19 March 2008
San Fernando
Sibuyan Island
Philippines
12.17.9 N 122.35.9E

Sailing most of the way to San Fernando from Gigante islands was such a treat. We only used the motor for 2 hours in the middle of the day. Captain Bill was very pleased with the way the new mainsail was performing to windward. We could play music and I started reading a detective novel.
As Sibuyan Island came closer to view we could see the rugged 6000' mountains apparently some of the most heavily forested areas in the Philippines. Unfortunately the locals are busy with chainsaws if you go into the mountains. An American bomber plane was only recently discovered in the 90s complete with skeletons and machine guns by a local cutting grass. Since then there has been quite a bit of interest. As it's a 3 day hike through steep jungle I think we'll give it a miss!

As we looked for a place to anchor a couple of fellows in a canoe waved us over towards the far end of the beach where we could see a couple of local ferry boats. As we had been on the boat for 2 days we thought we'd go ashore to stretch our legs. As Bill rowed us to shore a man was waving at us with a stick so we went towards him. He informed us that when we were coming in we went into a restricted area and normally there is a 2500 peso fine so he said we would be fined if there was a second attempt. As we were ignorant of this we said "sorry' and would let other yachties know on noonsite. Bill said he had to tick us off in front of the locals because he had to be seen to treat everyone equally.
San Fernando is a gorgeous little town- we were the only white tourists
and got lots of 'hellos' and 'good evenings'. We wandered through the cute little streets and enjoyed observing and interacting with the friendly locals in their little shops. These little tiny shops are mostly lean-tos and there were quite a few little old buildings in Spanish style. We had a burger with ham and egg in a tiny lean-to eatery with 2 tables for 70 pesos -less than $2
We are heading to Boracay tomorrow - the equivalent of Mooloolaba/Noosa/surfers paradise of the Philippines. We might even hire a jet ski!. Then to Cuyo island then Puerto Princesa. Not far to Malaysia then!
We are keeping a tally of the mileage since Mooloolaba - now at 4094. Its 7000 to Greece and 22000 back home the long way!
All well on board

18th March 2008
enroute Gigantes to Sibuyan Island
Philippines

Last night after the local boys hung around staring at us for ages even after selling us some fish they went off only 100m away and next thing KABOOM!
They were dynamiting fish. Scary....But that's what they do here...
We are sailing to Sibuyan island today as going to Boracay is too risky sailing at night. There are so many little boats and unlit fish traps everywhere. Sibuyan is a bit to the north and sounds nice. A quiet little town called San Fernando. They discovered a crashed US bomber there in the mountains only a couple of years ago and retrieved the bodies etc...
I am just having my coffee whilst typing this. It is beautiful here. In Oz it would be a wild part of the world and it looks it here except for the tiny village on the beach 100 m away

17th March 2008
South Gigantes Island
We have just anchored south of one of the Gigante Islands.Position :
> 11.35.2N 123.21.0E
> We are currently surrounded by a dozen or so canoes with young men staring at us. One finally said 'fish' and we said 'yes'. We gave them 40 pesos and a can of
> corned beef for 2 beautiful fish. Language is very limited so after
> smiling and laughing at one another for a while we have retreated inside
> the cabin to prepare dinner and have a quiet drink. They are still out
> there staring at the boat! We are in a secluded bay with rock walls,
> little white sand beaches with the one at the far end having a small
> village. I guess that's where they are from. They are all young men
> laughing and chatting with one another. I guess we are an object of
> curiosity and the most exciting thing that's happened in a while!
>
> It's 100 miles to Boracay our next intended anchorage and we are not sure
> how we'll tackle that one. It's usually not a good idea to sail at night
> around here but we do know of yachts that have