Sunday, 12 February 2017
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
The Pleasures of Modern Air Travel
After a great holiday in South Africa my flight home to Cebu was a 30 hour nightmare!!
Traveling premium economy with no upgrade to business class, an absolutely full plane, sitting next to a sniffing, coughing Chinaman who I think also had ADHD (up and down, up and down and muttering to himself). So why don't these people select aisle seats? And a child just behind who communicated by screaming!!
As we left Joburg the captain announced that due to some wind hassle we would have to refuel in Bangkok. This didn’t sound too bad as I had about a two and a half hour changeover in Hong Kong.
We landed in Bangkok and all was going to plan when there was an announcement that there was an ill passenger and requesting a doctor. After about 30 minutes another announcement that there was some doubt whether the ill passenger was in a condition to continue to Hong Kong.
30 minutes later … she couldn’t continue and she shuffled slowly off the plane with about 3 of her family.
The next problem. Find the luggage that was located in 3 out of the 7 large, full baggage bins … another 45 minutes. By the time we took off our scheduled arrival in Hong Kong was 2 hours after my departure time to Cebu.
Nothing else to do except stuff down a very unappealing breakfast (the fruit and yogurt weren’t too bad) and see what flight I could get to Cebu.
On arrival the ground crew area was organised chaos. With crowds of passengers having connecting flights anywhere from northern China to Sydney. Not surprisingly I was the only person going to Cebu and I was offered a boarding pass on a flight late on the following afternoon. I "politely" refused and said that I would be going to Cebu today however I had to go!!
Finally I was booked on Philippines Air flights going to Cebu via Manila – eventually arriving in Cebu at about 8pm – 9 hours later than planned.
Monday, 11 January 2016
South African Holiday - Christmas 2015
A Christmas first.
Carol headed to Dubai to be with her children and for the 1st birthday of her granddaughter, Kaylee, and I headed off to South Africa.
After arriving in Joburg I spent a few days “couch surfing” from place to place. Waiting for the arrival of Mark from San Diego. Four nights and 4 different beds. All accompanied by great friends and family, hospitality ... and much appreciated.
Another great feature of my South African holiday was the quiet nights ... a big change from the barking dogs, crowing cockerels and noisy neighbours of Mactan!!
Another great feature of my South African holiday was the quiet nights ... a big change from the barking dogs, crowing cockerels and noisy neighbours of Mactan!!
After the arrival of Mark it was off to Kenton to spend a few days with Andrew and family at his in-laws, Hugh and Ruth. We flew from Joburg to East London and hired a car.
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| Jan and Josh on our walk |
After leaving Kenton Mark and I drove up through the Transkei to Durban and I dropped him off with his good friend Emile. They were heading to his home in Kwabonombi. Then a few days in Zululand. Tiger fishing and game watching.
I stayed in Durban with my sister, Pam. It was also my annual visit to see my mother, who at age 91 is not in a great state either physically or mentally. Visiting her at the old age home made me seriously reconsider about living a long life and the quality of life. For many of the people I saw (mainly women0 it is not living but merely existing … not a pleasant situation.
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| New Years Eve fireworks over Durban |
I then went down the Natal South Coast for 2 days. Staying in number 14 Trevi took me back to the years we lived in number 13. At Trevi I saw Vera and Desi and reflected on the days of Vera’s cooking!
The annual meet up with Paul, Bill and Roger was a dinner in Westville. We originally met at Whiteheads in the mid 70’s so have over 40 years of shared experiences. With Paul turning 73 this year, Bill 72, and Roger 71 I was the youngest at 68!! It was a pleasant and very sedate evening with delicious dinner ay Chez Nous. Everyone is very conscious of drinking and driving. Not quite the same consideration in the 70’s.
I experienced the mob visits to the beach on the 1st of January. Both Margate and St Michaels were places where you wouldn’t want to be!!
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| Shelly Beach |
Pam came with me to collect Mark in Kwabonombi and I was surprised by how easy the drive was, both there and back the traffic was a breeze.
We then spent the last few days at Pam’s and visited mom every day. Some days she seemed quite aware and on others quite confused. For her time has become meaningless and the only highlights are tea and meals.
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| Visiting mom and gran
My final thoughts on leaving South Africa were how much "good" different country’s leave on the table.
How much a country can offer and how little is offered, the failure of democracy for the average person, how warped views of race and religion can cloud rationality. There are so many parallels between the Philippines and South Africa.
Both countries have lots of potential but for different reasons. But both countries are going down the tubes because of short-term thinking, poor (actually non existent) leadership, compliant manipulated populations and endemic corruption … very sad.
However there is so much to be grateful for. We I am so fortunate in so many ways. There are billions worse off, suffering poverty, disease and wars. The frustrating thing is that so much potential is being wasted.
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Monday, 28 April 2014
Garbage and Cleanliness
As we sat having lunch the other day I am struck by the contrasts that exist side by side in every part of Mactan Island. Fabulous resorts and filth and poverty are bed fellows here.
We recently arrived at a rather empty Japanese restaurant in a new, small mall just off the famous Quezon Highway. Travelling there by way of a nine peso (US$0.20) tricycle trip we set off on our short walk along the dusty, dirty, muddy edge of the road. No pavements here.
The path was uneven and bumpy and we had to pick our way around garbage, the odd dog, a motor bike or tricycle parked half on and half off the road. People milling around and offering a variety of products from grubby, barred windows. Jeepneys and tricycles belching their way around the road diversion.
Just a few meters off this road the small mall is an absolute contrast. Spotless new buildings, an efficient security guard controlling the traffic and neat clean shops.
After sitting in the restaurant for about half an hour I became aware of a man moving along the passage sweeping. I remembered seeing him not 15 minutes ago sweeping in the opposite direction. As we sat there for lunch he moved along slowly from one side of the mall to the other.
As I looked out not 20 metres away there was garbage lying along the dusty, litter ridden roadside.
Two countries in one. Living side by side. Poverty and wealth are close neighbours but living in harmony. In a country I've heard called, by a young man born and bred Africa, "the most Third World country I've ever been to".
But it all seems to work despite the uncontrolled population of humans and dogs and cats!!!
We recently arrived at a rather empty Japanese restaurant in a new, small mall just off the famous Quezon Highway. Travelling there by way of a nine peso (US$0.20) tricycle trip we set off on our short walk along the dusty, dirty, muddy edge of the road. No pavements here.
The path was uneven and bumpy and we had to pick our way around garbage, the odd dog, a motor bike or tricycle parked half on and half off the road. People milling around and offering a variety of products from grubby, barred windows. Jeepneys and tricycles belching their way around the road diversion.
Just a few meters off this road the small mall is an absolute contrast. Spotless new buildings, an efficient security guard controlling the traffic and neat clean shops.
After sitting in the restaurant for about half an hour I became aware of a man moving along the passage sweeping. I remembered seeing him not 15 minutes ago sweeping in the opposite direction. As we sat there for lunch he moved along slowly from one side of the mall to the other.
