El Nido

Got here, had dinner at Athena’s with a crazy view, booked dives then got tricycle to zip line before chilling on los cabanos beach for sunset, we then hit up Maccies for a quick mayo chicken before maas for a dinner with Annie and James.

Woke up early and did our dive trip at aquanaut dive centre with Matt Mia James and Annie, amazing scenery and great dives. Got back and had a drink at safety stop whilst writing my log book, really taking in how lucky I’ve been this trip with everything I’ve done. We then headed back, showered and had unlimited pasta and 2 mai tais followed by a game of cards and shop bought rum and coke. Then played ring of fire then did horse races then went to town to the pangolin but it was dead so came back but was toasted. Had late night nachos at some random place before heading back.

Today was a bit of an explore. We rented bikes (a bit late because that tanduay rum absolutely knocked us down) and drove to duli beach on James’ suggestion. This is now my favourite beach of all time. It was nearly empty, so beautiful and had an amazing surf. James and I surfed for about an hour and a half and I kept catching some really big waves. It felt amazing. We got some burgers for lunch on the beach with some president before heading to nacpan beach. Forgot to mention my bike didn’t have a working back brake so getting to these beaches on dirt roads was a death wish. Basically had a nap on nacpan beach whilst listening to Coldplay under some coconut trees before heading to Lio beach for sunset. Gutted we missed the flyover from the nearby airport during the sunset. Ofc my trash bike didn’t have working lights so had a very dodgy journey back in the dark. Headed to happiness restaurant for dinner with Annie and James and got a mixed platter and some hummous chicken schwarma meal. Was unreal. Needed an early night tonight though.

Next morning we had the tour A boat tour. Waited on the beach for like an hour before we got on but set off to first snorkel spot - saw a turtle! Number 1000 of this trip probably. Felt like my freediving has improved massively in the Philippines. We then checked out 7 commandos beach, secret lagoon with a queue so long we didn’t go in (but did see a beach cat) and then the big lagoon which we kayaked into and saw 2 baby black tip sharks, a ray and the cutest baby bat fish from the kayak. Was awesome. Also had an ice cream from the travelling boat salesman, dived off the boat whilst waiting for everyone then had sunset on the way back. Last night with Annie and James so we hit up Maa’s kitchen again and got 2 bottles of tanduay, and basically repeated the night from 2 nights ago but was just so fun. Music played had to be related to previous song which was fun and we were all totalled. I’ll remember El Nido so fondly. Perfect 2nd last stopLæs mere