This is a collection of true felt stories, poems, news, ramblings and musings from Marinduquenos all over the world and other miscellaneous topics close to my heart.
Welcome and Mabuhay
If you love Marinduque and want to contribute articles to this site, please do so. My contact information is in my profile. The above photo was taken from the balcony of The Chateau Du Mer Beach House, Boac, Marindque, Philippines. I love sunsets. How about you? Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing your copyrights. Thank you and Cheers!
The 3 David Katagues, David Efren, David Balleza and David E III.
One of the most pleasant surprise in my life happened the other day. My nephew from Australia( my name sake) is on business ( his own company) here in the US. He had been to New York for several days and had travel plans for Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The last couple of days he has been communicating via FB that he will be in LA from March 14 to 22 and will spend a couple of days with us. When I opened my FB messages early in the morning at about 6:30AM, here's what I found- a really big surprise. Here's our conversation verbatim:
Dave Katague (Nephew from Australia): Good morning 🏼
ME: Good morning You must be in LA now, Do you still have plans to visit us? David E your first cousin said he could give you a ride from the airport to our house if you arrive late in the Evening from around 10 to 11PM, since he works in the airport. Anyway, give us the date as soon as you have arranged it. David E plans to take off from work, so he could take you around Sacramento. Have you gone to a Casino? Near us is Thunder Valley, similar to the Casinos in Las Vegas in size, decor and number of slots and gambling facilities. We go there twice a month to eat in the several restaurants and played the slots. We plan on taking you there, if you wish.
Dave Katague: Where are you now!
Me: I am at home reading my FB messages.
Dave Katague: Are you free today?
Me:Yes, today is Tuesday. This is our usual day to the Casinos.
Dave Katague: I'm out in front. SURPRISE!
Me: You must be kidding? Come in and have a freshly brewed coffee.
Note: Dave( the only son of my brother, Efren from Australia) is involved with Film, Stills, Design and Animation.
He is driven by the challenge of storytelling through capturing real-time events with photographic and cinematic composition. He also loves creating Movie Titles, VFX, Outro Sequences, Kinetic Typography and Motion Information Graphics. He has his own company doing the above activities.
For more information visit his web site, www.davekatague.com/ or https://vimeo.com/davekatague
I was talking to my neighbor the other day about dance and music in the Philippines. She asked me if I have heard of the dance Rigodon de Honor. I told her Macrine and I did participate in the dance in 2001. I told her I have written a short article about the dance on my blog that I am reposting today.
The Grand Entrance and Parade of Participants- Note my matching Barong to Macrine's Terno! Macrine did not used the matching removable butterfly sleeves bolero, since it was a very warm evening.
About fifteen years ago, Macrine and I had the honor to be invited to participate at the Rigodon De Honor dance at the Grand Ball of the May Flower Festival in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Right in the middle of the Dance Promenade
The Rigodon de Honor is an elegant dance which was brought to the Philippines by the Filipinos who returned from their travels abroad during the Spanish era. This dance takes its name from its opening performances at formal affairs such as the President's Inaugural Ball and other Festivals in Philippines and also in other parts of the world. In Marinduque, members of the provincial government, including the Governor and his wife, legislative officials, and other prominent members of the town are usually invited to participate in the Rigodon. Traditionally, a ballroom waltz dance would follow the Rigodon. This particular dance is a form of quadrille which is a historic dance performed usually by four couples in a square formation.
In Marinduque, it is an honor to be invited to participate in the dance. It meant you belong to the high society of the town and recognized as a leader in the community. Macrine and I were invited to dance at the Grand Ball of the May Flower Festival in Boac in May, 2001. At that time Macrine was the President of Marinduque International Inc-a non-profit worldwide organization based in US and Canada whose main goals is to conduct medical mission to the needy in Marinduque every other year. At that time, I also served as acting Treasurer of the organization. For the whole month of May, we (sixteen couples) practiced almost everyday. Near the end of the dance, a part called the CADENA ( it means chain) had to be performed perfectly, otherwise confusion and mayhem could ruined the dance.
As I mentioned above, to be invited to participate in the Rigodon is considered as the subtle way of "branding" certain members of the community to specific social ranks. Usually performed as a party opener, the Rigodon starts off by calling the names of the participants; first the rich and influential who will compose the cabezera or headline followed by the not so popular and lesser ranking dancers who will then form the costados or sideline. The Cabezera's will start the dance movement and then followed by the costados. What a way to brand and assign social ranks in the community!
