The church I had seen before. It was built in 1595 and is an awesome sight. However, when I was there before, the museum, which is part of it, had been closed, so I had not seen the museum. This time the museum was open, but there was mass going on so we could not see the inside of the church, which to me was more impressive than the museum. Onward.
We headed for Nuts Huts, and our driver insinuates that maybe we would rather go someplace else. I wasn't having it, we went to Nuts Huts as agreed.
We arrived at the site of the monkeys around 6 pm. Rick was as flabbergasted by the monkeys as I had been several years earlier. We got some good pics, then I coaxed Rick onto the banca boat which would take us up the river to Nuts Huts.
Nuts Huts is a great place. Nestled beside the Loboc river in a rain forest, it very much resembles the area I grew up in on the Oregon coast, with steep ravines, freeflowing rivers, and much wildlife and fawna. Biggest difference being the trees and animals are of a different flavor and the temperature is much warmer.
After arrival, we were greeted by a steep flight of stairs, which lead up to the restaurant, and beyond. Rick had to rest a couple of times on the way up as he is a smoker and unused to hiking much.
We got to the restaurant, and met Chris and Rita, from Belgium. There seemed to be a little tension in the air between Chris and our driver. Later, Chris was to tell me some of the why. If what Chris tells me is true, and I believe him, I don't think too much of our driver ethics. Surprise, surprise.
We had a wonderful dinner, (NOT filipino sized) and before the night was out consumed 15 to 18 beers between the two of us.
Chris is a very well traveled and interesting individual. At first I thought he couldn't be more than about 28 yo, but as the night wore on I found out he is much closer to my own age of 41. Him and Rita lived in communist China for 6 years, and they have traveled all over Australia and Asia. They have many stories to tell, and are full of useful information about Asia and the Philippines.
