JINTOTOLO ISLAND!

G'day,
Inspired by my friend at 'The Dong' blogsite I thought I would place up some shots taken around the Philippines. His site is regularly filled with new shots and thoughts from the Philippines and showcasing the Philippine way of life.

This selection of piccies if from Jintotolo Island, a very small and next to insignificant (if you go by maps) island a few hours by boat from Roxas City (Panay).
The island itself could be walked around a few times within a day and has a strange submarine type appearance with its flat nature and small hill, with lighthouse, in the middle.
It is this lighthouse, which was badly damaged in the 2006 typhoon, that provides the most awesome shots of the island and those terrific Philippine sunsets.

Lone fisherman goes about his business at the end of another very warm day. This shot was taken from the top of the lighthouse.

AWESOME! This sort of sunset shot is what I had always dreamed of getting. It was a fast run downhill from the lighthouse that scored me this last minute shot. Within one minute it was gone for another day and I would be on Masbate before the same time tomorrow.


Our boat from Roxas City to Jintotolo soon after arrival. Yep, those bright blue waters on postcards are not just a photoshop trick, they are real. Despite there seeming to be just a glorified piece of ancient driftwood, these boats are certainly up to the challenge and make for an experience you shall never forget.


How tropical. A ferry from Cebu is certainly not interested in any traffic Jintatolo may have on offer. It cruises by with many more hours ahead until it arrives in Manila. It was a very warm afternoon and a nights worth of karaoke and food was in the offering. At least three hours sleep was had before we were headed to Lantangan (Masbate).

Oh what a beautiful country.

SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW - PART 3

G'day,

The last in our look at this years Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

Once again the attendees were very impressed!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA!

A big happy birthday to my beloved sister Maria (the one on the right) who has her big day tommorow.

Today she had a well deserved surprise party, the biggest surprise being that it was thrown by the pond scum Philos from the western suburbs so many of us easterners did not know about it.

Its a terrible curse being seen as superior to them :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS

HOPE YOU HAVE MANY MORE!!

and the western suburbs gang many less!

SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW - PART 2

In our second look at the 'Sydney Royal Easter Show' we see a few random views of the rides and attractions.

FERRIS WHEEL

Always a great favourite for the cashed up punters, this ferriswheel was near the centre of the showground and, at the time, was not enticing huge numbers

for the shows first day.

Its shiny red cars stood out from many parts of the showground.

We of course weren't going to for out the $7+ needed.

Attendees of the show were greatly impressed by the ferriswheel!

THE SPINNING VOMIT ENDUCER!

Hmmmm this was a colourful ride. Not sure if thats its original colour or it was the result of two many people riding straight after lunch.

Try as we may, we could not convince Brock that riding it was a great idea.

Attendees of the show were greatly impressed by the multi coloured ride!

DUCK RACES

How cute, little ducks in clothes racing each other for some grand prize that really wasn't identified. Actually one suspects there wasn't a prize for the ducks and they simply ran to get away from the little cage they were held up in.

Attending hornbags at the show were overwhelmed with excitment to witness the duck races.

SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW - PART 1

** SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW **

Howdee all,
Due to the miracle of free tickets making a visit to the ridiculously overpriced 'Royal Easter Show' a little more viable I am able to bring you a number of photos from our day out to this major event on the Sydney calender.


The Easter Show, held, not amazingly, around Easter, is mean't to showcase agricultural Australia (you know, food, farm animals, rum etc). In more recent times it has extended itself to showcase commercial greed at its worst (I mean-$8 for a 30 second ride down a oversized slipperydip - I ask you).


Anyway if you can ignore the fact you will be in debt again until the next one, a great day can be had with the family and friends. Rides, interesting foods, showbags, hornbags, lollies, farm animals, displays and other things to keep your wallet smoking through overuse.


In the first part of our report we look at the fireworks display. Its certainly one of the days highlights, coming right after a great display of dare devil driving from the Toyota Utes and Motorcross bikes.
Still for a $32 entry fee, it may be cheaper to watch it from outside the showground boundary, although the laser part of it all would be missed.

Brad Even the western woman we impressed by the stunning fireworks display that was put on!

