March 12,

Up and about. We had our Javas, and I went out on our balcony for the first time. Then we set out to find a supermarket for a list of stuff, especially breakfast things. We will be able to cook! It has been awhile. The supermarket we had in mind – we did not make it to as we find one along the way. We found and bought most of the things on our list. Jeff found a sim card for his new phone and upon buying it we got some free laundry soap. Then Jeff hired a Grab to get us back to our place. We unloaded our goods and set about making oatmeal for breakfast – it has been a hot minute since we have had Quaker oats. We used some mango yogurt with it, very tasty. Then we did a load of laundry, because we have a washing machine and now laundry soap! We hung it up to dry in our bedroom with a fan on it.

Around 1100 we set out for more exploration. We went to a nearby mall and checked it out. We walked all around in it, and decided to get lunch here. We checked out all the shops for our options. We found two different shops. The first was at Baliwag Lechon Manok – we had a Porkchop with rice and a side of veggies in a gravy, which was 160 PHP or $2.79. The second was at Luna’s “Ilonggo Legacy” – we had Native Chicken Arrozcaldo – soup with chicken, rice and egg, costing 155 PHP or $2.70. We also both had a double Limonada, costing 100 PHP or $1.74. Total lunch was 415 PHP or $7.23.

After lunch we went back to our place for a cool down. Once we settled in, Jeff did some research. We had seen some Spanish brandy on a killer sale and didn't know about it. Jeff also found a Brandy Museum that was close by for a tasting. Yay! Once there a lady tried to get us to buy a 12 yr old Brandy. She was not listening to us, she had an agenda!? She was trying to up-sale us. Finally we got it through we wanted a tasting. She let us have two tastings, finally. Of course, one was the 12 yr old expensive brandy! Anyway, we went through the museum – which was free, and decided to get some Coffee Brandy – which was the second tasting and Jeff liked it. We also bought a small bottle of Emperador Brandy. We never did try the brandy- Fundador, that was on sale and that started this whole mission!😂 Oh well! We left and went to a couple of stores, getting a couple of other things. Then back to our place.

We had a light supper – cheese bread sticks, an avocado with a shallot & lemon, and a good cheddar cheese and crackers. We had this with some local rum, Tanduay. We have noticed that Brandy and Rum are way cheaper than beer here. We also had some microwave popcorn – we have not found this since South Africa, I think. We watched some YouTube, then called it a day!

     March 13,

I slept in this morning! I pretty sure I’m caught up now… I got close to 11 hours!!! Jeff was nice and let me sleep.🤗😘🥰  We then had our Javas and oatmeal. Then we did another load of laundry – it’s a very small washer. After that, we went out to get some steps.

We went about a mile distance to reach our destination. They have a nice 9.3km (5.7 miles) Esplanade that runs along the Iloilo River. We walked along a part of it. It was pleasant, but hot – the feels like temperature was 101 degrees F. (We started too late due to my sleep in!) But it is lined with mangroves and we heard many different birds. We passed a 3-D mural of some Warriors, and a Statue of Datu Paiburong, a respected ruler in the early 13th century.

We left the Esplanade, catching a Grab to a different mall SM City Mall. It was a large one. We walked all about the three levels inside to cool off. We did decide on a quick bite for lunch at Jamaican Patties Shop, getting a Cheesy Beef Pinatubo (a type of spicy beef) and a Beefy Mushroom. They were baked meat pies, like a pastie. And were pretty good. They had a cinema that we checked out, but nothing really that we noticed or drew our attention. They did have a Decathlon Store. We went in here to check out shoes as our Keens are not holding up well – so disappointed with them now!🫤  I found something I may get – we’ll see. We went to a grocery store here and found some more stuff, and a 10 L water. We checked out and left the mall via another Grab. Back at our place we unloaded and had a siesta.

Supper was some pasta and a slaw salad that we made. It feels good to really cook!! After we finished, we briefly went back out to check out couple of things. We were coming back when a couple of guys at a stand were offering tastings of a Scottish Whiskey, that is bottled here. It was nice. A half L bottle was only 100 PHP, $1.74! We bought one. Crazy, the prices of liquor, especially compared to beer. Anyway, we went back to our place. I blogged and Jeff read. Bed by 2200.