Puerta Princesa -The Philippines-2009

29 March 2009
Our week stay in PP was very interesting and as usual we "hunter gathered" for supplies, enjoyed the trike rides to town, visited the main tourist attractions and wandered around the town soaking up the crazy, chaotic atmosphere.
 (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Crazy Puerta Princesa!

In the Philippines you never know just what you'll see or want may happen. One day we came across this sign outside the Bank  "Please Deposit Your Firearms to the Guard on Duty" and thought it would take an interesting photo. So we asked if the guards minded and they didn't so we posed for the photo. However, when Tom took the photo the guards all raced to him smiling and asked to check the photo. One of them wasn't pleased with how he looked, so we all had to pose again!

Fran and Friends!

The beautiful Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Jose Rizal statue and Park are interesting attractions near the waterfront.  During the Spanish occupation a small church  was built in 1872 and was later developed to become the Cathedral in 1961. It is rather unique as it is very angular and the arches on the inside and outside are pointed . Rizal became a  martyr and National hero after his Military Trail and Execution in 1896 for his  political activities during the Spanish Colonial Era.

Note the Pointed Arches

Rizal  Park and the Cathedral

Bancas at Salang

One of the most interesting days spent in this area was a visit to the world renowned St Paul Subterranean National Park. This is where an Underground River empties directly into the sea and can be explored by boat. It is reputed to be the longest Underground River in the world and has been on the World Heritage List since 1999 along with the beautiful jungle in the National Park.

Tom and Fran Ready for Action!

But first one must experience a very uncomfortable bumpy ride from Puerta Princesa to the little beach village of Sabang on the other side of the Island! We did a day trip with a local tour group in a mini van. From Sabang we rode in a colourful local banca, first on the open sea then around to the river mouth.

From there we transferred to a river boat along with the other tourists to enjoy about 2 km of the underground river. It was rather like being in boat in a cave and a tad "touristy" but fun never-the-less.

Once back in PP we began to watch for our weather window for our run down to Sabah East Malaysia. All in all we both loved Puerta Princesa and would certainly go back there as it's a good safe anchorage and a fun place to be!

The Philippines-2009

Bohol Island The Philippines
January 2009 found us still in the Philippines so we left Hamamas tucked up in Porter Marina in Cebu Is and flew to Australia for the arrival of our latest grandson. Brenton Thomas Dixon (Keira Lee and Cam's 2nd child) was born many weeks early and gave us a bit of a scare for a while but he rallied around.

We had a great time with most of the family and wished we could have stayed longer!

We arrived back at Porter Marina  6 weeks later itching to finally get moving after such a long stopover. (Refer to "Why Did We Stay So Long In Cebu?" in "Tall and Not So Tall Tales")

Sunset at Porter Marina

It was extremely hard to say farewell to our wonderful Porter Family and our other friends in Cebu. We enjoyed a wonderful farewell dinner at Eddie and Norma's home.

Farewell Dinner at Eddie & Norma's

It was with sadness we left Porter Marina in early March and set sail to beautiful little Bohol Is 86 nm away.

A Backward Glance Towards Porter Marina

SV Hamamas at Bohol Island

The Famous Chocolate Hills Bohol Is

While  at Bohol  we played tourists and visited many of the main attractions. This included the spectacular Chocolate Hills where there are over 1000 identical limestone hills that are famous for their delicious chocolate colour in the dry season.

We also measured our hands against the tiny Philippine Tarsiers.These are saucer eyed insect eating monkeys smaller than a child's fist. They are just so cute and one can't believe their size!

There were many old colonial Spanish monuments as well as this statue commemorating the Sandugo or "Blood Compact" which was made between the Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and the local Chieftains.

The impressive Tagbilaran Cathedral in the town centre was built in 1767 and dedicated to St Joseph. It was burnt down in 1798 and rebuilt and enlarged in 1855 to it's present size.

Just as impressive was the Columbus Church and Memorial.

Tom & Columbus!

We also enjoyed a river cruise and luncheon on the Lobac River. The local villages and school children perform traditional dances on platforms beside the river.

On the Lobac River Bohol Island

Bohol is a lovely peaceful little island that is worth a visit.

