Wednesday 26 March 2008
Albanico Yacht Club
Puerto Princesa
9.45.917N 118.43.834E

Valiam is now anchored amongst yachts from around the world - the most she's seen since Noumea a few years ago. Her crew is happy also to meet other crazy people who choose to live on a small floating object going from place to place. We were certainly pleased to see 2 other yachts and crew we met in Palau 2 months ago. They of course have been cruising at a leisurely pace while we raced over to Oz by plane then scooted over to the other side of the Philippines a matter of weeks. Peerliane is here with her French crew Franck, Everlyne, Martin and Basile. We had a few drinks with them yesterday afternoon. They will be heading to Malaysia after the Sunday buffet at the yacht club. I think we'll do the same. As I type this Bill is making noises above me on deck improving the rigging.

Albanico yacht club is a simple dwelling on poles in the water not unlike many of the residences that grace the waterfront in this part of the world. John and Englishman who manages the yacht club welcomed us with a free beer and gave us heaps of advice. His wife Cissy we haven't met yet but she seems a very talented person. She builds sailing dinghies and teaches kids to sail. The yacht club raises money to encourage this. John says she knows of an excellent masseuse to fix my back. As I type this with a pillow behind my back I am reminded of being squashed into the tiny side car of the motor-tricycle last night . Bill and I have to bend then fold ourselves in with our hips squashed together and our knees up around our ears. It's quite a way into town - at least 20 minutes. To extricate ourselves is also a feat and for Linda to straighten in her present condition is nearly impossible.

We had dinner at one of the best restaurants we've ever eaten in 'Kalui' - easily rivals the Spirit House (on the Sunshine coast). The building was like a bamboo tree house with gorgeous carvings, paintings and printed fabrics. We had to take our footwear (in our case thongs) off at the door. We chose a set seafood menu. Small artistically arranged and delicious morsels came to the table every few minutes. I had fresh coconut juice straight from a green coconut. We were very satisfied and happy especially since the bill only came to 500 pesos (less than A$15)

I love the name Puerto Princesa - especially the 'princess' bit! From what we've seen from the water and our short stroll in town last night we like it very much. It has a lively happy atmosphere and many types of eating establishments as well as other normal non touristy shops. There's a beautiful church with 2 spires painted in 2 shades of blue. It looks like a fairy castle from Disneyland or from the Barbie princess movies Caylan likes.

We look forward to chatting to more of the yachties around here in the next few days. We briefly met a kiwi couple who have just come from Malaysia so it will be good to hear what they have to say. We also met Alan from Chile who has sailed from there 3 times. Bill wants to talk to him further about that part of the world.
Everlyne (from Peerliane) says the boys are busy in the mornings doing their correspondence lessons. I can think of worse places to do school work! They are such nice boys. Even though we only met them for a few days in Palau they were pleased to see us and shook our hands. I don't think Aussie kids greet their parents' friends in this way. Or perhaps it's because cruising kids mix with adults such a lot and are more mature socially in lots of ways.

Anyway until next time,

All well and happy on board.

Captain Bill and Linda
SV Valiam
www.valiam.com.au