
I have a good friend here Chris who has spent a few months making an old fishing boat into something really special.
One of the major pulls to live in the Philippines is to look at the beautiful beaches and beautiful Islands that the Philippines has to offer. There is no doubt that some of these havens are the most beautiful places in Asia. I am lucky as over the last months I have moved out of the chaos of the Manila to the calmer and friendly Puerto Galera. To be precise I am living on the Whitebeach and there is NO POLLUTION-NO TAXIS-NO McDONALDS.
There are of course other challenges, but most of them can be overcome by dropping your expectations or just improvising.
I have a good friend here Chris who has spent a few months making an old fishing boat into something really special. Now, this boat has turned into a boat that can travel around to and onto the local Islands. There is nothing more enjoyable than spending a few hours looking at the stunning Islands and feeling the blue sea at your feet as the boat speeds through the water.
On our last trip with a few friends we stopped over at a beautiful deserted beach on the Island of Mindoro, not that far from Whitebeach. We enjoyed a picnic on the beach and a relaxing afternoon which turned into an evening barbeque and a fire on the beach. Now, that is what I call living.
As far as I can see the beach was not possible by any road, and apart from a dog we had the place to ourselves for many hours. The barbeque was delicious and as the light faded Chris put on the lights of the boat, which patiently waited for us to return later.
About 8pm after a few drinks and a good time the crew of the boat loaded everything back on the waiting vessel and we paddled in the still warm water and boarded our boat for the return trip.
There is something amazing about a ship at night passing close by to the shore and watching the occasional local in their wooden homes or passing a beach bar with two or three happy customers. The journey home allowed us to pass Whitebeach where we could see the fire dancers trying to attract clients to the bars and we could hear the distance thud of music coming from those same bars.
The bars seemed to be so far off, and it was just the lights that made me even understand where we were. The noiseof the engine and the spraying night sea made this a perfect end to the day and withing a few more minutes we were mooring the boat in a tranquil bay.
Now that is what I call a perfect day on a perfect form of transportation.