Snorkeling, seashells and sunburns

Max B., back on the blog from Kabankalan, with a whole lot of updates. Just a couple days ago the team and I took to the water of the Dakak Resort. Laurie, Shelley and I went snorkling while Doug and Jon took the scuba route. Now this was my first time snorkeling, and it was a blast! It was like seeing a whole new world (and no, I'm not referring to the Disney song, and no, I won't sing it. OK, maybe later). Coral of every shape and size, fish of every color, and even some blue starfish! It was with no small regret that I made my way back to the boat.

That evening we made our presentation to the Dapitan Rotary Club, and danced/sang the night away. Renditions of I Will Survive, Living La Vida Loca and Living on a Prayer (the last sung by yours truly) filled the air, and no doubt "delighted" our hosts and fellow resort guests. Well, we thought it sounded good.

The next day we were off to Dumaguette via boat. We met with the Kabankalan Rotary Club, who drove us to the Zaycoland Hotel & Resort. We had a little R&R, met with the vice-mayor and some other city officials, and Jon went through a baptism of sorts by trying balut, a delicacy in the Philippines. From what I understand, it's a duck fetus swallowed whole. While Jon was unable to keep the delicacy down for long, we all gave him an A for effort. As far as the team is concerned, he passed the test,which I was there to record for posterity.

Unfortunately, there was a shadow cast over the good times, when I realized afterwards I had developed a rather nasty sunburn that required a trip to the Southern Negros Doctor's Hospital in Kabankalan. It's no secret that I'm not the world's best tanner, so before you ask why I didn't think to apply sunblock, the short answer is, "I don't know."

All is well, however, and I'd like to extend a hearty thanks to the staff and doctors there. They patched me up good as new, and explained exactly what they were doing. I feel 110 percent, and can't wait for our next adventure.

See you all next time!