As I always say, “Everyday unfolds a new adventure in the Philippines!” The last two days have been new personal experiences for me. For the very first time in the Philippines, I feel cold! An LPA, Low Pressure Area, moved into Negros Occidental, dumping a lot of rain on the Bacolod Area. It has been dark skies, dreary and very breezy the past two days. Temperatures can be misleading! As I am writing this article, it is 77F degrees in Bacolod City, however, it feels like 47F degrees!
Regardless of the weather, I had to go to SM Mall and SM Supermarket to buy a few things this afternoon. I was out of both A1 Steak Sauce and Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, which is unheard of around my house! But, it happened. Like the toughest NFL Quarterbacks, playing in the Ice Bowl in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I did not wear gloves or cover my arms with long sleeves.
The air con was kicking inside SM Mall and many locals were dressed like they were in the Great White North! Knitted wool hats and heavy jackets were worn by many. What I found hilarious among more than a few, they had on the wool hats and heavy jackets but they were wearing cargo shorts and sandals or even flip flops in a few cases! Some of the ladies in the mall were similarly attired, only in much shorter shorts!
After running around the mall and before heading to SM Supermarket, I decided to take a break and I dropped in L’Kai Sei for a cold one. Wow, even the beer was colder than normal. Geez! It was cold as ice! I noticed the other patrons were drinking hot tea from teapots or drinking Japanese coffee.
The frozen food section of SM Supermarket only added to the chill, with the air con kicking and cold temps outside, I experienced winter! In all seriousness, during my 27 years experience in the Philippines, I had never actually felt cold before the last two days.
Be careful what you wish for! About a month ago, my brother reported 50F degree temps where he lives in Florida. I told him I wish I could feel just a couple days of 50 degree weather in the Philippines. Well, my wish came true! I look forward to the rain ending, the grey sky going away, the bright sunshine returning and feeling the warm tropical sun once again. I now hear the howling wind outside my window, so it will be tomorrow!
Gary,
I think the Asia version of Polar Vortex has been hovering over the area of Negros, Occ. It’s been 76F-78F here in Kabankalan for several days. My ideal temp is 80F. The grey drizzly overcast makes it feel cooler. Since i like to ride a trike to the city, the wind chill is worse. A light jacket has been the order of the day for those trips. BTW i think Bacolod gets a lot more average rain than we do. We seldom get heavy long term rain here, but occasional high water happens. On the other hand the dry season with bright sun and average temp of 90F makes things feel a lot worse. Amazing how much better it feels when the sun goes down but still basically the same temp. Sure beats Ohio weather and no way am i ready to give up camping out year round.
Dale
I hear you, Dale. I gave my only windbreaker away to Randy a couple years ago for when he rides his motorcycle and told him I won’t ever be wearing it here! Well, Grace came in a couple days ago with a new windbreaker for me. She is concerned I may get cold but I haven’t worn it as of now.
When I left the States in 2000, I was living in Homestead, Florida, south of Miami, so never any cold weather there but we did live in two locations in China where it snowed several times every winter. I don’t miss those days and as I always say, “there won’t be any more days like that!”
Have a good one!
~ Gary ~
The “Polar Vortex” has been functioning for millions of years. Due to global warming it is not functioning as usual and while the northern part of North America is freezing, most of Europe is sweltering.
I brought a light jacket with me from Australia as it was still winter when we left. My wife asked if it was ok to give it to our maid’s husband. ” of course ” I said, ” I’ll never need it here “. He is nice and warm and I am shivering. Haven’t even used the fan this past week.
Want to spend some time at a beach before returning to Oz. Let’s hope it warms up a bit in the next three weeks. So far this trip I haven’t had a swim. I
I know soon things will be back to normal.
Yes, Greg, things should be back to normal soon and hopefully by this weekend.
Too bad there are not any good beaches in Bacolod, as the beaches at Punta Taytay, near Barangay Sum-Ag leave a lot to be desired if you are actually going swimming. They’ll work in a pinch.
~ Gary ~
Got my swimming in last weekend. Saturday and Sunday were great days. Went to Sipalay’s Sugar beach. What a relaxing weekend. Will be back there again, though it’s a five hour bus ride from Bacolod. Not for the day tripper.
Greg, Sipalay is a nice place. Glad you enjoyed. Also several dive resorts in the general area. Transportation from Bacolod is seriously lacking and not many choices. Sipalay is really trying to promote tourism, but until another airport opens in this area it’s a long trip from Bacolod. Even though i can drive to Sipalay there are other options close by to Kabankalan. Including an Aussie owned beach resort about an hour South of me. Several of us spent Thanksgiving there and it was a perfect day. We were the only crowd. If you need any info about this area just ask. We have many secrets here.
Dale
Kabankalan
Heading back to Aussie on Friday Dale but will be back for another extended stay later in the year. Will get some info from you then. Have been traveling to Boracay for many years but these quieter destinations suit us much more now. Thanks for your input.