District Conference and Baguio City

So the Friday of the District conference had come around. I woke early at 7 and pulled on my running shorts, a t-shirt (well my running top had been destroyed between mango juice at Boracay and pink die of a towel at the hot springs) and some stinking Nike's and I was good to go. I had offered for the entire team to join me on a few miles of early morning running around the cool (30c) fresh air amoung the old tall pine trees that grew all around our hotel complex. Amazingly the only person that was stupid enough to take me up on the offer was Natalie and so we set of for what I had been assured by the hotel reception team was a modest 3-4 mile oval route around the hotel and impossible for us to get lost on. We set of into the warm sunshine clutching water bottles and I have to say that it was an absolute blessing to get out and run after not having done any exercise for the last 3 weeks. At around the 30 minute mark (or 3-4 mile mark) I did have to admit to Natalie that I was lost and the oval route that had been promised as being impossible to lose had been lost. I resorted to asking locals if I was on the right route to which I got the genuine Filipino hospitality of YES - even if that means actually NO or I don't know! After over an hour of running, another bought bottle of water and much sweating, we eventually arrived at the hotel. Natalie then took this oportunity to sprint past me and arrived triumphantly at the steps to the lobby. She turned and with a big smile on her face started togloat about 'fastest runner' etc. i then took the opportunity to point out we had arrived at the wrong hotel! 5 minutes later we arrived at our actual hotel and walked in for a shower and breakfast! ;I reckon that we probably did close on to 6-7 miles so not bad for a warm up jog!!!!

The rest of the day was then taken up with cultural tours of the city with our host RC for the day on a very strict deadline as Kate insisted that we would need to be back in time for the opening of DISCON at 12 noon. This meant that we had a real quick whistle stop tour of the sights and sounds around our hotel. First of was a stop at a collection of WWII and later era war machinery and several brilliant shots of me commanding a large gun. Never let it be said that I haven't been seen with a massive weapon between my legs!

The next stop was the Military training acadamy - highlights for me being photographed every 30 seconds like I am famous and the collection of Vietnam era jets and helicopters. I am really quite geeky when it comes to fast air and these were pristine examples and it looked like they had just landed there in the last few hours.

Next was a stop at MINESHEAD which is basically a viewing platform at the top of a rocky outcrop. The view was divine and apparantly the president at some point in history used to stand at the top and hurl change at the peasants. Now when I heard this I thought it was to keep the people sweet but now writing it down I am wondering if they meant that he used to hurl small change at the peasants to drive them back or just for fun. Tbh the change that you are handed is a bit of an inconvenience at times as it doesn't actually have a great deal of value to it! Photo shots taken with all manner of tourist attractions gathered at the location including purple horses, naked men and other stuff and iut was time to move on.

The final stop was literally 5 mins and we just had time to get out and film a few frames of gangnm style outside the presidents summer house, much to the amusement of onlookers who had no idea why we were dancing around with no music.

Kate was starting to fret about getting back for the opening ceremony of the Rotary district 3780 conference so we sped back avoiding crazy jeepneys and after a quick change into suits and air hostess jackets, we all assembled in the tour bus to be conveyed to the conference centre. We were duly conveyed the 10 minute walk to the centre (two things 1. No one ever walks and 2. We always arrive in a motorcade. Of course we do, it's that kinda trip!) upon entry we were blown away by the size, scale and impressive set up of the centre. We entered proudly holding our discon passes and were shown to our VIP table at the front. There must've been in excess of 1000 people present and all turned to watch us walk through the room. Show time!!! Food was served so again no need to decide what I wanted to way and I felt like Forrest Gump in the White House.... I'll have another Dr Pepper please! The conference was duly opened and baring the technical hitch in Running the VT (stands for video tape) went well. The dancing troupe were ace and scantily dressed much to the amusement of the girls.

