Back to the Rat Race

28-29 August 2010
Maricaban Bay, Busuanga - Sablayan Bay, Mindoro - San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas
Philippines

Paraluman, our home away from home

The trip home from Busuanga to Pugad (our home in San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas) is 115 nautical miles (approx 18 hours). We did not want to travel at night though or be anywhere near the infamous Calavite Passage at an unpredictable time so we broke the trip into 2 days. The first day was 58 nm in 8.5 hours from Busuanga to Sablayan Bay, Mindoro. Ahhh, the joy of sailing- quiet, crisp blue skies, steady 16-18 knot wind with waves and current on the same direction as ours. (click here to read why sailing on this day was extraordinarily delightful).

The second leg, the final day of our trip, was 85 nm in 12 hours. We crossed the notorious Calavite Passage which brought a certain dread for Raul and me. Located at the northwestern tip of Mindoro, it is a notoriously treacherous passage and brings trepidation to every boat that passes through. To understand why, imagine all the wind and water from the entire South China Sea flowing into/from the one and only funnel into/from the Philippines from the west. You get a monster of a washing machine of water, waves and wind.

Baby Come Back

28 August 2010
Maricaban Bay- Sablayan Bay/South Pandan Island
Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

We left Maricaban Bay at 7am for our homeward leg, home being San Teodoro, Mabini, Batangas. Mariel stayed behind to fly back to Manila from Coron. She leaves for a 10-month student exchange program in Germany in a week’s time and opted to spend some time with her friends before then. Moreover, she was “sick of being with her parents all day and all night” for 11 days.

Mariel fooling around with our dinghy, Putol.

I should be pleased that Raul and I have the boat to ourselves now. We have more space in our snail home where you can hear every burp and fart. There’s one less mouth to feed (she’s vegetarian and my husband is a carnivore so cooking is always a double effort). We no longer have to hide our illegal substances or control our sexual urges. I can now play my own music anytime. No more messy clothes and clutter everywhere.

Happy Birthday To Me

27 August 2010
Illutuk Bay- Maricaban Bay
Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

After a day and night of non-stop pouring rain and gusty winds, we woke up to a spectacular orange sunrise which led to a shining sun and crisp blue skies. It’s my birthday today.

We sailed to Maricaban Bay and moored at the El Rio y Mar Resort. I had 4 frozen margaritas of different flavors over a sumptuous lunch of grilled prawns which I didn’t prepare and wash dishes for. It’s my birthday today and I’m taking a day off from my vacation.

Drinks and lunch at the bar at the end of the pier surrounded by water in El Rio y Mar.