As I looked out not 20 metres away there was garbage lying along the dusty, litter ridden roadside.
Two countries in one. Living side by side. Poverty and wealth are close neighbours but living in harmony. In a country I've heard called, by a young man born and bred Africa, "the most Third World country I've ever been to".
But it all seems to work despite the uncontrolled population of humans and dogs and cats!!!
My First brush With A Filipino Law Enforcer
Enforcer - in the Philippines they are a person employed by the state to enforce the local laws. In most other countries they would be called a policeman.
Like in most developing (3rd World) countries they are severely underpaid and have a strong incentive to subsidize their meager pay at every opportunity.
Last week I took a friend to the airport for an early flight ... very early, as we dropped him off at about 04:15. The airport at this time was hectic with taxis and departing passengers everywhere. So as we left the airport area we were in a stream of traffic ... made up mainly of taxis.
One fantastic feature of Mactan island, which derives a large proportion of income from foreign holiday makers, is that they either don't have too many road signs, or they are so old and faded you can't read them, or they are "disguised" by a myriad of other signs or overgrown foliage. This guarantees that the odds are well stacked against you as a foreigner. The chances are stacked that at some time you are going to transgress (or violate) some traffic law.
This is compounded by another two factors. The first is that the laws for locals are different from those for foreigners ... so don't use a local as the basis for application of a law. The second is that as a foreigner you are a target. Immediately identified as an easy mark.
You don't know or understand the law and when you are stopped there is a veiled threat that the legal process to pay the fine and collect your confiscated license will be very inconvenient and time consuming. So if you are on holiday, where are you going to find the place where you have been told they will be taking your license? How much will it cost to get there? How long will it take to pay the fine?
So there is a very, very strong incentive to finalize the minor "violation" as quickly as possible. This is done by means of a negotiated "spot fine". There is no receipt and the matter is over.
As we left the airport I was in a stream of taxis and didn't notice that there was a feint sign at the beginning of some concrete bollards indicating that I was in the "taxi" lane and I should have been in the other lane. I wasn't concerned as it seemed to be inconsequential. Not true.
As I lowered the window the enforcer requested my license and after taking it and studying it and me, advised me that I had violated some traffic law. So what now. I was holding up a long stream of taxis so was instructed to pull over to the side of the road. My mind immediately went into 3rd world negotiating mode.
As he sauntered (in a manner which traffic police internationally have perfected) across to the car he was fingering his ticketing book. However 3rd world police are very easy to read. They don't start writing the ticket but start telling you about the consequences if they start writing as they flip the pages of the book.
What follows is a short and sweet negotiation. You handing over of a small amount of money for the "spot fine", your licence being handed back and both of you going on your way as if nothing happened.
However that is not quite the end for me. I have now vowed that I'll never again be part of this problem.
Corruption requires cooperation - there are two parties who must agree to be dishonest ... I'm not going to be one of them.
Like in most developing (3rd World) countries they are severely underpaid and have a strong incentive to subsidize their meager pay at every opportunity.
Last week I took a friend to the airport for an early flight ... very early, as we dropped him off at about 04:15. The airport at this time was hectic with taxis and departing passengers everywhere. So as we left the airport area we were in a stream of traffic ... made up mainly of taxis.
One fantastic feature of Mactan island, which derives a large proportion of income from foreign holiday makers, is that they either don't have too many road signs, or they are so old and faded you can't read them, or they are "disguised" by a myriad of other signs or overgrown foliage. This guarantees that the odds are well stacked against you as a foreigner. The chances are stacked that at some time you are going to transgress (or violate) some traffic law.
This is compounded by another two factors. The first is that the laws for locals are different from those for foreigners ... so don't use a local as the basis for application of a law. The second is that as a foreigner you are a target. Immediately identified as an easy mark.
You don't know or understand the law and when you are stopped there is a veiled threat that the legal process to pay the fine and collect your confiscated license will be very inconvenient and time consuming. So if you are on holiday, where are you going to find the place where you have been told they will be taking your license? How much will it cost to get there? How long will it take to pay the fine?
So there is a very, very strong incentive to finalize the minor "violation" as quickly as possible. This is done by means of a negotiated "spot fine". There is no receipt and the matter is over.
As we left the airport I was in a stream of taxis and didn't notice that there was a feint sign at the beginning of some concrete bollards indicating that I was in the "taxi" lane and I should have been in the other lane. I wasn't concerned as it seemed to be inconsequential. Not true.
As I lowered the window the enforcer requested my license and after taking it and studying it and me, advised me that I had violated some traffic law. So what now. I was holding up a long stream of taxis so was instructed to pull over to the side of the road. My mind immediately went into 3rd world negotiating mode.
As he sauntered (in a manner which traffic police internationally have perfected) across to the car he was fingering his ticketing book. However 3rd world police are very easy to read. They don't start writing the ticket but start telling you about the consequences if they start writing as they flip the pages of the book.
What follows is a short and sweet negotiation. You handing over of a small amount of money for the "spot fine", your licence being handed back and both of you going on your way as if nothing happened.
However that is not quite the end for me. I have now vowed that I'll never again be part of this problem.
Corruption requires cooperation - there are two parties who must agree to be dishonest ... I'm not going to be one of them.
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
The Death of the Fast Food Worker
The rise of machines to replace the fast food worker. Is this a possibility? Is it feasible?
A company in San Francisco has developed a machine that replaces people in vending hamburgers and the technology is in its infancy.
Click on this article. It may sound like something like science fiction ... but it is already a reality.
Just another step in feeding decreasing employment, in a growing world population, faced with ever increasing unemployment.
Unemployment among the young is a dire growing problem throughout the world. This one source of employment for unskilled, young people will slowly be destroyed.
Government interference into the free market has increased the incentive to replace people with machines. Governments don't realise that ill-considered (may I call them dumb?) decisions often have unintended consequences. Their relentless grasp for power through handing out favours and entitlements has generated legislation that works directly against the people it was supposed to help.
There will be consequences to their short term decisions. This is one of them ... what will the others be?
A company in San Francisco has developed a machine that replaces people in vending hamburgers and the technology is in its infancy.
Click on this article. It may sound like something like science fiction ... but it is already a reality.
Just another step in feeding decreasing employment, in a growing world population, faced with ever increasing unemployment.
Unemployment among the young is a dire growing problem throughout the world. This one source of employment for unskilled, young people will slowly be destroyed.
Government interference into the free market has increased the incentive to replace people with machines. Governments don't realise that ill-considered (may I call them dumb?) decisions often have unintended consequences. Their relentless grasp for power through handing out favours and entitlements has generated legislation that works directly against the people it was supposed to help.
There will be consequences to their short term decisions. This is one of them ... what will the others be?
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Kopico is So Good
Since arriving in the Philippines I have become a fan of the premix sachets of a wide variety of hot drinks ... and especially Kopico and all its derivatives and competitors.
