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| @ mirandablue |
We basked in the morning sun, swam in the warm water, and just loving our own private beach at the south side of the island. Manong, the owner of the island, warmed up to the boys and invited us to the other side where his hut was located.
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| @ mirandablue |
We can either ride in our outrigger and meet him on the other side, or climb the hill. Naturally, we opted to climb the hill and walk to the north side of the island. Manong warned us that the vegetation was dense, and we should be careful because there were traps along the hiking trails. Some of the trails were also misleading to confuse unwanted visitors. I was the weakest link, as always, and I was instructed to follow Manong's sidekick, Toto, a 9-year old boy, or one of his dogs.
Toto was fast I had to call him a few times to wait for me. I could barely take photos at his pace.
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| @ mirandablue |
It was a good 30-minute trek. From one point, I could see Danjugan Island and Pulo Gamay at the distance. It's where we came from before coming to this island.
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| @ mirandablue |
This is the north side where, according to Manong, sea turtles lay their eggs. It earned Anhawan a moniker as the turtle island of Sipalay. Worldwide, marine turtle populations have critically declined and it was declared that all species of marine turtles are endangered. This area is also a great diving site.
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| @ mirandablue |
Anhawan is an uninhabited island off the coast of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental. There was no electricity, no fresh water in the island---Manong gets his water supply from the mainland. I didn't see any crops, only coconut trees. Manong lives here with his wife, his 9-year old sidekick, four dogs and a he-goat. They have a house at the mainland but he preferred to stay on the island. His way of life somehow reminded me of Robinson Crusoe.
He told us that an American visited the island not too long ago, proposed to buy the island and convert it into a world-class resort. I asked Manong if he's open to the idea...he said, he's quite sentimental about this island that his family owns for three generations.
I hope he doesn't sell.
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| @ mirandablue |
This was the view from the beach. The fisherman's hut across the bay was Manong's next-door neighbor.
The threesome---my cousin, Mark, Toto, the sidekick and the he-goat who had a big crush on Mark.
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| @ mirandablue |
Join us at My World-Tuesday and Watery Wednesday
What a fun, delightful look at a part of your world! Looks as though you all had a wonderful time -- including the goat!! Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I hope he won't sell too. It's way too beautiful to have a resort built on. :))
ReplyDeletelovely place
ReplyDeleteWhat natural beauty! Thanks for sharing your photos.
ReplyDeleteit must be so nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful world!
ReplyDeleteHow does it feel to own an island!? :P
ReplyDeleteIt has rustic charms and I hope he keeps it for his son and future generations.
beautiful island! i can only see serenity in your photos! my favorite in this post is the one with the boat. i like boats for no particular reason.
ReplyDeletenice getaway for you.. :)
I've been to Sipalay but have never heard of Anhawan. Looks like a lovely piece of paradise. I hope he won't sell too.
ReplyDeleteOh, how gorgeous and peaceful!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful holiday with so much to see and do.
ReplyDeleteIf you own paradise, why would you want to sell it???
Gorgeous nature!
ReplyDeleteShoo, shoo to the Amerikano! I like your world a lot today, Luna!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection! - especially I like the part of the beach where the turtles lay their eggs - and the picture og the boy in the wilderness.
ReplyDeleteWow, to have an island to themselves is simply amazing but I don't think I can stay for too long like this family, without electricity. I need the comfort of my home, but once in a while to go back to basic is ok.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way for them to collect rainwater to supplement their fresh water supply?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful island with unspoiled nature! Hope this island stay as it is now, not become a large-scale resort. At Yakushima island, Japan, as the numbers of tourists has increased in recent years and development has proceeded, the number of sea turtles decreased drastically. Because sea turtles instinctively return to the same place every year to lay their eggs. If the landscape is changed they are unable to come ashore.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such beautiful images of the lovely tropical island.
oh wow..how lucky you are to find this secluded place. I really hope and pray that the owner won't sell out. If he sells, I do hope it will be someone who has the "malasakit" to the island and its surroundings and its people. There are too many foreigners who're owning our islands and just making business about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous nature!!! How beautiful the color of the ocean is!! All of your photos are stunning. I do hope he won't sell this island and the shores will be preserved for sea turtles forever.
ReplyDeleteLuna, your header is beautiful and soothing. I love this!
Hope it is not sold off, too beautiful atmosphere and environment.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful out there. i am craving for some tropical setting right now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Wonderful nature!
ReplyDeleteI just love to be there and watch the turtles!
Oh, I hope he doesn't sell it. It's a gorgeous little slice of paradise.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. It would be a shame to turn this paradise into a tourist resort, I hope he doesn't sell either.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. I hope he doesn't sell it.
ReplyDeleteParadise!
ReplyDeleteI hope he doesn't sell the island, but that is only my opinion. The sea turtles need a quiet place to lay their eggs!
ReplyDeleteHow could you sell such a beautiful place? I hope he doesn't!
ReplyDeletethat place is nice..like paradise!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeletesucha a lovely and serene place...i especially love 2nd to the last shot =)
ReplyDeletethis place looks beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteBhupesh
im already impressed at how you find places that ive never heard of. lagi ko tong sinasabi.
ReplyDeletei want to be on those rock islets.
As beautiful as it is, I would miss the amenities like fresh running water and electricity. I'm not much of a camper either. ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope the owner of this piece of paradise doesn't sell. unless it's to me! great shots of this exotic land.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky to have such a place to enjoy! The island looks beautiful through your photos!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures from an interesting part of the world :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a tragedy it would be to sell this bit of paradise for commercial use. I would hate to think of visitors throwing waste on its pristine shores!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place in which you live, Luna!
My Watery Wednesday is at:
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/07/watery-wednesday-149-my-area-of.html#links
I haven't been to this side of Sipalay. Would love to visit someday, you'll give me a tour, okay? :)
ReplyDeletebeautifully captured!
ReplyDeleteIt's really an idyllic island because there are few people. Some of the shores and vegetation looks like home, however that 2nd to the last photo seemingly having 3 islets looks real lovely. I want to go there too.
ReplyDeletegorgeous place. You were lucky to be there. :)
ReplyDeleteA little part of heaven right here on earth. I hope he does not give in to the people who are interested in purchasing his island. I cannot even begin to imagine what a wonderful experience it would be to visit there. Beautiful, beautiful captures of a way of life we do not find very often. Genie
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful island!
ReplyDelete