IloIlo, Philippines

After a warm welcome at IloIlo airport, Nelu, Chuck and Uncle Boy, Tess' husband, eldest son and uncle, joined us for a beer in Sarabia Hotel in IloIlo city. The next morning, they picked us up in Uncle's jeep, for the most amazingly beautiful drive through IloIlo Island, to Roxas, the village near Tess' farm.

With Uncle Boy's jeep Nelo drives us through IloIlo and Capiz to Roxas. Tess and her son Chuck sit in the back, protected against the burning sun

Faas loves to sleep on the back seat, jumping over the bumpy roads.

Anti's house, made of Norwegian and Italian money. In the back we find the kitchen, with amazing view on the rice fields

Village nearby, with eatery and bar and grocery shop. Numerous farmers have a second job as taxi driver. They can hold a maximum of 6 people on their motor cycle. Perfect to transport an entire family from the city to their farms.

So much to discover in this place

Tess has prepared a delicious lunch, of local dishes. The mango is of a quality we have never tasted before, like discovering a new fruit. Out of leaves, she stamps a vegetable dish, by adding pieces of porkfat. Rice out of own field of course. Pork skin and grilled fish head.

Although this beautiful house is provided with sinks, tabs, a shower and CR (compost room/toilet) with flush, the environment is not always prepared for this luxery and the well is being used to receive water.

JJ, Tess' youngest son, shows Faas the family roaster

playing with Tess' sons Chan Lee, JJ and Kanu.

Eating sugar cane together with Nelo

From left to right: Nelo, Chuck, Chan Lee, JJ, Tess, Anti

After lunch, we visit Tess' home, a short distance away from Anti's house

The house looks out over the ricefields

There is a beautiful lake, only short woobly drive from Tess' place.