Kate’s Winter Vacation

It was raining the next day, so I probably needn't have chivvied everyone out of bed quite so early. We had arranged a van tour of the Legazpi area to see some old churches and the ruins of a church that was buried almost to its roof in a mud and lava flow from Mount Mayon in 1814. Only the bell tower is still above ground, and the tops of some of the walls. The Cagsawa ruins were inundated by more mudflows after last December's Typhoon Reming, so the souvenir stalls are only just rebuilding and the area is still a mess. The local guides, who are still living in evacuation centres, were extremely kind, and extremely happy to see us and our tips.

After an early lunch in a good German cafe in Legazpi (Kate fell on the sausage and Gouda cheese in a fresh baguette like a starved hound), we found ourselves with not much left to do in the rain. More waiting at the airport... much reading of magazines and playing of cell-phone games... so when we got home, I phoned up the Shangri-La Hotel's Circles Restaurant and made reservations for three. They have a fabulous buffet and it was time to spoil ourselves.