So here I am, sat in the departure lounge of KK airport, back where the Philippine adventure started. I have decided to fly back to Miri as an easy option.
Fuck the greenhouse gas issue, just for today, I'll make up for it God. Honest.
It's hard to believe it was just over a month ago when I turned around in the check-in line and saw Sabi's huge smile, Liz telling me she wanted a shit and Kipp (AKA Jack Reacher) kicking off because he was being told he couldn't get on the flight to Manila unless he had a return ticket.
The night in Manila and Benji's hospitality in the friendship hostel. The week in Boracay sitting on the beach till sunset listening to playlists drinking Caiparinia,
The fantastic lightning shows across the horizon, drinking ourselves silly till the early hours then playing 'Peter Pan' in the sea, naked, making the sea sparkle with the florescence .
Watching the ferry depart from Caticlan and deciding that we would go on it despite having no fucking idea where it went.
The trip around Mindoro, ''The Long Way Round' or was it 'The Wrong Way Round'. Roxas, a night to remember drinking cheap gin. The long and exciting jeepney ride to San Jose and the disgusting smell of dried fish. San Jose, 'show me the way to' and the schoolboy error of not believing the Rough Guide when it said there were no ATM's.
The ride to Sablayan and the stop off at the prison. Holding a guards fully loaded AK45 (for the uninitiated it's a automatic weapon). The natives in loincloths and their shocking teeth.
The terrible food in Sablayan (excepting the fried rice on the island of Panadan) and the fantastically friendly people.
The Jeepney ride to Alba and renting the fishing boat around the mountain range to White Beach and Puerto Galera. Arriving on the beach, jumping off the boot like Captain 'fuckin' Cooke laying claim to wherever it was.
The BBQ tea's, the Lady Boy shows, the Fire Dancers and when pissed, asking for (and getting) lessons in fire dancing.
The anxiety of running out of money and having to spend a day on pot noodles. Pouring very cheap gin into coconuts because beer would have been a luxury. The ecstasy of finding a money changer that accepted credit cards (for a ridiculous fee).
Having to go all the way back to Manila to get to Palawan.
Puerto Princessa and a great birthday. I don't think I'll ever get three live bands sing happy birthday on the same night again.
THE RIBS ! Glen an Amelia's hostel and his wonderful hospitality. The subterranean caves and a great day out at another of the Asian 8th wonders of the world
The trip by jeepney to El Nido and meeting up with Andrew and Jono. El Nido, the jewel of Palawan. The hostel, Mr John, The Gin and the Rum, the loaded gun on the last night.
Kev and Rosie and the nights of listening to travellers stories (and Kipp's stories again! and again and again.... Only jesting mate!!)
The day island hopping and the wonderful beaches and snorkelling. The harassment at the Art Cafe for using the Internet and not spending enough money.
The wonder of watching one man eat hundreds of hamburgers in one day.
Wondering at the speed of the Internet, praying that the connection on skype just so Kipp could get his flight changed because the consequences would have been more insomnia.
Saying 'Au Revoir' to Sabi and Liz' as they fly back to the cold of Europe.
And then there's the cargo ship..... 16 hours cooked up with 21 buffalo and god knows what else. The rusty nail (unfortunately, not of the cocktail type), the Sea Dive resort, spending time looking at the photos of Andrew and Jono's trip so far.
The hospital, the pain of my infection and the wonderful drug induced dreams. The irony that the cargo ship ticket and the cost of the drugs was exactly the same price as the 'luxury' boat.
It was a fantastic month. Thanks guys, I owe you one.......
Sabi, Liz, Kipp, Andrew, Jono, Kev and Rosie. If you can add anything let me know.
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What a month.. I want it!
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