Photo Journalism > Journal Excerpts > Coron Expedition
journal excerpts |Coron Expedition - 12 Days Expedition from May 19 to 30, 2000
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Hard to remember what happened as it’s now Monday! It’s my turn to write so I must think of something to say.
It was a slow start this morning. No hurry to break camp as it’s an outrigger voyage scheduled at 10 a.m. Patrick had cooked the breakfast oatmeal with mango and something else – very nice it was tho'! We sat on a soft sandy beach, read, wrote and chatted. It had been a very noisy night with the Jurassic Park monitor lizards calling and kids calling across the bay. The sea pounding the shore and of course – Patrick back in his tent contentedly snoring!
The outrigger arrived Filipino time at 11 a.m. with Chip, Greg and Viveca and well loaded with lunch, kayaks, snorkeling equipment we set off to explore the southern area of the island. The sea was calm, totally different to our choppy return yesterday. The sun was shining high in the sky and in the distance the small beaches glowed amongst the towering limestone backdrop. I wonder if there’s a hidden community in there, totally self-sufficient – behind the massive rocks – no one would know – could there be a novel there…?
I sat at the front of the boat and enjoyed the fresh salty sea breeze blowing straight into my face and the sun beaming down full strength from above. What bliss! I’m working hard on the sun tan and gradually turning from shocking pink to a light brown but now it’s all flaking off my back – so why do we do it!
The crew very kindly put the steps down for me, the geriatric of the trip, so I could get in and out of the boat. I wouldn’t be able to get back in without (difficulty). So embarrassing.
The snorkeling was excellent, such magnificent coral and beautiful blue starfish. So refreshing swimming in such clean, clear water. I’ll remember all this when back at the ironing board next week! After snorkeling we kayaked – Patrick again nobly accompanying me. There is no way I will kayak on my own. He has been great back-up over this and always makes it as easy as possible for me to transfer between the boats – often with hilarious results as Helen goes into the drink yet again! His help has been noted – and greatly appreciated! The only other major problem I’ve had with this active, adventurous holiday is – the d-jellyfish. If there is only one jelly fish in the bay he’ll find me and lash out with his beastly outstretched tentacles. I’ve still got the slash marks from my sting on the first day a week ago. They are vicious creatures and I see no purpose for them! Their sting is very painful.
It was low tide so when we reached one of the caves the others donned their snorkels and swam under the low opening into the 20 ft cave. Courage left me, I didn’t fancy the below surface exit so I remained firmly and safely seated in my yellow kayak. Anyway, if I had got out I wouldn’t have been able to get back in because the water was choppy – best to stay onboard and not make a fool of myself yet again.
After an excellent lunch which had been prepared by Sea Dive (editor's note: Freshly caught fish purchased at the market by Tribal Adventures) the others went kayaking round the southern point and visited two lagoons, one being the sacred Tagbanua lagoon where visitors are asked to remain silent. I had had enough of kayaking for one day so sunbaked on deck in glorious sunshine reading my very good paperback. They kayaked for long so I was glad I’d remained on board. From this area we could see the bamboo scaffolding precariously tied to the giant limestone rock which the Tagbanua somehow climb to get the swifts’ nests for the popular and expensive bird’s nest soup. No wonder it is such a delicacy, I wonder how many Filipinos have perished on these climbs.
The kayaking was successful and all returned safely to the outrigger. Viveca and Greg returned to the campbase by speedboat whilst the rest of us remained on the outrigger. I think this was the day when the weather then turned and water became extremely choppy. The sun disappeared behind thick grey cloud and rain threatened in the distance but amazingly never reached us. We were only drenched by the seaspray. Progress on such turbulent water was extremely slow so we reached home base quite late and I don’t think there could have been any spectacular sunset that night as it had been such a rough ride home.
After all the fresh sea air it had been an exhilarating day. We were all tired and conversation that night dried up – an early night for all. Tents were fumigated - mossies dropped dead – and we bedded down in our tents on floating huts trying to find the most comfortable position to sleep in – even with the thicker foam mattresses I still find it hard to sleep but the humidity is the main problem, some nights have been very muggy. Anyway eventually activity in the tents died down and we all awaited the first sounds of slumber from Patrick’s tent!