Many pilgrims in the Visayas (central islands of the Philippines) journey to the Basilica de Santo Niño in Cebu City to pray to the image of the Christ child which is believed to be the original one brought by Magellan.  Looking like a medieval Spanish prince, Santo Niño is still one of the most revered religious images in the Philippines.  At the end of January, there is a festival where the Cebuanos pay tribute to Señor Santo Niño.

There was a magic moonlit night at Plantation Bay where all the gardens were aglow in the full moon.   Denny wandered around the gardens with his digital camera trying to record the mysterious beauty.  The camera's versatile zoom and macro lens and its ability to capture low light images allowed him to capture some of what he saw.

Cebu is famous for its guitar making.  The island of Mactan where we stayed is where all the "guitar factories" are located.  "Factory" is an odd term for the tiny workshops scattered around the islands.  The Cebuanos disdain all machine tools and every guitar is completely hand made.  The results range from fine instruments to junk for the tourists.

Just 1½ hours across the strait from Cebu is the island of Bohol.  We fell in love with its tranquil beauty and the gracious people there.  We visited the famous Chocolate Hills, held rare tarsier monkeys, ate delicious food as we drifted down the Loboc River and toured old Spanish cathedrals.