A simple blend of coffee, creamer and sugar in a one cup sachet. Goes so well with my hot water on tap water cooler and heater. What could be easier to produce an instant hot cup of coffee ... or chocolate (some are really excellent) or Milo or Ovaltine?
They are really delicious (as long as you enjoy a two spoon helping of sugar) and I've completely gone off traditional instant coffee and will choose a cup of Kopico over brewed coffee any time.
Now available in various combinations including cappucino. It appears to be a very competitive market space with many other options including Nestle available. In what is a very lucrative, growing market. Added to my collection is now a variety of Swiss Miss chocolate drinks and Milo. A concentrated cup of Milo is my choice before my morning walk ... so no wonder they were a sponsor of Comrades Marathon for so many years!!
I just wonder why these are not available in South Africa as they are delicious, cheap and so easy to prepare. They are in sealed sachets so have a long shelf life and are available at every convenience store.
The only negative I can see is that there is probably an excess amount of packaging ... a negative both on the price and the growing piles of waste packaging. So hopefully it is biodegradeable.
Please let me know what you think of them or what you prefer?
A simple blend of coffee, creamer and sugar in a one cup sachet. Goes so well with my hot water on tap water cooler and heater. What could be easier to produce an instant hot cup of coffee ... or chocolate (some are really excellent) or Milo or Ovaltine?
They are really delicious (as long as you enjoy a two spoon helping of sugar) and I've completely gone off traditional instant coffee and will choose a cup of Kopico over brewed coffee any time.
Now available in various combinations including cappucino. It appears to be a very competitive market space with many other options including Nestle available. In what is a very lucrative, growing market. Added to my collection is now a variety of Swiss Miss chocolate drinks and Milo. A concentrated cup of Milo is my choice before my morning walk ... so no wonder they were a sponsor of Comrades Marathon for so many years!!
I just wonder why these are not available in South Africa as they are delicious, cheap and so easy to prepare. They are in sealed sachets so have a long shelf life and are available at every convenience store.
The only negative I can see is that there is probably an excess amount of packaging ... a negative both on the price and the growing piles of waste packaging. So hopefully it is biodegradeable.
Please let me know what you think of them or what you prefer?
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Age of Entitlement - When Will it End?
The following graph and article says it all. And I'm sure that the graph doesn't only apply to the US as it is a universal trend.
Have We Reached Peak Entitlements? Charles Hugh Smith
Let's zero in on entitlement program spending. Personal Current Transfer Receipts (PCTR) include all transfer payments to individuals, a category that includes all social welfare programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
So what does this graph tell us?
It says that entitlement spending has increased by 500% since about 1990. To put this into some perspective - at an inflation rate of 5% per year prices over 23 years would have increased by about 300%. So why the extra 200%?
This is the Age of Entitlement.
There are many groups in society who somehow believe that society owes them something. From children finishing school who are entitled to a university education even when the course they are studying does not provide them with a skill that is wanted.
There are so called disadvantaged communities the unskilled and unqualified, single mothers, racially specified groups, baby boomers, retirees, the unemployed, and the list goes on and on.
All these groups expecting that someone else must take responsibility for their life choices and mistakes. And as these groups get larger and larger they become more and more attractive for politicians to target.
Have We Reached Peak Entitlements? Charles Hugh Smith
Let's zero in on entitlement program spending. Personal Current Transfer Receipts (PCTR) include all transfer payments to individuals, a category that includes all social welfare programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
So what does this graph tell us?
It says that entitlement spending has increased by 500% since about 1990. To put this into some perspective - at an inflation rate of 5% per year prices over 23 years would have increased by about 300%. So why the extra 200%?
This is the Age of Entitlement.
There are many groups in society who somehow believe that society owes them something. From children finishing school who are entitled to a university education even when the course they are studying does not provide them with a skill that is wanted.
There are so called disadvantaged communities the unskilled and unqualified, single mothers, racially specified groups, baby boomers, retirees, the unemployed, and the list goes on and on.
All these groups expecting that someone else must take responsibility for their life choices and mistakes. And as these groups get larger and larger they become more and more attractive for politicians to target.
Liberty - a fast fading right
Another excellent article by Simon Black at Sovereign Man.
Listen to to the chilling evidence given by Catherine Engelbrecht.
In this day and age and with stories of US government agencies action and campaigns against people like Kim Dotcom and Edward Snowden you realise that America is as guilty of human rights violations as any country in the world.
As you listen to Catherine's very personal testimony you can easily accept that the US as the erstwhile leader of the free world has become nothing better than a third world totalitarian state.
If this presentation doesn't help you understand the underhanded and insidious ways that your government will maintain their power over you ... then nothing will.
There are solutions for getting freedom ... but your government and their media lackeys won't be helping you with these. You are responsible for you and your family.
Sometimes Government Department Service Shocks You!
Friday evening on a sweltering hot night, and a Filipino hot night is very hot and very humid and there is no wind! We had just finished supper and the lights flickered. Immediately one's thoughts are "not another brown out" (in the Philippines a "brown out" is a blackout which lasts for less than one day.
Then darkness. With that the air conditioning and fans ground to a halt. The still hot, humid air seemed to close in and I started to sweat. But something wasn't quite right. As I looked outside I could see the shining street light ... and the next door neighbour's lights were shining brightly.
So what could it be? Previously we had a power failure due to a short in the electrical distribution board so I found a torch and then manouvered my way around behind the fridge to flip the trip switch. Down and up. Down and up. But no lights. The still air felt heavier and hotter with every slight exertion.
My mind was struggling to accept thought of no power for the whole weekend. Then I remembered that a couple of days previously our neighbour had given us an electricity account which I had put into my brief case. Forgotten till this moment.
As a peered at it through the darkness I realised that the account stated that there was an amount in arrears! Our power had been deliberately turned off!!
On the account I found a contact number. But thought who are you likely to get hold of who will do anything to help on a Friday evening. Another drop of sweat dripped from my forehead and I realised that it was worth call.
The phone rang twice and was answered by a human!! Wow! Explaining our situation and playing the "just arrived" card the customer services representative was very accomodating and I assumed that they would just flip a switch and we would be cool again.
About an hour later I phoned to follow up and was told that there had been an emergency and that they would attend to us as soon as they had completed that repair. The only way to keep from gushing sweat was to lie very still. So after a cold (very mild) shower went to lie lifeless on the bed.
Eventually I fell into a fitful sleep. Suddenly I was woken up by the sound of the water pump starting up, lights were on, the fans stared whirring and the airconditioner kicked into life. It was 03h30 and quite unbelievable.
I then drifted into a deep sleep only to be woken at about 07h30 by a voice outside the window. It was two repairmen from the Mactan electricity department checking up whether our power had been resumed.
Shockingly excellent service.
Then darkness. With that the air conditioning and fans ground to a halt. The still hot, humid air seemed to close in and I started to sweat. But something wasn't quite right. As I looked outside I could see the shining street light ... and the next door neighbour's lights were shining brightly.