The following video as danced by the young men and women of the Philippines is an excellent visual description of the dance, costumes and music. Enjoy
I just read in FB recently that PAL Express has scheduled plane services from Manila to Marinduque starting March 23, 2016 during the Holy Week season, just in time for the Moriones Festival. I hope these services will be permanent. It will be a boost to the province tourism business and may restore the Bellarocca Resort to its original grandeur. Below is an article I wrote last year on the status of Bellarocca Resort. If you have more current news on the airplane services for Marinduque. please let me know.
My post in one of my blogs on the recent news about air plane services from Manila to Marinduque and back received several comments from my readers and Facebook friends. One of the most interesting but sad comment was about the current status of the Bellarocca Resort and Spa in Buenavista. I am reposting this comment for your information.
"Hahaha!!. Are you serious about BellaRoca? I personally visited it in Feb. 2014, thanks to a guest pass from Gov. Carmencita Reyes and its NO RESORT by any stretch of the imagination nor standards. The place is completely rundown! The main "resort" swimming pool was disgusting and filthy; not a single guest would dare enter the pool and who could blame them and the suite pools were covered deep in algae. The place is in dire need of renovation and overhaul; potential visitors ought not be deceived. While Marinduque is a gem of an island to visit - it would be grand to fly in to an airport versus ferry in to the island. The ferry service leaves much to be desired. Dirty, gross and infested with vermin, cockroaches and "basura" (garbage). So indeed yes, it would be lovely to have an airport again, the island of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tourist venues have their work cut out for them before GENUINE CHANGE takes place. You can pray all you want to your favorite and beloved patron saints but until the Marinduquenos affect change personally, its all just falling upon deaf ears".
Here's my response:
Hi Anonymous: I am saddened to hear of the current condition of Bellarocca as you described. When we stayed there a couple of years ago, it was at its best and our stay was memorable and magical. I hope with the opening of the airport more tourist will patronize the resort and restore the resort to its status as a five star resort in Marinduque. I do appreciate your comment.
Have you been to Bellarocca recently? Is the above true? Your comments will be appreciated!
A few of our relatives and friends had been asking me how my wife of almost 59 years and I are coping with her Parkinson Disease. As her primary care giver-I can say so far I have survived, but eventually if not sooner, I will need some relief and assistance in taking care of Macrine. At present, I have a prospect of hiring a professional caregiver even for just 8 to 10 hours per week, so I could have some free time and maintain my sanity. If you live in the Sacramento Area and can recommend a caregiver, please let me know.
With regards to Macrine status, I feel her medications is delaying a little bit the progression of the disease. We just got back from vacation in the Philippines. Our plan was for a 90 day vacation, but it was aborted to only 45 days. I blamed this all on the harmful side effects of carbo-levo Dopa. Please continue your prayers and support. Below is an article I wrote about 3 years ago on the latest development on the treatment of PD
My wife was diagnosed with early Parkinson Disease( PD) about six months ago. Today she is taking a carbo-levodopa( Sinemet)combination, 25/100mg to control her hand tremors. Thus, any new developments that may help my wife from the unpleasant and related problems caused by PD really interest me. As you know, today there is no cure for PD. If you have not heard about PD: Parkinson's disease is a degenerative brain disorder, affects more than 1 million Americans. It destroys nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine, which helps control muscle movement. Patients experience shaking or tremors, slowness of movement, balance problems and a stiffness or rigidity in arms and legs.
A recent article written by Kathleen Doheny (HealthDay News) indicated that there are three new drugs that may offer hope to PD patients. These are: Droxidopa, tozadenant and Azilect
In one study, Hauser evaluated the drug droxidopa, which is not yet approved for use in the United States, to help patients who experience a rapid fall in blood pressure when they stand up, which causes light-headedness and dizziness. About one-fifth of Parkinson's patients have this problem, which is due to a failure of the autonomic nervous system to release enough of the hormone norepinephrine when posture changes.
Those on the medicine had a two-fold decline in dizziness and light headedness compared to the placebo group. They had fewer falls, too, although it was not a statistically significant decline.