Porter Marina- The Philippines-2008

31 Dec, 2008
By now it was mid December, almost Christmas and as we didn't wish to spend Christmas alone and our friends from Keturah were too far ahead of us for us to catch up to them by Christmas we decided to stay on at Porters until the New Year.

Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them.)

The Lovable Eddie and Norma Porter

Eddie and Norma had encouraged us to do this as there were lots of celebrations coming up. So we stayed on and had a wonderful time over the next few months.

Fun at Porters

Here is a taste of our fantastic time.

First of all, on Saturday 6 Dec 2008, we celebrated the opening of the Porter Marina Pool and attended Vincent's Memorial Party. It was 5th anniversary of the death of the Porter's grandson, Vincent, who was killed in a car accident at age 7. The family staged a firework display in his honour. It was very sobering and interesting and we felt honoured to be included as family. All Eddie and Norma's family came and we had lots and lots of yummy Filipino and Spanish food!.

Preparing the Fireworks

After that there was Eddies birthday party and Dee's and Julia's, Eddie and Norma's granddaughters, birthday parties.

Well then there was Christmas and New Year and all the holidays that goes with it. I'm sure there are more holidays in the Philippines than any where else in the world !  I am not complaining as this involved lots of fun, food and fireworks!.

Now to Light Them!

We felt thrilled when Eddie and Norma almost adopted us! They had a huge family so the celebrations were never ending and as we were considered "family" we were invited to everything. We did not complain about that!

Next we attended the Three King Festival at the Spanish Club.Yes and had more fantastic food, fun and more fireworks!

The Porters and Fran with the Kings

By Jan 2009 we had to extend our Visas as there was either too much wind or not enough to sail.

Meanwhile, we cleaned and oiled the teak decks, gathered all the paper documentation for the Insurance claim and bought our replacement dinghy and motor.

Norma and Edmund Porter

Then we were thrilled to be able to attend the Sinulog Fluvial Festival which is the biggest singing dancing festival on the Cebu calender.

The Sinulog Fluvial Parade is a celebration that re enacts the Spanish bringing Christianity and the miracles of the Santo Nino, the Christ Child, to Philippines .

The Santo Nino Statue

This was the most amazing experience of all as we were the guests of Commodore Norma Porter of the Cebu Coast Guard on board the led boat in the Fluvial Harbour Parade.

There were hundreds of boats, thousands of people and an unimaginable display of sound, colour, emotions and faith.  It was AMAZING!

I have written our impressions of Parade for the Cebu Coast Guard Newsletter.  (Refer to "Impressions of the Sinulog Fluvial Festival" in "Tall and Not so Tall Tales")

This  Says It All!

Fran and the Porter Kids!

Lunch Anyone?

Porter Marina- Cebu Is- The Philippines- Nov 2008

26 Nov, 2008
We had arrived safe and sound at Porter Marina and Shipyard on Monday and that afternoon the divers came and measured up as they need to make a special cradle for each boat they slip. Tuesday the boys welded the cradle and Wednesday they inched us up. There were 8 men, a truck, a tracker, the Boss and 2 divers! The divers were using air straight from an ordinary compressor via a long hose, as they went under the boat to place the wedges on top of the struts to hold us steady. It was a bit near racking but they did an amazing job even though there was a lot of jabbering. Once we were steady on the cradle the tractor slowly pulled us out. Phew! I'd rather come out on a travel lift but these guys did very well.
(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them.)

Into the Slip for Haulout.

The rudder damage was not a pretty sight as the bottom section of it was bent up at about 30 Degree angle something like this \ and it had a big split in the fibreglass. It made my stomach churn to see it. However, Tom assured me that it was all repairable. At this stage we did not know what damage had been done to the skeg. The main thing was we were somewhere where it could be fixed. It would just may take time and money .

Damaged Rudder. Not Pretty!

Very quickly the boys had the rudder out and they started working on it. Tom was overseeing the work as well as working with the boys.

Taking the Rudder Out.

It was so hot that our fridges were having trouble as they are water cooled when we are in the water and air cooled when we are out of the water. We had all the fans on so at least they were coping. Also we couldn't run the aircon while up on the slip so we were a tad sticky. We were up so high that we had a panoramic 360 degree view. We could see the village behind us and watch the villagers collecting mussels at low tide and heading out to fishing in their banacs. Also we had views across Cebu Harbour to Mactan Is as well as over the city and the mountains. It was a "million dollar view!"

