I experienced big events such as Christmas and New Year’s Day in the Philippines.

On Christmas day, I went to a restaurant with my Taiwanese friends. We expected to play bowling in a mall but it’s already closed when we got there. Because of Christmas, almost shops were closed early in the evening. In Japan, Christmas was not special but here in Cebu, Christmas was a big event and they were enjoying Christmas with their family, not friends nor lovers.

My teacher told me that Christmas is a day for family. It was my first time to hear about how to spend Christmas in Cebu, I was surprised because it’s usual for Japanese to spend Christmas with lovers. But I think, it’s one of the wonderful different culture I ever heard.

On 31st of December, I went to Olango island with my friends. It took just an hour from Cebu city to Olango island. We took a boat from Mactan port to Olango island. When we arrived at Olango island, we rode a tricycle, and checked-in to a hotel. The hotel was very beautiful and we enjoyed the ocean view. After we checked-in at the hotel, we ate at a floating restaurant on the sea. It was very exciting experience. We ate delicious seafood there and experienced the last sunset of 2016. During the night we prepared for watching fireworks and we participated the 30-second countdown before 2017. And then Happy New Year！　It’s already　2017.　The fireworks were extremely beautiful. I can’t watch that kind of fireworks in Japan!!!

On the 1st of January, we planed to go to island hopping but we couldn’t because of the strong waves so, we went to another famous spot in Olango island but suddenly it started raining heavily...we couldn’t go anywhere. I hoped that rain will bring me luck someday.

Anyway, I could spent wonderful time in the Philippines. I have only three months to study English here in Cebu so, I will continue to concentrate on improving my English.