Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls

When we were in The Philippines in 2007, we were jealous of not getting the chance to dine at some waterfalls, so we forced the trip planners to include that activity for everyone this time. It turned out to be more than just a lunch with your feet in the water- it was a see it for yourself history lesson.

The Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort was founded by the Escudero family already in 1880s. The sugarcane crop was converted to coconut 20 years later, and opened to public in 1981. Since then it's become a popular tourist destination for both locals and foreigners. Its mission is to sustain the Filipino cultural inheritance and help educate people.

After a museum visit the mighty carabao (20 people!) offered us a ride, during which we were serenaded to also.

If you eat by a touristic waterfall make sure you do it further away- otherwise you'll just get annoyed by people going back and forth and possibly splashing water over your electronic equipment. You might even get into a fight. Not talking about me though.

Traditional food served on a banana leaf, coconut water and dipping your feet into chill water after a long hot car trip was the best. No, actually this tasted better.

"And a baby for Nigel!" - True Blood, season 5.

Just kidding, the last part was the best one- the showcase of the national dances and dresses.

In the end it was announced that all the dancers and musicians were actually the ones maintaining the place: gardeners, receptionists, those with us on the carabao ride... even Escudero descendants. All of them apparently moved to the estate with their families and built their houses. There are so many of them that the estate holds little stores, as well as a school.

I imagine the job advertisement being something like this: the ideal applicant would know how to dance, sing, play an instrument, cut grass, cook, serve customers...