So what could it be? Previously we had a power failure due to a short in the electrical distribution board so I found a torch and then manouvered my way around behind the fridge to flip the trip switch. Down and up. Down and up. But no lights. The still air felt heavier and hotter with every slight exertion.
My mind was struggling to accept thought of no power for the whole weekend. Then I remembered that a couple of days previously our neighbour had given us an electricity account which I had put into my brief case. Forgotten till this moment.
As a peered at it through the darkness I realised that the account stated that there was an amount in arrears! Our power had been deliberately turned off!!
On the account I found a contact number. But thought who are you likely to get hold of who will do anything to help on a Friday evening. Another drop of sweat dripped from my forehead and I realised that it was worth call.
The phone rang twice and was answered by a human!! Wow! Explaining our situation and playing the "just arrived" card the customer services representative was very accomodating and I assumed that they would just flip a switch and we would be cool again.
About an hour later I phoned to follow up and was told that there had been an emergency and that they would attend to us as soon as they had completed that repair. The only way to keep from gushing sweat was to lie very still. So after a cold (very mild) shower went to lie lifeless on the bed.
Eventually I fell into a fitful sleep. Suddenly I was woken up by the sound of the water pump starting up, lights were on, the fans stared whirring and the airconditioner kicked into life. It was 03h30 and quite unbelievable.
I then drifted into a deep sleep only to be woken at about 07h30 by a voice outside the window. It was two repairmen from the Mactan electricity department checking up whether our power had been resumed.
Shockingly excellent service.
Just Another South African Government Scam!
Think of what an ANC victory this year will mean to you and your family's future.
Nkandla Highway / Freeway Corruption Potentially
Exposed...
Much has been said, fought and argued over the funding of the R250 million Nkandla Compound, and rightly so.
But what's received little attention is the funding of the freeway set to run through Nkandla following the development of the president's luxury compound.
This freeway is set to cost R1.5 billion, so this is no small chunk of change. Mybroadband's amateur, volunteer, investigative journalists gave it a crack and uncovered what appears to be a case of corruption on an arms deal scale.
Here's what they uncovered:
But what's received little attention is the funding of the freeway set to run through Nkandla following the development of the president's luxury compound.
This freeway is set to cost R1.5 billion, so this is no small chunk of change. Mybroadband's amateur, volunteer, investigative journalists gave it a crack and uncovered what appears to be a case of corruption on an arms deal scale.
Here's what they uncovered:
Claim #1
Public Works claim that the freeway is being constructed by a private company called Korong Capital Partners who will, following the road development's end, donate the entire road to the government at no cost to them.
Now that sounds incredible. So incredible that it sounds almost too good to be true ... that's because it is.
Now that sounds incredible. So incredible that it sounds almost too good to be true ... that's because it is.
Debunking
Korong Capital Partners appears to have been a dormant shell company since 1999. Its only director is Moeti Mpuru, who claims to have secured the funding of R1.5 bn for this project.
The problem with this scenario is that Korong Capital Partners have no history of this sort of work. In fact, they have no history of any work whatsoever.
They couldn't have raised this finance in the capital markets either because no financial institution would originate and secure a bond for a company with zero balance sheet strength and zero cash flow.
So the only other option is that there was an angel investor involved, and this is the next claim.
The problem with this scenario is that Korong Capital Partners have no history of this sort of work. In fact, they have no history of any work whatsoever.
They couldn't have raised this finance in the capital markets either because no financial institution would originate and secure a bond for a company with zero balance sheet strength and zero cash flow.
So the only other option is that there was an angel investor involved, and this is the next claim.
Claim #2
An angel investor is funding the entire project at no cost to government whatsoever.
Debunking
Who was this angel investor? Well the claim is that the cash originated from the USA, through an attorney who is set to make $100,000.00 for simply arranging the transfer of the cash. Apparently Mpuru, after being turned down for a R1 million loan to fund a small portion of the project, managed in just a few months to secure R1.5 billion in funding for a project that will see absolutely no return on investment.
It is a straight R1.5 billion loss to whoever funds this project. And why is the donor not being made public? What has he got to hide? And who in their right mind would philanthropically fund a minor freeway in SA through the president's home town?
It makes no financial sense, nor logical sense.
It is a straight R1.5 billion loss to whoever funds this project. And why is the donor not being made public? What has he got to hide? And who in their right mind would philanthropically fund a minor freeway in SA through the president's home town?
It makes no financial sense, nor logical sense.
So on to the facts:
Korong Capital Partners has its registered offices at the following address:
UNIT 2 CHIANTI ESTATE
39 LEEUWKOP ROAD
SUNNINGHILL 2196
So this company that apparently has R1.5 billion spare to either flush down the toilet, or will be managing R1.5 billion worth of angel investor cash, from Unit 2, Chianti Estate in Sunninghill, a residential complex that does not have business rights for its units.
This is a tiny, 60 sqm residential unit - not an office park, or the premises you'd expect for a company with R1.5 billion to spend and manage. Yet Public Works feel happy for this company to complete this project on their behalf. Ever wondered why?
So who owns Unit #2 at Chianti Estates? None other than MBANJWA NQOBILE ZINHLE (Zinhle Mbanjwa).
Who is Zinhle Mbanjwa? He is the manager of the Housing Development Agency of South Africa. This is the governmental department that oversees investments in housing related infrastructure onbehalf of the Human Settlements Department. They also manage inter-departmental projects.
So why is Korong Capital Partners' premises at the HDA manager's personal premises? The answer to that is simple - he owned the shelf CC from the outset. This means that the CC used to move the money around to pay for the Zuma freeway is in fact located at the HDA manager's house and directed by the man who supposedly secured the funding.
This makes no sense in terms of the government's official statements that this is a private entity funding the project through angel investment.
What this actually means is that the HDA more than likely used the CC owned by their manager to move Human Settlements money to Korong Capital Partners to fund the Zuma Freeway.
Who is Zinhle Mbanjwa? He is the manager of the Housing Development Agency of South Africa. This is the governmental department that oversees investments in housing related infrastructure onbehalf of the Human Settlements Department. They also manage inter-departmental projects.
So why is Korong Capital Partners' premises at the HDA manager's personal premises? The answer to that is simple - he owned the shelf CC from the outset. This means that the CC used to move the money around to pay for the Zuma freeway is in fact located at the HDA manager's house and directed by the man who supposedly secured the funding.
This makes no sense in terms of the government's official statements that this is a private entity funding the project through angel investment.
What this actually means is that the HDA more than likely used the CC owned by their manager to move Human Settlements money to Korong Capital Partners to fund the Zuma Freeway.
What does this mean?
Well it means that Zuma's R250 million compound is only the tip of a very large iceberg.
The real corruption is worth in the region of about R1.5bn, as it indicates that the HDA facilitated government cash (which is what they do) to be moved to Korong Capital Partners to fund the Zuma Freeway. The government knowingly lied to the public about how the project was being funded.
