I confess, six days in West Panay is not enough. There’s so much to see, places to go to and experience and food to taste. It’s never enough but despite my time constraint, I was able to visit different places in Aklan, Antique and Iloilo.

Aklan is proud of its piña (pineapple) fiber. So much so that products derived from processing these fibers into fabrics is one, if not its top industry.

Some notes on the hotels I stayed when I was in Antique and Iloilo

My second visit to the province of Antique was another hurried trip. Blame it on my schedule but for this second time, I was targeting specific sites related to heritage churches, chapels and ruins of which the province, have some interesting examples.

One thing that a visitor can readily notice are the many pedicabs and tricycles that ply the usual routes and the design and construction can vary from place to place. San Jose’s and surrounding municipalities like Hamtic, have their own versions.

It’s white and slimy, its elongated form, worm like, makes others squirm but dip it in spicy vinegar and its one hell of a tasty (raw) fare! Better than oysters.

Visiting Kalibo’s Bakhawan Eco Park was one of the best places that I’ve visited during this trip. Walking along its elevated bamboo walkway amidst lush mangroves and to the sound of birds and the distant waves of the sea was just calming. For one who is Manila based, it was a very welcome respite from the concrete environment and pollution.

As the name suggests, its an apartelle and the ground and second floors are actually inhabited. Room at the third floor on the other hand are still available and are being rented out per day.

After having seen so much cooked mud crabs, shrimps, fish and grilled chicken used as decor during the Ati-ati Festival in Ibajay, both procession and the street dancing, I was craving for seafood!

A quaint old church built in 1889 and a beautiful beachside landscape of undulating rock formations and layers that reminds one of puff pastry. Only in Tangalan, Aklan.

It’s just a small festival, colors are more subdued and less contingents than Sinulog but the Ibajaynons surely takes centerstage and knows how to have fun!

Boracay is not just a sun worshiper’s paradise, with its fine, powdery white sand and azure waters, but for thrill seekers, its also one of the best places for windsurfing.

It was rather weird. People were holding skewered and grilled chicken or parts of it. Some with steamed crabs, fish, and, even strange, raw meat stuck to a man’s body or raised up on wooden sticks, waved and being agitated to the loud shouts of Viva! Senor Sto. Nino!

A day’s trip to Barangay Naisud’s Mangrove Eco Park didn’t push through and erratic wind at Bulabog Beach in Boracay made this day trip disappointing.