For our break away from cold Mongolia we decided to head to the tropics and somewhere we hadnt been before.
In April we visited the Philippines, Palawan in fact. We arrived in Manila for a stop over before we were to catch our plane to Lagen Island.
We stayed at the Peninsula hotel and found it amazing. The staff were so friendly, the breakfast was really nice and even had freshly squeezed oj.
We spent the morning shopping in some of the centres which where only five minutes walked from the hotel. In the afternoon we met up with a friend of Ben's, Philip who Ben knows from a camo forum.
Philip wanted to give us a tour of the city and then took us to Green Hills Market where we had lunch and a looked around.
It was really good of Philip to drive us around on a driving tour of Manila where we saw the different parts of the city.
Door people at the hotel
It was Easter time at the hotel
Breakfast
Green Hills Market
Some of the items on for sale at Green Hills Market
Philip, Paige, Ben and Bernadette at lunch
Paige ready for her island adventure
Flying out of Manila
Paige on the small plane
Jeepnee a form of transport in the Philippines
Ben and Paige on the small boat out to Lagen Island
April 2nd - with short flight and then a forty minute boat ride we arrived at El Nindo Resort, Lagen Island.
We were greeted by the staff singing and a cool drink. We then had a small introduction to the island resort. The resort is very environmentally friendly and it was good to know the steps they have in place to protect the wonderful environment.
After settling in we decided to venture out and did some snorkeling and then had drinks by the pool.
It wasn't to long before we were having a buffet dinner where we sat under the stars and enjoyed one of the locals singing and play his guitar.
Arriving at the Lagen Island
The rooms
Inside our room
View from our room
Bernadette's first pina colada
Paige happy in the pool
Paige underwater
Pool area
One of the many sunsets we experienced while on the island
The guitar player at dinner
One of the chefs on the island
Dinner by the pool Bernadette, Paige and Ben
April 3 - After having a really nice breakfast we headed out on a morning tour to see some caves and visit Snake Island. Snake island is a sand bar which is in the shape of a snake hence the name. We climbed to the top of the rock hill to take in the amazing view of the island. We then didn't some swimming before we knew it Paige had been stung by a box jelly fish. After doing first aid she had a mark on her leg but she soldiered on.
After lunch and Paige recovering from being stung Ben and Paige took a surf canoe and explored part of the island and did some snorkeling while I spent time by the pool. Ben and Paige made a coconut hat out of a palm leaf and watched the sun go down. Dinner was by the pool again and we watched some traditional dancing.
Paige and Bernadette on the boat
Side view of the cave
View from the dock on the island
Snake Island
The jellyfish sting
The boat hand pulls one of the two jellyfish from the area
Paige jumping off the boat
April 4th - Woke up and had another yummy breakfast and headed out to do some scuba diving while Paige did some snorkeling. The water was amazing, so clear. We saw many different species of fish and at times it felt we where diving in a fish tank. Our dive lasted around 40 minutes then Paige and Ben did jumping off the boat.
We headed back to the resort where we had some lunch. After lunch Paige did the padi bubble makers course where she got to do scuba diving with the dive master. It was great to see her having this amazing experience. Ben and Paige headed out on the sea canoes while I caught up on some quite time. Paige and Ben also decided to go on the nature walk around the island.
Pool view at night
Ben making a coconut hat
Paige with Ben's finished coconut hat making
April 5th - It was an early start. We jumped on a boat and headed over to Mini Loc Island which is a thirty minute boat ride from Lagen Lsland where we where staying. We had breakfast on arrival to Mini Loc Island then we went to see the jackfish get fed. Paige and I snorkeled and watched the fish jumping for the food the jackfish where huge at least one meter long and around thirty cm wide. After the feeding we hopped on another boat and head to do some more diving. We ended up at south Entalula where we did a wall dive. We went down about 21 meters and the area was amazing with all types of fish. I felt a little sick and ended up finishing the dive a little early. We returned to Lagen Island and spent the afternoon relaxing. Paige and I decided to have a massage while Ben took to the walking track over the island.
April 6th - Our last day on the island and we decided to have a sleep in and see what today brought with no plans.
It was sad to leave such a great location and one the way back on the boat off the island we didn't know if we would make our flight on time due to the boat having mechanical difficulties. I was very happy that the captain was able to fix the problem and we made it to our flight.
Lagen Island was well worth the travel the Island was amazing and couldn't really complain about anything, I think I would have liked fresh orange juice for breakfast but the Island was amazing.
Paige doing bubble making
Paige with the dive instructor
