I got up early today by taxi to the port where the boat is docked. After a busy period, it's time to relax. Today we are going to hop wonderful island we have visited 5 islands around the island of Samal the Philippines has about 7700 islands. Delicious breakfast, lunch and coffee / tea throughout the day and that for 995 pesos converted €15.00 it was a wonderful day.

After 3.5 months of renovation work on my house and garden, it's time to relax and I chose to fly to Davao, an island south of Iloilo where I now live. I've heard from my friends that you can hop island and snorkel, so I booked a trip with the locals a bit cheaper than the famous booking.com.

September 2 was the day I flew to Manila and was sworn in as a Filipino. Of course I can't let this high point in my life go by so I organized a big party for my friends on October 24 in the Kaerah resto bar.

Good afternoon everyone welcome back on my blog today I went to get my Christmas tree not exactly the same as in the Netherlands but one that looks a bit like it also with needles but much fewer tasks always better than a plastic tree. This is the Philippine Christmas tree and it is possible because when the r (September) is in the month they start here with the Christmas decorations I personally love the Christmas period in the Philippines it is pure enjoyment.

On May 18th I arrived in my 2nd home country the Philippines, of course it was not all about having to arrange a lot of things myself in the Netherlands before my final departure, and I had to say goodbye to my cat Cyra with pain in my heart, but knowing that she has got a beautiful house back and that my brother and sister-in-law will take good care of her. I am now completely settled in my new house a week ago I saw a sweet young street cat passing by she came to me and started giving cups. The next few days she kept coming by after I gave her something to eat, she found her new house, and I gave her the name Pinay, which means girl in Filipino because Pinoy means a boy. I hope we can enjoy each other for a long time.

After 3.5 months of renovating the house and creating the garden, it was time to relax and enjoy a drink and eat with my friends, but especially to sing. It was a great and enjoyable evening that continued until the wee hours.

Today many friends of mine came to bring plants and I was very surprised by this and found it very sweet of them. A good friend of mine named Tomasita Almacen she lives in Molo a little 10 km further on had collected beautiful plants for me she works for the municipality in the green facility I picked up beautiful plants there I am very grateful to my friends and my garden is almost completely finished.

The work in the house has been completed and the last work will be completed in my garden I would like to thank Gi Gi again my architect and all the workers for this beautiful end result the outdoor bar with lighting I will finish myself.

Last night I had a delicious meal at my friend's restaurant she advised me to try the lamb steak so I followed her advice. The lamb steak was delicious and so were the fries.

Today I did the shopping again in Iloilo city always very cozy but tiring because of the crowds you just lost half a day no problem if you like me already enjoy my early retirement. I also went to S&R for a while, which is a wholesaler and you have to have a membership to go inside and it costs 400 pesos a year to my great surprise, they were already in the Christmas mood that starts on September 1st because then the R is in the month

As usual, it was time for a nice drink with the workers again on Friday afternoon.

After a week of hard work, there was time for the more usual drinks just before the weekend with the workers for a drink and food together which they really appreciate because it is not common here in the Philippines so I still brought a piece of culture to the Philippines.