~~ ISLAND HOPPING - PART 2 ~~

Howdee and welcome to the second part of the 'Island Hopping' series.

No more wonderful a sight can be had than from the top of the

lighthouse at Jintatolo at sunset.

Thankfully through contacts we were able to gain access and watch the sun set on another day in the Philippines. The lighthouse must have once been a great structure, but it has suffered over the years, most recently with the 2006 typhoon Reming which brought much destruction to the whole island.

In the above scene a lone fishing boat goes about its duties during the final moments of daylight.

The province where Ning grew up in Lantangan, a small seaside location looking out across a few island. An absolutely beautiful location.

Seen here is Ning's dad, second from the right and her cousin in white next to him, both were travelling with us for the return home.

The Lantangan province taxi service.

More photos from our island adventure shortly.

Brad

~~ 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.

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.