Day Three

March 9 day 3
We embarked in the morning for a day trip to Villa Escudero, which is a working coconut plantation in the city of San Pablo. It is 30 miles away but it took an hour to get there. It is a large acreage. From the parking area we rode an ox cart pulled by a large water buffalo.
The first event was lunch. This was the most unique venue in our lives. There were many tables in the river butting up to the waterfalls. We took off our shoes and waded in 6 inches of moving water to the buffet serving tables and to our table. We ate with our feet being cooled in the water right in front of the water falls. Can’t say we have ever done that before.
Then we went rafting. Bo and Al paddled up the river and back on a bamboo raft. The raft was 30 feet by 3 feet made up of 9 bamboo stalks lashed together. Then we went to a demonstration of coconut harvesting. A young man climbed up a 80 foot coconut palm using just his hands and bare feet. He cut bunches of coconuts and lowered them by rope.
The Escudero family has owned this property for 4 generations. The 3rd generation man was a collector and amassed the most amazing collection of stuff. The museum (a large 2 storey building) is packed with all kinds of stuff – religious artifacts, stuffed animals, Chinese pottery, Filipino first ladies’ dresses, old coins, military uniforms – you name it, they a have at least a sample of it. A very eclectic collection to say the least. The owners (5 siblings) still live on the property. Their houses are off limits of course, but you can see the ancestral home behind the gate. You have to give them credit for creativity and entrepreneurial vision for adding this resort aspect to the farm’s operation. They also have a lodge there and there are shows of traditional dancing and singing on the weekends.
A friend at the baptism yesterday had recommended going to a pottery place 5 km up the road. It was not easy to find. Through a small town down a dirt road (we had to ask directions 5 times to find it) which was an attractive-looking big house from the road with no signs. However, when we entered, we were amazed. There were several buildings, gazebos, many tables and chairs on this 20 acre property. And a lot of beautiful crafts for sale. The house itself was also spectacular, more a mansion than a house. Hidden in this poor village, you would never find it if somebody hadn’t told you. A real hidden gem.
The drive home was eventful. It took us 4 hours to make the 30 mile journey home. At some point, the traffic just stopped and got backed up for miles or at least as far as we could see. What was before a two lane road all of a sudden became 4 lanes with busses, trucks, and especially jeepneys trying to push their way into the mainstream. Finally, moving inch by inch we made it to the Manila expressway which moved very fast until we got to the center of the city. Manila traffic is a whole another story. Driving here is no fun. We agreed that neither one of us could drive here.

We are having internet problems so we'll have to upload pictures later.