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With Vina's daughter Angela, my inaanak.

   One of my closest friends from high school Vina, was planning to go to Calbiga, Samar for an outing with her family but there were recent incidents of ambush and encounters with some leftist groups that she decided to change destination.  She called me up and I told her about some of the nice spots here in our province and she decided on Canigao.  I actually have been sort of wanting to start a business similar to rent a car because we have a trustworthy driver, but so far there was only one taker (but didn't push through).  So as an introduction to the idea, I allowed them to use my Fx.  Vina wanted me to go because I know the place like the back of my hand, and anyways they would cover everything.  Hard to resist another chance to visit my island hahaha, by the looks of how I promote the place (relatives of my other med companions- two groups also went to Canigao after seeing our pics) you would think that I was part owner of the place ;-)

 

Vina's mom, her friends from COA, and our driver having lunch.

The best part for me was buying seafood at rock bottom prices. For example- dried squid is like Php200++ sa Robinson's can be bought at Php110 in Bato (near Baybay and Matalom)- which is our favorite breakfast ulam.  Danggit and also fresh seafood are cheap so bring a styrofoam box with lots of ice.

Vote for our country! Vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

Click on the photo above.  Note: You have to select 7 so as a strategy, 

choose the 6 others less likely to be chosen, and not from strong countries

known for aggressive campaigns (ehem!). We have a few days left- 

valid e-mail address is needed. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

The Philosophy of Travel

Hard to explain why I've come to love Leyte so much, hope these pics say more that what I've failed to explain.  WOW Southern Leyte! Wow Region 8 endorser na yata ako hahaha!

Fiesta! Sing-along time ;-)

Aya's residence had been our "headquarters" since Nursing days. This was either a birthday or a fiesta in 2nd year Nursing (or I suspect it was simply a regular Friday night)

Damn right I can belt a tune! hahahaha

Probably singing a Freestyle song/ TLC/ classic tunes like She's Always a Woman (chos!) o diba, ako na nga ang palaging may hawak sa microphone.

This was last night- three doctors and three nurses.  Aya and Thea are 1st year med in CIM in Cebu while the other three ladies Lor, Hyleen, and Zippo are volunteer nurses.

Aliens ;-)

    Nice to finally have a reunion with my St Scho buddies last night- we got to talk about the differences of approach sa CIM and RTR.  Sa CIM half day sila everyday (small group discussions sa hapon ata) every two weeks ang major exam na departmental- multiple choice na board exam type questions halo halo na Histology, Biochem, Anatomy, etc.  While sa RTR separate ang exams namin- sa Anatomy alone 4 exams in a region for example head and neck- then 40 items from nerves by dr. so and so, 30 items osteology from another prof- there are 4 in all, with recall type questions like enumeration, identification, fill in the blanks, and morse type and essay.  The exams for Histology, Physio etc are given by their specific departments. Hay... Anyways we all agreed kahit saan, bugbog sarado talaga lahat ng med students basing on the sheer volume of information that needs to be absorbed.  So enjoy muna habang sem break!  They will go back to Cebu after All soul's day.

Canigao Dreaming

      What I miss about Canigao the most is the peace and quiet.  I think that distinguishes it from all other beaches I've been to- Boracay and Puerto Galera are so noisy, Samar is a little too isolated that all you'd hear are either crickets or the roaring Pacific.  Canigao faces Bohol and Cebu so the sea is placid.

     It was my first time to sleep under the stars, and boy there were a lot of them.  Reminded me when I was 7 and we visited the Planetarium on a field trip.  When you lay on the sand, the waters calm and glimmering from luminous creatures that lurk in the shallow waters, the sky above is a blanket of a thousand stars.  The moon is so large it almost looks artificial- inside your tent you might mistake it for a spotlight.  At a distance, the mainland lights shimmer across the water.

    I was really smitten by this island and the people of Matalom who takes care of their treasure.  They are very organized, very polite to visitors.  The communal showers and comfort rooms are clean and available 24 hours a day for those who live on rented tents (200-300 per night depending on the size).  There are Tourist rooms (fan rooms) with its own toilet and bath at 1,500 a night but the electricity in the island is only from 6pm to 12 midnight.  I say, tent accommodations are better.

    The snorkeling and diving areas still have a variety of corals and fishes to catch one's interest (there is a sanctuary on the island), while the swimming areas are shallow which allow young children to frolic.  There are stores and canteens at the center of the island that sell essentials and cooked meals.  For who prefer to grill fresh seafood (which locals sell at very reasonable prices) they also have designated areas.  For safety reasons, they do not allow bonfires so it is ideal for tourists to bring lamps and also mosquito repellents.  Overall Canigao gives the best island experience in Leyte- and the cheapest! Imagine, including transportation, food, accommodations- we spent only 630 pesos each (inclusive of driver's wages already).  The eight of us only added Php 100 more for a side trip to Maasin City- the capital of Southern Leyte for a visit to other attractions.

Underwater shots.

Simple living.

Hope next time I get to stay not just overnight but a little longer.  I miss the peace and quiet, and the soothing waters of Canigao...

Sunrise, Sunset