Thankfully we didn't stay for the full opening ceremony as we had a presentation to get ready so after a couple of hours we managed to escape and went and met up with Sally Cu and friends from midtown RC where costumes were put on, games were played and I became king of the spoons. This is because I am massively talented and skilful at shooting spoons into a glass (as well as balancing them on my nose - and getting others to do it to!) many will say I was assisted by Homer but I state if was all skill!

Back to rooms and the lap tips were fired up and work was completed. A little later it was time to get ready for the international themed night. Now I had brought my work tunic and it weighs a to and having carried it around for the last few weeks it was time to get it on and show it off. So donning my tunic and ensuring boots were spit shone and buttons were shining, I went to escort the ladies down to reception. There was no sign of Richard but tbh I have come to the conclusion that he can look after himself and often appears like the shop keeper in Mr Benn. Admiring glances and I knew it was looking sharp so we made our way to the party. The entire district were well represented and were all dressed on national dress from around the world. It quickly became clear that all clubs were entered into a fancy dress competition to see who was best dressed. Quick as a flash the rest of the team put me forward to promote the UK which the first I knew about was when the PA called my name and I had to sprint to the stage, easier said than done in a heavy wool suit in 33c heat. Much fun had it was then time for fellowship and entertainment soi watch in awe at the dancing theFilipinos pulled out of the hat! The Australians then went up to do a song involving coco nuts which went down well. Our turn and thankfully Nat pulled a Zumba routine out and after some energetic shimmying in which she almost fell out of the top she was wearing (hilarious) it went down a storm. A short end to the night as duty called and I switched to being the protection fog the girls. At around midnight, we headed home, happy and content - falling into bed.

GANGNAM STYLE - our tribute to the Philippines!

Not ones to rest on our laurels - this is the video tribute that we put together for the district conference.  I have to be honest and say that when I mooted the idea of a viral style video we were all walking around the IT hub in QC and I really didn't think that the rest of the team would go for it - but how wrong could I be.  Several weeks later and many video shoots at any location that lent the video some style and panache...  I can't overstate how much we were walking around and looking at every location as a possible'shoot' which also included underwater and in some pretty bizarre shoots in public places with lots of onlookers watching us as if we had gone completely mad.  Creatively put together in a late night cutting room and then finally edited and polished (including flourishes that Amy regards as not needed added fizz) on the flight on the way home.  It took me most of Manila to Dubai to get it running right and I nearly went mad working on the 3 hours sleep in the previous 48 hrs that I had had, but....  It got done and I am very proud of it and of the team that made it happen.

To everyone in the Philippines - A MASSIVE THANK YOU for making this a reality - it is our little tribute to you all and hopefully carries the sense of energy, enthusiasm and passion that we brought over for the 4 weeks.

Good times - keep dancing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buaKfBl2Wf4

http://youtu.be/buaKfBl2Wf4

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A city in the mountains!

And so it came to pass that our merry troop set off for Baguio city. The summer Capitol of the Philippines due to its mountain setting and cooler climate. It's still a good 30c every day but compared to the fierce unforgiving 40c of metro Manila it promised some much needed respite. So it was that at a stupidly early time I met the team at a McDonalds and over s healthy breakfast of pancakes, sausage and maple syrup we made our plans. Well actually we didn't. What we did was act like giddy school kids hatching our Gangnam style video much to the amusement of the watching staff who whooped s d waved us off when we actually came to get in the bus! Lesson learnt, everyone watches us all of the time. I was kinda buzzed by the reaction tho!

The bus journey up to Baguio takes around 6 hours and after some initial dramas of 'no seatbelt?' and 'no headrests!' It was plain sailing. Nat was up front with Dan G regaling her with tales and stories. It was amazing to watch him as I consider him the Al Pacino of the Philippines - don't ask he just looks, sounds and acts like Pacino in say Scarface... No? Ok it's just me then lol! He's a genuinely lovely guy and a hoot to be around. The rest of us set about blogging or sleeping. Sleep in the Philippines is grabbed as and when and we are all now adept at sleeping with lolling heads!

The journey passed uneventfully for me. Mainly because I slept for mat of it! I was awake for Amy photographing Nat with her mouth wide open snoring with Dan G with his arm around the back of the chair! You had to be there buy the sight was hilarious, all at Natalie's expense I'm afraid.

