25th March - Coron to 2XS in Busuanga Bay - day of gastro horror - and now all is well

Wednesday 25^th March 2015

From Coron we had quite a long trip in a big van along the coast to Puerta del Sol resort.  This seemed like the easiest place to get down to the edge of the water and to get a lift out to 2XS.  We could see it, gently bobbing on the big safe mooring, not far from Alfaros.

To make us even happier, right nearby was Jackster – our friends Jacqui and David, waiting for us.

LOTS of catching up.  They have been to Raja Ampat (Eastern Papua), a very remote and beautiful area with fabulous reefs, so they had much valuable information to share.  They also had very scary stories – coming across from Palau their beautiful big sturdy boat (an Amel, virtually indestructible,) was knocked right over by a big wave coming from the side.  It was all very unpleasant and they had many hours of anxiety looking for their little cat Polly, who had very sensibly hidden in a small tunnel behind the toilet area.

Pete and Dave

We had dinner at Alfaros, a few drinks, and made plans to meet again the following day… Alas and alack… Pete and I both woke early the next morning in a very sad and sorry state with explosive gastro… We spent the whole day either asleep, on the toilet, or leaning dismally or the back of the boat feeding the (very happy) fish… David and Jacqui were both fine, so we can’t blame Alfaros – we can still recommend it as a very pleasant place for a meal!

Jacqui and Marguerite

We went to bed before 7pm – actually this is incorrect; Pete hardly left the cabin and slept there all day, groaning faintly, in between bouts of horror.  It’s hard to believe how much sleep we were able to pack into our time, though.  I slept from 7-7, after a whole day of snoozing, reading, and horror.

This morning we are OK but…still wanting to sleep sleep sleep!

David and Jacqui came over for coffee and they have now gone, off towards El Nido.  They told us about their worst gastro experiences… After the East Malaysian farewell dinner in Tawau, apparently 75%o the fleet got very sick.  NOT John, Pete, Lindsay, Emma or me, I say happily and selfishly.  But Jacqui was ill for three days and poor Dave for FIVE!!  We found twelve hours quite bad enough…

Farewell to our friends 

Before we left Coron we did a few jobs in town.  Pete went to see his favourite technologist, Archie, who carefully took command of a widget which needs fixing.  

I was entranced by the Papa Francisco doll on the counter, carefully shrouded in plastic.  (The Pope is a total rockstar in the Philippines.) 

At the shop on the other side of the road we enquired after an advertisement in the window.  “What,” we asked, “are gando points??”  The very comely sales assistant said, “It means beauty!”  Well yes of course one would need to be beautiful to sell 2-minute noodles, chilli sauce and rice…