Snorkeling in Boracay

Hey Great Ones,

After a tropical storm washed Wednesday away we scored a beauty on Thursday.  So Eli, Elsie, and I rented a boat and captain who took us to three very good diving sites today.  Too bad I did not have an underwater camera, but the coral and sea life was amazing.  Lots of angel fish, big fish, little fish, crazy colored fish, and squid.  It was truly amazing.  After three hours of snorkeling we were pretty tired and crashed on the beach for the rest of the day.  Pretty tough life.

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk  

A Christmas decoration made of beer cans and slippers.  A Filipino Christmas tradition to make ornaments like this.

Eli, Dirk, Elsie ready to embark on our grand adventure.

The captain was probably 18, his first mate 12.  Our crew and boat did well.  We had to wear life jackets that did not fit.  After a while we said forget it.  No problem.

A swanky resort owned by the famous Filipino boxer Paciqi…. something.  Not too famous with me.

Eli and Elsie gearing up.

The old man entering the sea.  Forgetting to shave has been nice.

Eli ready to go.

We found Nemo.  We found Nemo!  We are following Nemo.

Eli with his temporary snorkle mask tatoo.

A former New Yorker hanging by the yellow taxi sign.

Good night Boracay.

Christmas Day 2012

Hello Super People,

Merry Christmas!  

Here are some pictures of what we did on Christmas Day 2012.

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk

Eli eating and drinking real coconut.

Sweet Boracay beach.

Merry Christmas!

Elsie!

Eli!

Beach volleyball!

Sweet Boracay.

Boracay

Hello My Excellent Ones,

Here are a few more pictures of our time in Boracay, Philippines.

Merry Christmas!

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk

Sweet.

Relax with a great book.

Happy dad.

 Joseph sold us a few mangos.

Eli in front of our room at Tonglen resort.

A street scene near our resort.

Buying our dinner fresh.

Tuna.

Fresh veggies.

We took the food to a restaurant where they cooked it up.  Was very good.

Pig on a stick.  Hmmm.

Philippines

My Dear Great Ones,

Sorry about being a little late.  Computer problems, travel, etc all took their toll in getting this out.  Needless to say I am with Eli and Elsie at Tonglen Resort on Boracay Island in the Philippines.  It is a sweet place.  We are all sunburnt after a day laying on the beach and going snorkeling.  The weather has been good so far.  We are enjoying each other's company and there is peace.  Thank you for your prayers and Christmas wishes.  I wish you all the best, Merry Christmas,  and as an extra bonus I will try to enter something every day for the week we are here. 

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk 

Off to the Philippines.  Eli and Elsie.

On the road to our resort.

On the beach at Boracay.

Eli and Elsie after their snorkel time.

Christmas 2012

Hello My Dear Great People,

Ok I have to admit it.  I am not the biggest fan of Christmas.  Too much kitch, too many memories (good and bad) it has been especially tough for me in the last two years.  My Christmas trips have softened the blow somewhat, but when you go from years of Christmas filled with family to nothing it is pretty tough.  This year Eli and Elsie will be joining me here in HK for the Christmas season and we are heading to the Philippines.  I am very happy about that.  Thanks to everyone who has filled my life with encouragement, prayers, and love over the last two years.  I am very thankful and grateful.  Now to lighten the mood up abit here are some Asian Christmas decorations that have evoked some emotion in me.  

God bless you all!  Enjoy your Christmas.  Next posting may be a little late due to travel, but I will give it my best shot to provide something.  

Thanks!

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk

What it is all about.

Rather surreal.

Nut crackers?

Skiing santas.

Kitch City

At a golf course in December.

Kitch city.

Real poinsettas in the lobby of my apartment building.

Barbecue in December?

Dear Amazing Ones,

It is December 8th and I am writing this with my balcony door open, while wearing shorts, and a tee shirt.  The sun is comforting my shoulders with gentle heat and a delightful cool breeze is wafting through my abode.  Local Chinese music from somewhere outside is serenading my spirit.  Looking out I see plenty of green foliage swaying in the breeze.  It seems absurd that there are Christmas decorations around with signs that say: Let it snow, or , I wish you a white Christmas,   ha ha ha ha ha yeah right, it won't happen, has never happened, will never happen.  It is still kind of bizarre to me not to have snow or ice during this festive season.

Yesterday I went on a barbecue with a few friends.  It was warm enough that a few people were swimming in the ocean. Forgot my swim suit otherwise I would have been in there as well.  As I contemplated my life a little bit here in Hong Kong, after a great social time and eating time, I realized that my desire to come back "home" to Canada has dwindled dramatically over the few years I have been here. I miss the great people back in Canada, but there are great people here too, and the weather?    Barbecue in December?  Swimming in the ocean in December?  Dressed like summer pretty well all year round?  I'll take it. I think I am staying. God bless you and keep you.  Take care.

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk

Deepwater Bay.  

Barbeque Chinese style.  Cement pits, cement benches, cement, cement, cement.

Some great people.  Left to right: Selenna, Cam, Daniel, Jim, Vivian

More great people.  Left to right:  Celia, Kelvin, Vivian, Jim Bill, Daniel, Selenna

Local Snack Time

My Dear Excellent Ones,

Along with a few friends of mine I braved myself into a rather sketchy establishment.  When the menu is written in Chinese on the walls outside and there is nary an English word, you can't help but feel a little wary…

… especially when one of the photos is offering stomach and other unmentionables as a tasty side dish…

…yet we braved ourselves into the "restaurant," and with the help of some Chinese friends, we ordered, Tong Ning Cha (Cold Lemon Tea), soya milk, Chinese donuts (fried flour mixed with grease) some of the donuts were covered with glazed rice, and a weak peanut butter sauce,  and noodles with chicken wings,  sorry did not have the stomach for stomach, (bad joke sorry)...

…and as you can see by my wry smile I survived, infact we all did, a little richer from the cool cultural experience and a little fuller from our tasty snack...

So that is all for this week.  Exciting things are in store for me.  I am moving, Eli and Elsie are visiting and we will be going to the Philippines for Christmas.  Things are looking good and I am very grateful.

Thanks for your prayers, God bless you and have a great week.

Love adios and peng on!

Dirk