It was not until we hit the mountain region of Baguio that I started to sit up and take note. The scenery had started to give way to jagged rising buttresses of rock with cascading water glowing swiftly down through its v shaped river channels. The rivers were low but the sight of huge rocks, trees and other detritus gave the promise of how powerful the water is here in rainy season. They were in a word breath taking and as we climbed ever higher up the steep, narrow road which clung to the hill side, the views just kept getting better. I had my camera out desperately trying to get a landscape shot but we were turning and moving to quickly. I was about to give up just as we were reaching the turn at a particularly impressive viewpoint over a huge vista of mountains when strange whining noises came from the engine. We all perked up and looked at each other. Mario our cast driver who had been belting the shuttle bus up the mountain at warp 10 suddenly looked slightly panicked and we were ordered to shut off the aircon! Too little to late tho and with a final whine a d bang, the radiator burst and Mario coasted the bus to a stop right on the corner I wanted us to stop at! Not wanting to waste the opportunity, I jumped out of the bus and wandered to the edge of the road and snapped away. The rest of the team followed whilst Dan and Mario set to work looking at the bus. Where we broke down couldn't have been better picked as there was a shop selling food and also conveniently tables and chairs! What are the odds eh? Richard and Amy settled down at a lovely solid wood table with matching chairs whilst I grabbed some pics with Kate and Nat. All was going well until I watched in disbelief a car overtake seven others as it approached our blind turn. As it reached the hairpin still in the lane for traffic travelling down (narrow road - think horseshoe pass etc) an HGV rounded the turn coming down and was forced to swerve out. This led it to drive straight at us sat on the wall above the 600' plunge into the valley below. This was enough for us to go join Amy and Richard and I gabbed some crisis from the shop and pulled out the sandwiches sealed in 'Reynolds' sandwich bags made by Marby herself and offered then around. Natalie was desperately trying to befriend a young 6 y o local boy who was sat with another lad aged maybe 14 who was sorting beans.  It was commented that we we're interrupting him in his counting but to be honest I don't think he was paying us ant attention but progress with the younger boy who I shall name Duncan just because I can, was made when I suggested Natalie offer him the packs of biscuits we had in our little picnic hamper!  Duncan happily took the biscuits and then spent time playing with them like cards with Natalie trying to mime to him that he should eat them and Richard commenting that he didn't think that Duncan looked like a Ritz cracker kind of man!  All this musing had happily distracted us from our broken down plight and the sight of Mario pouring water into the engine and it pouring out of the shattered radiator beneath was actually amusing.  It is amazing how quickly you can just accept things in the Philippines as had this been back at home we would've been much more stressed.  Maybe it was the rarified mountain air but it really didn't concern me and I just found the whole bizarre situation of breaking down at a shop with table and chairs, food and breath taking views just amusing.

A plan was hatched by Dan G and as soon as the Australians had been safely dropped off, their vehicle was sent to collect us.  We abandoned our worldly goods, well apart from Richard who had sense to get his and put it in the 4x4 and all clambered inside.  Don't fear now, it was three in the front and four in the rear.  An interetsing journey in the city was had with Natalie sitting in the footwell of the car, three up front and four in the rear.  I had my legs crushed into shapes that they were not ever designed to go into and Amy and Kate were getting all up close and personal!  It was an interesting journey from the point of view that our new driver didn't appear to know how to get back to the Diner that he had just come from and true to form some real quality Filipino driving was observed which included a U turn on a busy main road, the wrong way around road abouts and driving left past the one way keep right sign.  The essence of driving in the Philippines is basically to take any rules in any given driving situation and too do pretty much what the heck you like!

