Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) - Update written by Tatay Ross for Jo and Tess

The first report from Jo and Tess after Hagupit!

The path of the storm showing how close it passed to Isla Verde.
In this image from PAGASA is looks like it is directly over the resort at 11pm Monday






And in this satellite image you can see the swirling clouds.  By this time we were lucky.  After crossing land at Samar and Masbate Ruby was no longer a super typhoon and by the time she got closer to Verde Ialnd she was just a normal typhoon with the usual amount of wind and rain. 

Wow, what an exciting few days as Super Typhoon Ruby began heading towards our little resort.  First, everything had to be tied down and loose items moved inside.  Personal items from the kubos had to be put somewhere safe, because if the typhoon hit at full strength, there was the risk that they would be severely damaged.

The stone buildings though, the cafe and the units are designed with tropical storms in mind, because these storms happen often iin the tropics.  It is just a fact of life, like typhoons and earthquakes in japan and so many other countries in our part of the world.  Of course, with all the hard work recently done on the gardens, there was the prospect of having to start all over again.



This is where our faith shines.  Every years, somewhere in these beautiful

islands, the hand of nature is raised as if to spank us like naughty children.  And every year, almost every Filipino prays to ask that the hand of God will be raised also in an attempt to protect as many of his children as he can.

And this time again, our prayers seem to be answered.





Nanay Jo is still checking everything, with much help from Ninio, who stayed to help protect the resort and the animals through the storm.  So far is seems most of the structures are fine, but there will be a lot to clean up and some replanting in the gardens.

Jo will write a proper report when she has more to tell us.