My recent 2 week trip to the philippines this june, 2007. enjoy.
for starters
leaving philly international
flying over pittsburgh
and then detroit
20 hours later - the philippine islands
to be greeted by a
butiki (common house lizard)
first stop, father's hometown - alfonso, cavite
st. john nepumocene church - over 100 years old (maybe even 150!)
church grounds
let's go inside
obviously not filipinos
bell tower
now off to...
paradise indeed
it's okay to be a little bit touristy - even in paradise
built it myself!
till next time
now back to luzon island
future site of parents' overseas home - currently a
gubat (jungle)
with lots of...
and!
now off to botolan, zambales - mom's hometown (western luzon)
victory liner (greyhound equivalent) snack
ballsy guy - braving manila traffic
countryside (pardon the quality - taken from a moving bus)
to come home to this - scenes from aunt's backyard
a fifteen minute walk...
with such spectacular surprises
surreal
next day - safari! (of sorts)
parents' mango grove
bahay kubo! (nipa hut)
now afternoon at
villa carmelita - riverside restaurant/inn
where i
(no piranhas, right?)
and
and
and of course
another island! - grande island, subic bay, olongapo city
was exclusively for the use of US subic naval base workers/residents, now turned into a resort and open to the general public
but unfortunately, had to leave.
at least left in style - sampaguita lounge, ninoy aquino international airport
with a traditional breakfast of
arroz caldo (chicken and rice porridge) and coffee
and then back again
thanks for coming