One day we were able to witness a Religious Fiesta and the blessing of the fleet of about 10 small fishing boats (bancas). Sadly it was too dark to take photos.

The Damaged Rudder

By Dec 1 we were still on the slip as the machine shop was having difficulty straightening the shaft. Tom had sent the rudder back twice and finally he went in to make that the shaft was straight and sure enough when they came back it was STRAIGHT. The next step was for it to be epoxied together, then painted with 3 different coats of goo.

Tom Checking All is Well

Straight as Straight Can Be Yeah!

Very soon it was 7 Dec and we were still on the slip as the weather messed us around preventing the boys from fiberglassing. Day by day Tom and the boys worked on the rudder and then the anti fouling and finally after 17 days on the slip we were back in the water!

Dry Dock-The Philippines-2008

14 Nov 2008 Decisions, Decisions!

Over the next few days we licked our wounds and began to get our heads around what we had to do next. We contacted the police to report the theft and our insurance company about the damage and losses. We also had to find a suitable place to haul out as Pepe's yard only had careening poles.

After a considerable amount of chasing around we eventually found a slipway not too far away at Porter Marina near Liloan just across the harbour from the Cebu Yacht Club that could do the job on the rudder. While we were out of the water we decided to have the anti fouling done as we were going to have the boat lifted out on the travel lift in Kudat (Sabah- Borneo) anyhow.

Tom Using the Emergency Tiller

We arranged quotes for the slipping of the boat and repair work and for a replacement dinghy and motor but the Insurance company was slow to follow up as they had to speak to this person and that person and this person was away on Friday and Monday and....and... and... because we had a Blue Water Policy they had to speak to their London Office and so it went on and on!  It was very frustrating.

When we finally received the go ahead from the Insurance Company and we had a calm sea weather window we said our second sad farewell to all our pals at Pepe's and hand steered Hamamas the 15nm to Porter's Marina. On arriving we were closely watched by Eddie Porter (the owner) as we gingerly manourvered Hamamas into place. Eddie was so impressed by our skills and touched by our plight that he took us "under his wing" and welcomed us as family.  And so began another very interesting time.

SV Hamamas at Porter Marina Cebu

Cebu and Mactan Is-The Philippines-2008

Nov 2008
While in the Cebu Marina we decided to visit most of the major tourist sites in and around Cebu City and Mactan Is.

Sunday at the Bascilica

This included the magnificent Bascilica Minore del Santo Nino which was built in 1565. It has a checkered history as it burnt down 3 times before being rebuilt in it’s present form in 1737. It houses the much revered statuette of the Santo Nino. This image of Jesus as a child is said to have been given to King Humabon of Cebu and his family by the Magellan Expedition in 1521 when they and 800 of their subjects were baptised. It is the oldest religious relic in the country and is the subject of intense devotion and Religious Pilgrimages throughout the Visayas.

Magellan's Cross

Nearby, a replica of Magellan’s Cross is housed in a stone rotunda which was built in 1841. This large wooden crucifix contains a few splinters from the original cross which Magellan planted on the shores of Cebu in 1521. There is a beautiful painting on the ceiling of the Magellan Expedition erecting the cross.

Fort San Pedro, the oldest Fort in the country, was also built in 1565 by Miguel Legazpi mainly to protect the Spanish Expedition and the city from invaders It has a beautiful well maintained walled gardens but the Fort itself crumbling away. The Fort has an interesting past as it once severed as a garrison, a rebel stronghold, a prison camp and a city zoo!

Fort San Pedro

The Carbon Markets in the City were a sight to behold, but beware of your wallet! Like most outdoor markets it's a cacophony of activity, noise, aromas, pollution, chaos and people!

The Carbon Markets. Note the Wires!!

We also visited the Punta Engano Peninsular and the Lapu Lapu Memorial Park on Mactan Is. This is where, in 1521 Magellan was fatally wounded with a spear and poisoned arrow while making his last stand against Chief Lapu Lapu in a ferocious battle. Magellan had befriended most of the other warrior chiefs but underestimated how well Lapu Lapu and his men would defend their island!

