March 16,

We got up and about, having our Javas and breakfast of oatmeal with PB or coconut jam. Then we readied and went to a church very close by us that we’d seen – only 290 m or 951 feet away!  We, of course, walked there. It was called: Church of God World Missions, Philippines – Iloilo Megaworld. They have three services every Sunday, and we chose the 10 AM to 1115 service. We arrived and were warmly greeted. They did not direct us though, we just followed the people to an elevator and then to the hall for worship. They meet in a room of the Megaworld Convention Center. The Minister greeted us also. Worship service was three songs that lasted almost 30 minutes, and they had two to three youth up front doing choreographed dance steps as we sang. That was a new one for us. Then announcements followed by the sermon, titled Face the Wall, main reference Joshua 6:2-5 and the walls of Jericho. Then all prayed to the background of the last worship song. As all head there was an offering/tithe box. We were heading out when the minister caught us and talked a bit with us. Then she offered and prayed a blessing over us.🙏🏻 That was nice. We then walked back to our place.

Jeff did a quick Google search of local fish restaurants. At 1215, we were on a Grab to the Paluto Seafood Grill & Restaurant. We arrived at 1230, and were directed to pick what fish we wanted. Then we sat and waited as the promised rain finally came. Then IT POURED, albeit briefly at one point. Then what our lunch arrived. It was a Blue Marlin fillet steak, that they prepared in a sour soup, called Sinigang – it’s in a tangy savory tamarind broth with herbs & veggies; a whole Bangus or “milkfish” grilled with garlic rice; and Lumpia, which were deep fried spring rolls in a filo-type pastry. The dishes we chose are local favorites, with the Bangus fish being a national dish and cherished for the delicate, tender meat. Everything was delicious, and superfine! Jeff had a beer and I had a 7UP. We also had a water and were given free tea. I was approached for a survey by our waitress, after we had finished and we gladly answered her questions. Jeff paid, giving them a tip, by rounding to 1,000 PHP, which is only $17.45. We E-hailed another Grab back. The two Grabs – getting to and from the restaurant – were 500PHP! That was over half as much as our meal!! Local food here is cheap, as in much of SE Asia.

Back at our place we had a siesta! Afternoon gave way to evening… for supper we had crackers and cheese- blue and cheddar, with rum. We were able to talk with my mother and her husband and then we also connected with our church in Kansas. It was a good day.

     March 17,

We were finally up and about by 0800. I think Jeff had been awake since 0600, but stayed in bed, reading. We had our Javas and breakfast of oatmeal with PB and/or coconut jam; a small mango yogurt; and a piece of toast each.

At 0930, we talked with my sister; and then at 1130, with Jeff’s sister and her husband per WhatsApp video calls. Once we finished linking up with our families, we walked to the bigger mall about a mile away. First and main task was to found lunch. We wanted Pepper Lunch Express that had a bunch of people lined up at it on Saturday. We finally found it and there was not a long line. YAY! We ordered one Bangus Sisig Pepper Rice plate, which was the Bangus fish chunks with rice, corn and peppers & onions; and one Teriyaki Beef Pepper Rice plate, which was Teriyaki beef slices with same ingredients plus an egg. The food is placed on hot cast iron skillet/plates and served. Once we have it, you stir it up to finish cooking it on the hot plate. So we “kind of” cooked our own food. It was fun and good flavored food. When we finished, we paid the tab – 615 PHP, or $10.74. Then we walked about the mall just to get steps inside where it is cooler.

Once back at our place, we cooled off and then did a load of laundry. The rest of the afternoon was more planning with some booking this time. We were now bug eyed so we went out. The sunset looked promising and we found a place to see it. It was glorious. Then we went down to the street food market close by and we walked through. We decided on a stall called Mumbai. We bought a Chicken Biryani for take away. The stall right beside this one, Mr. Good Shake, was doing shakes and we bought a mango melon shake to share while we waited. The shake was 70 PHP ($1.22) and the Biryani was 229 PHP ($4).

We took the Biryani to our place and ate it – the shake was done before we got back!🤭 The rest of the evening we watched a movie and had microwave popcorn.