First Weekend

I managed to get out at the weekend. I use the term weekend very loosely because the company I work for only gives us the Sunday off. Shouldn't there be another word to describe this other than weekend.

On Sunday morning I actually went to the site because that is the only place I have internet access (and even there it's tempermental and intermitant). Mad Dave the steeplejack came along too to check e-mails and to read the UK papers.

During my weekend visit I'd back in April I'd spent some time looking at potential accommodation to rent. I visited a guest house that was owned by a British expat, Stan, who is married to a Filipino.

The accommodation was basic, although functional and would have only been okay for a short stay. What really appealed to me was the fact it backed on to the beach. From here you could see the neighbouring island, Negros, and Mt. Kanlaon, its 2500m high volcano.

Stan pointed out to me a tiny island that was really a just a sand bar and which was only visible by the single storey observation post that had been erected on it.

I suggested to Dave that we go and take a look so we took the works bus to Stan's house. Stan wasn't around (although his belligerent dogs were) as he was in the "city" (Toledo) so we wandered through his grounds to the beach. Once on the rather dirty beach we were looking for a willing boatman to take us to the island. There was a guy asleep on a bench who was woken up

by his dog that was asleep under the bench and in very poor sign language indicated that the two of us wanted to go to the island. The guy took a while to pull himself together and then came over and started talking to in his own language. Of course I didn't have clue what he was talking about but he pointed to a canoe with bamboo outriggers and said "motor" and "gasoline" so I gave him Php150 as a contribution towards his fuel, not knowing if this was remotely enough or too much money.

He wandered off and came back with his family and a plastic bottle of petrol which he poured into the outboard. The boys from the family then pushed the beached craft into the sea, with Dave and I assisting. Once afloat, the motor was started and off we went.

The island is about 1.3 miles from the beach so the journey took about 10 - 15 mins. There was a group of young Filipinos already there, relaxing, having a drink and swimming. The island is approximately 50yds long and shaped like the letter P.

I wasn't sure if the boat owner was going to leave us there and come back later but he moored the boat and seem to be enjoying the trip also.

There wasn't really much to do and walking around took no time at all. I'd not bought my trunks or my snorkelling kit so I couldn't go swimming and so just took a few snaps and chatted with the locals.

At around 4:30pm we headed back just as a crowd of locals turned up on a overcrowed boats. They appeared to be staying for the night as they were carrying lanterns.

On the way back, Dave asked me if the boat would fall over if it didn't have the bamboo outriggers so I told him they were only there for beginners, rather like the stabilisers you have on your bike as a kiddie . . . . . .