Traveling is just one of those amazing things that really changes your life. You gain a totally different perspective on the world and life in general. Despite everything you see and experience, one of the most meaningful aspects of traveling are the friends you make. Becoming closer with old and casual friends; becoming new friends with people you never realized existed and even coming to find out people you thought you knew are totally different than they seemed. Luckily, that didn't happen to me on this trip. But from my experiences in Korea, the Philippines and abroad, I now how people to see in Ireland, England, Denmark, Holland, Slovakia, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Belize, Guam, and Hawaii, just to name a few. The bonds formed during travel, especially rough travel, can be lifelong, while others are fleeting.
From the Austrians I traveled with through Palawan to the others I met on the Tao boat trip, this trip did not disappoint. Taytay was a pretty cool little town. We stayed in really nice cabanas overlooking the Spanish fort and the water for only around $20.
The next day we hoped in another minivan with a flat tire and aimed northwest toward El Nido. The road wasn't too bad, with nice rice field views and the occasional loaded bus with twice the capacity on the roof ducking power-lines and leaning as the vehicle leaned so far to one side that the shocks and undercarriage were fully exposed. The closer we got to El Nido, the more impressive the scenery became. Large granite mounds, covered in palm trees, began rising from the turquoise water. Upon making our way into town and onto the beach road towards our hotel, I could not believe what I was seeing. It had to have been one of the most beautiful sights I'd ever laid my eyes upon.
I can't explain everything that I experienced on this trip. It's too hard to communicate how perfect it was, and how ecstasy experienced by everyone. The trip was 4 days, 3 nights traveling from El Nido to Coron. Of course we snorkeled 3-4 times per day, but unfortunately I had injured my ears in a free diving competition with one of our guides. I made it to 20m on one breath, but doing that repeatedly was apparently not a great idea. My fellow guests came from England, South Africa/Australia, Hong Kong, Norway, and Poland. It was quite the eclectic group, but we all go along very well. The staff on the boat, (Romeo, Long-Long, Borge, and Oliver) cooked all our food, poured our drinks, set up our beds, took us on tours and helped us go fishing. They were more friends than staff, but they were great to have on board. The nights we spent on small islands where there were 20-45 permanent villagers, and no real tourism. We typically stayed in bamboo bunkhouses with mosquito nets, mattresses and small pillows. At night there were coconut fires, group showers from a well and flowing rum. I've never been more and peace and content in my entire life. My head was filled with the songs of Bob Marley as we glided over the water, gazing at far off storms and close by tree covered islands. I could go on for days, but that's it. If you have any questions about it, don't hesitate to ask. As my friends can tell you, I love reminiscing about it whenever I can.