The Philippines was in the news recently as the Army stepped up its offensive in Mindaneao as a result of ambushes by Muslim militant groups in the Zamboanga Area. A full scale offence including helicopters and aircraft resulted in many thousands of innocent people having to flee their homes for safety just so the army can apprehend some 100 odd men.
Although we are not close to the area soldiers appeared in our town and a curfew is in force from 10PM as they try to stop the Muslim extremists from leaving the area. So it seems even living in Paradise can have it drawbacks.
Apart from this life pretty well goes on as normal and Christmas decorations are beginning to appear everywhere. yesterday I heard by first Christmas carol on the local radio, Jingle bells - hard to envisage snow here in the tropics, although a year or so ago I did see snow when I climbed Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia.
I have to travel to Dipolog tomorrow to get an Xray of a tooth I damaged when mountain biking, in preparation to have it crowned. The local Dentist does not have the facilities.
Until the next time
David
