One day in Manila it is much more that is needed when there is nothing to make there. Not because I do not like this city, but I have already had opportunity to go for a walk there and this time I want to go in the discovery of the Philippines’ beaches, time for some divings in a sea at 30 °. 9 O’clock in the morning, after a short breakfast, I am on the way to Batangas in the south of Manila. From there, I could take a boat which will drive me to Puerto Galera in the Mindoro’s region.
On the way, after huge traffic jams in Manila, I pass not very far from Taygaytay and from the Lake Taal, which for many deserves the detour. I did not choose to stop there and, some part, I make a good choice because the time becomes covered terrifically and it is impossible to see the summit. It is covered with black clouds and it is easy to imagine how much it is raining on top. For month, Philippines saw 4 cyclones, it is a kind of record unfortunately.
After 3 hours on the road, I am now in Batangas, on the harbour. To find the right one, it is not well complicated, it is enough to point it out to the guy who trial to get from you your luggage. Then, having taken the ticket, having paid the passengers tax and the terminal fee, it is enough to join the boat. Boats, there is one an hour. Battle rages between both companies but of blow it is rather easy.
The boat is big Barca covered in Yellow and blue. It is about the typical boat in the Philippines, wooden, not very broad and with a float of every quoting constituted by bamboo linked up between them. For those that would have read my article about Boracay, it is a bit as the small sailing boats on the pictures but able to take 100 Filipinos. A very serious accident taken place one month ago and, aboard, was the niece of a minister who unfortunately died with many other persons. After event, norms of security were reinforced but it lasted only 3 weeks, everything became again as before from now on.
After some very billowy waves which saw the completely submerged floats, We finally arrived at Sabang Beach where this boat makes a first stopping before going on farther, towards White beach it seems to me. The arrival to Sabang beach is rather funny, hotels seem stacked up. From the boat, it is easy to locate a dive centre because practically all hotels also have a dive centre. More than 40 in everything, as the points of divings. In my opinion, here, apart from diving, there is not thing to do except diving.
I chose Sabang Inn by letting me guide by my travel book who points it out as little away from the centre rather enlivened. I think to have made a good choice because, the room is rather ample, with seeing on the sea and the noise of waves to fall asleep. It is a very small hotel with about 5 – 6 rooms but with a very relaxed and very nice reception.
Les paysages, que tu as découvert, sont charmants et fascinants. Il me semble que tu peux trouver quelque chose de particulier et d’adorable même s’il n’y a pas beaucoup de chose à cet endroit. Chaque paysage ordinaire devient une photo excellente dans tes mains. Est-ce que c’est possible que le ciel soit si rose? Les couleurs de tes photos sont impressionnantes. C’est difficile à imaginer qu’un tel petit bateau puisse emporter 100 Philippins ;-) Et combien d’européens? ;-) C’est comme une motocyclette avec sept passagers. Je vois que ton trajet était très captivant. J’attends avec impatience les reportages suivants. Cela me fait plaisir de te lire.
Natalia
P.S. Si seulement je pouvais remplacer mes nuits avec le bruit des autos par les nuits avec le bruit des vagues.
Profite bien de ce début de vacances. Fais attention à tes oreilles… la plongée, c’est aussi ce genre de choses. Moi, je viens de retrouver mon chez moi. Pas facile mais bon. Bisous. Marie
Un oubli…. Très beau cliché de ce coucher de soleil…. avec des reflets comme j’aime tant…Marie