Semi Retired Foamer

For over four decades I have been a rail and bus photographer.

However, during this time I have aimed the lens at other subjects, be they different transportation, scenery, buildings and other bollocks.

Given these do not really fit the scope of my other sites, I felt compelled to set up a new site so as to inflict my other photographic garbage upon the world.
While primarily Philippine and Australian content, there will be the occasional forays into Fiji and Hong Kong. Perhaps other locations should the current pandemic ever allow it.

So sit back and enjoy, or hate, even be indifferent. That choice is purely up to you.

Official Home Of the 'Brad N Virls Adventure Series' - Images are copyright, so contact us if you would like to use any photos on your site/video! (We don't bite)

Wednesday, 15 February 2023

LANTANGAN MANDAON MASBATE 24/8/22 PT2

R.I.P - Lamberto Artocillo

I never knew you, but you changed my life forever.

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24th August 2022

We return to Lantangan (Mandaon, Masbate) for the second part of our recent trip to this beautiful seaside locale.

This was our third day in Lantangan, awaking to another sunny day in paradise.

Todays activities included walking along the waters edge of Lantangan, while the asawa visits friends and family.

The ubiquitous Bangka is to provincial seaside towns what the jeepney is to Manila.

Many in number, multi-coloured, and very fun to ride.

Much less fun getting in and out for an ol buggar like me :-)

Huge thanks to my nephew Jonarie who persevered with helping me to do so.

Photo: Brad Peadon

A very patriotic livery on this Bangka..

Photo: Brad Peadon

Seaside house, with a boat with a number that reminded me of Moore Park and Centennial Park in Sydney.

That's their local postcode.

Photo: Brad Peadon

I obviously go quackers photographing everything.

Photo: Brad Peadon

More Bangkas.

Photo: Brad Peadon

More Walking.

Photo: Brad Peadon

The famous Lantangan caves.

Photo: Brad Peadon

One of many million peaceful tropic locations in the Philippines..

Photo: Brad Peadon

Filo sunsets are always eagerly awaited upon.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Mobile Adobo.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Our limo to Lantangan Beach.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Beware of hail the size of coconuts.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Not the best Philippine sunset I've witnessed, but still didn't let me down.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Can't recall his name, but he was one of four lovely doggos we had with us at Sunset Villa.

Photo: Brad Peadon

More walking.
A extra level of difficulty on all those rocks.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Feeding time.

If only I remembered the Tartare Sauce for those gigantic prawns.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Of course, more walking. This time up to the nearest road for a lift back to where we were staying.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Waiting for our Bangka to Mandaon.

But that's for a future blog entry, so be patient.

Photo: Brad Peadon

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As mentioned at the start, the morning was so lovely, really not all that unusual for Lantangan.

I wouldn't have even given a second thought to the tragedy about to unfold, a moment that still haunts me almost daily all these months later.

I don't plan to go into details, I am sure many locals seeing this know what I am talking about.

Suffice to say, despite our never having met, you have not been forgotten Lamberto Artocillo, I often think about you, and wonder how your family/friends are.

Rest In Peace.

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Lantangan 2007

Lantangan 2022 - Part 1

Sunset Villa - Lantangan

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Semi Retired Foamer Video.

Check Us Out For Great Philippine Videos.

Sunday, 15 January 2023

PIO DURAN - ALBAY - PART 2

Hello/Kumusta

Welcome to our first posting for 2023.

This time we finally get around to the second half of our visit to Pio Duran (Albay) back in August 2022.

I pretty much covered much about the location in the first part of our coverage, so there is no point going through it all again.

So sit back and enjoy a few more photos taken at this fascinating little port town where fate would see us stay for 12 hours awaiting on the next ferry to Masbate City.

Philippine Ports Masbate City.

The waiting room for those awaiting island ferry services.

View from the balcony of the nearby accommodation.

You can just see the water in the distance.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Port of Pio Duran.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Exploring some back street to pass time before dinner..

Photos: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran college.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Iglesia Ni Cristo church in Pio Duran. Though far from the massive church they have on Commonwealth in Quezon City, it still is an attractive stucture.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Almost bordering on a copyright infringement is the large chain of burger stands called Big Mak :-) .

However, the name is where the similarity ends.

The hotdogs are the preferred choice should you find yourself there.

If after something more substantial, there is a great restaurant opposite the 'Grand Sapphire Store' on the south side of the main road on approaching the port.

There are a couple of roadside carinderia on the north side right at the port, the food looking pretty awesome also but sadly some rather abusive young kids lurk there and get rather abusive if you don't give them funds.
I often help, but will not tolerate violent verbal abuse in order to try to get it from me.

This isn't an issue in the restaurant opposite the Grand Sapphire Store and I totally recommend it.

Photos: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran at night.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Balconty view again, this time at night while awaiting the ferry.

Photo: Brad Peadon

About 10pm and we finally get the call to come and board the ferry.

Our ferry was the M/V Don Eduardo (on right). I think the one on the left was a slower service to Masbate City. I stand to be corrected on that fact.

Some bad weather was moving in, lightening beginning as we departed port, and some very rough weather on the way to Masbate City.

This will be covered in future posts, as well as some video on 'Semi-Retired Foamer TV'.

Photo: Brad Peadon

Pio Duran (Albay) - Part 1.

Sunset Villa (Lantangan Masbate)

Lantangan: Masbate Paradise

Grand Sapphire Store - Facebook