This post is in participation to @anomadsoul Contest: My 2018: A tour around my town which made possible by the @blocktrades

When travelling, what does most people look to love a place?
What comes to mind are probably these things: People, food (of course), natural beauty and why we all travel in the first place - adventure!

Here are just some of the many reasons why you need to give Iloilo a chance.

ON PEOPLE:

https://steemitimages.com/DQmbmVNsQvr8CUMLy2FFSCCu9MasrncEQ7fHK8L2dR8mMb2/12814756_1087151814638238_1513979515924269393_n.jpg (A top view of our not-so-busy road with Iloilo's best and brightest smiles except for that dude on the left side, apparently, he's korean-ish)

Ilonggos are best known for their "malambing" (soft-spoken) accent which most people from other regions find it funny, because they could never tell if we are already angry. And like most Filipinos, we are exceptionally affable.

ON FOOD:

https://steemitimages.com/DQmaq58zQ3ygisMeeCudLwwxaEc7KMzu7WZZ6JLbgf1FvMo/lapaz%20batchoy.jpg
(Probably Ilonggo's best dish, only with a twist this time, "Buko Batchoy", served by Lars Buko Batchoy Eatery in Mandurriao, Iloilo)

Food is kind of our way of life here. Not to brag, but Ilonggos our good in the kitchen and we are most famous for "Lapaz Batchoy" . Ever since variety became a hip, we innovated. Batchoy can now be served in a coconut (maintaining it's meat and fresh juice), which we all call "Buko Batchoy" - if you have loved the regular batchoy, you will love this even more!

ON NATURE AND ADVENTURE :

https://steemitimages.com/DQmbqdLBEV29Lr1u7TUK17zVeC4KJfetH28daTxzVoBUbbC/14435262_10207525149833395_2759374185047124190_o.jpg
(The instagrammable island-view of "Isla Gigantes" in Carles, Iloilo)

https://steemitimages.com/DQmTLLiCTFxdXAHPCGjQUTjC949sBGwTXrC4ZBcpQBxpogC/14468587_10207525159553638_8488667104462610348_o.jpg
(Got to take that boat-ride pose while it's still not bumpy)

https://steemitimages.com/DQmcCJym3LcdtpR8Qmt4wKmoerGUvy3oYd3HQwwt2YFdGC7/14589686_10207530165598786_1906359744365342351_o.jpg
(He sells sea shells by the sea shore)

https://steemitimages.com/DQmNnzL86teWuxzGitnjHxcdE7AJWox1bDAEa2RiceuzYAX/bakwitan.jpg
(The heart-stopping climb inside that "Bakwitan Cave", I thank God we are still alive)

Iloilo is also rich on natural beauty. Surprisingly, as tourism started to boom and travelling became a trend and a sought-activity today especially to the millennials, we have discovered that there are actually a lot of breath-taking mountains to hike and must-see beaches to explore here in Iloilo. But let's not get far away from the shore (it is safer there, lol). One of the most visited island here is got to be the "Isla Gigantes", a 3-4 hour ride from Iloilo City. Aside from the island's stunning view, coming there was a one great adventure(which you can see evidently in the photos)!

So yeah, there's that.

If I haven't convince you enough with this post, it's all the more reason to get here!

Photos are all mine.

Love,
hope

!steemitworldmap 10.713237 lat 122.573090 long Iloilo d3scr)