Here are a few more pictures from the Philippines.



This is on the road to Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur. Travelling by bus is arduous even in an air-conditioned ride as most places of note are five to eight hours apart. Watching the scenery is a welcome distraction.




This is Vigan. A city with much colonial architecture that has somehow survived.




Here's a cow quite common in the Philippines. It was a nice change to be surrounded by farm animals.




My cousins have put some bamboo to good use here.




Tricycles are a common mode of public transportation. It's a motorcycle with a covered side car.




We were in a boat exploring the "100 Islands" when the boatman's cousin clambered out of the water, stayed a while, smiled at us and dove back in to swim to the nearest island. I'd like to know what his life is like.




This is a beach on Lingayen Bay. I have good memories of my grandfather taking me here. It has beautiful sunsets.




Jeepneys are large jeeps resembling army trucks. You climb in the back and sit on a bench facing the other passengers. Drivers will routinely take fare passed passenger to passenger up the bench and make change while negotiating perilous traffic.




We came across a fireworks market. In the centre was this colourful tent underneath which was a guard with a machine gun and a videoke (karaoke) machine.




Some pretty fireworks.




Some pretty fireworks.


Tomorrow, I take a train crossing South Korea to Busan, then a hydrofoil ferry to Fukuoka, and then a train to Osaka. My life feels a bit unreal these days. See you in Nippon!