On our last full day at the Sunset, we arranged to hire a private boat to take us snorkeling. It pulled up right in front of the resort, and we loaded up ourselves and snacks and plenty of sunscreen, and then we were off to an area with a beautiful coral reef. A smaller boat was following us, and after we arrived, the smaller boat took us over the reef. We got into the water and held onto a rope and were just gently dragged over while we put our faces in the water to look at the living aquarium beneath us.
After that, the boat took us to a beach off of another small island where we could play in the beautiful, clear water and do some snorkeling over another coral reef there. Seth really learned to use the snorkeling mask, and he excitedly followed fish that he saw. We had to watch that he didn't get too far away from us because he was so intent on what he could see. :) After we got home, I was going through a book of Filipino fish with him, and he said, "Mom, I saw all of those. Even the moray eel!"
Evan has the best birthdays because he was born over Memorial Day weekend. We took along presents for him to open and some homemade chocolate chip cookies. The waiter noticed him opening his presents at breakfast, and he came back with balloons for him and his brothers and a birthday pancake, complete with candle. :)
All of this looks pricey, I know, and it wasn't cheap, but it also was not the most expensive vacation that we've taken. The boat that we hired for the morning? That cost us $50 U.S., and we got the boat for all day if we wanted it, snorkel masks, and life jackets. The resort called him for us, but we paid him directly, and his little son that went out with us that day will get the benefit of that.
I'm realizing that one important way we can seek the good of this place is by spending our money to vacation here. This country is in need of good jobs for its people, and I have decided that I'm going to be more willing to buy ice cream from the guy walking down the beach with a cooler than I would usually be. The boys don't mind. :)
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