It indicates that behind the scenes, HDA, Public Works and Human Settlements arranged a secretive transaction to spoof legitimate business operations, when in fact they were simply trying to hide their money-trail of corruption, knowing that using public money would cause outrage among South African citizens.
Well it means that Zuma's R250 million compound is only the tip of a very large iceberg.
The real corruption is worth in the region of about R1.5bn, as it indicates that the HDA facilitated government cash (which is what they do) to be moved to Korong Capital Partners to fund the Zuma Freeway. The government knowingly lied to the public about how the project was being funded.
It indicates that behind the scenes, HDA, Public Works and Human Settlements arranged a secretive transaction to spoof legitimate business operations, when in fact they were simply trying to hide their money-trail of corruption, knowing that using public money would cause outrage among South African citizens.
None of this makes any sense in terms of the official story by the government.
Though it makes perfect sense when you add a corruption element to the mix. Public Works and Human Settlements found cash to fund this project. In order to hide this from the public, they engaged with the manager of the Housing Development Agency, who are the middle-man for inter-governmental transactions. Together with a lawyer in the US, they laundered the cash offshore to make it appear as if the cash was from an angel investor, and would not be subject to disclosure to the public.
Though it makes perfect sense when you add a corruption element to the mix. Public Works and Human Settlements found cash to fund this project. In order to hide this from the public, they engaged with the manager of the Housing Development Agency, who are the middle-man for inter-governmental transactions. Together with a lawyer in the US, they laundered the cash offshore to make it appear as if the cash was from an angel investor, and would not be subject to disclosure to the public.
They then moved the money to a CC owned by the HDA manager called Korong Capital Partners who are now officially funding the Zuma Freeway. On the surface it seems like an extraordinarily unlikely investment ... that
some unknown source of billions of dollars donated all of the funding capital to a private company that coincidentally happens to be owned by the HDA manager, to build a freeway through Jacob Zuma's Nkandla hometown, with no oversight of the spending, no recourse whatsoever to the cash, no return on investment, while remaining completely anonymous. Then with the intention to hand the entire road over to Public Works upon completion.
And that is because this is ridiculous. It looks remarkably like the SANIP (South African National Industrial Participation company) with SAAB and BAE, where Fana Hlongwane processed the bribe payments for the arms deal.
And that is because this is ridiculous. It looks remarkably like the SANIP (South African National Industrial Participation company) with SAAB and BAE, where Fana Hlongwane processed the bribe payments for the arms deal.
What has happened however is that government appears to have attempted to pull the wool over the eyes of its citizens, in anticipation of backlash for R1.5 billion funding of the Zuma Freeway, by hiding cash in an entity they thought would be safe from public scrutiny.
As it turns out, this wasn't quite as private as they expected. The crucial oversight was using a private CC owned by the HDA manager and forgetting to remove his personal address from the company information records, which are public.
As it turns out, this wasn't quite as private as they expected. The crucial oversight was using a private CC owned by the HDA manager and forgetting to remove his personal address from the company information records, which are public.
So government has a lot to answer for here and we the public should demand answers. Not only does this appear to be corrupt to its very core, but the spending at Nkandla is outrageous too.
Public Works is currently involved in hundreds of projects around the country, with their mandate being to spend on infrastructure and social development. With this in mind, their average allocation for each project will be somewhere between 0.1% and 0.2% of budget (this is a very high estimate in my opinion - they're probably spending less across more projects).
Zuma's non-revenue-generating, unnecessary development that has nothing to do with infrastructure nor social development equates to a 0.32% allocation of the national public works budget. This means that they've spent up to 224% more on Zuma's compound than on their average spend on actual deliverable projects that meet their mandate.
Zuma's non-revenue-generating, unnecessary development that has nothing to do with infrastructure nor social development equates to a 0.32% allocation of the national public works budget. This means that they've spent up to 224% more on Zuma's compound than on their average spend on actual deliverable projects that meet their mandate.
If we include the freeway project, which I'm quite sure is just a dodgy vehicle to protect Zuma from recourse, the figure jumps to 2172% more than their average national infrastructure spend. So instead of money going to
the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, to mitigate the impact on the country, Public Works chose instead to over-spend on Zuma's home by up to 2000-odd percent.
So if you want to do something about this and make your voice heard in opposition to potential corruption, fraud, misuse of public funds and lies, then send this out to media outlets, the public protector, your friends and family etc.
It's high time this sort of presidentially-supported corruption is put to bed, once and for all...
All it needs for evil to thrive is for good people to do nothing
It's high time this sort of presidentially-supported corruption is put to bed, once and for all...
All it needs for evil to thrive is for good people to do nothing
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Getting My Philippines Drivers Licence - Another Brush with Bureaucracy
Regular renewal of drivers licences, together with all the costs involved, have become another (there are lots!) government, money spinning scam ... not to forget a creator of another layer of non value adding employment.
There are many people employed in this process, both directly and indirectly ... from officials to fixers. For the man in the street it is just a hassle ... and waste of time and money.
Gone are the days of getting a drivers licence and having it for life. I think that my first drivers licence was valid for about 40 years. And the first renewal wasn't as a result of failing health or reaching some significant milestone age.
It was for everyone who had a licence for five years.
Since then its been the same rigmarole every five years. Some arbitrary eye test or medical examination, fill in some forms and, most importantly, pay your money.
In South Africa it is a source of annuity income for the Shaik family. Possibly in gratitude for the "donations" they had very kindly made to the new ruling elite.
I have recently obtained a Philippines driving licence. The most surprising thing about the office that I went to is that there is virtually no public parking in the vicinity of the office. People are going there to get drivers licences! Drive - car - parking ... isn't this a logical connection?
Fortunately the company representative who took me has a friend working at a service station located a few hundred metres away.
Another feature of this licencing process that I found interesting is that you are required to have a drug test which is done by providing a urine sample. The process is all very proper as you step into a small restroom "sir, please do not close the door". But if I was a drug user wouldn't I stop for a few days before? Take the test. Provide a clean sample and then resume my habit?
Anyway that is now over for 3 years, and apart from now having a slightly altered surname all should be good.
There are many people employed in this process, both directly and indirectly ... from officials to fixers. For the man in the street it is just a hassle ... and waste of time and money.
Gone are the days of getting a drivers licence and having it for life. I think that my first drivers licence was valid for about 40 years. And the first renewal wasn't as a result of failing health or reaching some significant milestone age.
It was for everyone who had a licence for five years.
Since then its been the same rigmarole every five years. Some arbitrary eye test or medical examination, fill in some forms and, most importantly, pay your money.
In South Africa it is a source of annuity income for the Shaik family. Possibly in gratitude for the "donations" they had very kindly made to the new ruling elite.
I have recently obtained a Philippines driving licence. The most surprising thing about the office that I went to is that there is virtually no public parking in the vicinity of the office. People are going there to get drivers licences! Drive - car - parking ... isn't this a logical connection?
Fortunately the company representative who took me has a friend working at a service station located a few hundred metres away.
