmall for a haircut.  Lets see how the hair looks later. Ate Zaida arrived in the evening.

9June,
The lights in the house is flickering baldly. Called the electrian on Monday to have it fixed. There was a scheduled brown-out from 6am to 6 pm so I told the family to spend the day at the beach. We went without reservation and found a Seawall beach but Zharina did not like it. So we looked for another but all resorts are full. It is the first weekend after the school ended. So we went back and decided to have lunch at Mikos brew. Then went home, later it rained. We got Bangus for dinner.

10 June
The electrician arrived at 9 30ish. Mama had a doctors appointment at 11 am. I decided to stay behind in case the electrician can fix the issue. It was so complicated for him that he had to bring someone with him to help. In the end they diagnosed that the issue was the vines that have clung to the electricity poles outside which result with low voltage coming to the house. In the afternoon, we went to Unitop so Ate could buy her boxes to keep some stuff. Then we bought Francos chicken for dinner. They went home around 7 pm.

 

11 June
I messaged Jonathan Serondo who I believe is working for Daneco regarding the electricity issue. He said he had forwarded so hopefully it will be fixed soon. Zharina said it could be a awhile.  Zharina and I went to Maco to pay the Mejoras tax. The trip to the city hall was nice, the Maco city hall is on top of a hill. It is prettily situated.  The payment of the tax did not take long. We then went to the Tagum wet market to get some meat and vege. In the afternoon, it rained. We had sauted kentucky beans with chicken ham and spring rolls for dinner.

12 June
We went to visit the cemetery to pay my respects to papa. It was a nice day. Then we went to have the bracelet that mama gave fixed. I had a snooze when we went home after lunch.

13 June
I went to Metrobank to check the Term/time Deposit just to know about it. Had time to visit Christ The King Church. Then went to Gmall to get a shirt and porontong. Liling advised the electricity got finally fixed. Had lunch and  relaxed. Ate Zaida and Bradpit arrived at 3. It is raining.  We will go visit Uncle Alan's the off to Davao City.

 

14 June
Prepared for our trip to Samal. Left at 10 am went to Junex for an early lunch.  We finished around 12:30 then went take the barge. Arrived at Cavanico at 2 Pm. The place looks old. The rooms are nice though. The air-conditioning at the Regatta room was awesome, it was really chilly. It was low tide so the water did not go up so high. For dinner, we just ordered battered chicken with soup.

 

15 June
I woke up at 3:30 and went to sit by the beach.  Then at 5 am, the sunrise was awesome and I woke up ate Zaida to watch the sunrise and take photos. I then went for a swim, but I did not enjoy so much since the water is only hip deep.The rest of the family had a good time. They rented a kayak and also a paddle board. Mama and I just sat by the beach.  We checked out at 12. Then just got Jollibee for lunch.

16 June
Took Zharina and Ricson for shopping. They got some clothes etc. Then later, Zairel , Ate Zaida , Bradpit and I checked Zairel's house. It was a massive housing development in Talomo.
Afterwards, we went for grocery shopping. It was Father's day, Zairel got pizza for dinner and Ricson made bijon.

17 June
Public holiday here, Eid l --. Zharina and Mattmatt went to doctor to get clearance and 2d Echo for his momentous moment (circumcision). I went to SM to shop for Steve and Suz. The fare was 20 pesos.  I had coffee at Bo's cafe, its good to get good coffee. Was shopping for 2 hours. Then took taxi home via coastal road and the taxi cost was 185 pesos,  not bad.

18th June
Went to BDO to close my account.  Smooth transaction,  as if nothing happened. Ate Zaida went to Pag ibig and Kiray went to Deca Homes. I finished earlier so I went to Abreeza mall. Got some things for Uncle Amay then was hungry so ate a bit before Ate Zaida and others came. Our visit to Uncle Amay was good. We had a good chat with Aunty Nita.

19/20th June,

Rainy days, just stayed at home. Made Chicken roast for dinner on 19th. 

 
21 June
Dinner scheduled with some of the Yap family at Shifu restaurant.  Uncle Boy, Shobe,  Ate Netnet, Uncle Abed,  Paul, July and Kongkong came. The food was good. It was a surprise that they booked a separate room for us. It was great catching up with the family. Noticeable missing Aunty Nene on this occasion.

22 June
Ate Zaida and I woke up so early to go for a walk at the Coastal road. It was a wonderful.morning for a walk and chitchat. Then at 9am we went to Forest Lake to pay my respects to Aunty Nene. Later we checked San Pedro and also the church. We got called to say the rosary.

