We had made plans a couple of month ago to head to Dumaguete, an island in the Philippines, for the weekend with two other families who have children the same ages as Adam and Malcolm. It was the first time we planned a trip with other families and I am a convert! When Aunt Das decided to come visit the timing was perfect, she bought a ticket and came with us! We haven’t traveled in the Philippines for a long time and we’ve always wanted to go to Dumaguete so we were excited.
The plane ride was pretty good. Aunt Das was tasked with amusing Malcolm. Malcolm kindly fixed her hat about 50 times and read her the newest Star.
Our friends Jenny and Joe and their two girls were right behind us both ways which was great. Malcolm and Adam spent large chunks of the flight talking, sharing snacks and toys with Vivian and Penelope.
Parents and Aunt Das were able to sneak away for two boat trips while we were in Dumaguete!
The first day the adults took a boat trip to Apo island. It is home to magnificent sea turtles and a reef. We snorkeled, had lunch, chatted and had a great sun filled day.
We got back and took all our little ones in the pool. What does that look like you ask? Something like this-
The next day we had another boat trip planned for the adults. This one was to swim with the whale sharks. We were all excited as we headed on our way. We had a 30 minute car ride, then a 30 minute ferry ride, then another 30 minute car ride. The whole time I was thankful the boys were at home playing with their friends and not on this long trip with us. The hotel had a teacher come in for the morning for them to do arts and crafts and play and we had brought Maria, our trusted nanny, so I knew they were in good hands.
Once we arrived at the whale sharks we were all a bit taken back. There must have been 300 people on the beach waiting to get on these little boats that went out about 15 feet.
The whale sharks were basically trained and just went back and forth being fed and led. We were 2 hours of travel in and had already paid for this so we decided to go for it. Our guide from the hotel was a miracle worker and got us on a boat in about 10 minutes. As we headed out I still wasn’t sure I was going to get in and snorkel. But once we were out there I decided I should and it was definitely worth it! From the surface the whale sharks don’t look that big but once you jump in and look through your mask it’s amazing. These animals are so huge. You can also tell they are sharks and not whales when they are swimming gracefully through the water. If I was out in the wide open sea and one of these sidled up next to me I would not be able to keep my cool. Even in this controlled (or contrived perhaps is better word) environment when the whale sharks got a little close I found myself scurrying back towards the boat as fast as I could. It was definitely an experience that I will not forget anytime soon.
Both nights we had big dinners with all 6 kids, which to quote Daphne was the craziest thing she had ever seen. But all the kids headed off to bed by 8 and the adults got to stay up talking and drinking wine.
It was great to spend time with our friends, for Adam and Malcolm to spend time with their friends and for us all to spend time with Aunt Das.
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