Philippines: Day 3

June 3rd: A Visit to Mandaue turns into a Tourist Day

On Thursday we started off the day with plans to visit another area Kari had served in called Mandaue. We got to the area and after getting some breakfast at our fast-becoming-our-favorite-go-to-restaurant  Jollibee's, we headed off in search of members to visit. Unfortunately, we didn't have a guide to help us that day and we weren't a fruitful. After walking around and asking quite a few people for directions or if they knew where one of the family's lived, we finally found one of Kari's converts but she was busy and seemed kind of uneasy. We continued to search for some other members, but it seemed like many were at work or had moved, so we finally decided give in and make other plans (it was very hot and tiring walking around like that).

So we got a taxi and decided to go check out the Taoist Temple, which was located in a really nice subdivision of Beverly Hills (yes, you read that correctly), and was apparently build by the Chinese community. There wasn't a whole lot to do there, but we enjoyed walking around and enjoying the temple and the grounds, plus taking funny pictures.

 

 

 Kari and I with a picture of the temple and grounds.

 

 

 Dragons were everywhere!

 View of the city below

 

 

 I thought I was closer to patting the little one of the head.

 We got a decent jumping picture of Kari (after several hilarious attempts).

 Temple with the "big" dragon in front.

  Trying to get a picture of us both with the dragon.

 

After getting our fill of the Taoist temple, we decided to chill (literally, we needed some AC) and relax at the mall, because that's what you do in the Philippines. We ended up at the Ayala Mall, which we would end up visiting a couple of times, and enjoyed some lunch and some window shopping. It was a very nice mall, I believe the nicest and newest in Cebu and there was even a True Value hardware store (it should have been an Ace!).

We started to get a little bored and needed to figure out something else to do. We had remembered that Brother and Sister Reed had suggested we go to this museum called Museo Sugbo, so we said why not and went on our way. We learned so much while we were there about the Philippines and the history of Cebu (Sugbo is the original name for Cebu). It was actually quite enjoyable, especially since we had pretty much our own personal tour guide for most of the time. His name was Ray and we learned that he had been heavily involved with establishing the museum (has only been around for 2 or 3 years) and had even contributed some artifacts, photos, etc.

The museum is divided into rooms by Pre-Spanish Era, Spanish Era, American Era, and present times. Oh, and fun fact...the building was originally a jail just up until a few years ago and was the location of the famous "Thriller" Cebu prison dancers that swept the internet several years ago.

The museum courtyard. Just imagine a bunch of dancers here.

 Kari and I in front of the museum sign...

...and now with Ray.

There was also this wishing well there (we would run into a couple on our trip).

The instructions were to make a wish and then drop a coin in the the well without looking and with your back turned. Your wish would come true if it landed in the plate at the bottom of the well.

 

 My first couple of attempts were over the shoulder...

 ...but then I realized a much better technique. Still not looking!

 Then Kari took her turn.

 There were these really pretty flowers in the courtyard as well.

After our visit to the museum we decided to head back to the hotel, eat some dinner and go to the internet cafe and check email and such. Although the day had started off kind of uncertain, it turned into a really enjoyable day and full of bonding time for us sisters. That happens when you give us a camera and ask us to spend time together. :)

 

Anyway, onto day four....until next time.