Witchcraft with Chinese influence

Last week, Catha and Björn came to visit from Shanghai. Visitors=trip to the beach. Yay! Initially, mom and dad had planned for whale-sharking without me. But thankfully, all Donsol hotels were fully booked and instead we went to Siquijor. Edgar didn't really like the idea of mom to going there, considering that it's the island of witchcraft and not a good place to be for a pregnant woman. But mom decided to live on the edge and come along.

As all port workers in Dumaguete had just been fired, with riots and cancelled ferries as a result, we had to take a banka. Great way to adopt the local feeling.
We returned to the same resort we went to with Petra and Gavin last year. The big difference for me was that this time, I was actually allowed out in the sun and onto the beach. Mom and dad took advantage of the fact that I clicked well with Catha and Björn and went snorkling. And I helped Catha look for pretty little shells for a necklace. Actually, mom and dad were gone long enough for Björn to teach me how to make good splashes with my feet as well (a skill I quickly mastered and now, no one is safe in the pool anymore).To say that the tempo at Siquijor is upbeat would be a bit of an exaggeration. However, I managed to make it even less so for myself. How? Easy! Refuse to walk and insist on being carried. Great way to relax!

But then, of course, there are times when it's relaxing to walk as well. Like on the beach in the sunset.A sunset, which I wasn't the only one to enjoy.

Mom and dad liked it too. As did Björn and Catha, even if they didn't manage to make it into any unblurred sunset picture.Another good time of the day, my favorit actually, is between 5.30 and 6.30 in the morning. Then the light is pretty, it's not too hot and there is usually an exclusive feeling of having the world all to yourself. I honestly don't understand why mom and dad don't seem to like that part of the day as much as I do.

At Siquijor, dad liked it somewhat more, though, as there were nice chairs to rest in down on the beach.

The trip back to Manila a few days later was completely Pinoy style. How shall I put it...? Logistically challenged? Yes, but still somehow working out quite well. We even had time to read about Thomas the Tank Engine before stepping on to the plane.

Back in Manila, the grown-ups went to Club Mwah for a night of drag. But I didn't feel like going. I have my handbags at home, and mom's slippers. That makes me feel cross-dressingly beautiful enough at this point.