Holy Week in Baler

Back in Manila again after spending the Holy Week in Baler. It was a good vacation, with more Tan family members for a visit at one time than any other time in recent history. Kuya Toti, Jojo, Daniel, Miguel and LJ and Kuya Tony were home. Of course, Ben and I were home. We miss Irip, Girlie, Pau and Enzo (who are now in London). But, Auntie Delan came home for a visit with Ate Mabel and her kids, Ate Agnes and her family, Kuya William. Then of course, there was Veron and her husband Dave and their daughter Gwen, and Bab with her husband Ariel and son Angelo. It was fun, fun, fun...Irip, sana nanduon kayong pamilya, mas masaya sana.
We had fun swimming first at Kuya Boy's house a couple of times, then on Black Saturday, we were off to Biklat river for some fun in the cool, though shallow, waters of Biklat River (Cayie and Terrie, you know this place...Ka, you've got to come to see it one of these days) and a bit of fun in the hanging bridge. I still couldn't cross it, but Ben was taken over to the other side by Ate Mabel. Those pictures were taken with the still camera, so I won't be able to post them until later. Anyway, the kids had lots of fun, and I like to think that even we adults had a lot of fun. I certainly did.
Ben is still afraid of the sea though. But he did take his own steps to the water for a foot dip. He had fun making "sand castle" (little more than a hole we dig on the sand) but it was enough to get him a bit confident to take a little step forward to the water. The following days though, he was crying again. Oh well, one day at a time...
We also went to the balete tree, which unfortunately was damaged heavily by the two typhoons that hit the Philippines in November 2004. Much of the back part of the tree fell, but we still managed to get inside for some photo ops. Also visited the Ermita and the pier. I wish we had time to visit more places, but I guess I'll have to settle for what we got.
All in all, it was a good and fun trip. This coming April promises better times, with a number of relatives coming for a visit from various parts of the world...USA, France, Thailand, and Canada...I am looking forward to seeing everyone coming, and welcoming a new member to the family.
So am sharing some photos, which I will post after I post this blog. Enjoy!