Blog # 13: Caron (Palawan) - Philippines

                       Blog # 13: Caron (Palawan) - Philippines

Greeted by a high school marching band: They were loud, energetic and good!

This is the type of musical group that would be invited to participate in the Rose Bowl parade

The first part of the day was to tour a "picturesque" fishing village

As we entered the town, we began to question the "picturesque" aspect

            Some sort of central processing facility for the fish
                         Not the most modern outrigger

    The entire boardwalk is filled with fish drying out in the sun

                                      Sorting the day's catch

Check out the large cardboard box and poster: Chesterfield? Name from the past

                                Packaging is the next step

                            Ready to be shipped to other islands

                                    One of the main streets

                        Most homes are open to the elements

                                                                    Local store

Family take off shoes before entering home. However, the house is still open to the elements

                    The local inhabitants are very poor

           A rough, dusty and bumpy road takes us to the next stop

               The island has a thermal area which draws tourists

We didn't realize it's possible to go in and enjoy the different >100 F degrees pool temperatures

                        We didn't bring a bathing suit. Oh well...                                                     The bad road continues

                                   More evidence of the poverty

                    The area was recently hit by a large typhoon

                Many homes could not withstand the harsh storm

The other side of the island has a relatively good road that goes to a "Wet Market." It's not the same type of "Wet Market" as was in Wuhan, China (Covid).

                                        Vendors sold fish...

                                             Sell produce...

                                                    Meat..

                                            Salted eggs...

And other items. This woman is taking fresh coconuts and is grinding the meat away from the husk.

These jeep-type vehicles are used as taxis. It's a cheap way to get around the island

                           The island also exports cashews

                Mother nurses her child as she processes the nuts

Lots of manual, tedious work. These people "may" earn one dollar an hour.

                                     No child labor laws?

    Each cashew nut has several steps to reach the point it can be eaten

  Some nuts are processed and sweetened with sugar. Other nuts are favored or seasoned with other ingredients

This woman is making a basket with hopes that a tourist will buy one

Blog # 12 - Cambodia: Cam Ranh & Nha Trang

             Blog # 12 - Cambodia: Cam Ranh & Nha Trang

                Our ship was greeted by a local cultural group

                                              A new friend

It turned out our ship was the first to arrive in the new Chinese New Year. There were all sorts of festivities. Military and government dignitaries attended a ceremony.

The ship's captain, his staff and the Chinese government officials each had a bottle of champagne. One at a time the cork was "popped." This place has yet to be discovered by many cruise ship companies. A ship arrives once every month rather than once a day which is more typical for the more famous places.

We noticed a strange phenomenon when driving inland from the dock. Beach sand was plentiful several hundred feet above the water line. We're guessing this area may have been under water thousands of years ago or, perhaps washed up from a tsunami? Who knows...?

The road leading from the dock toward a town was void of vehicles other than our tour buses. There were no other vehicles. Strange!

Beautiful coastline, no people. Several miles ahead (on the other side of the hill) is a large complex made up of fancy international hotels and condos. Beside the beaches, there are several golf courses and an international airport. Golf and beaches may be  draw however we did not see any people other than gardeners trimming trees and plants along the highway. There was one plane parked at the airport. Weird! 

We were stopped at some sort of check point. Some of the sailors carried automatic weapons.

                Small, picturesque harbor and fishing boats nearby

    We drove through a small town. Where are all the people? Cars?

                                        There were cows...

                                            and goats...

                                        ...and rice fields

                                    Plenty of roadside stores, no customers

                   Local cemetery: Maybe the town is dying off?

Our bus driver was impatient: He's passing on the left while oncoming traffic is now in the lane heading towards us!

                Another small town: Local "supermarket!"

This town we are approaching would be comparable to Miami Beach, Waikiki or Cozumel. Fancy hotels, pretty beaches and in this case, hoards of tourists and, of course, locals.

                                       Propaganda!

Vehicles do not necessarily stop when people are in the crosswalk. The key is to catch the eye of the driver, indicate (perhaps with a wave of the hand) you are crossing and hope for the best

                                Time for a photo with Lynn

     Pretty beach - most people are Asians with a few Europeans

                    Infinity pool 100 stories up from the street

While we're touring the countryside, Artie takes a mud bath near the ship

                                Time to tour the town in pedicabs

Spas are everywhere - some a little suspect in what they are offering!

                Shops offering  coffee and tea were everywhere


                    Military celebrates the Chinese New Year

Although it looks like a lot of work, the ped-cabs are electric. All the driver has to do is to steer. We're not sure most of the passengers realized there was no peddling. Our guide was "encouraging" the passengers to tip the drivers for the "hard work." People were tipping $10 and $20. Huh?


Riding in a pedicab provided a great opportunity to get a closer look at the town

                            Time to visit the local market

                    Hot, humid and still fun to wander around

                        Unlimited styles of chopsticks to buy

Local beauty pallor. Check out the woman on the right side of the photo. She's getting her hair washed in a pan.

                                        Packaged dried fish

                                            Sea cucumber? 
                                                                            Squid

                                                                Anchovies?

                                Time for lunch? Or not...

                    Must be good. He's enjoying his meal.

                                Want to buy a lottery ticket?

The way in which these towns supply power and communication is still questionable

        Windy! Jerry holds onto his hat while meeting a new friend