Water Day at Summit School

One day in April, Max's school had water day.  A fun filled wet day that was also a fund raiser for Japan.
I think that the teachers had more fun than the students.  I made sure to go so that I was there to watch Max.  For me, anything close to the water makes me nervous.  Throw in some pools, lots of kids, and a few teachers........and it might just be a recipe for disaster.  Luckily, everything went well and there were no disasters to report.

Get me out of here!!

Max and teacher Kim

The boys.  Eli, Max, and Timo

Snack time!

Boracay - 2nd time around

I am not sure how I forgot to mention our 2nd trip to Boracay!  We stayed in one of the villas and I would highly recommend it!  For the price of a decent hotel in France, Italy, etc you can have your own private villa (with a butler), private pool, etc.  The weather wasn't brilliant but it didn't even matter.

I had plans this time around to see a bit of Boracay but we didn't leave the hotel (again).  I wasn't feeling too well so not as many photos this time as last.  We also missed Farmor och Farfar who joined us last time there in December.

Now on to April! Dive Solana

In April we visited Dive Solana with friends.  It's a nice little place in Batangas.  The rooms were spacious enough for us, the food was actually very good and seemed quite fresh, the staff was friendly although a bit disorganized.  http://www.divesolana.com/    The hotel had a lot of charm to it and it had a great area to sit and read and for the kids to play.  There were many books (children's books as well), magazines and also a lot of toys.

photo by liselle lam

Beyond the roped off area is a bit of a drop and goes into the water.  Make sure to keep an eye on the little ones!

This 'resort' is mainly a dive place.  There is no real beach to speak of and the closest 'child friendly' island to go swimming near by isn't too child friendly.  To get to the beach in front of the hotel you walk down about three steps and can easily go into the water.  There is no beach to sit down on or place your towell but the water was nice and I did go in for a bit.  Max was afraid to go in because there were waves.  Make sure to bring your water shoes as it is more of a rocky beach area.

Little Sombrero Island.  Photo by Liselle Lam

We ended up going to one of the nearby islands (Little Sombrero Island) on a bangka.  Max's first time on a bangka (mine too)!!  Life vests were not provide so make sure to bring one of your own for your child.  It was a short ride to a rocky beach as well filled with small little shells that made it difficult to walk.  Again, bring your water shoes.  There was a charge per head charged by the island mafia and a charge for this makeshift  that had no shade at all.  This kind of silliness is the kind that you just sigh and pay up (after a bit of bargaining of course!  It is the way of the Philippines.  The water was blue and crystal clear.  

Everyone should have a life as good as Max does. 

Max started off a little nervous.

My little explorer

Chinatown "Woking" Tour

One day in March we also did the Chinatown "woking" tour.   http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/bndo.htm
This one Lars and I did with friends - sans Max.  Sometimes (well, most of the time) it is easier to do things here while Max stays at home with the yaya.  This walking tour was more of an eating tour so come hungry!  To be honest, I wanted to do more exploring than walking (I eat enough as it is anyway!) but still it was very interesting.  We all met at the cathedral in Chinatown and went on from there.

I always notice the poverty in Manila.  I mean how can you not??  It is all around you staring you in the face.  The face of little children with mismatched clothes (if they are lucky), flip flops 5x bigger than what they really need (again - if they are lucky).  One little one running around didn't have any clothes on at all, in the middle of the city.   Imagine that.  Lars was uncomfortable.  I was intrigued.  I use my camera to get close to them.  I take photos and then show it to them - and they smile.  I hope that I can brighten their day in some small way by showing them the photos of them laughing and having fun.  The children never cease to amaze me.

Some more street scenes from Chinatown

As part of the food tour we had some of the most AMAZING homemade dumplings.  Steamed and fried.  I still have dreams about these dumplings.  They were perfect!

Fresh fruit.  Notice that they are Verry sweet!  

Hopia!

Lumpia with garlic

Our friend David enjoying the lumpia