Dear ones, we are in the Philippines. Three times our vacation was cancelled. First time, I had to have an emergency surgery. Second time there was a hurricane and so much rain that the places we wanted to visit were flooded with water and mud and Mount Mayon erupted. Third time the dates were too close to my application for a Schengen visa.

We arrived finally in Philippines on the 9th of February. The people here are lovely, they are so polite and caring. We visited the littlest volcano in the Philippines which is Taal in the middle of a self-created lake. It is little but very spiteful. It erupts, when it pleases. Then we saw Mount Mayon, which is an arrogant princess. It is described as a sulky beauty. It behaves in a flirtatious manner.

Mount Mayon

When you drive to see it, it will hide behind a veil of clouds. Then you go to the next viewing site, and you find the veil has been flung off and she is radiating her beauty. Incidentally, she erupted and spat out lava, when we were supposed to go to the Philippines second time. And to top it all, Mount Mayon is known to erupt on a full moon night.

Well after having my husband falling in love with Mount Mayon, we went to Donsol to watch the whale sharks. The sea was emerald green, and we saw many flying fish but no sighting of the whale sharks. It was beautiful going in the sea and gazing at the ocean. I thought of Lord Vishnu and said to myself that it was a blessing to be in this clean, green sea. It was a visual meditation.

Saving the oceans

What has happened in Donsol is that they are protecting the whale sharks. There is an environmental policy to save these large fish, so they come when they choose. This results in less tourist traffic and fewer sightings. It is a great feeling to know that we are saving the whale sharks and the oceans.

I have realized that one must enjoy the journey and let things take their own course. We are now official Grandparents here and are called Lola and Lolo (grandma and grandpa) in the Philippines.

Aim Hrim Klim