Travelling in the Philippines

Their son, Michael, has lived there for the past three years or so.  He went there to provide consultancy work to Austal Ships at their local Cebu Island worksite.  He decided to become an employee of Austal - when he met the love of his life - his partner Lisa.  Austal Ships have three manufacturing sites, one at Cebu, one in Mobile, Alabama and the local one at Henderson.

 

There are some 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines - and according to their advertising there is an island to suit every kind of taste.  The Philippines are subjected to very volatile weather - torrential monsoon rain and earthquakes which can cause havoc to the local buildings.  Structures are generally very light so get blown down easily; but the rebuilding is also relatively easy.  Travellers to the Philippines need to be flexible regarding their travel arrangements to take into account these 2 natural disasters that could happen at any time.

 

The country is mostly Catholic as a result of a strong Spanish influence over the years; with Mindinau being mainly Muslim.  Their tourist shopping centres are world class and would rival any in Paris or London.  During the World War II Cebu Island was populated by the Japanese who stayed there until the mid 1940's; however this influence has largely been erased. 

 

The people of the Philippines are neat and clean and tidy, and love to wear white.  However when you look at the markets and the streets and the outside of houses, they look uncared for as the buildings are mainly unpainted concrete; and the grounds are often dirt.  The markets they they visited had lots of fresh caught 'small' fish; dried fish as well as thousands of pairs of thongs to sell.  The fresh produce is always beautifully arranged, and the people have learned to live with the flies and dust.

 

Dental hygiene is a problem for local people as they all love 'lolly' water and are constantly eating candies.  The best houses in some areas - belong to the dentists!

 

Lisa and Michael, although currently living in a housing estate, have bought their own plot - 1,000 m2 - and have a 6 m x 4 m house built on it, which Lisa's brother and his family are currently living in.  They have some plans for future development to include a western style house on the block.

 

Annette and Garry showed us photos of their brand new granddaughter Tenika - which I'm sure was the real reason for their travel to The Phillipines. 

 

Garry summed up his talk by telling us that The Philippines is an interesting place to go; the people are lovely - they are not wealthy but they are happy.

 

Thanks Garry and Annette