My travel diary continues .....
Bert and I are off to the Philipinnes with 23 folk to go SUP (stand up padding). My cousins Husband Tony arrived yesterday to housesit for us. Caught up over a couple of Merlots and a home cooked meal.
I will post as often as I get internet access as some of the places we are going are remote but hope some interest coverage most days.
Day 1
Finish packing, breakfast at the beach and load up Betsy Barina and drive to Sydney for an overnight before the flight tomorrow.
Day 2
Up for a lovely breakfast with Tracey and Pete, bags packed and over to check in. Because we are a group we all checked in together but for some reason Bert and I were not seated together, we eventually got 2 seats together, but I held everyone up.
A little duty free shopping and all aboard QF 19 to Manila. 7 hours and 45 minutes later we were there. Customs and immigration was not problem at all. Off in a couple of buses to our hotel, it was nearly 8 pm by this time so very tired. Checking in 24 people can take a little time, so we just ordered room service (club sandwiches - oh they were yuk).
Into bed and about 4 hours sleep, had to be in the lobby for 4:30am!!! Yes really. Short flight and a nearly 2 hour bumpy bus ride to our accommodation.
The river is stunning, green and very clean from what we can see.
Over to our accommodation - the SUP centre doesn't have enough space for all of us, so we and most of the others are at the Stephanie Grace - across the river, but about 15 minutes by mini bus. 15 minutes mini bus is about 200 horn toots and a lot of stopping and starting.
Sorry very little pics but they are going on Facebook.
Paddle time down river - 2 pm and I stood for 2kms and we stopped for a cool break at 2:29kms. If I had known it was just there I would have kept going. A lot of cold water - it is very humid here. Bert and other went right down to the ocean on the river and said it was fantastic. I came home to chill a little.
Pickup for dinner was 7;00pm but that was ok and we were all exhausted. Ate, said hi and left on the first bus home. Slept till the local roosters cock-a-doodle do'd at aroun 5;15am. I don't believe I rolled over all night.
DAY 2
Up and at-em for 6;45am pickup to go the SUP centre for breakfast, then a 4km paddle up river to a waterfall via a cold water spring that everyone swam in.
The waterfall was pretty but small it we had a great time swimming and even sitting behind the waterfall. Then paddled back to the SUP centre and I had to sit the whole way, still tired I think.
Lunch on the SUP dock area and some lovely spiced soup and fresh baked fish, oh and pork.
No rest, up and moving again, home to change and travel to the tarspin sanctuary centre and up to the chocolate hills.
