I don't know why I got this crazy fantasy in my head about a big glamorous boat and captain in a crisp white uniform. This is what I actually got...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Boracay: Sunset Sailing
As I walked with the girls on the beach the other day, I was approached by about 4 different people asking if I wanted a boat ride. "No thank you" I always say. As I walked away from one, he yelled after me "How about sunset sailing?" That got me to stop. I told him where MY cabana was down the beach and that he'd have to talk to the man in charge first. Then the man in charge would ask me what I want and I would say "I want to try sunset sailing." So looked as if sunset sailing it is!
I don't know why I got this crazy fantasy in my head about a big glamorous boat and captain in a crisp white uniform. This is what I actually got...

A tiny boat where we divide the family to balance the sides while we sit on fish net strung on poles (grrrr....that last 5 pounds). In case you didn't know... sitting on plastic netting with leftover sand in your bathing suit is quite irritating!

(check out our captain in the background)
It was still so fun and so gorgeous. All part of the experience!
I don't know why I got this crazy fantasy in my head about a big glamorous boat and captain in a crisp white uniform. This is what I actually got...
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Boracay: 2 Johnless Days
John had to jump over to Manila for a couple days for a seminar and left the kids and me alone on Boracay Island. I remember when he did this while we were in Costa Rica. It was so hard! The kids were each 2 years younger (5, 2, and 1) and such higher maintenance.
This time around, we had so much fun together.
After a day at the pool we headed to the central shopping center called D*Mall for dinner. Then we played in the sand.
Austin made a hop scotch board for them
What is happier than watching this?

At night time there is a different crowd. During the day it's busy families, absorbed in their own world (like us). At night it's young college kids taking in everything around them. Most of them are Korean and so enamored with my beautiful blond children. There were at least half a dozen different groups taking pictures of them. Some tried to be discrete by taking a picture with their phone in passing and others wanted a group shot. This has become very common now for people to take pictures of my children. As we walked out of our complex today I had to have a talk with them about why people like to see their blond hair and that they need to be nice and smile for pictures.
Anywhooo, we played until the sun went down...
The next day we went back to the beach (duh) and got ice cream (duh)
John got home just as the spaghetti noodles softened.
And only then were we COMPLETE
This time around, we had so much fun together.
After a day at the pool we headed to the central shopping center called D*Mall for dinner. Then we played in the sand.
Austin made a hop scotch board for them
And only then were we COMPLETE
Friday, March 5, 2010
Boracay: Trikes
This is our main mode of transportation. The kids think it's fantastic, especially Bailey as she is car seat free for the month.
So the driver is on a motorcycle (which can easily seat 2 more people; a child on front and any size person behind)
The front seat is just right for all the Jonas girls.
And the back is more than enough room for the boys. In fact, when our friends Todd and Laci get here, we'll all fit just fine!
There are 2 problems: 1 is the our place is a up a pretty good sized hill. Some get us up fine. Some taking a speeding head start and we pray no one is coming around the curves (don't worry, they honk just in case). There have been times that John and I have gotten out and pushed.
2 is that locals pay about $.15 per ride. Maybe a longer, up hill ride for them would be $.30. Since we are tourist, we pay $1! This has been a trend in many other areas too. Since we are tourists we pay much more at the fruit stands, fish market and beach vendors. Sometimes it's frustrating and sometimes it's comical. Sometimes we will call them on it. Some people laugh and tell us that's just how it is, while others act like it's a new concept they knew nothing about. At least with the trike drivers there is consistency. We pay the same price each time. Our driver last night was very friendly and told me that there are set rates for locals and tourists. For some reason that made me feel better.
Whatever we pay, it sure is an experience!
So the driver is on a motorcycle (which can easily seat 2 more people; a child on front and any size person behind)
Whatever we pay, it sure is an experience!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Boracay: Our Favortie Beach
From my cabana covered lounge chair, if I look left, I see this
If I look right, I see this
The water has such a small incline that the kids can go out so far and still touch and play.
Wanna take a closer look?
Getting closer
There
Now I have walked past the kids and am looking in (water just at my ankles). The cabana on the far right I have claimed for the month.
Little Miss B thinks she's a princess in her dress (we think she is too!)
Love my girls!