After a bizarre journey we eventaully arrived at the 50's diner.  This was a very much authentic classic American diner and is common in this part of the world.  The back story to Baguia is that it was a favourite haunt for Americans in the Philippines due to its cooler climate.  This is reflected in the architecture, culture and style in the city.  The back story to this particularly diner is that is has been around since the 50's and is a genuine American diner and has been run and managed by the same Chinese family for the whole time!  After some gangnam style filming on the high chrome swivel chairs and a strawberry smoothy it was off to Camp John Hey and our destination, Forest Lodge.  This is a posh, swanky US golf course meets county club affair and on arrival we new it was going to be good.  The place was divine inside and after bouncing on our double beds and admiring the size, quality and luxery of the rooms, we realised that we were still part from our luggage which was still somewhere down the mountains.  As a result much filming was the order of the afternoon so that we would have sufficient material for our Gangnam tribute video.  Much to the amusement of the staff who kept catching us mid film shot, we spent time holding up the lifts, walking with style and panache down corridors and other things that you will clearly see in the film.  Our only saving grace was that they hadbooked us 'children' into a wing that was still undergoing room fitting and we had the run of the place pretty much!

After our luggage arrived it was a quick change and then a relaxed meal in the city.  It was the first time that I was asked what I wanted to order and so I passed over my selection.  True to form, what appeared was not what I ordered and many many dishes were put down in what is the traditional Filipino hospitality of 'death by many dishes!'  Basog Na Acol later (I'm full) and it was back to the rooms and some beers were bought along the way.  May and I then worked solidly on the fim until the early hours with Natalie and Richard pitching in (until Richard flaked) as we need to get this done as our big presentation is up in 2 days and we haven't got the film nor the presentation ready!  Nothing like a bit of pressure to focus the mind!

District Conference 2013 starts properly tomorrow and it promises to be the 'Discon' it has been billed as.  Nervous, excited and exhausted - I fall into bed.

Hot Springs!

So Saturday of Easter break arrived and since we had nothing penned into the program we were kindly taken to the Hidden Valley Hot springs as a team by my previous hosts Sally and Homer Cu and there lovely children Harvey and Shar. A long road trip and we eventually found the hidden alley springs. To be honest if they weren't so hidden then more people would visit! The most exciting moment if the journey was a toss up between Homer refusing to ask for directions or doing a very slow leisurely u turn on the expressway. His driving is legendary!

A full day of relaxation and fun was had exploring the park. Upon arriving we were met by the park Police which was nice and is a job I think i could handle! We went for a huge walk (at least half a mile) to see the cascading waterfalls which Sally forbade me from swimming out to. We the. Posed for lots of photos and as we returned back to the pools, I had to come to the rescue of Sally. As they were crossing the bamboo bridge all I heard was screaming and so I ran over just in time to stop Harvey wiping Sally out with a bag full of water bottles etc. As a result items from the bag went over the side and into the ditch which was all of 20' deep. The commotion was all over a shield bug which I flicked off Sally's back and the. Retrieved all the fallen items. Hero duties done we then went from pool to pool (disturbing the peace of the lovers pool) until we settled in the hot springs. This is fresh water stream mixing with geothermal spring coming up from below. You a feel the water mixing which is a but strange and it was commented by Amy that its a bit like someone has had a wee next to you! Thankfully it doesn't taste like that and I had to inform a disappointed Richard that the Soda spring did not in fact taste of Sprite!

A wonderful lunch of SALAD which was enjoyed by all and after a bit more wallowing it was time to go. A happy relaxed team ready for a new week.

Day 9 Mountain climbing and slippers!

So on our only rest day of the trip so far it was decided that a little trip into the mountains would be in order. In fairness this was something that I had already set my heart on doing if I could. Lake Taal was the order of the day and the opportunity to visit a volcano within a lake within an even larger caldera whilst also carrying flip flops to the poorest communities that live in the area was too much of a lure. Hey who am I trying to kid. The chance to climb any peak in the Philippines with my hosts and friends was never going to be passed and this trip promised 12 peaks in the same day.

So a very early start was had with Natalie, Amy, Dr Kate and I assembled with my hosts Sally, Homer, Shar and Harvey plus an entourage of their friends. We drove into the highlands and as we got closer my heart was beating with the anticipation and I have to admit I was a little nervous of climbing in 40c heat and 70% humidity!

