Isabela Province: Sierra Madre

This time I headed to northern Luzon and the largest protected area in the Philippines, the Sierra Madre.  While the trip was mainly meetings, I did get to join a biodiversity patrol for one wet, muddy day and the final day ended up with a quick visit to the agricultural fair (Isabela is a huge rice and corn growing region). 

Negros Oriental Beachs

For the 3 day MLK weekend I flwe down to Dumaguete and then took a boat over to Apo Island for some beaching, hammocking, and diving.  

On Monday before flying back I went up coast back near Dumaguete to the Manjuyod Sand Bar - Sadly I got there just after low tide, so the whole sandbar wasn't exposed, but it was still pretty stunning.  

Mt Batualo

Sunday was a gorgeous day to test out a new day hike: Mt Batualo.  Stunning scenery capped off by finding a store with US microbrews for a post-hike treat. 

Burma #3: Kalaw to Inle

We did a 2 day trek from Kalaw to Inle lake, spending one night in a village along the way.  This hike is more of a cultural walk than anything with epic nature, but it was very cool to see the chili picking and some of the rural landscapes before arriving at Inle.  When then spent a couple days, including NYE at Inle boating around to various villages and temples.

Inle Lake

Kicking off NYE from a winery at Inle.  Happy 2016!