Austin made friends with the cutest Filipino boys on the beach. They started with a friendly getting-to-know-you chat in the shallow water
And soon enough were being silly together
I think this is my very favorite beach I have ever been to. The sand is like powder and the water is as warm and calm as my memory foam. People walk up and down the beach sailing all kinds of fun things...sunglasses for $4, ice cream, boat rides, massages, fresh fruit, real coconut oil (which I bought for $2. Not sure what to do with it though. Can I cook with it? The lady that sold it to me said rub it on my skin and hair, which sounded cool then, but when I actually go to put oil on myself, I just can't do it). Plus, there's just a handful of other people there, so peace and quiet are easy to come by (at least they would be if we didn't have 3 children to attend to:)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Boracay: Highest Point
Not our highest point, but literally the highest point on the island, but let me start at the beginning...
You saw those pool pictures and our overcast day we woke up to. The kids were too cold in the pool (we seriously needed a hot tub Dad!), so we decided to check out the island. By the way, this is one reason we wanted to come for so long; we weren't sad or mad it was a little cold (sorry all, by cold I mean 75) because we knew we had many, many warm days ahead of us. So we just changed our plans for the day.
We walked out of our complex and started walking in direction we'd never been. After about 10 or 15 minutes of really rickety homes, scrawny chickens and cows and a couple pigs, we came to a little soda stand with a sign that said "highest point on the island" and an arrow. Cool, just the sort o adventure we were looking for. They said it was a 3 story climb, but I don't think it was even that much.
I hate that these pictures are so out of focus. We will have to do it again and get better ones.
The steps were concrete, but the walkways were a bit less stable (again wished I'd lost that 5 pounds)

Bailey is making sure her Cinderella polly pocket is in the picture. She carried it around all day.
You saw those pool pictures and our overcast day we woke up to. The kids were too cold in the pool (we seriously needed a hot tub Dad!), so we decided to check out the island. By the way, this is one reason we wanted to come for so long; we weren't sad or mad it was a little cold (sorry all, by cold I mean 75) because we knew we had many, many warm days ahead of us. So we just changed our plans for the day.
We walked out of our complex and started walking in direction we'd never been. After about 10 or 15 minutes of really rickety homes, scrawny chickens and cows and a couple pigs, we came to a little soda stand with a sign that said "highest point on the island" and an arrow. Cool, just the sort o adventure we were looking for. They said it was a 3 story climb, but I don't think it was even that much.
I hate that these pictures are so out of focus. We will have to do it again and get better ones.
The steps were concrete, but the walkways were a bit less stable (again wished I'd lost that 5 pounds)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Boracay: Our Pool
(Disclaimer: So sorry these pictures are fuzzy. Something is up with our camera. I made John do a little surgery tonight and I think it's better now, but the next few posts might be a little blurry)
So along with what we are up to, I want to post pictures of our every day things like our home and pool and transportation. It will all come in time. Today is our pool...
So I am standing next to the lounge chairs where I have read so much of my book. The building right in front is not ours, but we are next door to that one.
This is looking just to the right of the first pic. That little building John is in front of is the restaurant where we ate the first night, but haven't since. The little circle is a kiddie pool (not to be confused with the kitty pool, which doesn't have kittens to play with, much to Bailey's disappointment.)
Now I'm standing on the other side of the pool. Notice my lounge chairs and red umbrellas.
This is the view of kite surfers we have each day. There were dozens out on this day because it was a little overcast with a great wind. (again, sorry about the quality)
And here are a few pics of the kiddies at the pool
(Addie loves that our condo is so close to the pool so she can run back and forth and change from her bathing suit to her jammies and back again at her convenience)
Goggles are a must for our kids. I don't know why, seeing in a public pool can only gross you out.
So along with what we are up to, I want to post pictures of our every day things like our home and pool and transportation. It will all come in time. Today is our pool...
So I am standing next to the lounge chairs where I have read so much of my book. The building right in front is not ours, but we are next door to that one.
(Addie loves that our condo is so close to the pool so she can run back and forth and change from her bathing suit to her jammies and back again at her convenience)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Boracay: Pictureless
I know, I know, you are dying for pictures. I will get them up today. For some reason it's not working now and my computer guy is at the pool with the little people.
Here is the first clue that I'm on vacation: I'm sitting here eating bbq potato chips, drinking tang and finishing it off with chocolate eggs brought from home. For real! This is junk I would never eat at home (well except the chocolate. I'm counting 4 wrappers right now. Can you believe that Dad?)
