Safety first

You find these spider webs of lines all over the place. This is in Makati, the central business district. Theoretically, the most advanced area of the city. But, as you can see, they just keeping adding more and more lines. Can't be safe.

We only had a few hours before our flight home, so we had time for only one thing. The airport is on a separate island. On this island is "The Big Buddha". And I mean Big Buddha. To get there you must take a 25 minute cable car ride, which is a pretty long ride. For fun we got the glass bottomed one. That was interesting.

This picture shows us crossing from one hill to another. Probably had to do this 5 or 6 times to get there.


So here is a picture of the Big Buddha from afar. Even bigger than I thought it would be.

Of course, when you get off there is the big shopping area with restaurants. They also had this, the "Wishing Shrine". We saw these in Kyoto. You write your wish down and tie it to the shrine.

Here we are at the base of the Big Buddha. Look at the stairs. Where are the escalators??!?!?!? Remember the day before when we walked down Victoria Peak? My legs weren't ready for this. We made it up, but holy smokes.


When we got to the top. We were surprised to find that it was built in 1992. So, not so historic. They did have a relic of Buddha there. We learned that Buddha's bones were separted into 7,000 pieces. This temple has one of the very tiny bones. Sure enough there were some monks by the relic praying and worshipping.

Another fun and exhausting trip. It is was well worth it. And I didn't have a wallet weighing me down.

Hong Kong - Day 2

After our fun from the night before, I mustered some enthusiasm and we headed off to the city. The big adventure for the day as to go to the top of Victoria Peak. The middle of the island is a serious of tall peaks. There is a furnicular train that goes to the top. It has been in operation over 100 years. The line was unbelievable and took about an hour. There are only two trains one going up and one going down.

Here are a couple of views. This first one is of Hong Kong in the foreground. The buildings in the front are partially up the peak. They are called the mid-levels. Lots of switchback driving to get up there.



This one shows Kowloon in the background and the strait we went across in the ferry.


Landon was very excited about Madame Tussaud's. He has been wanting to go to a wax museum forever. Yao Ming ain't that tall.

So at the end of this adventure, my lovely wife and youngest son thought it would be fun to walk down. WALK DOWN!!! Even though I had paid for a round trip. Being the only slightly, grumpy old man, I agreed...grudgingly. Probably took only 30 minutes. Problem was there were no steps, it was just a path at a 20 degree (or so) angle. Just steep enough that if you started to jog you couldn't stop. So Terri and Landon took off while Brennan and I schlumped slowly. Lots of sweat and sore calves. I won't complain too much as there were quite a few knuckleheads actually walking up.

That evening, we braved another street market. Look at the apartments up above. Not too nice.

Hong Kong - Day 1

Sorry for taking so long to blog about this. I will take this one day at a time. Since we are moving back home so quick, we wanted to do one more big trip. So since Labor day here is May 1, we took a long weekend trip to Hong Kong.

I thought the Singapore airport was amazing. Hong Kong is just as impressive. Can't think of an airport in the US that as well organized and run as these two.

We took the train into the city and decided we would start in Kowloon. Hong Kong is an island just south of the mainland. Kowloon is just north but very close. We took the Star Ferry wish has been in operation for over 100 years.




Went to a couple of museums and grabbed some dinner...Outback Steakhouse. Still can't get these boys to eat local food.

As we walked around we found this sign.



So if it is flooded, what exactly are we supposed to do?

Then we went to a street market. This is the place where my wallet was stolen. We were walking around looking at all the things for sale and I realized my wallet was not in my front pocket anymore. I knew I needed to be careful and always thought I would be aware of what was happening. So much for that. I felt absolutely nothing. So that was the end of our first night as we had to run back to the hotel and cancel all my credit cards. Sure enough they had charged at least three charges on each of cards I had.



So our first night ended abruptly and I was trying not to be as grumpy as I wanted to be. Terri was fantastic. Telling me I wasn't stupid and that we needed just to get this done and enjoy the rest of the time we had. I have a great wife.

What's up with the towels?

Not sure I have posted about this before. A high percentage of kids walk around with towels coming out of the neck on their shirts.

What I have been told is that when it is hot and humid outside (which is almost everyday) they use these to wipe up the sweat. So as they go in and out of air conditioned places, they won't get too cold and then won't get sick.

In this picture it is 2 girls. Usually it is boys since they run around more and get sweaty. Now for those of us that move from one air conditioned place to another, this really isn't that much of a big deal.

We really couldn't figure this out initially, so I had to breakdown and ask someone. You will occasionally see an adult with one. This is pretty common, so we don't look for it too much. However, something really sad. Every once in a while you will see a very, very poor child with wadded up newspaper there instead of a towel. They can't even afford a rag. I am sure I have mentioned before that the newspaper here is made with ink that comes off on your hands. So I can imagine how much of that ink gets on their back when they sweat.

Anyway, something else unique to the Philippines.

Moving home!!!

Found out recently that IBM has a new role for me back in the US. We are moving home in mid-June. Of course, we are quite excited. However, we have made many good friends in the Philippines and have had some great adventures. There will be many aspects of living here that we will miss. Getting back to our families is the best part of this.

Just sent Terri back to my parents house to do some house hunting as we don't have alot of time. Will let everyone knows more about it as the details are finalized. Can't wait to see you guys!

Big doings in the Philippines

Don't want you to think we don't have fun over here.

Asparagus Festival

presented by the German club

Beginning Monday, 11 May 2009
onwards (Until stocks last).
Fresh White Asparagus
will be arriving from Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany and we hope to be able to serve you a variety of asparagus delicacy created by our very own Chef Dennis.

Don’t miss this once a year chance to savour delectable White Asparagus dishes for lunch or dinner while it lasts. We invite you and your guests to come visit us in the Club during the festival. Our menu line up:

Asparagus Cream Soup
Asparagus Clear Soup
Asparagus Salad
–­—
Asparagus with Black Forrest Ham
With Boiled Potatoes
–­—
Fresh Asparagus
with Pork Tenderloin
served with Pepper Sauce
and Boiled Potatoes
–­—
Asparagus with Poached Salmon
with Boiled Potatoes
and Lemon-Butter Sauce
–­—
Buttered Asparagus
With Boiled Potatoes and
Hollandaise Sauce
–­—
Pan Fried Maya-Maya Fillet
With White Asparagus, Boiled Potatoes in Hollandaise or Lemon Butter Sauce

We recommend early reservation.

Actually, I might pass on this one.