Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Jared's First Summer

While I still figure out how to move my wordpress blog posts to this blog, I might as well tell you about Jared's first summer in Romblon.

We left Manila via 2GO from Batangas Port at around 8PM.    My mom-in-law got us a private cabin so that Jared won't get all worked up with people walking and talking around him.  Each cabin had four bunk beds (complete with curtains for privacy), a private bathroom with a shower heater, a flat screen TV, a vanity table and free dinner.

Batangas Port pre-departure

Here's Jared in his Giraffe onsie comfortably sleeping in his own bed. :)

The sea was quite calm, according to my in-laws, it's typical during summer.  We slept through the whole trip, waking up to the intercom saying that we had arrived at Odiongan, Romblon.  

Before I babble on, let me just give you a quick geographical lecture on Romblon.  Romblon is an archipelago and part of the MIMAROPA region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan).  It has three major islands, Romblon (which is also where is the capital of the province is located), Tablas (the bigggest and where Odiongan is), and Sibuyan.  Most Filipinos would associate Romblon with marble and the province did not disappoint! (More on that later.)

We arrived at Odiongan port at 4am.  I wasn't able to get any pictures because I was half asleep and I was carrying Jared and his many bags. We ate breakfast at my tito-in-law's home and slept for awhile in their guest room.  The next day we went to Ferrol, a town in Odiongan to see the beach.  The last time I saw a beach was back in 2003! So imagine my super excited self to see the beach again.  Too bad it was not taob (local term for high tide).  But nonetheless, I was still happy to see the sand, sun, and water.  

Jared in his sun protection hat ala Pocoyo.  This is actually his first EVER beach he went to but was too sleepy to enjoy it haha! (Ferrol, Romblon)

Jared, confused with what was happening. You're in Ferrol Beach sweetie :) Notice the moss-covered rocks. That's how low, the low tide is.  We brought swimming gear but decided not to swim.

The next day Jared and I were both knocked out with the flu.  The family went back to Ferrol without the two "turistas" My little partner in crime slept the whole afternoon and so did I.  

Day 3 was a little bit better for us.  We were brought to a town that was celebrating it's fiesta and was quite excited about it.  I've been here in the Philippines for more than a decade but I've never been to a full-blown fiesta. So this was a first, not just for Jared, but for me too :) 

 A fiesta is never complete without Lechon! 

 Bad photog skills as manifested by the arm. harhar!

 Fried Chicken, Afritada, and Dory fish 

Siyempre, hindi mawawala ang kanin!

After that calorie-laden meal,  J's cousin took us to Odiongan town proper.  He also showed us the beach where their resort was situated.  Below is  a panoramic shot J took of the beach.

Odiongan Sunset

The resort's time to get a panoramic shot with Jared's cousin, Matt, his parents, and me.
Family Photo-op with Jared looking elsewhere.


Jared's cousin, Matt introducing us to his dog.



I just realized I gained so much weight since having my little boy!  Here's Jared looking straight towards the setting sun.  This was taken from little Matt's home.  You can actually see the Odiongan port from their place.

Our three day stay in Odiongan was definitely a memorable one. J's extended family was so accommodating and were the perfect tourist guides.   We left for Romblon, Romblon, early the next morning at the San Agustin Port via Montenegro Shipping Line.  J said the beaches in his hometown Romblon, Romblon, were faaar better so I was really excited about that. 

 Romblon, Romblon is an hour ship ride from San Agustin Port, Tablas.  This was taken at around 6am inside a Montenegro ship.

On the way to Romblon, Romblon, we came across a pod of dolphins! I was so happy and excited that I forgot to get a picture.  Besides, dolphins swim really fast so it was almost impossible to catch them on camera.

Romblon, Romblon from the ship.  See the lighthouse on the left? 

At that point, I was very excited for Jared to see where his dada grew up. More on that in another post.  

Love, j&s





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