In a second study, Hauser assessed 420 patients who experienced a daily "wearing off" of the Parkinson's medicine levodopa, during which their symptoms didn't respond to the drug. He compared those who took different doses of a new drug called tozadenant, which is not yet approved, with those who took a placebo. All still took the levodopa.
At the start of the study, the patients had an average of six hours of "off time" a day when symptoms reappeared. After 12 weeks, those on a 120-milligram or 180-milligram dose of tozadenant had about an hour less of "off time" each day than they had at the start of the study.
In another study, Hauser looked at 321 patients with early stage Parkinson's whose symptoms weren't handled well by a medicine called a dopamine agonist, typically the first drug prescribed for Parkinson's patients. During the 18-week study, Hauser assigned them to take either their usual medicine plus an add-on drug called rasagiline (brand name Azilect) or their usual medicine and a placebo.
Azilect is approved for use in patients with early stage disease as a single therapy or as an add-on to levodopa, Hauser said, but not yet as an add-on to dopamine agonists. Those taking the Azilect -- but not those taking the placebo -- improved by 2.4 points on a standard Parkinson's disease rating scale.
Each of the studies was funded by the pharmaceutical company making the particular drug: Chelsea Therapeutics paid for the blood-pressure study; Biotie Therapies Inc., supported the "wearing-off" study; and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries sponsored the Azilect study. Hauser is a consultant for all three companies.
So far the most impressive of the three studies is the use of droxidopa to prevent dizziness and fainting, said Dr. Michael Okun, national medical director of the National Parkinson Foundation and director of the University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration.
This is indeed good news for millions who are suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Personal Note: Today, after six weeks on the waiting list, my wife had finally made an appointment with a neurologist specializing in movement disorder associated with PD. To my surprise the neurologist indicated that nicotine and caffeine as well as fruits like blue berries appeared to delay the onset of PD. He also prescribe Azilect as an add-on to Sinemet. He also prescribed my wife to go to a physical therapist to minimize falls and improved gait and walking. He also recommended that she take Vitamen E and C. Finally he recommended that my wife get a brain scan (MRI), just to assure no mild stroke had occurred. One final note: My wife loves this neurologist. He is the only physician that does not tell her to quit smoking. To summarize, the current treatment for PD is three-way:medications, exercise( physical therapy) and diet.
We just arrived from our brief 45-days sojourn in our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Our short stay reminded me of how we are really aging. Macrine's PD is slowed down by medications. However, the side effects of medications is one reason why we have to abort our 90-Day planned vacation at our Seaside Garden Paradise we named Chateau Du Mer. Attached is an article I wrote on my blogs about the Senior's Alphabet. If you are a senior citizens, I am sure you can identify a few of the alphabets. Have Fun and Have a Great Day, wherever you are in this planet-Earth
I found this on the web from an anonymous source, when I was checking my e-mail from an internet Cafe in Makati on our way back to California, after four and a half months of enjoying the sights and sounds of Chateau Du Mer, our winter residence in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. If you are a senior citizen, like me, I am sure you can identify with most of the alphabets. If you are not, your time will come. You can not stop the aging process, but you could slow it down by exercise ( both mind and body), less stress, good food, good friends and a loving family and relatives. Good day to all, my on-line friends.
Seniors' Alphabet
A for arthritis, B for bad back, C is for chest pains. Perhaps cardiac?
D is for dental decay and decline, E is for eyesight--can't read that top line.
F is for fissures and fluid retention, G is for gas (which I'd rather not mention.)
H high blood pressure (I'd rather have low,) I for incisions with scars you can show.
J is for joints, that now fail to flex, L for libido--what happened to sex?
Wait! I forgot about K! K is for my knees that crack when they're bent, (Please forgive me, my Memory ain't worth a cent.)
N for neurosis, pinched nerves and stiff neck, 0 is for osteo- and all bones that crack.
P for prescriptions, I have quite a few. Give me another pill; I'll be good as new!
Q is for queasiness. Fatal or flu? R is for reflux--one meal turns into two
S is for sleepless nights, counting my fears, T for tinnitus--! hear bells in my ears.
U is for urinary: difficulties with flow, V is for vertigo, that's "dizzy", you know.
W is worry, now what's going 'round? X is for X ray--and what might be found.
Y for another year I've left behind, Z is for zest that I still have my mind.
