Day #5 is Philippines family reunion day
Because of Chai Chai and Bao Bao wedding it was the first time that this family had been together in one place for YEARS. So in true Philippines style a massive party was organised to get all together to have a huge family day together. This is Day #5 is Philippines family reunion day. Special t-shirts were made up (mine doubly special – notice the only one with a v-neck). It was awesome.
We went to a place on Mabini Barangay that no-one had ever been to before. A beach owned by some German chap. He has turned it in to a series of ‘pools’ that catch the sea water as the tide comes in and hey presto, private pools all day long. Much food, beer, photos, chats, laughs and yep Karaoke. How funny is that. This is Day #5 is Philippines family reunion day.
I did some video of the journey on the way – can’t help but think of every Vietnam film I have ever watched. Luckily now just blissful beauty, serenity and silence and people go about their daily choirs of farming. It is simply stunning. Funny as we got in to Mabini itself, the town where Mary is originally from, I had no idea I was filming it. I filmed the wet market and noticed it said Mabini. I stopped then to ask her. Double funny is that the couple at the petrol station filling up the scooter is the bride and groom from yesterday – Bao Bao and Chai Chai – I had NO IDEA it was them, or that I had filmed them.
Let’s get to some photos now of Day #5 is Philippines family reunion day. Sad thing of course no Ollie with us to enjoy too. I am sure there will be another time though for that.
Our chariot for today, with one popped out window – so no aircon – it’s all natural air-cooling baby! Amy clearly liking that – how can you not just gaze from the window at the beauty – make sure you watch that video link.
That is one BIG family. Spot the odd one out ha ha – OK OK two odd ones out with Amy and I included ha ha!!! Happy families. For those that don’t know, that’s me in the v-neck t-shirt – double ha ha!!!
Pull a silly face said someone. Hmmm again. Odd-ones-out – this tike it’s Jude and I. Recurring theme here it seems!!!
See what I mean when I said a load of food. Very traditional Philippines style. Boiled and braised cow skin. Goat curry. Steamed shell fish to name but a few. Yeah there is some challenges in there for a Western palate – but this ain’t no normal Western palate boy – bring it on!!!
Mary’s brother attacking the shell fish to get a ‘hole’ in the top to attack the meat within. It’s a skill. Notice he is using a stone picked up from the beach. I wonder what the meat looks like…? Shall I have a go at eating some of this???
Fuck no. As shown off by the beautiful wife. Shit last time I saw something like that it was attaching Sigourney Weaver. Holy crap!!!
It’s sibling time 1st for individual family shots. Someone is holding a stomach in there for this one – you know who I am talking about – who’s the only one wearing a cap is a clue – ha ha!!!
Plus Mum and Dad now – nice, very nice!!! That’s it let it out now brother…..
Here’s those ‘pools’ I was talking about – weird right. You rent a gazebo thing for the afternoon – and literally set your tent up. It was rocking!!! The kids – of all ages, and adults come to that had a blast – even rain did NOT stop play this day!!!
I think this was same gang plus kids – notice the numbers keep increasing every photo…
And then the big white whale gets in there too – move over kids, Moby is in town!!!
And the entire gang back together again, ocean behind. Now how funny would it have been if a freak wave just crashed over the top of us all. Or is that just me ha ha!!! Cracking photo though – love it!!!
“Jude we lost Mum’s hat – do you know where it is?” “No Dad!!!” “OK then I’ll keep looking, thanks mate!!!”
