March 14,

We started the day by going to the Immigration office that is right close to us. The signage posted had said it opened at 0700. But the mall was not even opened up. We did find a side entrance, but the security guard told us it does not open until 0800… So we set out to walk a bit, but it started raining. We just went back to our place and had our Javas, then tried again. We got in the mall and actually went up to the Immigration office. Yeah! We said to the worker outside there, that we wanted to get an extension (it would give us 59 days total in the Philippines). He gave us the paperwork to fill out. Once we had completed that and handed it back to him, he looked it over and made sure it was in order. He then told us to sit down and we would be called.

Around 0840, we were called into the office. Up to this point, we had been only outside, with half a dozen other people in chairs set up in the walkway. Once inside, we were to pay in the fee in Philippine pesos only with exact change. Really!?! Jeff did not have enough, so he went to the ATM. When Jeff returned, we had to wait until the lady finished with a current person. Finally we paid, and thought we were done… but we had to wait 30 minutes, we were told for processing. Now more staff arrived – it’s 0900. Jeff said this is their true opening time, I agreed. Anyway, all work seemed to stop – as they had a mini selfie photo shoot! So the 30 minutes came and went. Jeff went inside to check out the progress. Our papers seemed to have gotten shuffled aside.🤨😒  After some scurrying, our papers and passports were found and processed. It was close to 1000, by the time it all was completed and we were approved. WOWZA!  All said and done, Jeff said it would have been easier to have done it online, and at about the same cost. We thought going to an office would have been cheaper! Oh well, it’s done and taken care of!!

We went back to our place and had breakfast finally… or more I should say brunch, due to lateness. We had corned beef topped with an egg each and toast. YUMM!! It had been awhile — since we were back home?!  We actually thought it was a can of corn beef hash, but it was just the meat! After we finished eating we started figuring out what we were going to do, and where to go to while in the Philippines. Then start all the planning that entails. We took a break for a light lunch of PB&J sandwiches, but each one had a different jam: one was with mango, the other was coconut. Both were good, but the coconut jam was better.  After lunch we did more planning.

For supper we had a watermelon salad that I made, and three kinds of sauced, grilled meats (chicken, beef, and pork) with two servings of rice. Jeff had gone down to one of the Street food vendors – MJ BBQ – a block away from us to get it.  While waiting for him to return, I noticed some sunset color in the clouds, but was very brief. The meats for supper were all great. We were finished and was watching Youtube when our doorbell rang. It startled me. We had forgotten about the trash pick up, as the trash person was a bit later tonight. They come each night between 1800-2100 (we were told when we checked in). So far it has been in the six o’clock hour. Anyway, we had some microwave popcorn and watched more Youtube. Then we called it a night

March 15,

I awoke early!! So we went for a walk. The sun rises here at 0600, and we were out walking just before 0700. We went to the Esplanade River Walk, as were many locals. This is either the time they come or it’s because it is Saturday. The temperature is way cooler and way more manageable. Some people were running/jogging, but most like us were walking. Many people smiled at us. I have found the Filipino people to be very friendly, and mildly reserved. They seem to always follow phases with “mam” or “sir” – as in “Yes, mam;” “Thank you, sir;” or “Good morning, mam.” Most of the Southeast Asian cultures, seem to be this way. But I have heard them addressing even each other with the mam or sir titles. It just is very polite. We did a small part of the Esplanade again – just getting over 7,000 steps upon our return back to our place. I also noticed the local transport vehicles – they are called “Jeepneys”. They remind me of a demolition derby limo,🤣 and they are either packed or empty!

Once back, I noticed my shoe is coming apart – again – where Jeff had attempted a second fix! So we will go back out later to take care of that. We first had our Javas and breakfast of French toast with a PB and a great coconut jam we found. It was good!😋  After that we cooled down, and looked more at how to spend the rest of our time in the Philippines…planning, planning, planning.

When we got hungry we went out to the bigger mall, via a Grab – our driver was named Jeffrey. That was neat. We arrived and went into the mall to figure what we wanted to eat. But could not decide and many places had long lines. So we went and bought my shoes first. These are closer to a full coverage tennis shoe than a sandal. The Keens, we had liked for so long, are sandals. But, well, we can not recommend the Keens now, and question if we would buy them ever again. I looked back and we just bought them in Bangkok, July 11! This pair did not even last a year!!🤯  It's so deflating when you find something you like and trust, to find out the product has changed for the worse! Anyway, we now did find a lunch place. We decided on sandwiches at the Earl of Sandwich shop. Jeff had the Earl’s Pastrami and I had the Best BLT. They were both served hot on 6 inch buns. Great! We lastly went to the grocery store, and then walked back to our place. Siesta time.

Afternoon turned into evening. I blogged and Jeff read. We stayed in making our own supper of some more corned beef with quartered new potatoes, onion, and garlic. We also had some canned peas, but they were quite hard – texture was more like chickpeas. I had some brandy and Jeff had some whiskey. A good day. We do like the vibes here in Iloilo, Philippines.