While Mr. Hartney seems to be complaining to Mr. Bracks, his photo says otherwise. He is all smiles.

Ironic.

Mga pulitiko talaga.

I stepped back and think of what to do. I can't call any of the guys.

There are two doors leading to the office, one from the reception and the other from the service store. The latter is always locked as we use it only for courier deliveries and pick-up. Above it there is a small opening which I thought my body would fit in if I crawl. But it's high, I would need a ladder or a high chair to reach it and even if I get through it I wouldn't be able to pull myself down carefully on the other side. I have to jump. Nope, that's not an option.

I tried my house keys hoping for a miracle. Not today. Then I used an old trick. Using a card (like an ATM or credit card) to pry open the door by forcing the lock of the door knob to retract. But the reception door is designed to counter this trick. The door itself and the wall overlaps so it is impossible to insert the card between the gaps. Well the service door is not. There is a 5mm gap and if only I can slide the card in. But no, the flat side of the lock was facing me so I won't be able to slide the card in.

I'm not giving up, I have to get inside. And soon. It's either I have to climb and get through the small opening or find another way.

I inspected the service door again and an idea came into my mind. Yes, that's it. I know what to do now. I would need something like a screw driver or a wire that is small enough to fit in the gaps. I will insert it in the gap and pull it towards me to force the lock to retract. But first I need the tool. I got nothing in my bag or even in my car. Or so I thought. After rummaging through my bag and found nothing, I went to my car not expecting anything but I found the perfect tool. In the boot of the car lies an S-hook. I must have put it there when we were moving. Lucky.

So armed with my tool, I tried again and viola! open sesame, I'm in.

Whew! Pwede na ako maging si McGiba.

Our first stop was the Esplanade in Cowes where we had barbeque/lunch. Everyone contributed food, there was so much. The sisig was particularly good and I gorge a bit on bangus (milkfish). I haven't had bangus for a long time now. I don't cook this at home unless it is deboned (boneless) because Shane wouldn't eat it with bones.

We then went to Amaze'N Things a little later. Amaze'N Things is a theme park which features a maze, illusion rooms and mini-golf among others. Shane and I weren't keen on going inside to the maze and illusion rooms so we decided to stay outside and play mini-golf instead. The course was a bit hard. We played some holes quite well while others disastrously that I didn't keep track of our scores. But it was good fun. I love mini-golf as opposed to the real game.

Next stop was the Koala Conservation Centre which is just across the Amaze'N Things. A few Koalas and a lot of photos later we were out and heading for the Nobbies for the sunset. From Nobbies one can see the biggest fur seals colony in the Southern Hemisphere. It was freezing cold. Another round of eating and then a trek down the boardwalk to see the sunset which was a bit too late already. Later on, the guard even asked us to move out. :-)

It was starting to get dark when we headed back. On the road, we saw a lot of Wallabies. Unlucky for me, I almost hit one. It was sitting on the edge of the road to my left. I slowed down and as I get closer to it, it didn't move so I swerved to the right to avoid it but it must have been mesmerized by the headlights that it jerked to the car's direction. I wasn't really sure if I hurt the poor animal but my back passengers said it looked ok as it jumped back into the woods.

It was a long but enjoyable day. Good to see friends again.