This morning we woke up very early so we could leave for Puerto Galera. Since there were too many of us to take Owner (I believe 10 of us were going), the original plan had been to hire a van to take us all the way to Puerto Galera. However, because of the flooded road, the van couldn't come to pick us up, so we ended up hiring a jeepney. Again, we drove through the flood on the road (although the water had lowered significantly) and headed to Calapan. First we stopped there to stock up on distilled water (which the Americans were careful to drink the entire time we were there) and some souvenirs from the Mangyan craft store. After some quick shopping, we headed out to Puerto Galera.

Of course travel in the Philippines is never easy, and on our drive (as we were approaching the mountains) we heard a terrible noise under the jeepney (sounded to me like the gears were being stripped--that very well could have been what happened but most of what was said at this point was in Tagalog so I was lost) and so we stopped. We grabbed some snacks while we waited, but it was clear that the jeepney owner was going to have to have this fixed so he called a friend in Calapan to come out and get us and take us to Puerto Galera. So eventually we switched jeepneys and were on our way.

Our first stop on the way was Tamaraw Falls, which are beautiful, and right next to the road so they're very easy to get to. Lots of picture taking and souvenir buying happened here. At some point a large bus full of Koreans stopped at the falls too. They all had t-shirts on that said "Friends." Keren and I decided that for the next family reunion we all need to have t-shirts that say "Cousins." Hehe, maybe if some of the other American cousins (hint hint you know who you are!!!) decide to come for a visit sometime we can bring COUSINS t-shirts with us. ;)

We continued driving through gorgeous scenery to Puerto and although it was spitting rain a bit on the drive, when we got there it was clear; blue sky and beautiful. We headed to the end of White Beach to a restaurant which Tita Eva was familiar. There we met "Shakira" (a bading, transgendered) and had lunch. As soon as we arrived, TONS of vendors started swarming us, trying to sell us shell jewelry, etc. After eating, we purchased a few things.

Keren, Uncle Rene and I went swimming for a bit--the water was comfortable. I brought my snorkling gear, but White Beach isn't known for its snorkling and although I saw a few corals, I only saw one, lonely fish. We decided if I wanted to see any fish at White Beach I'd have to head over to the restaurant and order something. Haha, well, we did end up ordering something--yum, french fries, my favorite.

As we were getting ready to leave, Uncle Rene was chatting with Shakira (and I believe discovered that she was indeed, a he). After asking Shakira if he had a girlfriend, Shakira responded, "You mean boyfriend? No, I don't have one. But I want to get pregnant by you, kuya." When Uncle Rene related this exchange to me in English, I almost peed in my pants laughing. Shakira was a trip.

We headed back, and when we reached Calapan, Keren and I got off the jeepney (the rest headed home) and took a tricycle (my first of many tricycle rides) to her house where we showered and got ready to go out. Okay, LOVE the tricycles. I'm really liking all the different kinds of transportation they have in the Philippines--I think mostly because they are open air type transportation. The weather is conducive to this, although there's lots of exhaust in the air so sometimes it stinks. But nothing beats driving around with the wind in your hair, so most of the time it's worth it (except in Manila perhaps).

That night we went out to a restaurant/bar/videoke place called RJ and had some fun. Videoke is huge in the Philippines, and I took part singing the Beatles song "She loves me" (with some help--I hate doing karaoke alone) and it was terrible. Oh well, when in Rome.  [Note: if ever doing karaoke with Keren, do NOT follow her.  She has an amazing voice. ;)]