 Made Butter Chicken for dinner with Ketchup. It was still tasty.

 

23 June
This was a very busy day. At 9 am we travelled to Kapatagan and visited several resorts. First we went to Small houses. We had some blueberry cheesecake and Red Velvet cake. Then we went to Twin mountain and walked down some 365 stairs to check their mini falls. Afterwards we went to Marylan which has a Thailand theme. This place had several areas where you can take pictures. Then we had lunch at Montefrego.  Lastly we visited Hardin de Senorita.  They had an Eiffel tower, a Holland wheel and nice flowers. Then we had to hurry back as we had dinner sponsored by Zairel and ate Zaida at Dako nga Balay. It was a surprise and very advanced 50th bday celebration for me. I had a great time.

 

 

 

24 June
120 pesos bus fare to Tagum non air-conditioned bus. I got lost going to Ecoland. Arrived at 11ish in Tagum. Went to GMall to get a few stuff for Nova and Jangers. Arrived home, the tarp fence was still up. Spoke to the foreman Joseph and also Zharina spoke to her contact. The tarp and the ladder were removed.  I had a couple of hours just going around the house. Then at 2:30 Otol arrived. I was already prepared to leave as Junjun was picking me up. Junjun arrived around 3 ish.  So we left and went to Nova's . They had prepared a meal. We had a good chat. Then they said they will take me back to Davao since they also wanted to see the Coastal Road. When we arrived in Davao, we had dinner at Rams. Then went to Ate Zaida's. Then Ate Zaida.and BradPit showed them the Coastal Road park. We just stayed outside since the park was already closed at 8 pm. 

 

25 June
We had a lunch date with Kuya Neal and Michael. We went first to Ate Shelyn 's house. It was my first time to see her place. They have a lovely house. Ate Shelyn told me to take a couple of clothes from her storage room.I took a shirt and dress. Then we went to Lola Mommys for lunch.

 
26th June
It was a rainy day. I needed to get something for Jaja. We went  to SM mall. We had lunch at Mandarin. Got the gift for Jaja , a couple of fridge magnet and another pants for Steve. In the evening,  for despidida we got Pizza and fried chicken wings from Reysies recommended by Ate Zaida's principal. which were tasty and got over soon. The pizzas were deep dish. It was fine not the tastiest pizza.

 

 

 

27th June
Woke up at 2, had acidic tummy.  Took apple cider vinegar with water. It helped. Went back to sleep. Woke up at 5 am and was still sleepy. Had a relaxing few hours before going to airport. Left the house at 1. Arrived at 1:45. Got some snacks and had a fun chat with Ate Zaida, Liling,  Kiray and Bradpit. Then I went in for checking in at 2:30. It took 1 hour in the queue for luggage check. Waited for 2 hours for the plane to arrive.  Departed at 6ish. Arrived in SG at 10ish..looked for a place to crash. I was able to sleep a bit amidst the loud chatter of Chinese ladies and uncomfortable sitting/sleeping position.

 

 

28th June
Woke up early. Freshened up then sat for a bit at the LV area. Then went looking fir coffee. Got a $2.5 coffee from Pezzo and had a lovely ham and cheese sandwich. The  went around for a place to sit, found a quiet place on the second floor near the Cactus Garden.

Did immigration check to go out of the airport. It was so smooth, SG has made it very easy to go out of the airport, everything was electronic. Waited outside T1 for Jaja. She arrived at 12PM. We checked the Jewel Falls, I was about to pay $85 but my credit card was declined, good thing as the falls area was actually free access. We then took the train and had lunch in the city at Luh Pa Sat. I tried their Laksa, it was nice, very coconutty. Then after lunch we went to Raffles to check the Merlion and Marina Bay Sands. I am glad we went to the city to see this place. We then went to Bugis street to get some souvenirs. And then went back to the airport to have coffee at Starbucks. Jaja and I had a good chat. I am praying that all goes well with her and her Canadian BF, Phil.

 

Went in the airport and sat around for a bit so I can charge my phone. Then looked for the gate. Waited at the gate for an hour then it was boarding time. Since the flight was an evening one, had nice sleep before they served dinner. I had the Sweet and Sour fish which was yumm. Then slept again and woke up a bit earlier then it was breakfast time. I had Shrimp Flat Noodles which was also yumm. 

Arrived on time in Auckland, went to declare , it took about 1 hour to go out. Then Steve and Suz met me outside.