Bags were packed with 3 litres of water each and I elected to give my lightweight pack to Amy so I could carry the 60l backpack which I stuffed with as many pairs of slippers (flip flops) as I could. It was still early morning but temperatures were soaring and after slip slap slipping against the sun we set off up a dirt track for an adventure that promised and delivered so much.

After probably 1km of low level trekking we lost some of the team due to the heat and humidity with Dr Kate and a few others electing to stay at this advanced base camp complete with bar and sun shelter. The local communities have tapped into the climbers by building shelters and offering Mountain Dew at regular stops on the way up to the summit. They are very much like the Sherpas and what took us 3 hrs they run up in 30 minutes. They were also the people that we were handing slippers out to as they gratefully accepted them. It never ceases to amaze me what people are capable of achieving with so little and how grateful they can be for the smallest of gifts. I felt humbled that I was climbing with full technical gear and shoes but being guided by a wizened man wearing flip flops, singlet and lighting up another of the local smokes every time we stopped to catch our breath during the ascent. All I can say is that with the het and humidity it was like climbing at altitude as there just didn't appear to be enough air for the exertion we were making. Within 30 mins from starting I looked like I had jumped in a bath fully clothed just from sweating and the very fine talk like red dust stick to us as it was kicked up as we walked.

As we climbed higher we quickly handed out all of the slippers and then it was focus on the task in hand as we had reached the leading edge of the caldera and the real climb lay ahead of us. The route from the col we rested at picked a narrow path along the striding ridge line making 8 separate summits before then turning to the right around a huge buttress outcrop of rock and then striking sharply upward to the final 3 summits before the summit proper. This section of the route looked exposed and technical with steep near vertical drops on the exposed sides. I was informed that a female climber had fallen and sadly died the previous year in a tragic accident so I approached the mountain with respect and caution and double checked in with my fellow climbers that everyone was on the same page. The old familiarity of taking care of all in a climbing party was a real pleasure as I was sharing a passion with my GSE classmates!

Pictures taken and everyone rested we struck on with photos of all summits take. It was clear that we were moving quicker than much of our group so we quickly became to separate groups climbing all with the common goal of inching ever higher. The guide seemed impressed with our progress and as I helped Amy to conquer her fear of heights by crossing a 30' arrete with 30' drop on one side and 70' exposed side the other it started to be a real challenge we would not give up I. The path then started to snake ever steeper upwards and the challenge of not slipping on the fine greasy talc soil grew ever more. By this point we were all covered on dust but the summit was in sight and was teasing us ever onwards.

Another bursts of effort and Natalie, Amy an I were stood on col just below the summit where we passed other climbers resting before they themselves either
Descended or went for the summit. We pushed on eager to reach the top and as we reached it we were rewarded with a vista of epic proportions. The camera photos are good but do not do justice to the view that in a wood was breath taking. After congratulating ourselves and drinking in the view we were quickly joined by the rest of the team and hugs and laughter are the memories that stay with me. Then as it was fast approaching 1130 and we wanted off before the heat of the midday sun, we bid the summit goodbye and made a speed descent with Amy stumbling once and getting a huge bruise for her trouble. After an hour and a half in stifling heat we made it off and having grabbed a quick rest for fresh mango off the tree and to admire how grubby we were it was time to clean up using the local village water pump and a saucepan to wash ourselves down with. I didn't care as it meant we were clean and I was proud of all of the team that had made it up and down.

As quick trip over to the the cliff side restaurants overlooking Lake Taal and after some traditional Ph cuisine we took photos of Lake Taal and then set off for home.

I'm now going to give Homer credit not only for his climbing spirit as I know it was hard work for him. I am also going to endorse his manner of driving, so much so that N as I issued him with a traffic warden badge for his novel interpretation of how to enter a service station. Only in the Philippines!

An amazing day and probably the highlight if the trip for me. A massive thank you to Homer, Sally and the rest of the team that made that possible. It was a real treat for me and I have many photos that captured the spirit and laughter of that trip. A real highlight for me.

