Note: this trip was made at Christmas 1995. In the time since then I'm sure much has changed so it may not be a great idea to treat this as a guide. Treat it as a memoir, which - give or take some editing - is exactly what it is.We waded waist deep, rucksacks held above our heads, out to the bangkas. The water was calm and warm but the rocky bottom was slippery and uneven. Nonetheless the task was accomplished without mishap. The noise from the engine was tremendous and made conversation difficult but there was no sign of yesterday's rain and the sun was bright and hot again. It was a long journey for what felt like a very flimsy craft. I was convinced of their seaworthiness but others seemed less confident. At times when we were out in open water and the waves were high enough to lash over the sides bouncing us about like a Ping-Pong ball, I could see their point of view.
We stopped for lunch at a small island, where puzzled villagers watched us as we gave a repeat performance of yesterday's lunch preparations. They showed the same idle curiosity that the monkeys had, although the monkeys had been unable to sell us bottles of beer which made the villagers a much better audience. Afterwards it was back to the bangkas for part two of the trip. Although we had started early it was already some way into the afternoon by the time we arrived at Port Barton and the Swissipinni Resort. After Sabang I had expected Port Barton to be pretty grim. Instead there was a wonderful surprise waiting for us. Swissipinni consisted of a village of solid, well-built and even luxurious wooden chalets all nicely furnished and all complete with proper showers and toilets. There was a large separate building where the bar and restaurant and even a pool table could be found.
We stopped for lunch at a small island, where puzzled villagers watched us as we gave a repeat performance of yesterday's lunch preparations. They showed the same idle curiosity that the monkeys had, although the monkeys had been unable to sell us bottles of beer which made the villagers a much better audience. Afterwards it was back to the bangkas for part two of the trip. Although we had started early it was already some way into the afternoon by the time we arrived at Port Barton and the Swissipinni Resort. After Sabang I had expected Port Barton to be pretty grim. Instead there was a wonderful surprise waiting for us. Swissipinni consisted of a village of solid, well-built and even luxurious wooden chalets all nicely furnished and all complete with proper showers and toilets. There was a large separate building where the bar and restaurant and even a pool table could be found.
The resort was situated right at the edge of a perfect beach which sloped steeply down into the water making it perfect for swimming. In the restaurant I ordered an egg and cheese sandwich and received what was really a large cheese omelette between two thick slices of home baked bread. After a nap on the beach I went swimming for about an hour. The odd profile of the beach gave a peculiar 'backwards wave' effect to the water so that the waves ricocheted from the sand pulling you first towards the shore and then away from it. It was a peculiar and pleasant sensation. Another nap and then it was time for a shower and a wander to the bar.
Before long Eddie, the resort manager, started laying out the buffet which proved to be an excellent meal although some of the group seemed to be happy with just a liquid dinner.
We sat around in the bar drinking until it was time to go to bed again. There was a vague feeling of time ticking away. Tomorrow would be our last non-travelling day in the Philippines and it felt strange to think that soon we would be going home. I felt as if I had spent my whole life here, as if England was something I had once dreamed about after a heavy supper rather than a reality waiting for my return. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I didn't even want to consider home.
Before long Eddie, the resort manager, started laying out the buffet which proved to be an excellent meal although some of the group seemed to be happy with just a liquid dinner.
We sat around in the bar drinking until it was time to go to bed again. There was a vague feeling of time ticking away. Tomorrow would be our last non-travelling day in the Philippines and it felt strange to think that soon we would be going home. I felt as if I had spent my whole life here, as if England was something I had once dreamed about after a heavy supper rather than a reality waiting for my return. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I didn't even want to consider home.
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