Vacation Time: Beach Stroll - 12

We spent an afternoon enjoying a beach walk. Truly, this was a luxury of time for a city dweller like me.



Well, my purpose here was to enjoy a Christmas break and this was one fun-filled afternoon to enjoy it.



It was an invigorating activity, free from the hustle of the city life. No pollution, just fresh air. No irritating noise, only the enticing waves splashing on the shore.



It was indeed a perfect opportunity to simply kill the time but at the same time, we were enjoying every moment of it.



As I watched the gentle waves curled and raced to the shorelines, I saw my city life just like that - always in a hurry to get somewhere but not getting anywhere.

Vacation Time: The Mountains Meet the Sea - 11

We visited an overlooking site where we can have a good view of the entire town. It was good to know that despite of the population on the rise, the whole town still looks green.



"The place where mountains meet the sea" is the tag-line for our place. To the east, the mighty mountains weathered the test of times and they've been there for several hundred of years before our ancestors.



And to the west where the sun sets, is a vast body of water.



The very site where we were standing is part of our town's history where our ancestors used this as a watchtower against the invading Moro pirates and Spaniards alike.



And today, thanks to them, we simply enjoyed a good view of the sunset here.

Vacation Time: The Beach - 11

Since we are not that far from the beach, our vacation would never be complete if we would not be able to experience a morning swim.



We do have a luxury of going to the beach because we don't have resorts here. It's a swim all you like activity.



Aside from swimming, a fresh morning catch is also worth the wait. You'll simply have to wait for the fishermen to arrive and divide their shares, and you can buy something out of their share. That is, if the catch is enough.



But that morning, the catch would only be enough for their family for the rest of the day. Anyway, by early evening, some of them would go to the town and they would roam the streets selling their catch. And we'll wait by then.

Vacation Time: The Countryside - 10

The road that we had to take is that like of Baguio. Lots of ups and downs, sudden turns, more curves, and lots of bumpy ride due to damaged pavements caused by previous typhoons.



But the good thing is, you'll be seeing more of the green scenery,



mountains everywhere,



green ricefields,



rice plants waiting to be harvested,



farm lands,



farmers tending their lands,



farmers and their herds,



and lots of rivers and coastlines along the way.



The entire journey, though tiring, was a refreshing one. I don't mind experiencing the whole trip every year.

Vacation Time: On Our Way Home - 9

We arrived at the Iloilo port at around 10pm. Since it was already too late to go home and there was no van nor bus, we had to spend our night at a nearby hotel. And since we were that tired, the hotel was just a perfect place for a good rest and we really had a sound sleep that night.



Before checking out, we had our breakfast at Jollibee-SM Iloilo. Likewise, we need to pick up a merchandise coursed through this branch of SM. It was a fair trade since we don't have to carry the item way back from Manila. Indeed, we were able to save some money and lots of efforts.



And we took a bus in going home. Provincial buses here are non-aircon but it's okay. I enjoy taking pics along the way and the smell of fresh air would always be a delight.

Vacation Time: Sunset - 8

As the ship was in a standstill, waiting to fully unload and load passengers and other cargoes, the sun started to set.



Whenever I am free from work and there is a good view of the sunset, I always make it a point to capture its beauty.



And this time, it was beautiful.




It is always a relaxing experience watching the sunset. Its beauty is entirely different from the sunrise.



And when you are enjoying the view, the sun seems to be in a hurry disappearing from your sight. It looks like someone is pulling the sun down the mountains.



And after a few blinks, it is already gone.

Vacation Time: Pier Frenzy - 7

The passengers bound for Bacolod were very eager to rush out from the ship. Their happy faces tell it all.



And when planks were properly settled ...



both porters and passengers were in the frenzy mood.



And as we watched the passengers happily disembarked from the ship,



we, too, can be in the same spirit the moment our ship will reach Iloilo late in the evening. The commotion painted the atmosphere of people full of life and very much eager to go home and meet their love ones.

Vacation Time: Dancing Porters - 6

We were disappointed to know that the ship will disembark first at Bacolod before going to Iloilo and for sure, we will be spending a night in Iloilo before going to Antique. Bad cheetah.



We were greeted by the dancing porters of Negros Navigation. They were dancing to the tune of Billy Jean by Michael Jackson. And everyone was eager to see them perform.



They had been doing this thing for some years now and it is one good marketing strategy. And most of them can really dance well. Kudos to their effort of delighting the passengers in an unusual manner.

Vacation Time: Coastlines and Islands - 5

Everyone became excited every time we passed some islands. That's the beauty of traveling by the sea. You'll have the chance to experience seeing a portion of 7107 islands of the Philippines.



And it could had been even better if crew members of the ship would take turns in identifying these islands in order to inform and educate their passengers. Hmmm. It would be a good strategic plan to boosts the ticket sales of this shipping line.



There was an instance that an island looks like a resting lion.



I also spotted a portion of an island that looks like faces from afar.



And one particular coastline captured my heart. It could be a good postcard in the making.