SagaaadaaaaaAAAGGGHHHH........

Most amazing rainbow ever!!

E iniziamo con un bell`arcobaleno su questa stupenda valle di pietre calcaree, perche` quel che segue sara`.... teeetroooooo.......

Nature and Culture Fusion in Ifugao Land

North Luzon, 9 hours North of Manila, is like another country. Forget the sea, the bangkas, the fishermen and welcome to impressive mountains: La Cordillera with summits above 2000m! Ifugao people belong to the indigenous tribe who 2000 BC started to carve the mountains by designing rice terraces. They build up ingenious irrigation system and impressive walls to sustain the terraces. The funny thing is that during 4000 years they kept on doing the same thing. They were completely isolated in these mountains and it is only now that development is catching up with them.

La Domenica Sportiva

Ed eccoci qui, domenica pomeriggio.. pronti per un pomeriggio di sport, come ogni degno domenica pomeriggio deve essere!!.. :) ..ma in assenza della formula uno, non essendo esattamente un appassionato di basket e con il calcio che ancora dorme in Europa, mi lancio sul secondo "sport" nazionale delle Filippine!! Il combattimento di gallli!.. e dopo aver passato un mese a rincorrere un "Derby", come viene comunemente chiamato, in lungo e in largo nelle Filippine, oggi e` proprio qui, quasi nel giardino di casa!

Ocean wave in Sabang

Sabang is famous because of its undergroung river, supposedly one of the longest on earth. Filipinos are proud of their New seven wonder of the world (this comes from a dubious vote on the internet but well, it is official and advertised everywhere) and come from all the ocuntry to visit it. We knew in advance this wonder was  a bit disappointing but decided to stay for a few days to enjoy the beautiful beach of Sabang and its wild surroundings.

Fisherman Rhythm in Port Barton

Port Barton is a nice and clean fishermen village built on a beautiful bay. There was no internet and electricity only from 6 to 10pm. Boracay may have looked the same 20 years ago. Port Barton has become a favorite among backpackers who have time to travel because of its peaceful atmosphere. A few resorts are now built: just enough so you feel comfortable as a tourist without bothering the locals. It is not easy to reach it (one hour on a bumpy road) and as soon as it rains the road must get incredibly muddy.

The Bacuit Archipelago

Let's be clear: this is one of the most beautiful place on earth we have ever seen! This archipelago is made of limestone islands, sandy beaches, beautiful lagoons, and clear water. The cliffs are just spectacular! We were unconscious enough to do a cliff-climbing trek with a Filipino guide: we thought we would be peacefully hiking and we ended up climbing rocks as vertical as a wall with all the safety you can imagine:-)Anyway the view from the top was brilliant!

The Filipino way

Filipino economy

As soon as we landed in Philippines, we were surprised by the fact that it is not that cheap. The most current products are rice and fuel which cost respectively €0.6 a kilo (I am sure most Asian shops in London or Paris can compete with that) and €1 a liter  A waitress or a fisherman earn about 150€ a month though.

Other products are never less than the third of the UK price whether you buy them in supermarkets or in local shops. So how on earth can they afford to do some shopping?
In Dumaguete, the student city, big malls are being built and there are people  busy shopping around. Who are they?