Two more days prior to our return to US. This year sojourn was brief. However, I have accomplished most of the projects and Improvements I had plan since our arrival early last January. Below is an article I wrote several years ago on the 15 things I will always remember here at CDM.
1. The chirping songs and cacophony of sounds of the birds(Mayas)as they fly from tree to tree looking for worms
2. Native fishes and tilapias thriving well on my creek that meanders to the ocean
3. Sunset and coral reefs at low tide seen from the balcony of the beach house
4. A Reflection of an almost full moon as seen from the balcony of the beach house
5. Thousands of fireflies illuminating the firefly tree on a moonless night, just like a Chistmas tree with flickering miniature lights
6. Monitor Lizard ( bayawak) looking for chicken or duck eggs. He looks scary, but actually harmless,unlike the Komodo dragons of Indonesia
7. A native hawk (lawin) diving from the sky for young chicks. This lawin is on a cage to do no harm to your chickens for the moment
8. Coconut rats feasting on young coconuts ( one coconut almost hit me on the head). Watch out for your head, specially on a windy day
9. Blue starfish and corals seen only a few meters from my back yard
10. Bougainvillas and orchids blooming in my front yard
11. A sunset that takes your breathe away ( notice the two swimmers also enjoying the sunset)
12. A papaya tree with ripe fruits ( not yet seen by the fruit bats)
13. Mangoes loaded with fruits almost touching the ground because of its weight
14. Bananas and avocado trees loaded with fruits( no picture of avocados)
15. The scream of an alley cat on “Heat” at midnight ( photo taken from the web), and last, but not least
16. The crowing of the rooster at 4:00AM everyday morning before dawn, a reliable alarm clock if you want to wake up that early
There are few things unique and different here in Boac, but it is just too long to list it. Good day to ALL!
Photo taken at the Nieva Family Reunion, Feb 6, 2016 at the Dusit Hotel in Makati, Philippines
Next month on March 26 will be Macrine's 80th Birthday. We had plans of celebrating it here at the Chateau Du Mer. However, events the past week made it impossible for us not to return to US ASAP. The following is an article I wrote in my blogs a couple of years ago and updated today.
The other day, I took a photograph of a sunset and its afterglow( see photo above) from the west balcony of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Looking at the photo reminded me of both Macrine's and my professional life in the US. Macrine retired as Manager, Quality Assurance Nurse from one of Maryland's Home Health Nursing Company.
I retired from FDA as a chemistry Team Leader in the Center of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD. Both of us had satisfying careers( I had received several awards, letters of commendation and appreciation, and an EEO award). So when we retired in the early 2000, we often ask ourselves, if this is all that we can contribute to society and the community.
Since retirement is often called " the sunset of your life" stage, are there afterglows in our lives that we can be proud of. Yes, indeed! The following are examples of the afterglows in the sunset of our lives.
Five years ago, Macrine received a letter of Appreciation and Thanks from Governor Carmencita Reyes because of her involvement in MI, Inc Medical Mission Of Love, 2006. Macrine was president and over-all chairperson of the medical mission in Marinduque that year. Here's an excerpt from C Reyes letter of Thanks.
Dear Mrs. Katague,
I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the assistances extended by MI, Inc. Your association is one of our full-time partners in the delivery of health services particularly in the conduct of medical/surgical missions which benefited hundreds of Marinduquenos. Thank you so much for the support and assistance extended to our administration and to the people of Marinduque. Mabuhay Kayo!
About three years ago, Macrine and I received a Letter of Thanks and Appreciation from then Governor Antonio Carrion in our efforts to promote tourism in the island not only during Easter but also whole year round. The letter mentioned several of my blogs and articles that proclaimed my love for the province and encouraging other Balikbayans to build retirement homes in the island.
In 2009, my dream as a "citizen journalist" was attained when two of my articles was accepted for publication in HULIQ News. The first article was about Marinduque as the Ecotourism capital of the Philippines. The second was on the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan.
Last but not least: Just recently two of my thousands of readers of my blogs commented: " I have been reading your various blogspots and websites for about one week now. They are all well written and great reading. What I have been reading and following intently in your blog is your life story, very interesting indeed. Please keep on writing and thanks for opening yourself up in your blogs."