Another feature of this licencing process that I found interesting is that you are required to have a drug test which is done by providing a urine sample. The process is all very proper as you step into a small restroom "sir, please do not close the door". But if I was a drug user wouldn't I stop for a few days before? Take the test. Provide a clean sample and then resume my habit?
Anyway that is now over for 3 years, and apart from now having a slightly altered surname all should be good.
Driving Home in the Evening - Mactan Island Cebu Phlippines
I made this video the other night as I was driven home from our factory situated in one of the Mactan island economic development zones (MEPZII) to our house which is in a subdivision about 4k's away.
Being piloted through the tricycles, bicycles, cars, pedestrians and some wheel gobbling potholes ... plus the odd dog or goat by Maning - my trusty driver of the last two months. This video gives you some idea what a journey like this is like. It will also give you some idea why my driving has been limited to weekend day times as I slowly immerse myself into a very different driving mindset.
The drive is made longer by the fact that the factory is on one side of the airport and we live on the other side. Initially the drive is down a reasonably wide road that tht would normally take two lanes each way but here has dynamic contra flow!!
No one indicates and if a tricycle spots a prospective customer they will just stop. Very few traffic lights are functional and to cross an intersection you just creep until the oncoming traffic has no option but to stop!!
From this reasonably wide road we turn off into a road which can just take two lanes of cars. However it is also occupied by the same combination of bicycles, pedestrians (a lot more) as well as dogs (many) and the odd goat or cow. Pedestrians generally walk with their backs to the traffic - leaving it up to the drivers not to smack into them.
This whole system is made possible by a unique combination of patience, trust and delicate driving skills.
It is certainly a unique experience.
Saturday, 30 November 2013
The Short Life of a Disaster
Just before 5am I wake to the thump, thump sound of helicopter blades and the roar of C130 engines. Day after day the same routine.
We live about two kilometres from the Cebu airport on Mactan Island and the sound easily carries.
So I don't forget. About a hundred kilometres to the north of us there are people living in dire circumstances. I have heard that there are now enough supplies but the distribution is the problem. I have a feeling of inevitability as I realise that these people, like others all over the world have been neglected by the one institution that they believed would look after them ... the government.
But once again a government has failed.
Any belief that their democracy would be their salvation has again been dashed. So I wonder, what will it take for abused populations to eventually rise up in their own "Arab spring"?
I have great respect for the people who have very little, but who care enough about the even less fortunate. Day after day they make sacrifices. My mind wanders back to my days of selling university rag magazines in the poor areas of Durban where an obviously poor person would hesitantly approach. Not having enough money to buy a magazine but still wanting to make a donation ... I gave him a magazine anyway.
Quite frankly most democratic societies are stuffed up. Borrowed to the hilt. Fat cat politicians sacrificing the future to make themselves look good. Excuses, excuses and blame. While all around there are signs of failure ... poverty, homelessness, degeneration of values (and not only currencies), irrational controls, more and more laws.
Western populations in a feeding frenzy. With little consideration for the future but driven by an insatiable drive to consume. These warped values being adopted by the "middle class" of all developing nations
And for the bulk of the world population more and more despair.
The politicians around the world keep pushing a failed democracy agenda.
My message today to those who are fortunate enough to be reading this blog. Remember how priviledged you are. There are many today who had their lives ripped way from them. Tonight, and for many more nights to come, they will go to sleep hungry and homeless ... everything they worked for destroyed.
Together with their trust?
Weird Sounds in the Night .... could it be a Tokay Gekko?
Since arriving in the Phillipines we have often heard a weird sound in the early evening or at night ... hard to describe but somewhere between a croak and a squawk!!
We couldn't work it out, but thought it was probably some kind of a bird.
But our interpretation of natures call was seriously wrong ... the sound was made by a gekko!! The tokay gekko.
Carol is very glad she now knows what it is ... as at about 30 to 50 cm long it must be an imposing little creature. Also if confronted in the house, it is rumoured that it will jump at you and run up your body to escape ... apparently at this moment you resemble a tree!!
Have a look at this video and then you'll hear why it's also known as the "f--k you" gekko (which was the name given to it by American troops).
My very thought as I listened to one as I lay in bed last night.
We couldn't work it out, but thought it was probably some kind of a bird.
But our interpretation of natures call was seriously wrong ... the sound was made by a gekko!! The tokay gekko.
Carol is very glad she now knows what it is ... as at about 30 to 50 cm long it must be an imposing little creature. Also if confronted in the house, it is rumoured that it will jump at you and run up your body to escape ... apparently at this moment you resemble a tree!!
Have a look at this video and then you'll hear why it's also known as the "f--k you" gekko (which was the name given to it by American troops).
My very thought as I listened to one as I lay in bed last night.
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
A Haircut in Cebu
After being here for about 5 weeks it was time to get a haircut. So on Saturday afternoon a friend and I headed off to the nearest Gaisano mall.
He has recently moved from the Philippines to a town just outside Zurich in Switzerland and is suffering badly from cost of living increase shock. So as a result he arrived here with a long, long shopping list.
We went into the hairdresser, which was very busy, some people having their haircut, others sat comfortably while their feet were being indulged in a pedicure. It all seemed very festive and noisy.
On being told that there was a 30 minute wait we rushed off to the department store to fill his list. As we walked away I noticed another hairdresser nearby which didn't seem to be so busy but was told "we won't go there, it is much more expensive than where we have booked".
The list had been detailed by his wife and teenage sons. Soon he was darting around from section to section finding the right items in the right brands and colours. After completing a hectic half hour shop we headed back to the hairdresser. Just in time as we were next on the list.
I sat down and had my normal "just tidy it up" haircut which to my surprise was followed by a short head, neck and shoulder massage.
Thanking the young hairdresser I proceeded to the counter to pay. "Thank you sir, 50 pesos". I couldn't believe it. The equivalent of about $1.25!!
As we walked away I asked my friend "how much is a cut at the expensive hairdresser?" he replied casually "80 pesos" (less than $2).
That haircut and massage was certainly outstanding value and a good experience. I'll be back there again.
I sat down and had my normal "just tidy it up" haircut which to my surprise was followed by a short head, neck and shoulder massage.
Thanking the young hairdresser I proceeded to the counter to pay. "Thank you sir, 50 pesos". I couldn't believe it. The equivalent of about $1.25!!
As we walked away I asked my friend "how much is a cut at the expensive hairdresser?" he replied casually "80 pesos" (less than $2).
That haircut and massage was certainly outstanding value and a good experience. I'll be back there again.
TV License - South Africa
This is my reply to the regular letter I have been receiving for the last few months. Initially it was persistent SMS's but now it seems we have the "nice guy"approach.
"Good day Frank (The Operations Manager)
I'm not sure if anyone ever reads these mails, but if they do, they must have a problem understanding English.
Before leaving South Africa I wasted a good 15 minutes of my valuable time explaining to one of your customer service representatives (sic) that I didn't have a TV set and was therefore not paying a license fee. She then went on getting more and more aggressive about paying fines, going to jail and being pursued by the law till the end of my days.
