Travel Chronicle: February 5, 2024
Last night we disembarked from the Cathay Pacific airplane, with wobbly legs and droopy eyelids. We left Kansas City, Saturday 7:30 am February 3 to Chicago, then Hongkong, then Manila, a 25-hour-long trip, including stopovers.
The next day we awoke to a different world at a plush Manila hotel close to the airport. The third floor of the hotel was a food court with at least 6 all-you-can-eat stations: East Indian, Filipino, Western, Continental, Asian, and Japanese. We were surrounded by good-looking young people, which relative to how old we are, included anyone under the age of 55. The service staff were all smiles and squinty eyes. I was told their numbers helped reduce unemployment. Each had his/her/whoever distinctive uniform which designated his/her/whoever role and function.
The security and police were smart in their form-fitting long-sleeved white shirts and dark blue pants. They purchased the shirts and had them altered to look like they were tailored. Despite their other “law-enforcement” paraphernalia, they showed no hint of an authoritarian demeanor. They acted cheerful and accommodating like the rest of the staff.
It reminded me of the claim, that for Filipinos, it is alright to be happy. One should take time to be happy. One is expected to be happy.
February 10, 2024
Today is the end of the day of my birthday. I am 82. We are at “Flores Retreat.” This is what Nora and I have decided to call our beachfront property, a change from what we used to call “Flores Sanctuary.” Unfortunately, a small part of the reason for having a name for the property and for having “Flores” as part of the name is to help establish a boundary from those who presume to lay claims to the property. It is an old Filipino tradition that what belongs to one family member belongs to other family members as well. It is not that there are no boundaries, but these boundaries have to be explicitly declared.
This day of my birthday was uneventful but productive. We made important decisions about the property. Nora’s siblings are having a reunion here in April and we have to get ready. Most metals, including nails, corrode to the onslaught of the salty air.
We did not have a birthday celebration today. There is no birthday cake, only a glass of wine. However, there WERE two birthday cakes in two celebrations of my birthday while we were in Manila. That was more than enough. Many more wished me well than I expected. As birthdays go, it all went very well.
Being here is a retreat. After an arduous trip, I slept for what felt like two whole days. I am reviving relaxed, peaceful and awake. One may not hear one’s heartbeat, but the rhythm of the sea reminds one, one is alive and surrounded by life.
I will email this before the day is over and wish you all very well, with warmth and affection.
Luis
Nora’s Island Resort and Flores Retreat update: February 2024
There is a difference between Nora’s Island Resort and Flores Retreat. The former is an Island that Nora leased from the Department of Agriculture and/or the Department of public lands(?). It is also under the jurisdiction of the Department of Tourism.
The lease requires Nora allow public access to the island and some activity for visitors. Thus, Nora’s Island Resort came-to-be and counted as one of the tourist attractions in the area.
Nora’s Island Resort
Below are samples of Internet posts (most posted in 2021) about Nora’s Island Resort. The exact location is in Sitio Buyo (the smallest unit of a government political entity), Tinambac, Camarines Sur. There are images of Flores Retreat as well.
Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGbvgHmDMFM
Contributor unknown: https://noras-island-resort.business.site/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/100067370328060/videos/noras-island-and-beachfront-retreat/349566593813722/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Noras-Island-San-Antonio-Cam-Sur-Philippines-100067370328060/
Arial view
Nora’s Island Resort is an Island on a shelf. This shelf extends about 400 meters (?) from shore. It is densely populated with rocks of all sizes. My guess is that the average size is that of ranch animals in seated positions. Most of the rocks are black and look like lava rocks.
During low tide, one can see locals walking on the shelf, fishing and/or looking to catch something for supper.
According to Marivic, a lady that works for us, she can walk to almost the edge of the shelf with the water reaching a level between her ankle and knee. During high tide she says the water extends above her head. Marivic is 5-feet-2-inches and based on her gesturing, we surmise the water is at least 6 feet deep.
I was curious about why she would even venture out during high tide. She replied she could harvest two batches of seaweed which sells for eight pesos a kilo. Seaweed farming is an important industry in the Philippines. The carrageenan in seaweed is used in food preparation, cosmetics and has other uses as well. Seaweed farms in the Philippines are threatened by climate change.
During high tide, all one sees is open sea except for the frosty line of waves that break at the edge of the shelf. This is visible in the arial view.
-o-o-o-o-o-
I have had to explain numerous times that we were not entrepreneurs, nor developers, nor out to make a profit that could replace what we made from our previous employment. Our money-making interests were directed towards supporting local efforts (giving back) and providing for our daily needs.
The flurry about Nora’s Island Resort as a lucrative tourist attraction was primarily due to local excitement and a misunderstanding of our original intentions. In compliance with the requirements of the Department of Tourism, the island is easy to access during low tide. In addition, Nora’s Island Resort provides a meditation walk and shrine to Stella Maris (“lady of the sea” or literally “star of the sea”). Her statue faces the sea atop a tower located on the highest point in the island. Other structures on the island include small bungalows that allow for overnight stay, a gazebo, and an activity building. The resort is ideal for small-group gatherings/meetings and retreats.
Because Nora’s Island Resort rests on a shelf, we provide only limited opportunities for boating, surfing and other challenging water sports. Swimming in areas clear of rocks and snorkeling within the shelf is possible. One can fish and wade to the edge of the shelf.
So far, families and the groups of friends that have visited the resort have all had positive enjoyable experiences. We have had no complaints.
Nora’s Island resort today: February 10, 2024
The flurry about Nora’s Island as a successful tourist resort has diminished to almost nothing. Of course, there was the pandemic but our not being here enough in the flesh, has a lot to do with it.
The other more definitive reason is that the resort is not accessible by automobile. When Nora and her siblings first encountered the Island, they were 45 minutes into a hike. There were no roads to the area. Other than by hiking one can take a banca (native outrigger canoe) from the nearest barangay (San Antonio) during low tide and when the sea is relatively calm. These were characteristics that appealed to us at the time.
With the allure of a tourist attraction, it was not long before a path to where the Island was situated was built. The dirt road allowed visitors to the Island. Since then, patches of this road were paved but it did not make it more accessible. During heavy rains ruts in the road were created and not repaired. These ruts became worse over a span of just one year (deeper and more slippery). At present, other than heavy commercial vehicles, only 4-wheel-drive SUVs and 4-wheel-drive pickup trucks can make the trip when conditions allow.
We have placed anything that has to do with a resort on hold until road access is readily available. Otherwise, even if we build it, they cannot come.
Flores Retreat update: February 10, 2024
Because of the unsuitability of Nora’s Island as a second dwelling for us, Nora decided to purchase the beachfront adjacent to Nora’s Island. The location was ideal. At present there are two main housing structures on the property, one of which will become our second home.
Originally, we agreed to allow access to these facilities to visitors of the resort when we were not in residence. This has not worked out well.
At present we are working to make Flores retreat a real and separate entity from Nora’s Island resort. We can go from there.
The absence of visitors has created a calm consistent with our original intent – a place of meditation and repose, a harmonious assimilation and blending with the surround (physical and social).
The rhythm of the sea is a heartbeat. It is also a beckoning, a seduction. To what I do not yet know but to which I am drawn.
potpourri
· We had a gander and a goose. We still have a gander and I am trying to get our caretaker to get another goose.
· Our chicken population is down. A good portion was eradicated by some kind of disease. Still, about a dozen have survived and will no doubt increase their numbers. Our caretaker tells me that one hen has begun to lay eggs.
· It has been cool. It rains every day. There is always a breeze. Nora has a cold. We sleep a lot (laziness).
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