Sixteen Million Views.

 

This past October, I mentioned on two of my blogs [ robertsimms.blogspot.com/2020/10/fifteen-million and sorryalltheclevernamesaretaken.blogspot.com/2020/10/15-million-views] that the photos I've uploaded to Google Maps had received in excess of 15 million views. Now, in late December, I've learned that these photos have received more than 16 million views.

Naturally, I'm proud of this accomplishment.

I hadn't been checking the stats of late, so I don't know when the number had passed the 16 million mark. Of course, I have uploaded a few photos since October, though not enough to warrant this additional number of views.

I did notice that my photo of what was then known as Silliman University Anthropology Museum was the number one viewed photo in October and December. This photo has been my most viewed photo since, at least 2018.

In October, the number two spot was held by Negros Oriental State University - Main Campus with St. Paul University Dumaguete in third. Now, the two schools have switched places.

Choy-Choy Barbershop

When we were living in an apartment in Cangmating, Sibulan I had a couple of choices when it came to going to a barbershop to have my head shaved. I didn't really care for the two barbershops in Poblacion. My barbershop of choice was one located in Maslog, Sibulan. It was conveniently located, and I liked the Barber.

After we moved into our house, going to Maslog wasn't as easy to get to. Besides, the barber I'd been patronizing had sold his business to another barber.

It looks as if I may have found a new barber. This afternoon, I decided to try Choy-Choy Barbershop located on the corner of W Rovira and Capt. A. Cornelia Road near where the old Alymae U.S. Surplus store was located.

The barbershop was a little cleaner that most I've been to. The barber used lots of shaving cream....I've known some to only use water from a spray bottle.

There's not much too head shaving. He did a good job. The shop charged me 50 pesos of the shaving (about $1). The barber was thrilled with my 50 peso tip.

Upon leaving, I took a photo of the outside. I was able to add the barbershop to Google Maps and upload a photo.
 

 A map of the shop's location can be found below.

 

The VW's of Davao

Since November 22, 2016 I've been posting photos of VW Beetles that I happen upon in Dumaguete and the surrounding areas. At this point, I've posted photos in excess of 70 Beetles.

Knowing my obsession with Volkswagens, my friend Dom sent two Hot Wheels Volkswagens to me in January. That was before the pandemic hit and it seems so long ago.

Today, Dom sent an email with photos of VW Beetles. He lives in Davao and I'm assuming these VWs are in Davao as well. From the look of the streets, they could be in Anytown, Philippines. With the exception of the "Sponge Bob" VW, these look pretty much like the ones I've seen in Dumaguete ......even down to the beat-up white one.

I'm curious to know the back story of these VWs from Davao. I suspect that they are either owned by one man or else there's a sort of local VW club there.

 

All in a Day's Work

The photos at the beginning of this post are of a bicycle powered transport common in Sibulan, known locally as a putt-putt. I took the photos while out on my morning walk today, and upon arriving back home, I posted the photos onto my Facebook page, along with the words -

Next time you feel like your job sucks, just be thankful you don't have to drive a putt putt for a living.

I didn't receive many reactions to the photos and editorial comment, perhaps because my American friends don't quite understand what's involved in getting about on a putt-putt.

Later, while on an errand in Sibulan proper, I saw quite a few putt-putts conveying passengers (and a few in between fares). Naturally, I couldn't resist taking more photos.

I feel it's worth mentioning that, at the times these photos were taken, the outdoor temperature was 86° Fahrenheit (30° Celsius). I was pretty damn well hot driving my car with the windows down - I can only imagine peddling this contraption, with riders no less.

The Saint Vicente Ferrer Parish Church in Camanjac

The Saint Vicente Ferrer Parish Church is located on Rovira Drive where Dumaguete's Camanjac Barangay meets Sibulan's Magatas Barangay.

I'm posting several photographs of the church; the photos of the outside of the church were taken today (Oct.15, 2020) while the inside photos were taken in Sept. 2015, long before the COVID pandemic made attending church difficult.

There have been renovations done to the inside of the church, so with the exception of the photos of the statues, I'm sure the inside looks different today.

 

'Cycling in Sibulan

I don't believe it is coincidental that, with the slight easing of the quarantine restrictions in our community, there seems to be an increase in recreational bicycle riding in Negros Oriental in general and Sibulan in particular.

On most mornings, while taking my morning exercise, I come upon quite a few bicyclists making their way along the Diversion Road in Sibulan. The larger groups usually ride on Saturdays, while the single individual bike rider can be seen on any given day.

 

 

One might say I have an ulterior motive in posting these cycling photos - my brother-in-law does sell bicycles at my wife's store in Sibulan.

Naturally, anyone in the market for a new bicycle can stop by Simms Store on Diputado Street. A map showing the location of the store can be found below.

Our Lady's Garden

Outside Dumaguete, on the edge of Sibulan (headed toward San Jose) there is a wonderful overlook with a view of Cebu Island and the inlet separating it from Negros Island. Our Lady's Garden is a combination garden and shrine to the Blessed Mother.

The dozen photos posted here are just a small sample of the the magnificent view found there.

The Garden is located on the National Hwy. directly across from Jo's by the Sea restaurant. Those wishing to visit Our Lady's Garden can park their vehicle at the restaurant and pay a modest charge (at Jo's) to enter. 

 

 

Making the Most of Google Maps

A little over four years ago, I began posting photos and writing reviews onto Google Maps, becoming what Google calls a "Local Guide". Quite a lot of the links and photos have made their way to another of my blogs,sorryalltheclevernamesaretaken.

Most of the photos and reviews have been of places around and about Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.

As I write this, I have reviewed more than 300 locations in the area and have uploaded more than 2,500 photos. Those photos have received more than 14 million views.

Before the outbreak of the covid pandemic and the resulting quarantine(s) I had begun to post some of those reviews onto this blog. Now that I'm able to get out and about more, I plan on adding additional photos and reviews here. This will more than likely included places outside Dumaguete - Sibulan being one example.