When I informed her I was going to live in the Philippines, she said something to the effect that they would deliver the summons wherever I lived. I think she may have been under the impression that the Philippines was a section of Phoenix, Mitchells Plain or Alberton!!!
However if she has been watching the news recently (probably a bad assumption?) she may have realised where it is.
IN SIMPLE TERMS I DO NOT HAVE A TV, DO NOT LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE PAYING FOR A LICENSE WHICH I PAID DILIGENTLY FOR YEARS.
If there is anyone there who may be interested - the Philippines is on the other side of the world, it has 7 200 islands and nearly 100 million people. So your inspectors, who can't even locate genuine license offenders in Gamalake are going to have an interesting time finding me and delivering my summons.
Have a wonderful day
Best regards"
"Good day Frank (The Operations Manager)
I'm not sure if anyone ever reads these mails, but if they do, they must have a problem understanding English.
Before leaving South Africa I wasted a good 15 minutes of my valuable time explaining to one of your customer service representatives (sic) that I didn't have a TV set and was therefore not paying a license fee. She then went on getting more and more aggressive about paying fines, going to jail and being pursued by the law till the end of my days.
When I informed her I was going to live in the Philippines, she said something to the effect that they would deliver the summons wherever I lived. I think she may have been under the impression that the Philippines was a section of Phoenix, Mitchells Plain or Alberton!!!
However if she has been watching the news recently (probably a bad assumption?) she may have realised where it is.
IN SIMPLE TERMS I DO NOT HAVE A TV, DO NOT LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE PAYING FOR A LICENSE WHICH I PAID DILIGENTLY FOR YEARS.
If there is anyone there who may be interested - the Philippines is on the other side of the world, it has 7 200 islands and nearly 100 million people. So your inspectors, who can't even locate genuine license offenders in Gamalake are going to have an interesting time finding me and delivering my summons.
Have a wonderful day
Best regards"
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Sunday, 24 November 2013
Contrasting Life in Mactan Island Cebu - Philippines
Like towns and cities in most developing, or so called 3rd world, economies both Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island show a dramatic and stark contrast between rich and poor.
But here it is some how different from what I've experienced before. Here it is so close you can touch it and it smacks you in the face ... and at times also in the nose!
First world malls within a few meters of filthy, shanty dwellings. Shacks and businesses side by side. Roadside restaurants and meat stalls (small fans whirring away to keep away flies) next to the vulcanizer (tyre shop) side by side with hairdressers, bakeries and small general merchandise shops behind metal grilles.
Pristine gardens within metres of filthy heaps of stinking rubbish.
The latest, often obscene, SUV's carrying one or two people bullying their way through tricycles, motorcycles (carrying whole families) and jeepneys crowded (with up to 25 people) ... all so overloaded. Belching smoke and weaving randomly ... seemingly so disorganized but somehow it works.
The Philippines, together with Brazil, has one marked difference from all other third world countries. A massive proportion of the population is Roman Catholic. There is no doubt that the church's stance on birth control has exacerbated the population growth problem and as you look around there is no doubt that the children are becoming casualties.
Casualties of a system which is doomed to failure.
Like all life here the church and its doctrine and dogma creates another stark contrast. The discipline and structure of the church with the total lack of consideration and virtual anarchy on the streets. The opulence of the church compared to the poverty of the people.
The church with its rigid and uncompromising stance on birth control efectively spawning millions of children who have to be fed and educated. However whatever their hardships and uncertainty a vast majority of the population maintains their steadfast faith.
Everywhere you go there are young women (children) with babies, others pregnant ... more and more children.
At what point do you become skeptical and question the concept of your faith? Or is it so strong that you can ignore the reality around you.
But here it is some how different from what I've experienced before. Here it is so close you can touch it and it smacks you in the face ... and at times also in the nose!
 |
| Look left from the wooden shack |
First world malls within a few meters of filthy, shanty dwellings. Shacks and businesses side by side. Roadside restaurants and meat stalls (small fans whirring away to keep away flies) next to the vulcanizer (tyre shop) side by side with hairdressers, bakeries and small general merchandise shops behind metal grilles.
Pristine gardens within metres of filthy heaps of stinking rubbish.
The latest, often obscene, SUV's carrying one or two people bullying their way through tricycles, motorcycles (carrying whole families) and jeepneys crowded (with up to 25 people) ... all so overloaded. Belching smoke and weaving randomly ... seemingly so disorganized but somehow it works.
 |
| The view from the shack |
Casualties of a system which is doomed to failure.
Like all life here the church and its doctrine and dogma creates another stark contrast. The discipline and structure of the church with the total lack of consideration and virtual anarchy on the streets. The opulence of the church compared to the poverty of the people.
 |
| Overloaded with children |
Everywhere you go there are young women (children) with babies, others pregnant ... more and more children.
At what point do you become skeptical and question the concept of your faith? Or is it so strong that you can ignore the reality around you.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
What is a Normal Life After a Super Typhoon?
What a contrast of normal.
In a completely selfish and self centred way I was happy that since Typhoon Yolanda our life in Cebu is back to normal ... we have power and the internet connected.
While less than 100 kilometres away there is total destruction - houses have been flattened, families ripped apart, children left are orphans, husbands with no wives, no food, no water - and I'm happy that I have an internet connection!! People now surviving in a dark, rudimentary shelter, their lives ripped apart by one of the biggest and most ferious typhoons to have made land fall.
To put it in some perspective especially for people in the United States, Haiyan was about 3 times larger, and 3 times more damaging than the East Coast US “Sandy”. Also, Haiyan was much larger than the well known Gulf of Mexico Hurricane, Katrina.
Hitting the city of Tacloban with full force there was total devastation.
Many people lived close to the sea and many lived in shacks or shanties. They had no way of defending themselves against 320 kph winds or 3 meter waves of water. Two weeks later ... refugees are living in makeshift camps in Cebu and rescuers are just making it to remote islands.
Refief is limited and government credibility is low. There are concerns that relief money may end up in government officials pockets. They are already in the midst of the "pork barrel" scam where billions of pesos earmarked for social projects found their way into gaping pockets of corruption ... so with millions of dollars of flowing in for relief, why not now?
It is really sad when, at times like this, people can be suspected of "stealing" money from their own destitute victims. Children have been left orphans ... and spend their days abandoned and lonely.
So life after a super typhoon is very different depending on your circumstances ... there is no doubt that the poor are always the major victims of any major disaster.
In a completely selfish and self centred way I was happy that since Typhoon Yolanda our life in Cebu is back to normal ... we have power and the internet connected.
While less than 100 kilometres away there is total destruction - houses have been flattened, families ripped apart, children left are orphans, husbands with no wives, no food, no water - and I'm happy that I have an internet connection!! People now surviving in a dark, rudimentary shelter, their lives ripped apart by one of the biggest and most ferious typhoons to have made land fall.
