OK, its vacation time for me ( I get one week per month ) so day 1 was relaxing, a little garden work, out to dinner with a group at a place called Hibiscus where I had seafood curry and hibiscus rice for around 6 bucks. Most people ordered the pizza which was around 5 bucks and both were quite good. Afterwards went to a few local establishments to take in the scene here as it was a Sunday night it was a bit slow but amusing none the less. Some girls kept passing us on a scooter, 3 lined up on one which is quite common, and then they stopped , Introductions were made and they drove off. They then waited for us to catch up and asked me for my texting info...Not having a phone here I had to decline the request. The next day I had arranged to go on a Discovery Dive this was done via a Philippine Navy guy named Jonathan who like many here was super nice and personable. 3 of us were picked up, fitted, and driven to the local beach. We jumped into a small boat and went out to about 5 feet to go through the basics for about 30 minutes. After he felt OK with our recently learned skill set we headed out to open water. First dive was very cool with clear water, a plethora of multi covered fish, bright blue star fish, and tons of coral going down about 14 meters for about 30-40 minutes. We then came out and went to another spot having fresh mango on the way. For some reason that was the best mango I have ever eaten. Could be the beautiful scenery, the views, the open water with barely a soul in sight, not sure really but it tasted like food reserved for the gods. The second dive lasting a little longer and going down 18 meters we saw a sea turtle and a lot more fish. It was like your own personal aquarium. Visibility was maybe 20-25 feet and after that just darkness. Occasionally I would look back to see if anything bigger might be tailing us but no...just peace and calm with only the sound of your breath breaking the silence. After getting back on the boat the ride back as the sun was slowly setting, the clouds billowing in perfect whiteness above the island mountains, and perfectly calm seas was a picture perfect ending to a most natural day. The cost was 3,300 pesos or roughly 65 bucks US. The experience was priceless. Arrived home, ate another awesome dinner, and went out walking through the local town taking in the sights and sounds of a small town in Palawan. The usual smiling faces, hellos, and multitudes of small stores stacked up selling all kinds of little items greeted me and my two new friends. At this place new friends and connections are made constantly but they are often only here for a short while traveling through finding their path in life as really we all are in some form or another. The small town runs into the beach where it was high tide and a perfect night of a sky full of stars and bright moon. The mangroves were scattered about creating a contrast to the horizon as it eventually was swallowed up in the darkness over the ocean. The walk was maybe another 20 or so minutes back home where most were asleep waking to another beautiful sunny and warm day. Its just me and the birds for now but the locals will be up soon beginning their daily routines making sure all is clean and we are well fed and nourished. My biggest concern is what should I pick to do today as the possibilities are plentiful and the choices appealing... Peace all
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:52:22 +0000
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