Sunday, January 28, 2007

Villa Escuardo Part Iso

Good Evening/morning all

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend - and of course your snow! Well where to begin.....



From the website...."Villa Escudero......An interesting two hour drive South from Metro Manila brings you to one of the Philippines most popular get aways, Villa Escudero, where Philippine culture and history comes to life. "












What can I say? it is what it says it is. A get away from Manila! from the website I learned its a working Coconut planatation....

We went on this tour with some of the employees at work, including Mafi, Irene, Bob and Carol -- and of course Travis.


The drive seemed really good - didn't get a lot of "drive by shots" as Travis and Kapila started talking about India (Kapila's home) and their beleifs etc etc. It defintely made the trip seem shorter!! I felt bad for Carol though, she was stuck up in the front iwth the driver and I felt was kind fo left out :(


When we arrived and stepped out of the vehicle i knew right away that we were in a lovely relaxing place - the air smelled of plantation - it was beautiful (up to this point the smell borders from car exhaust to burning garbage....big city you know! You kind of 'get' why the where face masks!)
We strolled through the gardens to the Museum first....






It was beautiful inside with a vast collection of religious items (mainly catholic) along with lots and lots of other stuff! (Including a skeleton or two...eek!) coins, dresses, vases - tons of "stuff" a real variety though!




Unfortunately no pics were allowed inside the museum so cannot show you what I saw!







































Next photo is of the Escuardo's home - the owners still live in it and it really is fabulous - I don't think my picture does it justice to be honest!!













To get to the place where the shows take place, rafting is, and dinner is you need to take a buggy, complete with "musician" - pulled by a Caribou --- their kind of Caribou! (and no he didn't sigh when I got on board!










Some scenes around the plantation - note the "thatched" roofs.




they are selling fresh coconuts from the trees -they cut the top off - and you drink the milk...which probably would be OK if it wasn't WARM...ughh...















Some views of the lake/stream/ whatever it is that you raft on......not white water, more like canoeing






Here is a view from a deck...wouldn't you love to stay in one of those Huts...I mean if they could guarantee no Anacondas..or such!




Note travis and I in the pic below...I am paddling....whatever he tells you I did TRY to paddle...LOL

I think I will save the next part for tomorrow.....

Talk to you all soon......

Sue

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

OK. Why did you have to mention snakes?

Queen Mel said...

it looks so tranquil

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh, what gorgeous pictures!! It looks beautiful and sounds like you guys had a nice time.

b.c. Gurl said...

your pictures just exude peaceful!! aaahhh...well other than the anaconda bit -- eeeeeee - i'd never be able to relax!

Dee said...

What a beautiful place Sue - I agree with b.c. girl - your pictures are peaceful.