Kumusta ho!

We'd like to say a big thanks for all your emails... this is our blog bit so here goes...

Life being a traveller is still brilliant - no surprise there!!

PHILIPPINES

We left Borneo for the Philippines - our first stop was Bantayan Island in the Southern Visayas, a beautiful place where people live very simple lives - we were the only westerners there. Everyone was really friendly, only trickshaws for transport and a drum band playing every morning and evening around the sandy lanes. Great to experience some real Philipino village life, a true highlight of the Philippines for us.

Next was Cebu Island - where the only way to get around is by Jeepney, chaotic! We were really shocked by the poverty - naked and dirty kids begging on the streets - very sad to see, but a few pesos went their way.

We then headed to Boracay Island to meet Simon again, an absolutely brilliant place - no traffic at all, loads going on, stunning beaches - which we saw on a lazy sail boat around the island. It's rated in the top 10 tropical beaches of the world, and we agree! We found a brilliant restaurant which cooked the fresh fish you brought in - on the last night we had fresh oysters, tiger prawns, crabs and baked clams, it was a sight to see sitting on the table before we tucked in, and all for under a tenner!

We celebrated Brad's 33rd birthday by going for a morning scuba dive - great fun but caught in a storm on the way back! This was followed by a specially made cake, a massage, cocktails, presents and more cocktails! All three of us struggled the next morning

We managed 6 islands in total in the Philippines, not a bad effort but about 7,000 others we will def have to come back and explore some day!

NORTHERN THAILAND

Sa-wat-dii-khrap! Bangkok was next - great to go back after 6 years, a lot has changed! Did all the touristy stuff, The Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, Wats and floating market.

We're now in Hua Hin to relive our honeymoon then off to a National Park for a bit of camping.

Be seeing some of you really soon!

Illmans Out xx