Making the most of rainy Cebu

 
















This cross contains actual remnants
of the crucifix Magellan planted into
the soil shortly after landing in Cebu
in March of 1521

“Sir? Would you like to rent an Umbrella Girl today?”

This was the perplexing question posed to me right before the start of a rain-soaked round at Alta Vista Golf & County Club in Cebu. (By the way, the rainy season in Cebu runs from late June to mid-February, but the term doesn’t mean it rains here every day; it simply rains more now compared to the dry season, when even a light sprinkle is rare.)

An Umbrella Girl? Why not?

So I was off, and let me tell you, I’ve never traveled 18 holes with an entourage quite like it. There was me, Mark (a photographer who’s part of my tour group), a caddie for each of us, plus Ileen and Lanie, our Umbrella Girls. We had six people packed on a cart, and only two of us were playing golf. In the U.S., a sixsome is not only unheard of, but it would also probably get you kicked off the course. Here it’s the more, the merrier.

So while the caddies pulled clubs, dried grips and read the greens, the Umbrella Girls simply followed us everywhere we went outside the golf cart while clutching bright blue golf umbrellas.

This also is probably a good time to mention how nice the Philippine people are. It’s a nation that’s been given the moniker “Where Asia Smiles” and it’s more than lived up to the billing. As an American, you pretty much can’t go anywhere without locals staring, smiling and saying hello. On this rainy afternoon my entourage spent more than four hours in a steady rain, never lost their patience (I’m not the best bad-weather golfer), and actually appeared to enjoy our time together.

I will never have more fun playing golf in bad weather. If you are fortunate enough to visit the Philippines, I think you will feel the same.

Tomorrow we’re off to the island of Boracay, which is rumored to be the Philippines’ ultimate vacation destination/playground. More coming soon.

*  On the ferry to Cebu it dawned on me that I’ve yet to provide some basic Filipino-American conversions. Without further ado, here are a few American institutions along with their Filipino equivalents:

The hola-hola is considered a delicacy	Fast food, Filipino style

Random Notes:

• Whenever my calls to the hotel operator at the Panglao Island Nature Resort were placed on hold, the music was distinctly American, but it took me a full day to place it. I’ve finally figured it out: It’s the song from level one of the great 80s arcade game, Frogger. All I’m saying is that it’s strange experiencing the Philippines with Frogger music stuck in your head.
• The most popular American sport here is clearly basketball. People love Michael Jordan, and makeshift courts are set up all over the place. Also—and I’m not sure where this one ranks behind basketball—ESPN this morning showed the World Cup-Stacking Champions. Who is the world power in cup-stacking? Why Germany, of course.

Read more about the Scenes from the Philippines!

• Going Global Once Again!
• Part I  - Greetings from Manila
• Part II - Taking on Manila
• Part III - The island experience
• Part IV - Making the most of rainy Cebu
• Part V  - Beaching it in Boracay
• Part VI - The long road home