Bataan 2/3

It's 6:00 when the alarm goes off because we're already being picked up for our trip at 8:00. We almost fall asleep during breakfast and still have problems with the time change. There's only powdered coffee, so it seems like we won't be waking up.

Today we have hired a driver who unfortunately drives like the last person (which almost everyone does here), so sleeping on the way is not an option. Overtaking on a double solid line in the curve, no problem.

We see a Carabao (a domesticated water buffalo) on the roadside, so we brake suddenly and stop by the roadside. But unfortunately, it's a false alarm - two white cows and a horse, maybe we'll have better luck later.

We continue driving and when we turn onto the access road to Las Casas, we see them. Even two of them with a young one, accompanied by about 100 ducks frolicking in the rice field.

After taking a few pictures, we continue to 'Las Casas'. There, old traditional Filipino and special houses are brought. The rebuilt buildings there are partly walkable like a museum. So to speak, a museum within a museum.

Some houses are even still inhabited by the owners. There is currently a church under construction, where 15 weddings have already taken place since the beginning of the year.

We buy day passes and start with a river cruise on a wooden raft, passing through the houses. We are told that one building could be rented for 1 million PHP per day, and there are often events held there.

After the tour, we arrive at another part of the area. We have some time to spend until we go on a tour of 6 of the approximately 60 houses.

Alma and Tita Shiela play a round of 'Sungka', which is a traditional Filipino board game.

By now, it's really warm and we're almost at lunchtime when the tour starts. The houses are from different eras or in different styles, it's very interesting but simply too hot.

The guided tours are only given in Tagalog, which makes it more difficult. Nevertheless, we look at everything but are glad when it's time to eat something. Afterward, we explore the house that costs 1 million PHP per day without a guide.

The entire floor and stairs are made of wooden mosaics, even wall paintings and the undersides of the stairs are decorated with them. Wooden statues on the walls, wooden figures even on the roofs, and all this over 3 floors with huge halls and columns. So many impressions, it's time to relax a bit, so we go to the beach on the premises. The sand looks a bit like pepper because it's so dark, and we decide not to go swimming because it looks like it might rain.

Dipping our feet in the water, goofing around a bit, enjoying the last rays of sunlight, and just relaxing.

On the way back, we stop at a memorial bell.

In the evening, we have dinner at 'The Beanery,' a restaurant like Starbucks (but better in our opinion). There's hot food, more choices, and it's cheaper.

A beautiful and exciting day comes to an end.

P.S. Greetings from our first sunburn.

Goodbye.