A day of Easter Zumba, chocolate and confusing the team!

This will just be a quick blog as we spent most of the day working hard on the presentation for the district conference. However following on from Sally Cu arranging for us to see a dance show, we also then got invited by the same dance team to come down to their dance studio and do an hour of Zumba. Now if you want to read an exciting blog all about Zumba the. Go read Natalie's as I know it will run to pages just like my climbing one due to this being her passion. However the opportunity to try something new a d to be honest just do some exercise was to great to pass up. I was I interested to see what the big fuss is all about with Zumba as well as it is a massive hot on the Ph at the moment and as soon as anyone here finds out that N is a Zumba instructor all else is forgotten!!!!!!!

So we tipped up and I don't know who was more nervous out of the two of us. Me for putting myself way out of my comfort zone (well come on, I cannot dance and this was me doing my first ever Zumba class at a professional dance studio) or N for meeting her idol!

Upon entry to the small room with mirror the full length of the front wall, Sally and I adopted positions at the rear to hide a N was soon moved to the front by an eager class of top flight dancers. What followed on my part for the most was terrifying, exciting, energetic and fun as I tried my very best to follow the routines. Some of it I got but the dance steps were quite complex and Zumba is FAST and HIGH ENERGY! N was asked to lead on a couple of routines that went down a storm and I was pleased and proud that she did a great job of representing herself, the GSE and the UK. By the end I was drenched in sweat as though I'd been dunked in a bath - I'm not kidding, any exercise in 30c heat is hard and this was an 8am start!

Some quick photos and a breakfast was followed by a tour if the impressive dance studios and the smile on Sally's face told me I'd held up my own well. ( I was later told by N that the dance instructor had commented that I had high energy and loads of enthusiasm, which equates to not much musicality or style in my mind with a pat on the head for my 'special' dancing!)

The whole GSE gang then got together at my hosts home so we could work together (yes WORK!!!!) and to break the work up and just for fun I put together Ann Easter treasure hunt with rhyming clues for the. To follow. It was great to see Richard and Nat running around the house like children and finding clues that I had hidden in plain sight. Amy helped in decoding the clues (and hand writing) and the chocolate I had brought from the UK was a welcome reward.

The end of the day bright new hosts for us all and some interesting challenges for me which would show me that the team would rally for me when I needed them but for now I'll sign off!

Boracay!

There is so much I could write about the mid trip break in Boracay but tbh the pictures speak for themselves so ill keep it brief. This was a joint trip between the Australian VTT and UK GSE teams and it did not disappoint. Sharing a room with Steale who I quickly renamed Stealy Dan was a hoot. Considering he is 13 years my senior we et along like a house on fire and the rivalry from earlier was ever present. Boracay is one of the Ph premier resorts and all I advise is you google it. We arrived after travelling in every mode of transport known to man and were greeted with a Vegas style nightlife beach front and white sand beaches less than 20' from the strip. The hotel was basic but has brilliant AC which tbh is all u want!

I must admit that after the first night I has a 'the beaches are great but you can leave the night life' attitude. If you only saw this aspect of Boracay you would be disappointed however the following day proved me wrong.

Chito one of the hosts the following day took us off to his private resort on the other side of the island. I later found out that this is recommended as one of the best beaches in Boracay and it didn't disappoint. A pleasant day playing volleyball, football and other sports, myself and Steale Vs chitos kids was had and everyone of the team relaxed.

The following day was spent island hopping. Essentially this was using a boat as a base whilst we snorkelled, swam, caved (where brad Pitt and Angelina Joliet climbed apparently - no one brave enough apart from me with N following not to be outdone!) I am afraid to say that I got sun burnt spending all this time in the sun and as a result spent the following days avoiding the sun and plastering myself in after sun! I know I know slip slap slop but when in paradise...! Never mind. Home beckons and back to reality, well this crazy GSE version of reality. Manila is calling and we have much work Still to do!