Excitement rushed over us like an electic force as we approached the dive centre. We were about to experience the magic of the Filipino ocean for the very first time.

My dad, William and I were going scuba diving. Our first instinct was to get into the water but there is a catch, we had to watch a half hour safety movie, then try on all the gear and get briefed on what to do in the training pool. We had to wear steamers (wetsuit), booties, flippers, a special diving jacket, our tank and goggles. With all that gear on, I almost fell over! We had to learn to use all the special goggles and devices. Breathing through the tube felt weird at first but I got used to it. By the time we had done all that we were more than ready to get into the ocean. 
We went out on a boat to the reef and finally started the real thing. Our (professional) diver instructors Eriko and Felix led the way. Marine life we saw included yellow lip sea cobra, angel fish, nemo (aka clownfish) and many more amazing sea animals. We spent an hour cruising under the sea enjoying its beauty. I couldn't take my eyes off m surroundings. We saw anenomes, rainbow coral, urchins and other marine plants. I had an awesome time. I think I've caught the scuba diving bug! 

Day: 11
Date: Tuesday 21st May
Location: Bacolod, Philippines
Weather: Hot and sticky  (same as before :)
After continuously dining in the hotel every night, we decided to give our taste buds an adventure and eat out.  Locals we had befriended suggested a few options, narrowing it down to two. My mum asked the doorman where the restaurant is and a local lady (who was chatting to him) butted in a said “Don’t go to that place, you will all be vomiting tomorrow if you do. It isn’t fresh, go to Enting’s.” so we took her advice and made our way to Entings.

It was a fish shop.  We ordered and it took a while so I got bored and went for a little tour around the restaurant (restaurant may be a bit of an exaggeration). I had just made it to the centre of the room, when everything went black.  I panicked for a split second and rushed back to where I guessed was our table. It was a blackout. I couldn’t see a thing. We have experienced a couple of black outs in our time so far in the Philippines. Since it happens so often, the employees of Enting’s had candles and torches out in no time. We dined by the moonlight (literally).  Soon the generator kicked in and everything was back to normal. Or so we thought.

Only a couple minutes later it was bucketing down with rain. Enting’s is a large hut with a woven roof so the rain affected us. One moment it was a clear dry night the next it was a tropical rainstorm, with lightning and thunder too. My family and the other people eating evacuated to the conference room.  I finished off my meal and we had to wait for the rain to calm down. Our trip back to the hotel included sloshing through puddles and running to the nearest shelter to escape the rain. It was a pretty hectic night.

Written on: 11th May
Location:  Bacolod, Phil.

Australia’s food culture is very different to the Philippines. Like most places in Asia there is rice everywhere you go. One of the Filipino foods is called Balut (commonly a street food). It is an egg with a half developed chick inside. You scoop out the chick and eat it. Someone told my Grandpa that they ate one, but in a dark room.

In the Philippines coke is very cheap. I saw a sign selling coke for 11 pesos (about 25 cents).  It is even cheaper than water!! Coca-cola (the company) also lies on their can to get customers. On the Fanta (or Royal as they call it here) can it said “Royal can give you the vitamins you need to stay healthy. You can enjoy getting healthy with a delicious vitamin giving drink!”  The can of sprite had on it “Hydration begins with just one sip. Make this drink part of your daily fluid in take. 11 cups for women and 16 for men. Go on, there is no better time to start, but remember all calories count.” It is outrageous what the can get away with. The “happy workers at the Philippines bottlers” (as said on the coke can) are selling their lies.

We also went to a cake shop opposite our hotel (L’ Fischer) and it was amazing. The shop is called Calea  and we have been going a lot to eat their delicious sandwiches and cakes (sometimes). I doubt I have ever been to a better one. But like William said, it is strange eating gorgeous cakes and looking out on poverty. In the hotel there was an 18th birthday going on. Calea created this Paris masterpiece (see below).  It is taller than me!

This is just a couple of their awesome creations:

Day: 7
Date: Friday 17th May
Location: Bacolod, Philippines
Weather: Hot and humid

I can see why they call Bacolod the “City of Smiles”. It doesn’t matter if they are poor or rich, everyone is smiling. If you smile, you are almost guaranteed to get one in return.

My family and I went to visit a slum community. They were as curious about us as we were about them. I was bombarded with questions from the local kids – “Where do you come from?”, “What’s your name?”,  “How old are you?” and “What’s your favourite colour?”.

We all laughed together and talked the language of smiles. I don’t know much Tagalog and they only knew basic English. I had a little entourage that followed me around. They gave me a tour of their “village”.

I played some games with all the kids. We played basketball with their very used and worn ball. I asked my mum if we could buy them a new ball.

I don’t think they see many westerners. Some touched my hair. Others said I looked beautiful like a doll. Their houses were very different to ours. They were ramshackle, made of bits and bobs, whatever they could find. But they were all homes, and that is what matters. It was a bit depressing to see the state of their community. It shows how much we take for granted.

We high fived and said our goodbyes. I can’t wait till next week when I see them again and once again, we can speak the language of smiles.

Overview: Philippines
I will be spending 3-4 weeks in The Philippines. During that time, my family and I will be doing some aid work with ICM (International Care Ministeries). My Dad (who is a doctor) will be educating the docters and nurses about how to know if the child/adult is actually sick or is just malnutritioned. My brother and I will help him make a movie to share with the medical staff. We will also be helping in a pre-school. But we are also there to enjoy the beaches and culture of the beautiful Philippines.