It has been a long and exhausting trip, and I just now found time to sit down and update my blog site...Sorry for the delays.

The trip from O'Hare International Airport (Chicago, IL) to Incheon, South Korea was the longest, almost 14 hours. So far, I like Korean Air better than China and Northwest Airlines. The service was excellent, the food was very good (red and white wines were available, free of charge), and the sitting area was roomy.

August 14 to 15 - Left Kansas City Monday morning and arrived in Manila Tuesday night, almost midnight (keep in mind that Manila is ahead of 13 hours, I think). Decided not to bring my laptop with me, since Internet Cafes are available all over town.

August 16 to 17 - Wednesday at 3:00 P.M., left Manila to Tacloban City in Leyte, part of Visaya(s) Islands. It was a 24-hour bus ride with lots of beautiful sceneries/mountains, but I didn't care of the long and winding, crocked road as it made me sick. Saw two accidents on our way there, and the first one was fatal, a semi truck and another car, Jeep, had collided, not a very good site to see. Arrived in Tacloban City at 3:00 P.M. and stayed overnight in Manhattan Hotel. Was too tired to find an Internet Cafe where I could check my email and update my blog.

This is the boat that transferred us, including several buses, to get from one island to the other.

August 18, 19, 20 - Left Tacloban City and went to Tagacay, Sta. Rita, Samar. This is my Mom's birth place. Attended a two-day Fiesta Celebrations here, where everyone is welcome/invited to anyone's home with lots of food and drinks available. It was nice to see my cousins/relatives and some of my old friends when I was still a child - had a hard time recognizing a couple of them. Ate lots of native foods and fruits that weren't available in the US. I was asked to be a "Ninang" (Godmother) of my two cousins' children and another friend's child. Now, I have three God Children that I have to remember during their birthdays and Christmas. Internet was not available here.

One of the locals in Tagacay, Samar.

August 21, 22, 23 - Left Tagacay on the 21st and went to Malibago, Leyte, approx. 6 miles (just guessing) across the islands. On our way to Malibago, the waves were huge that I thought our boat was going to sink. Had to say many Hail Marys to overcome my fear and for us to be safe. It was a very scary moment for me, especially that my Mom, sister, and one of my cousin and her whole family, including her children, were on board. (Life jackets weren't available.) I was very thankful to God that nothing bad happened, or the boat did not sink. I got very sick when I arrived here, so I decided to stay a couple more days to recover. Stayed with one of my cousins here until I recovered. I think it was the water I drank in Tagacay that made my stomach upset, and in turn made me very sick with headache, very weak feeling, and stomach ache. Before I left Malibago, I was able to attend a Holy Mass at Buaya island. Internet was not available at this town.

August 24 to 25 - Left Malibago for Burauen, Leyte, my birth place and my Dad's hometown. Felt a little better this time and after a two-day rest in Malibago.
I was only nine the last time I was in Burauen. It was nice to see two of my cousins and my Dad's sister. They were glad to see us, of course! Burauen is a very historical town, lots of Japanese died and buried here during World War II, and one of the most toured places (in this area) by Japanese people. The place has grown quite a bit, since I can remember. Stayed with my cousins for a couple of nights. I was able to access my email from this town, but decided not to update my blog as the place was about ready to close when I got there. I just have enough time to check my email, answer some of them, and also chat with my mahal, Jeff.
Douglas Macarthur Landing Memorial in Red Beach, Palo, Leyte"


August 26 to 27 - Left Burauen on Saturday and went to Tacloban. Got up early Sunday and attended the first mass at 5:30 A.M. Then had breakfast at the hotel. Went to Red Beach, Palo, Leyte to see Gen. MacArthur Landing Monument. Took a couple of pictures while there. The place seemed to be well kept. Went back to the hotel to rest; then decided to check my email and found this place, Roy's Internet, where I updated my blog.


It's getting late now, and I think Roy's Internet will close soon, so I better wrap things up. I will post more pictures once I'm in Manila as this place does not have an image editor software. NOTE: Correction is under your care, if you see any typos and misspelled words. Thanks!