MANILA"S WALLED CITY: THE INTRAMUROS AND FORT SANTIAGO
The Intramuros is the original capital city, the seat of Government during the period of Spanish rule in the Philippines from 1590 until their expulsion after the Spanish American war in 1898. It bears a striking resemblance to many other Spanish colonial cities such as Havana, Santo Domingo, and Cartagena. Massive walls and fortifications surround broad squares and grand houses and churches. The remnants of the triad with which Spain gained and later ruled her empire, the military, the church, and trade and commerce along with those who administered all three can all be found here.

Submitted By James Smith

HERE THERE BE PIRATES ONCE, ROATAN HONDURAS
Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, a group of four major islands off of the Caribbean coast of Honduras, and fast becoming the newest "undiscovered" vacation destination.

Submitted By James Smith

NOW THIS IS A CAMERA, FUJI FINEPIX S5100
After the successful trials of our first digital camera, I knew it was time to upgrade to something better. While I had dreams of a Canon Rebel or a Nikon or something along those lines; realistically I knew they were not an option. Price being one consideration, the other being to be honest they were too much camera for my immediate and future needs. Honestly the main reason I wanted one of them was for the LCF (look cool factor). On serious note I began to look at the Fuji line again. It made sense, we already had a Fuji camera and it performed well. There was also the compatibility issue. One camera type/brand equated to the same accessories, and that"s an important issue. We wouldn"t have to lug around two different and most likely incompatible sets of memory cards, cables and other assorted bits and pieces.

Submitted By James Smith

FANTASY ISLAND DIVE AND BEACH RESORT, ROATAN HONDURAS
To be honest I was half expecting to see Ricardo Montalban in a white suit waiting for us as the airport shuttle bus crossed over the small bridge that connects Fantasy Island resort to Roatan Island. I was actually disappointed that Mr Roarke and his diminutive helper didnt meet us in the arrivals hall at Roatan Airport.

Submitted By James Smith

DEFENDING THE SPANISH LAKE, SPANISH FORTS IN THE CARIBBEAN
From the first voyages of exploration at the end of the fifteenth century, through to the final break up of the European empires at the end of the nineteenth, the Caribbean was a much different place. Here the major European powers established colonies both for political and strategic reasons and more often to exploit the treasures and natural resources of the region.

Submitted By James Smith

LAST POST: MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL, MAKATI PHILIPPINES
The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is open every day of the year aside from December 25th and January 1st form 9:00 am to 5 pm. There is no admission cost. A staff member is always on duty at the visitor centre at the entrance to assist those in finding the gravesite of a loved one.

Submitted By James Smith