The first half of April 2006 we are in the small marina of the Cebu
Yacht Club on Mactan Island. We bring the sails for repair and checks
to the sail maker (Hyde Sails) and order new 'low maintenance' batteries
on board. The 'Alexandra' is flushed very well and so there are more
jobs to do. But it is terribly hot in the marina where there is no wind
and a daily smog due to wood fires, the power plant (coals) and
piles of burning car tires. Time for a break: by ferry to Bohol island.
We take lodgings in the tropical jungle of the Nuts
Huts resort on the banks of Loboc River. A beautiful place with views on
the river, the palms and big hibiscus flowers. By motorbike we explore
the center of Bohol and see the 'chocolate hills', a landscape with
round hills on which the scrub turns brown very soon by lack of water. A
special natural phenomenon. On Loboc River we do a trip by banca to the
(small) waterfall.
Next is our acquaintance with the 'tarsiers': these
are NO monkeys, but the smallest mammals/primates in the world, they are
found only in the Philippines and Indonesia. Most interesting features
are their big eyes, the out sticking ears, a long tail and very
developed fingers and toes. They fit in the palm of your hand, leap five
meters, rotate their heads almost 360 degrees and move their ears
in the direction of sound. More info on
www.bohol.net/PTFI or make a
search for 'tarsiers'.
After the Easter we still have two weeks before our
visa for the Philippines expire. From Cebu we sail along the reefs north
of Bohol, we visit Limasawa and Panaon Island, both on the south of
Leyte and Surigao on the northeast corner of Mindanao is our last 'port
of call' before leaving the coastal waters of the Philippines.
Next destinations are Helen Reef (south of Palau), Irian Jaya and Darwin
in Australia.
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