Why Retire in the Philippines/Marinduque Vacations: Escalating Gas Prices- A Sticker Shocker

Planning to Retire Soon!

If you are planning to retire in the Philippines soon, I suggest you visit several excellent websites on pro's and cons of retiring in the Philippines. However if you want to retire in the provinces, where life is simple, standard of living cheaper, less traffic congestion and pollution, availability of fresh seafood and vegetables compared to the big cities, my island province is the place for you! If this is your first time in my site, welcome. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on the infringement of your copyrights. The photo above is the front yard of Chateau Du Mer- Our Retirement Home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Escalating Gas Prices- A Sticker Shocker

Today, I gas up in preparation for a trip about 30 miles from our residence for tomorrow. The price of regular gas in my favorite gas station was $4.45 per gallon, But I paid only $3.95 per gallon since I had a 0.50c/gallon discount coupon. This is the highest price I have paid for regular gasoline since we moved here in Norther California. Based on the published average price of regular gas as $4.63 per gallon in California, this is a good price. But I still have sticker shock, since today is the highest amount I have paid for a gallon of gas since 2002 when my family moved here in Northern California.

There is a daily data published in the AAA website listing gas prices of all grades of gas including diesel in the US, state by state. The data shows prices are cheaper in the South, but more expensive in the North East, California, Hawaii and Alaska. I am a Democrat, but I think I will vote Republican this November, if the gas prices continues to go up or remain the same. What do you think? Who is to blame for this ridiculous price of gasoline? The Democrats or the Republicans?

Fruit Trees in the Gardens of Chateau Du Mer

The Mango Tree-I have three varieties in my Garden-The Indian, Guimaras and Carabao Mangoes My caretaker/gardener informed me last month that due to the El Nino drought in Marinduque, two of my Durian trees died in spite of his vigilant watering. One of the tree was attacked by insects that looks like a big fly but yellowish in color that sucks the sap of the seedling. The roots of the other tree was attacked by ants residing in the soil. However, my other fruit trees, the rambutans( 2), the lanzones(2) and the jack fruits ( 2) trees are doing well. The above eight fruit trees were given to me by Retired General Recaredo Sarmiento of Boac and Lucena., about three years ago. General Sarmiento is the “atid” of my wife. “Atid” is the colloquial term for brother. Evidently, Macrine's father, the late Bernardo Jambalos was the Godfather of General Sarmiento during his baptism and comfirmation. Gen Sarmiento's hobby is orchard planting, reforestation and farming. The other fruit trees in my garden are guayabanos, cashew, avocados, starapples, duhats, ates, guavas, mangoes( 3 varieties) and papayas as well as several varieties of bananas . Of the above fruit trees, my favorite is the guayabanos, also known as soursop tree known for its anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties . The following are photos of the fruit trees. The Durian photo is from the web. Note that it almost look like a jack fruit tree, except that the leaves are bigger and shiny. My desire is to have a passion fruit tree in the near future. You are welcome to visit my orchard and flower gardens any time, if perchance you are in the vicinity of The Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center.