BIRTHDAY GIRL HERSELF!

The maganda Sheila during her recent birthday over in Quezon City.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIELA

*** HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIELA ***

G'day,
My niece Sheila recently turned 18. Here is a couple of photos taken during the event, one showing Ana's mum.
Photos were all taken at Aunty Nisa's house in Quezon City.
Happy Birthday Shiela - Hope you have MANY more!

SECRET FILIPINO TRIBAL SACRIFICE CEREMONY!

APOLOGIES!
Most of posting removed thanks to Rommel!

Readers, today I envy you! You are to be among the very few who are able to witness photos taken during a very secret Filipino tribal sacrifice ceremony.

Yearly select Filipinos from the 'Sacred Tent Of Calamari' must sacrifice virginal calamari in celebration of all the good things the 'Lord Of Calamari' has given them through the years.
To fail to do so would mean the great 'Lord of Calamari' would be frightfully displeased and deliver you the most horrible year of suffering you will ever endure (usually consists of having to listen to WS FM).

Its not an easy event, taking many minutes of preparation before one finally gets to stuff themselves with the luscious seafood. The going down to the store, the delicate enveloping in yummy sauces before sacrifice time, the 20 minute pre-devouring time tribal dance - it all makes for a very busy and colourful event.

Please join me as we make our way through this most sacred of events.
I do ask you to be quite, contempt for this event can result in vegetables being stuck in the most unfortunate of orifaces!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sacred fire, often lit by the hands of the most stunning of Filipina, it burns long and brightly. Well at least until the 'Heat Beads' are fully used up anyway.


Prior to the start of the sacred calamari dance all participants are asked to squat down. This custom has been handed down from generation to generation over hundreds of days and is believed to loosen up the bowel and stretch the intestine in preparation for the calamari onslaught to come.

COMING SOON!

HAWAIIAN NIGHT!

In something of a first, the Philos all decided, aggghhhh, that a Hawaiian night would be a terrific idea.
While the guys, mostly, didn't give a huge toss level, we certainly all appreciated the better halves getting in on the event.
In coming days we will feature some of the shots from the nights dirty activities, but for now we will leave you with this taste tempting shot of Annabelle.

CHECK BACK

Cheers
Brad

Lessons In Life!

NEVER FORGET YOU PUT A 2LT PEPSI
IN THE FREEZER!

Apparently 1.25lt versions are fine, but going the 2lt will add about an hours extra work to your day!
Its a lesson we will not soon forget.

How To Recognise A Persian Cat!

A Weekend Of Kami!

DISCOS!

They were a thing I used to reluctantly endure with mates while I was young. Couldn't understand the point of going into a noisy place in order to try to talk woman into some sort of shag. Most of the night you would just be saying yes to each other without actually knowing what the other person had said.
It would likely surprise many that, in those days, one used to hold western woman in high esteem, at least in the hornbag stakes.
Of course time changes and so do we all.
Nowadays one seems to be catching up on all that was missed out on while young.
With the grim reaper standing nearby awaiting the day he can drag my rotting carcus off to the cemetery, I suppose one should take the time now to enjoy ones self. Not hard when one is lucky enough to be surrounded by some Australia's most maganda woman :-)
The last two nights were spent watching the band 'Kami' who just happened to be playing at both Canturbury Leagues and Mato RSL. A extremely popular band, a Pacific Islander family, who manage to always pull in huge crowds, especially from the Philippine and Islander communities.
The Kami band play in locations all over Sydney and are well worth seeing, especially if your out to meet up with some Philos.
Anyway I shall stop bullshitting on now. Have to put up some shots and then go and do whatever the wife expects of me today.

Kethey Ana Oscar Gina Nani Maria at the Matraville RSL Club!
Gina took the nights award for most sexiest look!

Thankfully Ron, who has a bit more guts than me, approached Kethey (blonde Kami) for a photos with the two of us. Even more thankfully, she asked Amelia to join us.
Not only a great band, also such wonderfully friendly people and maganda to boot.

AYE AYE Captain!!!


Kami Band doing what they do best as they start the second set of the evening!