Yesterday we booked a sunrise climb of the Tawal cliffs, so I woke up at 4:30, dipped in the sea to cool off the sunburn, filtered some water and packed for the climb.

We started the climb at 5:30. The day before we’d heard that a guide had fallen, and was now in a coma… That didn’t install confidence, but neither was it to put us off.

We walked through the back streets of the town, surrounded by sooo many roosters crowing all around. Then got out to the start of the jungle that we were to climb through. It swiftly became apparent that this was definitely a climb and not a trek, everything was jagged limestone rocks, everything was at least 45 degrees, it was intense, we were all dripping with sweat (the guide, my Canadian buddy Nick and I) by half way, it was also 28 degrees and very humid, our hands were getting a bit cut up too. After almost an hour’s climbing by torchlight (I got to use my Pretzl e-lite head torch, it was perfect, exactly what I needed, thank you mother :)) we got to the top, to see the incredible view before the sun started to rise over the other rocks. But the sun was blocked by clouds as it had been raining for the last quarter.

After going a little higher we decided to head down. This was a lot harder as the rocks were now getting slippy from the rain. I did slip and one point and bashed my shin pretty solidly on the edge of a rock, got a good cut and a lot of brushing. We also saw all the gawes packaging and a lot of blood where the guide had fallen. We also crossed a couple with a guide going up, they were much more sensible, with climbing cloves and helmets (well the couple at least). After a long dripping wet decent we got back to town and went and had a well deserved breakfast of tampori I think it was called, sticky chicken, rice and eggs (everything here is meat, rice and eggs).

Then we both went back to our dorms to shower and nap, as we were tired and it was still tipping it down with rain.

I booked at 7:30 to go on an island hopping toor around some of the local islands and lagoons.

Tour starts at 9:00 so I went and had some breakfast and the like with a chap from my dorm that I bumped into and also then signed up to the tour (A Canadian called Nick, I always seem to hang out with Canadians, they’re all so nice).

There are so many stores that offer the tours! Loads of people have boats and take you out, they are quite officially done so that they’re all about the same price, include the same sites etc. Everywhere on the first road off the beach is either a bar a diving shop or a tour booking place. Loads of people have tour boats, it’s good money for those who can.

The tour started with a long boat ride out to one of the other beaches on this island only accessible by sea: there was loads of coral there and thus loads of great fish to see. Oh yeah we had snorkels and masks on the boat, I’d never done it before so I got as involved as possible. It was amazing! I love it so much!

Then next stop was called the big lagoon which was in an island, there was loads of amazing fish their too, but to get to the lagoon you had to walk over shallow broken coral areas, it was soon sharp! I cut my left foot up. I should have taken my flip flops and in, or invested in one of the kayaks. But it was cool when you got to the lagoon, very very deep, I didn’t think to dive down, but it was very warm too. Then I had to come back to the boat for time reasons.

Then we went to the small lagoon, this was much quieter, and we hired a kayak for here, it was beautiful! The water was so clear that you didn’t need to snorkel, you could see all the fish from their surface! It was a great place!

Then we went back out to the boat and had a feast of a lunch! 🙂 Fresh fish, pork, chicken, rice, cucumber, egg plant, water Mellon pineapple, mini bananas, it was amazing! I finished everything off (of course).

Then we went to the secret lagoon, the lagoon was okay, it was through a tiny cave, but the beach there was absolutely amazing!!! 1 small hut, loads of amazing sand, incredible views, breathtaking.

Then we went off to other places, but I forget where, so many beautiful places! Then we had to go back, but it was all so amazing! Unfortunately I couldn’t take photos in most places, due to fear of water damage.

Then when we got back to the beach, after a shower we went to the beach on the other side of the island and watched the sunset, it was so beautiful! Then got some street meat and an early night… Well when I got back I found out that when diving I had got some sunburn, even though on the boat I always stayed in the shade and wore lots of sun cream. But none of it was too bad, but I treated it all well.

Another amazing day.

I decided to go a more direct route than normal to El Nido on Palawan island, I’ve got a direct flight from a plane company that doesn’t come up on any web search and I had to email them directly to book the flight. It’s a 40 person plane, I’ll see how it goes…