Clue #2: I'm watching a sailboat float by on dark blue water from my living room.
Clue #3: I'm half way through a book I started 2 days ago
(OOPS! 5 wrappers)
Here are some random thoughts:
I took a walk all by myself yesterday. I never once felt unsafe. It was so great. I walked to the market and spent $90! People looked at me weird. Most were just buying one or two things. I like to stock up! Plus, sunscreen cost me $35 for two! So I really didn't get that much stuff.
(6 and 7)
Bailey has been spending half the night in bed with us. I hate it, but she sleeps!
This condo where we are staying is run like a hotel, in that we have housekeeping come in every day and we can have all the fresh towels we need for bath, pool or beach. Those two things are so wonderful!
I'm sending laundry out today. It costs me $.60 for 2 pounds. I don't know how much my dirty clothes weigh, so we will see what the total is this time and decide if it's worth it for the rest of the month. Just kidding. I already know it's worth it!
We thought that trike rides were going to be so cheap. We were told that they are between $.10 and $.20, but we have been paying $1 per ride! We were talking to a local woman yesterday who told us this is because we are tourists. She pays $.15! That's a huge difference and will add up after a month. There are set rates for locals and tourists, so there's really nothing we can do about it.
The sailboat is gone now, but the kids are on the patio eating lunch and watching kite surfers. The beach right next to us is reserved for kite surfing.
I just talked to my mom. She had surgery this morning. There was a growth on her kidney that looked suspicious. It's kind of been a quiet thing in our family because we didn't know if they were going to go in, find it to be cancerous, and have to remove the whole kidney or if they could suck the thing laproscopicly and it would be nothing. Thank goodness it was the latter! She is fine and needs to lay low for while. I don't know if she knows how to do that! Just happy that all is well with her.
How big do you think Baby Lex is? I hope he's still in fetal position!
How big do think Cami is? Probably huge!
How many hours a day do you think I spend in a bathing suit? At least 12.
Lots of ants and flies. Haven't seen many other bugs or even animals for that matter.
I promise to have pictures to you soon.
Here is the first clue that I'm on vacation: I'm sitting here eating bbq potato chips, drinking tang and finishing it off with chocolate eggs brought from home. For real! This is junk I would never eat at home (well except the chocolate. I'm counting 4 wrappers right now. Can you believe that Dad?)
Clue #2: I'm watching a sailboat float by on dark blue water from my living room.
Clue #3: I'm half way through a book I started 2 days ago
(OOPS! 5 wrappers)
Here are some random thoughts:
I took a walk all by myself yesterday. I never once felt unsafe. It was so great. I walked to the market and spent $90! People looked at me weird. Most were just buying one or two things. I like to stock up! Plus, sunscreen cost me $35 for two! So I really didn't get that much stuff.
(6 and 7)
Bailey has been spending half the night in bed with us. I hate it, but she sleeps!
This condo where we are staying is run like a hotel, in that we have housekeeping come in every day and we can have all the fresh towels we need for bath, pool or beach. Those two things are so wonderful!
I'm sending laundry out today. It costs me $.60 for 2 pounds. I don't know how much my dirty clothes weigh, so we will see what the total is this time and decide if it's worth it for the rest of the month. Just kidding. I already know it's worth it!
We thought that trike rides were going to be so cheap. We were told that they are between $.10 and $.20, but we have been paying $1 per ride! We were talking to a local woman yesterday who told us this is because we are tourists. She pays $.15! That's a huge difference and will add up after a month. There are set rates for locals and tourists, so there's really nothing we can do about it.
The sailboat is gone now, but the kids are on the patio eating lunch and watching kite surfers. The beach right next to us is reserved for kite surfing.
I just talked to my mom. She had surgery this morning. There was a growth on her kidney that looked suspicious. It's kind of been a quiet thing in our family because we didn't know if they were going to go in, find it to be cancerous, and have to remove the whole kidney or if they could suck the thing laproscopicly and it would be nothing. Thank goodness it was the latter! She is fine and needs to lay low for while. I don't know if she knows how to do that! Just happy that all is well with her.
How big do you think Baby Lex is? I hope he's still in fetal position!
How big do think Cami is? Probably huge!
How many hours a day do you think I spend in a bathing suit? At least 12.
Lots of ants and flies. Haven't seen many other bugs or even animals for that matter.
I promise to have pictures to you soon.
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