My best friend Tommy and I share the same birth date 13 July, albeit we were born on different years. We had at one time sailed together as Merchant Seaman, I retired and Tommy is still sailing. Every year he tries to be home in the Philippines for his birthday and we usually celebrate it together.
Last year before the families’ joined up with us in the evening for our small party, our wonderful ladies indulged us in a quest we wanted to embark on, we wanted to go in the (SUNNY day last year) afternoon and find the “Blue Rock Girl” I have a picture of her, but I could never ask my friend Mr. Bob Martin to let me show it on his site. If you go to LiP’s My Photo Albums (editor’s note: sorry, but the Flickr Photo Albums have recently been eliminated from the site) or Flickr you will fully understand our quest, and might even have joined in with us had you been there. One or two of you maybe! BTW the search was in vain, but our Ladies put up with us for the day and we did have a great time.
This year 2011, we discussed plans for a new adventure, and we decided to round up both our families and go back to Baloy Beach, but this time we would check into a resort and spend two days and one night there. They have the main hotel, and an annex upon the beachside. We chose the beachside and rented a block of rooms even though it was more expensive than the main hotel.
Early that Saturday morning, (We picked Saturday as there was no school or work and everyone could attend.) 9 July we all pile into our cars and head to Baloy Beach. On the way I hear a loud pop and a hissing sound, similar to airbrakes going off. I blew a high pressure hose on my Honda’s Air/Con, and stopped and put the car in the shop on the way, a 20 minute delay, and they drove me to the resort. Did I mention it was raining? I’m talking frog choking rain, and we’re on our way to the beach!
Its 10am when we arrive at the Wild Orchard Resort, and check in, a group of umbrella girls escorted us to the lobby, and all went smoothly, plus we were given a 10% discount because of the rain, to include all food and drinks in the discount. The kids went to the rooms and were back like scud rockets and into the pool, the rain be darned. Tommy and I had just been informed by our ladies that it was raining, we smiled, pointed to the pool and said; “Tell those kid’s about it and ask if they care!” Mayang and Loleth both had to smile with us over that.
The food was great, the service was fantastic, the families had a wonderful weekend, and the constant rain could not dampen the fun. The girls found that each room was equipped with a Jacuzzi, and somehow copious bottles of bubble bath appeared, so after supper, while Tommy and I went to “Bob’s Barefoot Bar” on the beach, duly equipped with a very strong roof and we commenced to having a few “Boat Drinks” (Any drink with Rum) and they played Jimmy Buffett music until the advertised “Live Band” appeared, and each and everyone was alive, not a dead person in the group. Live music I understand, but live bands? Oh well, as with most bands here in the Philippines, if you don’t look, you’ll think you are hearing the original group play, and when they did some Buffett music the crowd went wild!
The girls and the kids after their few hours in the bubble baths (They used every room we had) joined us, and as Tommy and I predicted started ordering food again, At the Barefoot Bar they have a full BBQ menu and 4 grills a cookin’ and no shortage of rice. Deserts to tempt them all, and because of the torrential rain we were the only customers’, so we had a great time.
Sunday morning, breakfast and swimming, oh yes the rain had never stopped longer than ten minutes at a time, but spirits were high, and no one complained, and you’d need a calculator to count the smiles. So the weekend had ended and everyone now just wanted to go home and sleep. (Me too!!!)
Then on the real birthday last Wednesday, my family had a small party for me, with cake and presents, and at Tommy’s house it was the same. It showed me that I made a good decision, low those many years ago that living here was the right thing for me. BTW, Tommy agrees!
I’d like to thank all of you that greeted me here on LiP and Face Book with all those many Happy Birthday wishes, I was grateful for each and every one! And for anyone who didn’t, that’s okay, because I forgot your birthday too. (lol)
There is this week’s sample of a small slice of life that we lead here in the Philippines, simple pleasures and simple fun. Not one of the kid’s complained about the rain, not one stayed in the room to play computer games or watch TV, they just enjoyed themselves and made their own fun. Just like days of yesteryear when we were a kid with a Tonka Truck or an Easy Bake Oven, I hope for the girls, and making our own fun. It’s not perfect here, but it will do until someone finds Shangri-La in Tibet.
Hey Paul,
I used to live in Washington (state). There are two things I learned,
1) Monday always comes after two days of rain.
2) Never let the rain stop you from doing anything.
Hudson;
Washington State where you’re rusting instead of tanning. But you are so right, even during the rainy season, I try to do what I normaly do everyday. Yet there are times when you just can’t. But I’ll still try! It’s sunny today!
Paul,
Glad you, your family and friends had an enjoyable “B-day weekend”. But really theres not a better place to spend a rainy weekend because theres always plenty to drink, eat and a nice pool. Plus you got a discount to boot. Pulled it up on the internet, looks like a beautiful resort.
Even the car problems couldn’t spoil the weekend. So are we going to see another post about getting your car fixed lol? Anyway another enjoyable post and i know you will have many more happy b-days in the future. Have a wonderful day bother.
Papa Duck;
The car was done by Monday morning and delivered to my house. Tommy and I with our gangs had a fun time rain or come shine. There is another Wild Orchard over in Angeles City witch is also really nice. So true about, they never ran out, and we tried to make them!