A second reader also commented: I have been following your blog for quite sometime. I learned a lot about Marinduque and the Philippines. I specially enjoyed reading your childhood experiences during the Japanense-American War. Your contribution as an FDA employee to the burnt victims of the bombing in New York and the Pentagon is indeed commendable and worthy of an award. Keep writing !
Will there be afterglows in the future? I hope so. I would like to hear that our oldest grandson ( now 24) got married and gave us a great grandchild.( that Macrine and I can pamper whenever we want to.) In addition, we would like to hear the news that our youngest granddaughter( now 13) had graduated from college and that both Macrine and myself are still healthy to attend her graduation.
Lastly, Macrine and I thanks the Lord for the past, present and future afterglows in the sunset of our lives.
8. A Purple One( not as dark as my Princess Mikasa variety)
9. An ordinary terrestial orchid
10. Heleconias
11. White and Purple Bougainvillas
12. Bird of Paradise on my Side Yard
In my website http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com, I described in detail the orchids, bougainvillas, bird of paradise, hibiscus and tropical shrubs that highlighted the 5 acres of landscape property of the Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center in Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Besides the ornamentals, evergreens and blooming shrubs, I also planted mango, papaya, guava, rambutan, avocado , santol, duhat, cashew, jackfruit, tamarind and lanzones fruit trees. I also planted several varieties of citrus trees, pomelo,lucban, kalamansi, native oranges and lemon trees.
When typhoon Reming hit Marinduque Island in 2006, ten coconut trees, two mango trees as well as a dozen papayas were uprooted. I replaced them by the dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties. Today, the dwarf coconuts and fruit trees are doing well under the full time care of our gardener, Edwin Laririt and wife Cecille. The above pictures are some of the photographs I have in my collection. Enjoy the photographs. My mouth is salivating now just looking at the mango, papaya and lanzones fruits. Drop by Chateau Du Mer to enjoy my flower garden and fruit orchard when you visit Marinduque- my island paradise and heaven on earth.
Chateau Du Mer Main House, Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines
Last year on December 20, my 81st birthday, my California Driver's License expired. Three days prior to the expiration date, I visited the California Carmichael Branch which was the nearest from our residence. I was required to take the theoretical test, a Vision test and a Practical Driving test both on the Freeway and local roadway.
I passed the theoretical test but failed on my vision test. Because of the cataract on my left eye.I was given a form to be filled by my optometrist and submit it to the DMV before I could take the practical driving test. I was given a temporary driving license good up to 90 days.
Since it was the Christmas Holidays, it was not until the first week of January 2016 that I had the time to take my Practical Driving test.
I failed the practical test, because I was not turning my head when I turned left or right and just depending on my signal lights. I had other minor driving errors-turning wide on curves etc...
I was told to make another on-line appointment for a second practical test. Since my only free days were Wednesday and Thursday ( these are the two days, that my son is not working so he could watch and take care of my wife who has Parkinson Disease). I was able to make an appointment for the test, one day prior to our departure to the Philippines for our vacation.
That day for the second practical driving test was nerve-racking. If I failed there will be no one to buy our groceries or drive my wife to her doctor's appointment. Luckily I passed the test. However because of my age and vision problem, I was only given a one year extension instead of five with a restriction of not driving in the Freeways and at night time. I was happy. The next day we flew to the Philippines for our 90 day vacation.
We are here now in My Island and Seaside Garden Paradise-Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort and Conference Center, Boac, Marinduque. Since our arrival. My wife and I had attended a successful Family Reunion. Most important of all I had just a successful left eye cataract surgery with the Asian Eye Institute here in Manila.
The Space Needle I attended another American Chemical Society (ACS) Meeting in the early 1990's. The main guest speaker was Bill Gates of Microsoft. His topic was of course the Future of Computers. It was a standing room only session and this meeting was one of the most informative meeting that ACS has sponsored for it members. I stayed in a Victorian downtown hotel (Mayflower Park Hotel) adjacent to a shopping mall(West Lake Center) and of course StarBucks. I eat lunch at the revolving restaurant at the Space Needle and viewed the salmon runs ( Ballard and Chittenden Locks) facilities, went to the fish market(Pike Place) and did a little souvenir shopping in the adjacent mall to my hotel. Salmon Jumping Upstream to Spawn and Die
Do you know that Seattle is the headquarters of StarBucks and Bill Gates(the riches man in the world) resides in a multi-million mansion in the Seattle suburb of Medina?
