El Nido

Day 161 - 165.

Arrived into the much anticipated town of El Nido amid T storm central, fortunately this didn't deter the hardy street bbq'ers one bit and we were able to source some much needed lunch and shelter from the storm.

With luggage attached to the scooter, safety briefing complete and over sized 1980's helmets at the ready we set out for the 25km ride to Nacpan. We met Mark on the beach, our couch surfing host - a local Filipino. In hindsight staying with a 25 year old, who sleeps in a hammock on the beach, neither rents or owns any property and quit his job the day previous wasn't our brightest idea yet.

After causing a slight cuffuffle with the Chinese owners of said beach we ended up securing a night in a tent right on the sand - amazing. We will forget for now that we had to pay off the owners for the privilege and remember the highlights, the amazing sunset swim, the great night sleep (at least for me) and waking at dawn with just blue sky and palm trees overhead.

Sufficed to say we swiftly said goodbye to Mark the next day, after a delicious mango breaky (becoming a real habit) we relocated to a nearby hostel, free coconut milk head massages and pillows included - now that's more like it.

After a few days soaking up the sun, morning yoga (with just Adrienne, Ellie was in the sea) and one or two rums on the beach it was time to head back into town and get in that Kayak.

After a breakfast doughnut or 10 we boarded our vessel and headed out to begin island hopping, it seemed that neither of our bearings were in tact early on when we unexpectedly arrived at our first island, which we had just confirmed was still 3 km to the east, lucky we weren't going far today..

Cadlao island was a particular highlight, not for its beauty, the lagoon or its crystal clear water - no, but that it miraculously cured Limbsters hearing and thus saved us what was likely a rather costly trip to Medical City, I won't be forgetting the smile on her face in a hurry.

We opted for not 1 full day of kayaking but 2, and therefore seriously racked up the km's. Plenty of amazing moments to remember as a result, from beeching the Kayak one too many times, reminiscing back to our first days at Highcliffe, dodging those towering rock faces (or just screaming and hoping they move) and last but not least those banana & peanut butter rewards once we'd powered through a big stretch.

Not much however could beat the koala on our final beach home, just us on the empty white sand, really appreciating our last 6 months together and watching the day come to a close.

The final push home was hard, with open wounds (the dreaded thumb) and jelly arms it was going to be tough but Limbster came into her own and without her singing throughout we honestly might not have made it. The best Egg plant burgers in town to celebrate!

It was really hard to leave this place although the giant cockroach (and spider) hunting session on our last night certainly helped get us on that ferry a little quicker.

P.s the safety briefing consisted of how to fall off the bike if an accident should occur, fall on the backpack only - all limbs in the air, like a beetle on its back. Luckily my sand scootering skills were second to none and this wasn't put to the test. Czytaj więcej