Sometimes things just work out so smoothly. After these two days that I constantly fell, dripped over and hit myself I was so glad to have a pain free day.Not only painfree, but so smooth, beautiful day when everything works out better than expected (even with high expectations) with little to no effort.
I left the smoky unimpressive capital of the Palawan island to head to freshly appointed world wonder - Palawan subterranean river. I had applied for the permit for the following day as they said its fully booked. But then when I got to the place quicker than expected, everything started to roll out so well. Somebody just took me to the greatest budget accommodation ever. Bamboo beach huts for 8 euros. I had my own hut! I haven't had such a big private space for long long time.
As it was only 10 in the morning, I could easily change my permit for the same day and join a group of philippino teachers/students. I saw the world wonder, which besides the fact that its quite packed, its indeed great. The river goes 8km underground, basically a long cave with all the different formations inside and bats hanging everywhere.
Then I got back to my guesthouse, had this amazing fresh fish while looking into the ocean through the coconut trees. Then just when finishing, met this French guy Pierre and we went for a paddle boat tour to the mangroove forest. Again amazing. During daytime the snakes like to sleep on treebranches hanging over the river. I was praying for their good balance. Also got to know that kingfisher is not only the airline I took to Nepal,but a beautiful tropical bird. Mangroove trees themselves are impressive as well with their huge root system up in the air and hanging everywhere.
Then after it was perfect time for a swim in the bluest of sees, big rolling waves and sandy seabead with no stones or corals. After the thrill of the waves (im always a bit scared of them and these ones really seemed like a little wall approaching you), the French guy produced some mangos from his bag. And the mangos here melt in your mouth. Then just another swim for the fun of it, because even when the sun is gone, the air and water both are so warm, so it doesn't really matter if you are dry or wet. You will feel just fine. And then (this story is not finished yet!) Pierre says he has something special, something that I couldn't get here and though its not in prefect condition, it will be great. OK then! We go to the terrace in front of his hut and he brings out a champagne and some sausages from France. Jesus. How cool is that.
Next morning I wake up because of the bang of a coconut falling on the ground in front of my hut. And I feel a warm body next to me. There is someone sleeping besides me. For a moment I get frightened in confusion. No, its not Pierre. What were you thinking? Its a cat that befriended me the previous evening against my efforts.
I pack my bag, go pay the bill and ask for someone to come with the machete and open the coconut. And then I ate it for breakfast, thought of minus 30 degrees in Estonia and felt very much like in paradise.
Next time I should try a hut under a banana tree.
enesita this sounds like heaven! you`re making me doubt my decision not to go to palawan because of time issues all over again... ;) but I`m sure the Philipines have another ace or two up their sleeve ;) :D can`t wait to get off that plane!!!! :))
ReplyDeletebig hug!
PS: still loving the posts...great reading material at work while looking out of the window at the snowy rooftop on the other side of the street...