Santa Isabel Fort

Fuerza de Santa Isabel, which overlooks Taytay Bay in Palawan, the Philippines. It was  completed in the early 18th century, and was mean to protect inhabitants from pirates who were against the Spanish occupation.

Built out of solid rock, the fort was remarkably well preserved.

You go in through the entrance, and climb the stairs to a small room in the second level, where a guide explains the history of the fort and of Taytay.

Climbing up to the third level.

A church stands on the top level.

The stone basin in the center of the previous photo contained a handful of dried-out plumeria (or frangipani).

There are four bastions on the corners of the fort, and they are named after San Toribio, Santa Isabel, San Juan and San Manuel. Some are in better shape than others, signalling the areas that had the most attacks.

The view from one of the bastions.

The view directly opposite the previous photo. Apparently, when the fort was built, they also created an underground passage that linked the two churches together.

One of the several cannons on display.

The fort from the side.

Taytay, Palawan

Taytay, a small village in the province of Palawan in the Philippines.

It faces Taytay Bay, and to the east, there are a handful of tiny islands. Everyday supplies are loaded onto the boats here, and then they make their way to them.

The clams you see a couple meters into the water are about the size of a fist, but if you go diving, you can see shells this large. 

The dogs were all collarless, were never touched, and were perpetually inactive. All unimaginable in Tokyo dogs. 

I never tired of finding chickens with chicks. 

Made a pit stop at one of the many general stores lining the main road. Since Taytay itself is not a place where tourists stay, these stores are for the locals. 

Did not expect to see an anime bike here. 

Waiting for transportation. 

The main mode of transportation in Taytay, where perhaps it is not populous enough for jeepneys. I even saw a boat being transported by tuk-tuk. 

All of the boats I saw in Taytay were trimarans. The water was often choppy; perhaps it provided balance?

Precariously perched.

From El Nido to Taytay

Taytay, in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. (You pronounce it tai-tai, not tei-tei.) A small seaside municipality, it has a population of around 70,000. 

It takes about two hours to get there from the El Nido Airport. You pass a lot of simply-built shacks with water pumps in the yard and some chickens running around while a dog sleeps nearby and water buffaloes graze in the field.

The roads aren't always paved, and rounding a curve necessitates repeated toots on the horn to warn any oncoming cars of your presence. The driver would also toot the horn to warn people walking on the street, but unlike the rude awakening it is in Tokyo, the horns sounded friendly, as if the driver was saying hi.

The driver braked for the dogs crossing the street.

Rounding the curve to a beautiful view.

There seemed to be a lot of construction going on in the area. I saw a lot of young men and boys working on the side of the road.

A school.

There were a surprising number of basketball courts in the area. Apparently it is popular among both schoolkids and adults.