Foot and Fire

After eating the voluptuous Tilapia at the Punta Isla Lake Resort, we went on boating (P600/boat) for about 40 minutes. We had an overview of the wide lake that is home to the famous Lake Sebu Tilapia. We were guided by an educated T'boli lady who does not smile but very well memorized her English entertaining lines. She can also name all the datus or the rich people who own some part of the land that can be found near the lake. Nothing is spectacular about the tour but it sure made me bring some nature shots and the activity is a sure good way to buy time while digesting our lunch and also to put a period to our day in lake Sebu! *** The tummy-full tourists! *** Our non-smiling guide! *** The signature Punta Isla Lake Resort floating resto. *** Here are the captured stars of our 40-minute boat trip: *** *** *** *** *** ***

The charm of El Nido beachfront is enticing. One can see the giant karst that appears to serve as wall of the El Nido beach front and immediate vicinity extending to the side of the market. The view is constantly moving, with the boats being perched there from time to time... Enjoying the morning El Nido breeze *** The beachfront view.. *** A View of the Karst on the side of the market and just behind the beachfront. *** another beachfront photo. *** We stayed for a night here...and transferred to Northern Star Lodge the next night.  We took the Tour A and Tour C and I highly recommend the same tours... El Nido has limited electricity as it is available only from 2pm to 6 am...  The water is also not abundant.... But the moment one steps out and escape tot he island, all the inconveniences are gone in seconds... The side of the beach guarded by the karst that seems to serve as wall too. *** Another p...

BYE, BYE. Mr. Son gave his all smiles after I told him to pose as I will bring his smile to the Philippines. We went boating in Tam Coc after a heatstroke-inducing tour to the Hua Lu Temple and Pagoda. We were separated because there are small boats only that can bring 2 persons. And the three of us were accommodated in a boat. We were so happy that Mr. Son was the one who rowed for us as he can row and take photos at the same time. He could even use a Dslr with ease. He also have an "eye" for the right background and view... Here is my video of the talented Mr. Son.

Tam Coc, about a two-hour drive from Hanoi, is another place which showcases the karsts or limestone formations in multitude. If Ha Long karsts are by the bay, Tam Coc karsts are by the river. One more fascinating thing about Tam Coc aside from the karsts is that one can see closely that the river is  actually  planted with rice. One can also row by the swimming ducks and pass by many temples, even in the center of the river. See our favorite spot in Tam Coc in the above photo, courtesy of our talented rower Mr. Son. (He rows with his feet while taking our photos.) A community of rowers with hundreds of boats... Rowers, ready to row. Fellow travellers went in while were going out.  Tam Coc sampling Mr. Son Karsts with rich green trees... Ducks, peacefully enjoying their swim by the growing rice plant. Quack, quack, quack... Ducks in serene mode. Buddy Bads with her Vietnamese seatmate.. Mr. Ten, you are thumbs up...