The Chieftan Lapu Lapu

Magellan's Memorial

Dry Dock- The Philippines - 2008

July 2008
Well here it is a month later and what a month it has been! The experiences have been overwhelming! We very quickly settled into our "funny little bamboo marina" in Pepe's Yard at dry Dock and proceded to get to know the personalities and life stories of our fellow boaties as well as the local Filippinos working at Pepe's. There were many Australian and other boaties from NZ England and even Austria. Some were having refits done and some of us were sheltering during the typhoon season.

The small bar on the balcony of the old shed was very well frequented as we had few beers every afternoon about 5.30pm. Here we also caught up with the news of the day as we all told a "few lies, jokes, stories and funny tales or the woes of the day." It was happy fun place to be.

On a couple of occasions Ben planned the "Dry Dock Hash Walks" where we went through the villages and into the scenic countryside then back for dinner and drinks, the so called "Hash Bash". These gatherings were a "hoot".

Overlooking Dry Dock

Walking Through the Villages

The Gang!

Terry organised nights out at the "Bamboo Grill" in Danao and the "Celebrity Car Wash" and "Connie's Place" for dinner for muisc and a meal. It was so much fun as we laughed and danced the night away.

The Bamboo Grill

Dancing the Congo Line at Connie's Place!

The weather was variable but mainly hot and sticky with not much rain but at one stage Typhoon Fengshen (Frank) passed north of us. Once again we experienced the strong winds and heavy rain associated with a TRS but we were well protected in Dry Dock.

 We found The Philippines a colourful, chaotic crazy place that you  couldn't help liking!

Dry Dock-The Philippines-2008

First Impressions of Dry Dock 

 (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Port Carmen is on Cebu Is about 30nm north of Cebu City. First we anchored in the Port Carman itself where we were surrounded by Fish Farms and Shelters built on floating drums. It was very serene and picturesque and we were amazed to see that the fisherman not only tended their fish farms but also fished from daylight to dusk. they always smiled and waved to us but didn't bother us at all.

On the second day we were there another yacht "Marlin " came in. We had previously met them in Palau so we had a few drnks with them before they set off towards Manila.

We did not stay long in Port Carmen  anchorage as we wanted to get Hamamas into typhoon shelter as soon as possible so we could leave Hamamas while we travelled back to Australia. So we moved further around to another area where there was a boat yard and a marina of sorts. It was called Dry Dock. It was still near Port Carmen and only 5 km from the town of Danao (where they manufacture guns!). Also it was only 1 hour jeepney/bus ride from Cebu City which is the capital of Cebu Island.

So we ended up in a floating berth in a funny, rickity, bamboo claytons "marina"' in Pepe's Yard where we had power and could buy water. The bonus was that Dry Dock was a typhoon shelter as well as being reasonably cheap. Actually, the Japanese built the Dry Dock during WW II. It is called Dry Dock as it is a big ship repair yard where the ships can be pulled out of the water on a trolley (railway lines). While we were there many old rusting hulks came in for repairs and the noise and dust was overwhelming. As you can imagine it was not the cleanest place to be!

We met a very interesting group of yachties at Dry Dock who were having work done on their yachts or catamarans or sheltering for the Typhoon Season like us. A lot of them were Aussies but also there were some from NZ and even a chap from Austia! We had heaps of fun as with them as we usually met on the Bamboo Balcony every afternoon to enjoy the sunset and one or two San Miguels!

As the weeks went by we had many interesting road trips to Cebu in a variety of colourful jeepneys and buses. The noise was horrendous as the jeepneys and buses all have ghetto blasters booming out "music" as loudly as possible. Often we rode with roosters,chickens,sugar cane, barrels of fresh fish and 70 odd souls crammed into one bus. Actually it is fun as every trip is a different adventure.

The traffic was chaotic but somehow everyone seems to get to where they want to go without any "road rage." The drivers just seem to weave in and out of the lanes and traffic rather like a ballet dance. Occasionally they may just give the smallest peep on the horn. It really was amazing.

Oh I forgot to mention. When we checked into Immigration and Customs we felt we were ripped off as they charged us PP 25000 for 59 days even though we had a years Visa that we had paid in Palau! Later we found out that they usually rip everyone off!