You got that right about Filipino musicians, Paul. If you’re just listening and not looking at the singers, you’d think that the music being played was the original. Not taking away the Pinoy’s natural talent for music, Pinoy’s are great imitators. On a recent cruise to the Caribbean aboard the Celebrity Constellation, both bands on board were Pinoys (as were 90 percent of the front desk and service staff, btw, and Holland America Line’s SS Noordam, which has 98 percent Filipino service staff, if I may add). Passing by the bar lounge on our way to the main dining room one evening, I heard Robin Gibb’s (the Bee Gees) “I started a joke”, one of my favorite Bee Gees song. The rendition was so perfect – everything, accent and all – I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, I thought the Bee Gees were guest performers that night. But, of course, they weren’t. My wife and I sat down for the duration of the song, and closed my eyes. You’d have to have heard it live to believe it, and, of course, you’d have to be familiar with the original song also as I was to appreciate the extraordinary talent of Pinoy musicians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRNTQvXSsfA&feature=related
Ricardo;
Yes it is amazing the talent that some people have, all through the ports in the Arabian Gulf (I still call it the Persian Gulf) every club has a Pinoy band, in every genre of music, It’s nice to here my favorite Country stars for free!
Ricardo;
“Hear” my favorite country…
Paul, Ricardo
Paul – Could they play Hank Williams Jr? They would have to somewhat inibraited while trying.
Ricardo- That song brings back memories of growing up with the BeeGees and the Gibbs Brothers
Papa Duck;
As a man that owns all of Hank Jr’s albums and have been to 6 concerts; I say, to fool me I’d have to be inebriated while listening! (lol)
I also have a few albums by “The Brother’s Gibbs”
Paul, Again an enjoyable read. The rain there is like winter here. You kind of live with it and when summer comes and its either 100 degrees or hovering you start to miss it. So enjoy the wet stuff as soon it will just be the hot all the time stuff. Paul reading what you write about sure paints a pretty perfect picture for me. Tibet???? No not a chance. Ron
Hi Ron;
With me I’d prefer to fry eggs on the sidewalk than walk in snow again. But the fact is the rain just doesn’t faze me, as a matter of fact it’s refreshing. There are enought sunny days scattered in-between, to make it fun.
Belated Happy Birthday to you Paul. Looks like all of you had a great weekend and it seems the rain did not put a damper on your plans. I’ll agree on the Filipino Music and the bands. In fact, on my last visit I toured a medical college and what initially attracted my attention to the place was their award winning band that I initially found on Youtube videos.
Thank you Bob;
The rain is just another part of the adventure we call living in The Philippines; I’ll ditto your comment on the music.
There are many real lessons about living here in the Philippines,for those who care to learn them.
By and large, most of the foreigners I know here are unhappy more times than they are happy. As we used to say back when I was in the Air Force, they seem to be “spring-loaded to the Pissed Off” position.
Nothing ever goes right for them and everyone is out to cheat them and every Filipino business is crap compared to America, and … well, as you well know the list goes on.
You can have fun in retirement anywhere you want to. In the Philippines, in the USA or anywhere else. You can also have fun even if the sun shines or if it’s raining cats and dogs … if you want to, that is.
Or, you can take the exact same set of circumstances and have an absolutely miserable time. It isn’t up to the country where you live, the weather or them amount of money you have in the bank … it’s just up to little-old Y-O-U.
OBTW, minor typographical detail … it’s the Wild Orchid Resort not the Wild Orchard Resort, for those who want to go there and have fun as well. I highly recommend it, as well as My friend Johann’s just down the beach. Baloy Beach is a fun place, rain or shine.
Dave;
Do you see what happens when spell check goes bad! But then you know that some people are born in a bad mood and have the ability to be miserable anywhere you place them, it’s hard wired into their genes. Making the best out of what is given to you is the key to being happy. If you give that person a lemon, they’ll squirt the juice in their own eye.
Paul,
I am glad to hear you had a great weekend with your families! Sure looked like the girls enjoyed the bubble baths! Hope you and Tommy can have many more birthday celebrations to come!
I always enjoy and admire how you take the bad situations and turn them into something good! If only the world had a couple of more people like you in it!
Steve
PS. trying to find your adventure pictures on Flicker!
Steve;
It’s named “Blue Rock Girl” it’s in there somewhere I have trouble making albums.
When the girls were done with their bubble baths their fingers were wrinkled from being in the water so long. But they had fun.
More people like me??? I was put on Earth as a warning to others! (from my Face Book post)
Tommy and I will try to out do ourselves on our next birthday party, we must keep the adventure going!
Steve;
On my account on Flickr, click open at the bottom, section 4 and it’s the third picture in.
Belated Happy Birthday Paul;
I read this after I sent you the personal e-mail.
Good attitudes about the rain.
I picked up a CD of Jimmy Buffett music a week ago, and enjoyed it. I probably need to explore his more in the future. This album was his show in Hawaii, a few years ago.
Hi Larry;
Lunch Saturday sounds good, I’ll get back to you when my e-mail stop’s messing up.
Senior:
Sounds like You and your buddy had a blast and the kids loved it. Remember we can always learn from the kids no matter what the conditions they always find a way of having fun and seeing the bright side of life.
Down to 24 months and counting darn I feel like I’m riding a snail on a never ending journey.
My wife said she wants to check out Bataan area. Reason Sabic side is getting to commercialized and a tourist trap. Is that so?
Mike;
I have to agree follow the example of the kids and you’ll end up okay. They started having fun the minute we got there and Sunday it was hard to get them back in the car to go home, and all that with out a break in the weather.
About Bataan. your wife is right but you’ll need a car or truck to live here or you’ll spend two much time in Jeepneys, come to think of it that true about Subic also. But land up here is cheaper compared to Subic, and we never flood. It’s wise to look over both areas before you plant your anchor too deep.
hi Paul
All the best on your 21 plus a bit birthday. I have just got back from singapore and Thailand
will try dam hard next trip to fit in subic bay . Regards to marie from Angie.
Frank;
On the road again, that explains why your e-mails keep getting rejected. Give me a shout next time you hit town!