New Year and Matabungkay

Its been quite a while since we last had a chance to update our blog. Mainly, this has been due to the Taiwan earthquake at the end of December, causing the Internet here, or at least some sites, to run extremely slow. We've been doing well, enjoying our holidays here and spending quality time with family and friends.

At the end of December, we had a wonderfully relaxing stay at our friends' Ramin and Cathelijne, who got married last year and are living here in the Philippines. Ramin works for Shell Solar and has been here already three years. We enjoyed a nice dinner with Ramin's colleagues from Shell Solar, and had a chance to briefly speak with them about the Faith as well.

After our stay with Ramin and Cathelijne, we went to Cavite for a family reunion. Next day, Menchie's father and sister-in-law Tatutz and her children (Tabriz and Lofty) left for home in Kidapawan. We went back to Novaliches for the new year's celebrations. There were fireworks everywhere, and, unlike Holland, where 0.00 midnight is the sign for most people to ignite whatever fireworks they've managed to get a hold off, here the fireworks start seriously at about 23.30, and they continue for about an hour until 0.30. The moment the clock strikes midnight does not seem to matter at all.

After spending a few more days in Novaliches, we went to a beach resort called Matabunkay on the 6th of January. Matabunkay is about a three-hour drive south from Novaliches (when there's no traffic), and so we left early in the morning to spend the day there. We rented a floating picnic for the day, and spent a wonderful time relaxing, eating and swimming. Maarten underestimated the power of the sun, and by the end of the day looked like a real tourist, with a painful red tan all over.

Right now we're back in Ramin and Cathelijne's place, and will stay here until Friday when we will go to Villa Escudero, another resort where we will pamper ourselves just for a day and a night.

Menchie's nieces doing a dance at the family reunion
Exchanging gifts is an essential part of the reunion
Group photo
Beautiful lake Taal in Tagaytay, with an active volcano in the middle...
Enjoying the cool air in Tagaytay where we stopped on the way to Matabungkay
The beautiful beach resort of Matabungkay
Enjoying lunch on the picnic float
Paddling in the water
How's my tan??
Playing with the ball on the picnic float