Manila Downunder

~~ ISLAND HOPPING - PART 1 ~~

G'day all,
While searching through my Philippine collection for items to use in a new website project I was wrapped to come across the CDs containing all the photographs taken while travelling around the islands the last time I was in the Philippines.
I thought I would take the opportunity to run a series of them on the blogsite over a few weeks, showing not only the beauty of this wonderful country, but also the area where Ana grew up in.
Having spent so much of my time in Manila previously, it was a breath of fresh air (actually it was literally) to get around these more far away locations.

I truly hope you enjoy these and other forthcoming photos taken during our journey.

Jintatolo was a very small island, so much so that walking around it a couple of times in one day would be quite an easy feat.

It is a virtually unknown island, located between Panay and Masbate Islands. The island itself is very well kept, looking more like a resort in places than just another province, however the recent typhoons that had been the area had caused widespread destruction.

Brock is seen soon after arrival at the island.

Yes the water is that clean in parts of the Philippines - it isn't a photographic trick used by broucher publishing companies.

This boat was found moored off the beach of Jintatolo soon after we arrived.

Above and below we have views from the top of a hotel in beautiful

Roxas City on Panay Island.

The above shot is taken looking inland. Located between the housing and the hills in the distance is what I would expect to be fishponds. Roxas City is refered to as the 'Seafood Capital Of The Philippines' and with good reason, there

is a huge seafood market in this area.

Below is the view in the other direct. The side street runs down to a boat wharf where you go to catch vessels to Jintatolo, Masbate and other local areas. This street is also often lined with the earlier mentioned fish stalls.

I loved Roxas City - not to small, but without the hussle and bussle (not to mention chocking pollution) of the bigger cities.

We will continue the series shortly.