White Beach, Cebu

I think we've discovered quite the get-away. It's a place called Club Serena. It's on Cebu Island about a 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive away (only about 100 km, or 60 miles). That tells you how fast we are able to drive around here. You may remember we drove to this same area last year and our ignorance in trusting a Lonely Planet map turned the trip into a 6-hour drive. For that story go here.
This time around couldn't have been better. As it turns out, where you stay can make or break your experience. Oh, and knowing how to get there. Well this little 8-room resort was a delightful surprise. We tend to set our standards low and this place well exceeded them.
Cousin Sheri was with us - so fun to share the experience with her. Although it did get a bit stormy and rainy during one afternoon (we got some interesting shots of clouds over the ocean), we had lots of sun the rest of the time. Best word to describe our 2 nights and parts of 3 days on White Beach? RELAXING. There were a few times when I sighed and became aware of how relaxed I felt. Sometimes I don't realize how just being in the city can cause the tension to build. It was so nice to get away. Here are the shots to prove it...

Checking out the crabs - lobsters on the piano are better than...Sweet reading spot - love these outdoor huts. Was thinking how perfect they'd be for napping children so if any of you nerds come to visit we'll for sure go here. It's ideal. There are two huts like this - right between the beach and the pool.

I'm not sure why I'm smiling in this picture. The book isn't funny. I think Andrey made me giggle. He's the one who's funny (funny-looking). The book is a compilation of stories written by adoptive parents. I feel compelled to explain the book in case you can read the title and wonder what kind of cheesy book I'm reading - it's quite good, by the way...

Our breakfast spot

Andrey tearing it up in the cannonball department. Poor guy, there weren't any other nerdy men around to join him or cheer him on or compare which splash was the biggest. He had to settle for me and my willingness to capture his skills on camera. I have about 2 dozen more shots like this. Lucky for you I spared you the rest. These shots are dedicated to all your nerd men out there. You know who you are. Unfortunately, we know who you are, too.