Cebu City Buffet Trip

August 16, 2010 Today was an exciting first for Larry. He was able to go snorkeling in the beautiful clear waters off the coast of Cebu Island. Our missionary couple group has been planning this excursion for several weeks. Elder Ganir found that Elder and Sister Ravanera’s son, Jerome, was associated with the Cebu Island Buffet, a boat/buffet business that took people to three small islands near Cebu for only 600 pisos on an outrigger boat with a catered to our desires all-you –can-eat buffet. We were all thrilled with the opportunity, especially for such a reasonable price. We had twenty four people who wanted to go immediately. But as is always the case, we ended up with a much smaller group: some decided they could not get off work (the missionaries running the ERC—Employment Resource Center), some decided they wouldn’t be able to climb a ladder to get onto the boat or that they might get wet and they didn’t have the right shoes, one got sick so he and his wife couldn’t go. We left the Patron Center at 8:30am with 15 people and arrived at the seaside by Lapulapu (Parker Beach by Plantation Bay) about 45 minutes later. The taxi we rode in had been waiting for 45 minutes because the guards at the gate had misunderstood Larry and thought he wanted three taxis right then when in reality he had said he wanted them at 8:30. We paid the extra amount willingly, feeling that it was not the taxi driver’s fault and that he had lost fares while he had been sitting. We also felt the taxi driver would have a very negative impression of the Church if we didn’t pay the extra amount. WE hope the others did the same. We had been told there would be a ramp to the boat but when we got there we found we had to climb down a dilapidated steep stone stairway to reach the small boat that would take us to the bigger excursion boat. Three of the group turned back feeling it was an unsafe venture. We must have been quite a sight teetering precariously on the unstable steps as we gingerly made our way down to the boat. Young Filipino men were helping Larry try to balance us women all the way. I literally crawled onto the boat but I made it! WE should have had the experience on video. Then again, it’s a good thing we didn’t record it for posterity. We probably could have walked out to the boats with the water not being above our knees. Loading onto the bigger boat was not as traumatic, but was still a balancing act. We left the shallower waters and headed out to sea with calm waters and blue skies. It was exhilarating to skim over the waves with the fresh ocean breezes cooling our faces. The canopy prevented the sun’s rays from burning us. ( We had put 50 sunblock on as a protective measure). Dozens of little fishing boats floated in the water and there were a number of outrigger boats carrying vacationers like us. When we stopped for lunch, two little fishing boats pulled up alongside ours and two Filipino men climbed on board with baskets of beautiful shells to sell us. Even though two of the women who had been in the Philippines before told us we would likely be unable to take the shells out of the country—the government has a law prohibiting the export of some native shells—I bought a basket full of gorgeous shells, some of which I had never seen before. My favorite is a ruffled yellow one with orange stripes. Hopefully we will be able to bring some home. If not, we’ll enjoy them while we are here. Ours was not a luxury cruise. The bathroom facilities proved interesting. There was a white 3 by 3 wooden structure on one end of the boat with a door. Inside you squatted over a hole in the bottom of the boat and fertilized the ocean. We sat on hard wooden benches and I could barely stand the canopy was so low; Larry was crouched over the whole time. We thought about sitting on our life preserver jackets, but they were as hard as the benches. And yet, it was a beautiful experience. The boatman/chef grilled the chicken, hamburgers, tuna, Polish sausages, and barbequed ribs right on the boat. We had a luscious tropical drink and plates of fresh fruit. Everything was delicious. Larry slipped into the water and with his snorkeling equipment discovered a hidden fantasy world beneath the waves: fluorescent pink and blue fish , bright yellow fish with black stripes, a sky- blue starfish, many kinds of coral—round, fan shaped, yellow, pink, cream, white with fringe; yellow sponges—big and little. The water was warm and pleasant and clear (although we could not see from the top what Larry saw through his face mask). He moved farther and farther from the boat and at one point I thought he might try to get on another boat that was like ours. He had to swim quite a ways to get back to us. The others were amused with his water attire. You guessed it: long pants and shirt—no shoes or socks, however! By the time we got back to the shore, he was almost dry. There were no taxis around when we left the beach so we loaded onto tricycles to go into the closest town. Larry and President Byram rode on the outside of ours. Sister Byram and I rode on a narrow seat inside. I don’t know they get the 12 to 13 people in them that they often carry. We were crowded with just the four of us! We probably weighed as much as 13 of the Filipinos! Some of you are probably saying, “That doesn’t sound like a mission, it sounds like a wonderful vacation,” and you’re right. Even when we are working 14 hour days, it is joyful! It was so good to be able to unwind and enjoy the beauty of this lovely land today. We will be able to return to the temple tomorrow refreshed and eager to serve these gentle, warm people in the House of the Lord. WE are so blessed to be here. WE love you all and are grateful for you. You are in our prayers daily. We are anxiously awaiting the birth of a new grandson and pray especially for Liz right now. Happy Anniversary, Eldon and Laurisa and Jeff and Elizabeth. Happy Birthday, Laurisa and Whitney. Happy traveling, Emily and Connie. and Happy everything else to the rest of you. Mom and Dad