Random Threads

When Dave decided to buy a banca (a motorized canoe with outriggers), I was thrilled. We live on a small peninsula surrounded by mangroves, the South China Sea and Puerto Princesa Bay. I've read that both spinner and bottle nose dolphins ply these waters. These, I believe are spinner dolphins. Spinner dolphins can be found in schools of up to 200 individuals!  They like to feed at night on fish and squid and I read they like to do most of their jumping and spinning at night as well. I guess we were lucky to see them during the day. A spinner dolphin doing it's thing!! A lot of tourists come to Puerto Princesa, Palawan for the Underground River , I'll take dolphin watching over it any day...although I have seen the Underground River three times now!! Shot taken with a GoPro Hero cam in a waterproof case from above the water from the front of the bangka Spinner dolphins are considered small and weigh up to 79 Kilograms. Shot with a GoPro Hero2 cam, mo...

Had an almost week long stay at St. Luke's Medical Center in Global City, Taguig. Some sort of unidentifiable virus, caused me to be in isolation with no guests allowed.  One of the things I have to work on is my immune system apparently.  One thing I am glad about is the cost of health care in the Philippines and it's no wonder that it is becoming a center for medical tourism. When I left the States, my health insurance was costing me $850.00 per month because I was over 55 years old. One night at a hospital in Tucson, Arizona, including my insurance deductible cost me over $7200.00 for a shared room. They left me alone so long that my IV was actually pulling my blood back into the IV bottle, instead of the other way around!  The visit did not include any xrays, or extensive tests either. At St. Lukes, I was given  X-rays, CT scans, extensive blood tests and a team of 5 doctors, plus a beautiful private suite with my own fridge and microwave....

Click to enlarge We were fortunate enough to attend the historical Official Inauguration of the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, last April 21, in Manila. Unfortunately I didn't bring a pro cam so I just have a few snapshots to shot for the evening...but the opening show was great. It was made even more enjoyable because my family and close friends were able to attend and share it with us. Afterwards we sat near Mayor Edward Hagedorn and we were able to personally thank him for the evening and all his efforts in promoting eco-tourism to the PPUR. Former Under Secretary of  Tourism Cynthia C Norton, Cecile Limjoco, Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Diana Limjoco , Back: Dave Dewbre , Jerry Rollin and Avic Alcantara President Ninoy Aquino presented Mayor Hagedorn a plaque which will be installed on site at the PPUR The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a definite must see! We have been there three times! Mr. and Mrs. Rand...

My blogging headquarters for now. Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines Here I sit with hair still wet from just having had a nice refreshing shower, blogging away. After a lot of work on both our parts, Dave and I finally have built a cozy place together. I am sitting here on my cogon thatched roof native deck, happier than I have been in, well I just can't remember, except perhaps the time I had another farm in high up in the mountains and far away Montague, California in the early 80's.  From the cool clean alpine abode in Northern California, and miles away from my desert home in Tucson, Arizona, I have finally landed where I want to be. Back in my native Philippines. Where I was born and raised. Our adopted stray kitten Ming Ming, AKA Ms. Stinky butt. Though not in my hometown of Batangas, I feel very at home here in little, sleepy Luzviminda. I am feeling so happy, content, blessed and grateful. It's so good that I ...

Our loft apartment above the barn/workshop/ kitchen/shower commode area downstairs.  I feel like I am living in one of Tarzan's lairs. So indoor outdoorsy....I'm listening to and watching the rain fall outside the deck. Wow, as of September 21 we started staying out on our land in our loft apartment above the barn/workshop/kitchen area. It's in Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa, Palawan , Philippines! Whew! It's quite a switch from our elegant Subic Freeport digs. It's sort of my tree house, although not built in the trees, we are at tree level when looking outside. A wall of green surrounds me, so peaceful, quiet and so very relaxing to live here. It all started as a huge barn to house the materials we needed for the master bedroom cottage we were initially going to build. We didn't want the building materials exposed to the weather while gathering supplies so we built this huge tin covered barn. Building materials aren't always easy to get ou...

Diana Limjoco and Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao Dec. 8, 2009 Victory Party for Manny Pacquiao at the home of Deputy NSA Luis and governor of Ilocos Sur, "Chavit" Singon My parents and I attended the party for Manny Pacquiao the other night. I've been wanting to meet him for the last few years, but my schedule never seemed to fit with the dates of prior parties. One of my best friends, Annette Ablan came over too. My parents decided to drive back that night to Subic instead of taking a hotel room. So Annette came and dropped me off at my hotel after the party was over. Diana Limjoco, Manny Pacquiao, Govvernor of Ilocos Sur, Chavit Singson When I got the invite this time, I just jumped all over it, as I was going to be in Manila anyway to attend to a few business matters, get a medical checkup and do some last minute Christmas shopping. Annette Ablan and Diana Limjoco My mom, Helen Limjoco, met Manny and she got her trophy shot with him too. Unfo...