I drove north of Manila to Zambales, Vigan and the 100 Islands.
Zambales for a few days cos a friend offered a fab house overlooking the ocean:
And then Vigan cos I'd often planned to go there, a trip never realized. The city has the best preserved Spanish colonial 'bayan' (town centre) in the country, with 'kalesa' (horse-drawn carriages) functioning as taxis.
This CBD is full of rather grand old mansions:
And more humble houses:
Some of the former have been evocatively re-furnished. You have the sense that this 'frozen' scene could suddenly come to life, with the original C18 or C19 owners walking in and asking what you doing there:
The lighting in two and three, remeniscent of C17 Dutch interior painting, is as much the product of the photographer as the moment! Calculating art-ster!
Finally, on to the 100 Islands and something much more athletic. Though the act of traveling round is, in itself, not for couch potatoes!!!
So, the hotel restaurent there, set over the ocean:
And a vantage point for the islands:
The start of a day trip round the islands:
Landing on a deserted beach, and climbing for a view back over where we landed and our boat:
Followed by snorkling and kayaking. And eating and sun-baking.
Post Script
In Vigan Zoo, I realized a life-long dream - getting up close and personal with an orangutan, a couple in fact:
They were so gentle, fixing my gaze with theirs and spontaneously holding my hands and stroking my face. I was totally blised out. And I mean totally.
