Thursday 5th February 2015
Many months ago I
laboriously downloaded a whole lot of anchorages into the Navionics program on
my iPad. I hoped to cover all manner of
contingencies in the Philippines.
Yesterday we aimed for El Nido, the large region at the north of Palawan
Island. The first one I encouraged Pete
to accept said, flatly, “El Nido.
9metres. Sand.” NO more detail!
And, amazingly, we
ended up in this very beautiful place…
Glorious!
with beach
restaurants, shops selling Schweppes Tonic Water.
interesting people
strolling down the narrow streets
slightly run-down
motor tricycles…
a very nifty big
green bottle Christmas tree – did I say the people in the Philippines don’t go
in for CRAFT???
It is so very
beautiful here. Very much like the
islands in Thailand, but not (yet…) as touristy. They are trying for a Patong Beach vibe
but…fortunately…not yet…It is lovely like Koh Phi Phi Don (Thailand) but WITHOUT the blasting disco music all through the night.
We had a drink at
the not very encouragingly named Seaslug’s Restaurant,
and the local kiddiewinks were very happy to line up for a photo.
and the local kiddiewinks were very happy to line up for a photo.
2XS is way out to
sea…we tried to get in closer but….maybe later… We were very happy to be in
this beautiful location, securely anchored, after just a teensy bit of a
problem with the chain, which decided to twist sideways and caused…a bit of a
problem… Pete fixed it with a big sledgehammer and some lengths of pipe.
 |
| 2XS visible in the far distance |
One of the shops
sells a bewildering miscellany of goods.
Roosters feature prominently…
I have not
commented on, or photographed, roosters, since we have been in the
Philippines. TOO distressing…. They are
much loved and cossetted but…they are for FIGHTING!! Yes I should mount a one-woman campaign but…I
am too old, too tired, too disheartened, even to begin… (Actually I am still young-ish, full of fun but…NOT up for a fight!!!)
It is full moon here. Pete awoke at 3.00am to hear – cocks
crowing! They thought it was daytime… It
was so very bright, in the moonlight…but still NOT morning! We wondered how many eggs were wrongly
laid/not laid!!
 |
| Looking after Pete's beer |
On a cheerier
note…Look at this!!
100% power! Pete has struggled away with the batteries,
the solar panels, the this and the that…
And finally we have 100% power!
Oh joy!
(And what I am
reading…well over the past few days TWO novels about (a) a dentist* and (b) a biochemist**
in a sad relationship with a beautiful woman called Connie!! Coincidence??
Well…NO…Synchronicity, maybe…
* Rise Again at a Decent Hour – Joshua
Ferris
** Us – David Nicholls)
What a fabulous Christmas tree. No wonder it's still up, they probably can't bear to take it down after all that work!
ReplyDeleteWhen I see photos that include other tourists/travellers I am filled with envy. One day in and well and truly into the grind!
Here you can find more info and accommodation for Palawan Island on www.palawanisland.org
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