Here's a description of Gates residence in Medina, Washington. The world's richest man and family lives in the exclusive suburb of Medina, Washington, in a huge earth-sheltered residence in the side of a hill overlooking Lake Washington. The residence encompasses more than 66,000 square feet which is equal to 1.5 acres.The major rooms include 7 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, six kitchens, and six fireplaces. The address of the mansion is 1835 73rd Ave NE, Medina, WA 98039.
The Residence is a very modern, 21st century residence in the "Pacific lodge" style, with advanced electronic systems everywhere & great interior design. In one respect though it is more like an 18th or 19th century mansion, It has a large private library with a domed reading room. While it does have a classic flavour, It has many unique qualities. Among the many genius marvels that are integrated into the home for the latest in modern conveniences are revolving works of art.
The floors are pressure sensitive, at any given time family member or security can know who is in the residence by the weight of their footsteps. Lights would automatically come on when you came in. Speakers would be hidden beneath the wallpaper to allow music to follow you from room to room. Portable touch pads would control everything from the TV sets to the temperature and the lights, which would brighten or dim to fit the occasion or to match the outdoor light.
Visitors to the residence are surveyed and given a microchip upon entrance. This small chip sends signals throughout the home, and a given room's temperature and other conditions will change according to preset user preferences. In 2009, property taxes on the home were reported to be US $1.063 million on a total assessed value of US$147.5 million. Bill Gates Home of the Future Inside this luxury home plan you will find Swimming pool size 17 × 60 foot (5.1 × 18.2 metre). The 17-by-60-foot swimming pool has an underwater music system and a floor painted in a fossil motif. Swimmers can dive under a glass wall and emerge outdoors by a terrace. Locker room off the pool has four showers and two baths.
Towering Douglas fir beams support the stainless-steel roof and are surrounded by walls of glass, concrete, and stone. While much of the residence is buried into the hillside, windows on the lakefront side provide views of Seattle to the west. There are 84 steps down from the entrance to the ground floor. The vertigo-inclined can take an elevator.
The Theater with apx 20 seat, Size: 1,500 ft. The 20-seat art deco theater is outfitted with plush chairs, couches, and a popcorn machine. The Screen is HDTV capable. The Library, Size: 2,100 sq. ft. The ornate, paneled library has a domed reading room with oculus (light well), fireplace, and two secret pivoting bookcases, one containing a bar. It's the fitting home for Leonardo da Vinci's 16th-century notebook, the Codex Leicester, which Gates bought for $30.8 million. Aerial View of Bill Gates Residence in Medina, WA The Formal dining room, Size: 1,000 sq. ft. Up to 24 guests can dine by the fireplace while enjoying the sweeping view from the third level. Nearby commercial-grade kitchen is 39 feet by 23 feet. The Reception hall capacity more than 150 people at a time,Size: 2,300 sq. ft.
Partly below ground, the reception hall can seat 150 people for a sit-down dinner or hold 200 for a cocktail party. A 6-foot-wide fireplace, faced in limestone, commands one wall. Another wall is dominated by a 22-foot-wide video display made up of 24 rear-projection television monitors, each with a 40-inch screen. A second commercial-grade kitchen serves the reception hall.
The Exercise room, Size: 2,500 sq. ft.It includes sauna, steam room, separate men's and women's lockers, and a trampoline room with a 20-foot ceiling.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the median American residence size is slightly more than 2,000 square feet. Microsoft founder residence is more than 30 times that size. Inside the Garage, you'll find a 1999 Porsche 911 Convertible and 1988 Porsche 959 Coupe. Steven Ballmer drives a 1998 Lincoln Continental. In fact, due to the 959’s questionable emissions and unknown crash ratings, it took a federal law signed by President Clinton to legally drive his 959 on American roads.
Its every One's Curiosity to know how world's richest man lives, Having net worth over 57 Billion Dollars.
I would not mind residing in a residence similar to Bill Gates. Just wait, If I win the Lotto, I will built one better than the Gates residence in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines.
Here are two videos on some tourists attraction in the Seattle area.
Note: This is No.30, last of the series of articles on places that Macrine and I had visited in the US since 1960. I hope you enjoy this travel series. Part 2 will be places that we have visited outside the US.
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