with airfares to Thailand dropping below $100. it was time for a short break. Spent 2 days of a week trip at Bang Saray to get a better feel for the place and to see the condo construction site.       While there had some great seafood and enjoyed the relaxing enviroment. Even visited one of the local temples for photos. Source: Old Archive

Just finished a kindle book. “Should I Cruise?”,It basically started out as a training manual for my staff. Am working on the layout for the print version   Should I Cruise? Asking that question to a cruise addict is about as dangerous as asking a Jewish grandmother how her grandchildren are. You will launch each into a topic that they can talk about for hours and hours. They will also give you a viewpoint based on their own experience. The thought of taking a cruise keeps popping into your mind. Most people just keep thinking of it and never get around to taking the first cruise. Selecting your first cruise…

Over the last year, I have been thinking of my next “retirement”. I still enjoy living in Subic Bay area of the Philippines but have been considering a lifestyle that included splitting the time between the Philippines and Thailand. I have been visiting Thailand a few times each year and enjoy the friendly laid back lifestyle there also. The biggest draw back for me is that few Thais speak English unlike the Philippines. As many know languages including English has always been a weak spot for me.   Last year I looked at a condo project in Pattaya and liked it, In December I visited it again and a few…

Just want to wish everyone a happy new years.   One of my new year resolutions is to explore more and to take more photos. Did get a early jump on that with a trip to thailand in December. Went to Chiang Mai  for a few days of that trip.   The old part of the city is very interesting, with dozens of temples hundreds of years old.   I also plan on more trips in the Philippines. This past weekend we visited Mount Samat. the site of the last battle in the Battle of Bataan during WWII. currently there is a National Shrine there, the Shrine of Valor.  …

Reinvent Your Retirement Renew Yourself in Subic Bay, Philippines Authored by Charles W Davis Jr. What is your dream of retirement? Sitting on a tropical beach sipping a drink as the sunsets? Sitting on your back porch looking at the distance mountains? Everyone has a different view of retirement. People are living longer and it is possible that you will have as many years in retirement as you did working years. Those years are more likely to be active. Some people look at retirement in the old tradition, work till your 65, move to Florida, play golf or bridge, sit watching television till you and your friends are all dead.…

39th Anniversary Honours List Awards bestowed by HRH Prince Leonard on the occasion of the 39th Anniversary of Secession! Twenty First day of April 2009 Charles W. Davis Jr. (Subic Bay, PHILLIPINES) Bestowed with the Rank of Knight Commander in the Illustrious Order of Merit. Congratulations! Sir Charles W. Davis Jr. K.C.I.O.M.   full text I like to thank my staff and friends for thier support and input to this award. Source: Old Archive

Recently Bella Dimayuga of Bella Dimayuga Productions asked me if I would assist in a promotion they were doing. Since we were working on developing her web site and online marketing, it seem like a great opportunity. The promotion she was doing was for a condominium project called Uptown 21. They were having a fiesta built around the Legendary Korean Basketball Super star , Shin Dong Pa. The promotion lasted about a week, while I was to help photograph some of the key activities. It was very interesting to step back into a “professional” photographer role again. The events were fast paced in some cases and a hurry up and…

  I had planned my new years to be one of quiet reflection, some writing, as well as a time for some un-distracted business planning. I has booked myself into a resort in Pundekit,San Anthony Zambales. This beautiful area along the south China Seas is about a hour drive north of Subic Bay and is the home of a number of different resorts. New Years is often associated with rebirth even the symbolism of father time leaving and a new baby arriving, I happen to be lucky and happened upon the perfect way to start the countdown to new years. On New Years eve right before sunset, I saw a…

Now with the support of non-profit organizations both in the Philippines and abroad, those who once exploited the turtles are now protecting them. Development pressure and other human activities have reduced  the number and safety of the nesting sites. While other events have reduced the number of turtles available to reach the nesting sites. To help safeguard the reduced number of eggs, Non-profit organizations have stepped in to assist. Volunteers look for signs on the beach that a turtle has come ashore to lay eggs. When they find them they locate the nest and mark it. If the location is at risk the eggs are harvested and transported to one…

  Recently took a short break and made a trip to Thailand. One my plans for the trip were a cooking class. A few years ago I had taken a half day lesson at Baipai Thai Cooking School and really enjoyed it so it was back for another lesson. The school is reasonably priced around $50 for a lesson and that includes pick up at your hotel. The school is small with largest class size less than a dozen. Each student has there own work station, yes it is hands on and lunch is included, 4 courses that you cook yourself. There were only 3 of us in this class,…