To put it in some perspective especially for people in the United States, Haiyan was about 3 times larger, and 3 times more damaging than the East Coast US “Sandy”. Also, Haiyan was much larger than the well known Gulf of Mexico Hurricane, Katrina.
Hitting the city of Tacloban with full force there was total devastation.
Many people lived close to the sea and many lived in shacks or shanties. They had no way of defending themselves against 320 kph winds or 3 meter waves of water. Two weeks later ... refugees are living in makeshift camps in Cebu and rescuers are just making it to remote islands.
Refief is limited and government credibility is low. There are concerns that relief money may end up in government officials pockets. They are already in the midst of the "pork barrel" scam where billions of pesos earmarked for social projects found their way into gaping pockets of corruption ... so with millions of dollars of flowing in for relief, why not now?
It is really sad when, at times like this, people can be suspected of "stealing" money from their own destitute victims. Children have been left orphans ... and spend their days abandoned and lonely.
So life after a super typhoon is very different depending on your circumstances ... there is no doubt that the poor are always the major victims of any major disaster.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Sumilon Island
Sumilon Island. The absolute picture post card view that you so often see in travel magazines and on travel programs.
Situated a few kilometres off the south east of Cebu island it a very small island (about 3 kilometers by 1 kilometer) which makes up one the 7 000 islands of the Philippines. It is the home of the Sumilon Blue Hotel which as soon as you arrive completely fits ones imagination of a tropical island resort.
We travelled by private shuttle bus from home on Mactan Isand on All Saints Day. This was a bad mistake as tens of thousands of people migrate to their home towns and travel around the country to vist the graves of departed family members. Traffic is normally messy but this was nightmarish. Our trip of about 100kms took four and a half hours ... a slowish bike pace!!
However this long, but for me, not too boring trip ended at an open air lounge on the beach. Here we were welcomed (I quite like the "Sir Patrick" bit) by a very pleasant hotel representative and a delicious glass of cold iced tea. After a few formalities we joined about 15 other people who were also waiting for the next scheduled bangka to take us across to Sumilon island.
On schedule, the bangka arrived and the very smart crew of porters came ashore. As we sauntered down to the jetty they collected our bags and loaded them. I'm not quite sure how, but the correct bags landed up in our room on the island.
On arrival we were met by the island hotel representatives who handed us a very welcome cold facecloth. We were then led up through the open dining area to our room. Ours wasn't just a room it was a villa - the honeymoon suite and we were the first guests in the brand new suite.
Totally fenced in it had its own splash pool and small garden with a view over the amazing crystal clear blue sea.
After lunch we decided to do some snorkelling which was very enjoyable ... but also took a bit of getting used to. Treading water while trying to clear water out of the goggles was definitely not my strong point.
This was greatly improved once Mark gave us the advice to "blow air out of your nostrils" when the mask is in place ... the theory being that the mask is now sucked on to your face.
Although the coral quite sparse and damaged as a result of a typhoon earlier in the year I still found it fascinating. The colours, shapes and characters of the tiny fish as they swam in and out of the protection of the coral was mesmerising.
After that it was time to eat again!
The one disappointing aspect of this expensive resort is that they seem to miss the little things - especially with the drinks. Imagine, on our first night ... no white wine!!
I found the food acceptable but not outstanding. Maybe it has to do with having very few Western visitors as most of the other vistors appeared to be Koreans or Japanese.
The following day we had an interesting walk around the island. The first part was tricky. The path was along a high cliff and the rock was very rough and jagged - volcanic? Once we made the end of the island the return was a welcome flat and easy relief ... as by this time it was pretty hot and humid.
We went snorkelling again in another area on the other side of the island ... it was magic. There were gardens of coral and schools of little fish darting around. We had also grasped the basic skills and the time just evaporated.
I had planned to do a introductory dive the following day but late in the afternoon started feeling dizzy and nauseous. This led to being "man down" and me missing dinner. I felt horrible for a few hours but started feeling a lot better during the night.
Consequently my introductory dive was replaced with an hour long massage - which was a very suitable alternative. Mark did the dive and loved it. So maybe next time.
After an early lunch we headed off to the bangka jetty for our trip back to Cebu island. Noticing with interest that without a payment receipt your luggage will not be loaded!!
Then our drive home. The traffic was certainly better and we were home in less than two and a half hours.
As we headed home through the messy traffic I was wondering, where did the three days go to?
Situated a few kilometres off the south east of Cebu island it a very small island (about 3 kilometers by 1 kilometer) which makes up one the 7 000 islands of the Philippines. It is the home of the Sumilon Blue Hotel which as soon as you arrive completely fits ones imagination of a tropical island resort.
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| Bangka |
However this long, but for me, not too boring trip ended at an open air lounge on the beach. Here we were welcomed (I quite like the "Sir Patrick" bit) by a very pleasant hotel representative and a delicious glass of cold iced tea. After a few formalities we joined about 15 other people who were also waiting for the next scheduled bangka to take us across to Sumilon island.
 |
| Porters arriving |
On arrival we were met by the island hotel representatives who handed us a very welcome cold facecloth. We were then led up through the open dining area to our room. Ours wasn't just a room it was a villa - the honeymoon suite and we were the first guests in the brand new suite.
Totally fenced in it had its own splash pool and small garden with a view over the amazing crystal clear blue sea.
 |
| Bangka - off to Semilan |
After lunch we decided to do some snorkelling which was very enjoyable ... but also took a bit of getting used to. Treading water while trying to clear water out of the goggles was definitely not my strong point.
This was greatly improved once Mark gave us the advice to "blow air out of your nostrils" when the mask is in place ... the theory being that the mask is now sucked on to your face.
Although the coral quite sparse and damaged as a result of a typhoon earlier in the year I still found it fascinating. The colours, shapes and characters of the tiny fish as they swam in and out of the protection of the coral was mesmerising.
After that it was time to eat again!
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| Villa view at Night |
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| Walk on Sumilon Island |
I found the food acceptable but not outstanding. Maybe it has to do with having very few Western visitors as most of the other vistors appeared to be Koreans or Japanese.
The following day we had an interesting walk around the island. The first part was tricky. The path was along a high cliff and the rock was very rough and jagged - volcanic? Once we made the end of the island the return was a welcome flat and easy relief ... as by this time it was pretty hot and humid.
 |
| The massage room |
I had planned to do a introductory dive the following day but late in the afternoon started feeling dizzy and nauseous. This led to being "man down" and me missing dinner. I felt horrible for a few hours but started feeling a lot better during the night.
Consequently my introductory dive was replaced with an hour long massage - which was a very suitable alternative. Mark did the dive and loved it. So maybe next time.
 |
| On our way back to Cebu - sea slightly rougher |
After an early lunch we headed off to the bangka jetty for our trip back to Cebu island. Noticing with interest that without a payment receipt your luggage will not be loaded!!
Then our drive home. The traffic was certainly better and we were home in less than two and a half hours.
As we headed home through the messy traffic I was wondering, where did the three days go to?
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