The Island Night Market

Weekly Photo Challenge: Arranged

When the sun sets, the Island is lit up with the fun and vibrant colors of the market place which the locals referred to as the “Talipapa.” This week’s photo challenge is called “Arranged” and nothing can be more fascinating than the arrangement of a beach market.

The beautiful and exotic lamps made from materials like bamboo, sea shells and coconut greeted us as we entered the market. My eyes were on a visual feast. So much texture and colors. So much ingenuity and artistry. So much hard work and personal touch with each hand-made products.

Island Souvenirs

Tiny bags made of "Banig," a local plant with a hand-painted wooden sea creatures and sea shells.

Aside from pictures and stored memories, every happy and memorable vacation is never complete without a souvenir. The Island is blessed with so much variety of local crafts that I started getting confused when it was time to choose which item to buy. My wife was wise when she told me, “Focus on the budget.” She kept me on track in terms of money spending which is very important to any planned vacation.

I bought several bracelets and key chains for my friends. I thought the looked really cool.

It rained for 15 minutes. It gave me enough time to take better pictures. It’s hard to take shots when you’re walking fast paced. Part of my vision was looking at the subject, the other for any holes that I might step into.

Wood carvings from the mountain province. Long before Christianity was introduced, people believed in Gods of Nature like the Rice Gods and the Gods for a bountiful harvest. Even to this day, old folks in remote areas still believe that supernatural beings exist in nature. I grew up being told about these beings. I haven't seen one but I swear I felt their presence as a kid when I accompanied my father in an isolated farm with no electricity surrounded by huge ancient trees and of creepy sounds that filled the night .

The next day we woke up early. It was time to go home. Part of me want to stay. Just before leaving the night market, I saw this small guitars. Like the beautiful music they create, I knew that the Island memories will soothe my heart when loneliness strikes.