Villa Escudero

     Nothing is more refreshing than having lunch with your feet in the water.
     I awoke this morning to breakfast on the table.  The previous evening, we had told the maid to have breakfast ready at 7:30.  I will admit, that I am getting a little used to being waited on hand and foot.  I even gave the maid my laundry to do.  Although I later found out that she washes it by hand.  I did not feel good after knowing that.  It is a little awkward.  I had to call the maid for orange juice and to make a bagel.  I felt helpless.  I am already becoming very dependent on Dina.  Maids and drivers are very cheap in the Philappeans.  Some live away from their families and visit only while on holiday.  Depending on the family, many "helpers" will stay with the same family for years, if they are treated right.  Some families may even pay for the maids children to go to private school.  It has its perks and downsides, like any job.
     Jake (the driver), arrived promptly at 8:00 and we were off to an old estate.  The drive was interesting.  Much like India, there are not any lanes on the road and honking your horn is the signal to move over.  The traffic is erratic and the there are few traffic lights when you reach the countryside.  The side of the road had many interesting sights.  People were selling cocks (cock fighting is big here), coconuts, mangos, melons, and bananas.  There were historic, mansions and tin shacks built right on top of one another.  Stray dogs roaming the streets and motor cars everywhere.  I recommend traveling through the countryside to really get a feel of the Philappeans.

Local, public transportation bus

Coconuts

After a lengthy two hour drive, we arrived at the Villa Escudero.  A self-contained working coconut plantation, It was founded in the 1880s by Don Placido Escudero and his wife Dona Claudia Marasigan. Originally planted to sugarcane, the crop was converted to coconut by their son Don Arsenio Escudero in the early 1900s. A pioneering agro-industrialist, he built the country's first working hydroelectric plant to supply his dessicated coconut factory and Villa Escudero, where he and his wife Dona Rosario Adap built in 1929.  Their children opened the estate to the public in 1981.

     We immediatly paid, had an interesting sugar drink and headed off to the museum.  The AERA Memorial Museum, founded by spouses Arsenio and Rosario Escudero, houses one of the largest collections in the country, unmatched in its eclectic diversity. Housed in a replica of a long-gone church in Intramuros with painted trompe-l'oeil ceilings, the present building opened for viewing in 1987.  The artifacts in the museum were collected from their travels throughout the world. 

     The museum was set inside a pink church and held many interesting artifacts.  There were statues of Jesus that dated back to the Villa Escudero.  After the religioius statues, there was a section with animals from the Philappeans.  It was quite interesting.  Nothing was labeled and the displays were not kept up nicely.  In fact, the one scene of the monkeys getting attacked by a snake, just might give me nightmares.  The highlight for me, was the shrunken head.  I was so fascinated, that I had to take a photograph, even though the sign strictly prohibited this.

AERA Memorial Museum

Creepy!

     After the museum, we strolled over to the carabao pick up location.  To my amusement, we had an albino bull called, sexy.  The ride was slow and pleasant.  I was entertained by a man playing a guitar and a woman singing.  They sang songs I knew, including Feliz Navidad.

     The carabao dropped us off in front of the resort area.  We followed the path towards Labasin falls.  At the bottom were tables and benches placed ankle deep in the water!  I was very excited and took off my sandals to feel the refreshing water run across my feet.  It was just right!  The weather is humid and in the high 80's.  It was just what I needed.  Note of caution: if you go, be mindful of the ground.  It is covered in algae and very slippery!

          





 
      Lunch was a buffet that included: grilled tilapia, stewed beef, lo mein, roasted pork, grilled chicken, chicken soup, green bean salad, and cucumbers.  You had to walk up to the buffet in the water and the sound of the running water was very peaceful as you ate. 
     Throughout lunch, I kept looking at a cave, behind the waterfall.  The temptation to climb in was building and after a beer, I decided...why not!  I climbed very carefully, and hoisted myself into the cave, clothes and all.  I was so excited.  Everyone about was staring; although I could not tell if it was in shock or amazement.  The exit was just as exciting.  I slid on my bottom down the waterfall.

     The resort also had a swimming pool and wooden raft. The line for the raft was extremely long and there was an unlimited time for the raft, so I opted out.
     The ride home was slow and tedious, du eto traffic.  I enjoyed the scenery though.  I was able to appreciate everything that I have, things that I take for granted.  I was reminded by the scenery before me, that I have a pretty good life.

bamboo rafts in the distance

I had to have a little fun.